KUALA LUMPUR - The use of the National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe), which will be expanded at Malaysia’s entry points from early in the second quarter, will not be compulsory for all travellers, the Dewan Negara was told.

Deputy Home Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the government will continue to offer several immigration clearance options, including manual passport checks at counters, automatic gates and biometric systems.

“This is to ensure that citizens and travellers have options suited to their needs. The MyBorderPass application, meanwhile, was initially implemented as a temporary measure under a proof-of-concept (POC) approach to ease congestion at the country’s main entry points,” he said during an oral question and answer session, last Wednesday.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew about claims on social media that the MyNIISe system would become mandatory on a certain date and replace the MyBorderPass system.

Shamsul said there is no official date to make the system compulsory and that the government will introduce it in stages to ensure a more organised and integrated immigration process.

“This approach allows the government to implement the transformation of the immigration system in a phased and controlled manner, while safeguarding border security and smooth traveller movement at all entry points,” he informed.

He added that the adoption of MyNIISe is driven by increasing cross-border travel, global security concerns and the need to modernise the immigration system in line with international standards.