SINGAPOREANS CAN FAST TRACK ENTRY INTO JOHOR

SINGAPORE, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Singaporeans who frequent Johor, especially
for holidays, daily groceries and relaxation, can now apply for fast-track entry
into Malaysia through the state without getting their passport stamped and
completing the immigration arrival card.

Johor Immigration director Mohd Nasri Ishak said they could now apply for
the facility that used the Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) which was
introduced in July last year.

Briefing Singapore tourism industry players on the MACS here Thursday, Mohd
Nasri said the Malaysian government decided last December to extend further the
facility to ordinary Singaporeans to ease their travel into the country.

The MACS was first introduced on July 16 for fast-track immigration
clearance for foreign investors, businessmen and professionals to support the
economic development of Johor’s Iskandar Region.

It is also given to Singaporeans who have been issued with the relevant
long-term immigration pass and frequently travel within Malaysia and Singapore
for the purpose of working, studying and staying in Malaysia.


Mohd Nasri said to be eligible for the facility, Singapore passport holders
must make the minimum journey of four times into Malaysia in a month.

He said upon approval, a sticker embedded with an RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification) chip would be attached to the passport that could then be used
on dedicated MACS lanes at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu
Bakar immigration checkpoints in Johor Baharu and Tanjung Kupang respectively to
enter and exit the country via Johor.

A fee of RM30 (US$8.97) will be charged for each application and although
the sticker is valid for a year, MACS holders can remain in Malaysia according
to the duration stated in the relevant immigration pass issued.

Mohd Nasri said spouses and dependants of MACS holders could also apply for
the facility with the condition that they had been issued with the relevant
immigration pass.

Since the MACS was introduced, the department had approved 1,075
applications, he added.

Immigration data showed that on average, about 20,000 Singaporeans entered
Johor via the two southern checkpoints daily last year.

Mohd Nasri said for more details on the MACS facility, Singaporean
applicants could access its website at www.imi.gov.my or
www.iskandarmalaysia.com.my.

Earlier, Tourism Malaysia director in Singapore, Zalizam Zakaria said
Singaporeans contributed 53.9 per cent of international tourist arrivals in
Malaysia last year.

He said compared with about 11 million in 2008, 12.7 million Singaporeans
visited Malaysia last year, exceeding the 12 million target, and hoped the
number would increase further to 13 million.

-– BERNAMA