MUAR, July 5 — Malaysia and Singapore are targeting the launch of a new digital immigration system and additional lanes by January next year to address congestion at border checkpoints more comprehensively.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the initiative will be jointly launched with his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong once all technical preparations and infrastructure are completed.

He stressed that the project is not a manifesto or new political promise, noting that any new announcements during an election campaign period are against the law.

“God willing, I will launch it together with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong once it is ready, likely in January. It will resolve many issues, including a more advanced digital immigration system to facilitate movement,” he said at the Temu Anwar Johor Ke Depan programme here today.

Anwar said the Home Ministry, through the Immigration Department, is also intensifying efforts to speed up clearance at the country’s entry points.

“The Immigration Department will facilitate the movement, and once the system is ready, it will include new travel arrangements from Singapore to Johor Bahru,” he said.

He added that border efficiency has improved compared to three years ago, but the government remains committed to further enhancing immigration processes.

On a related matter, Anwar said the government is also looking at long-term solutions to reduce reliance on Malaysians commuting to Singapore by strengthening the domestic high-tech sector.

“We want to address this issue because our people working in Singapore have to queue for hours. They should not be burdened this way, so we must find a solution.

“We must find ways, whether through artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, modern or new technologies, so that our people can work here with good income and no longer need to cross over,” he said.

He also said controlling property costs through affordable housing initiatives such as Rumah Madani is important to ensure young people in Johor Bahru can own homes amid rapid development. — Bernama