Kuala lumpur: No signs of sabotage or cyberattack have been detected as the cause of the disruption of the automatic gate system for foreign visitors, said Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain. He stated that the issue is believed to have stemmed from a disruption in data integration between the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs) and the security database of an international enforcement agency, which slowed down the cross-checking process.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Shuhaily emphasized the absence of any indications of a cyberattack and stressed the need for a thorough investigation to determine the actual cause. He assured that all automatic gate systems for foreign visitors, which were previously affected, are now fully operational. Apologizing for any inconvenience caused by the disruption, he assured the public that measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence.
The automatic gate system disruption, reported to have started last Friday, persisted until yesterday evening, resulting in congestion and long queues at several key entry points. These included Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminals 1 and 2, as well as the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB) in Johor. In response, the AKPS implemented mitigation measures, such as activating all manual counters and deploying additional personnel at the affected checkpoints.
Meanwhile, a survey by Bernama at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) in Johor indicated that entry and exit traffic was moving smoothly today, with no signs of congestion, unlike the previous day. Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh confirmed that the e-gate systems were fully restored as of 10 pm yesterday.
Singaporean Narziah Shakor, 55, shared her experience of the disruption, noting the significant inconvenience it caused for many travellers. Narziah, who lives in Bedok, mentioned her son’s advice against traveling to Johor due to reports of severe congestion, which left many stranded for over three hours. She expressed relief that the situation has returned to normal, describing the process as smooth today, despite the challenges faced yesterday.