KUALA LUMPUR: THE Iris Recognition Immigration System eye scanners are among the new measures that will beef up security at the nation’s entry and exit points, including airports, by year end. Other systems that will be in place include the Immigration Department’s MyImms system integration with Interpol’s database of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents, I-Check, upgraded passport scanners, high definition surveillance closed-circuit television and security camera system, and the Advanced Passenger Screening System. Immigration Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Sakib Kusmi said these systems, once implemented would help eradicate transnational crime such as human trafficking and drug smuggling. The new measures were also taken up to cope with any untoward incidents in the country in the wake of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. “The Home Ministry is implementing a facial recognition system, and installing biometric and eye scanners... the eye scanner is reliable as when it is used, every person entering our country would have their eyes scanned and their information is automatically linked to their passports,” Sakib told the New Straits Times, adding that the systems would offer layers of security when a person enters the country. Sakib said as an immediate measure, the Immigration Department was looking at the implementation of the Interpol database system, I-Check at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. He said that after its trial period, the I-Check would be implemented at four other major airports namely the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, and the Kuching, Penang and Kota Kinabalu International airports. It will be expanded to entry and exit points, airports, and land and sea borders. He said the system will be installed upon the cabinet’s approval and after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the police and Interpol. I-Check will connect the Immigration Department’s current system with the police and Interpol. Sakib said the installation of the new technological tools and sharing of information was part of an enhancement plan in the department’s border management system project. The plan includes preventive measures taken to curb transnational crime. “These new technological tools will integrate with the existing MyImms system, where once the data of a visitor is keyed into the system; it will automatically search the database for lost and stolen passport. “We have prepared the working paper and we’re waiting for feedback from the relevant ministries, government agencies and agencies before submitting the paper to the cabinet.” “We will sign the MoU after our legal division perused the document,” he said, adding that the upcoming MoU allows for the sharing of information with Interpol and police, while the working paper was drafted based on the MoU. Sakib said details for the new security measures were being worked out by the Finance Ministry, and the department planned to implement them by the year’s end using this year’s budget. Below are details of the new security measures to be set up at the country’s entry and exit points: - Enhanced biometric system Sakib said the current biometric system in place has loopholes where passengers could skip it to speed up the process at the counter. The department was working toward improving it by installing eye scanners to complement the thumbprint system. The department’s Key Performance Indicator indicates that immigration personnel have to clear passengers at counters in 10 minutes, and that certain times it took two minutes to retrieve a passenger’s data, hence the biometric scan was skipped. Sakib said the 10 minute period was possible if personnel adhered to the upcoming enhanced system. The biometric system would include the installation of eye scanners to complement the thumbprint system, as the latter could fail if skin is worn, sweaty or wet. - Upgraded passport scanners
The upgraded passport scanners were required to identify if a passport is genuine, falsified or tampered. Sakib said the department was ironing out issues related to funding and manpower training before the system could be upgraded. So far, two vendors have demonstrated their devices for consideration. The NST learnt that each device ranges between RM5,000 and RM7,000 in price, and the entire upgrade costs RM1million (inclusive of scanner and integration with MyImms). The new scanners would be able to read passports with imbedded chip, and those without it, as it can detect the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) code that contains the passengers’ information. - HD CCTV Security Camera Systems
Sakib said at the moment, the department uses CCTVs installed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad used to survey the environment. But HD CCTVs would focus on the movement of people. “So we can detect the passengers and which gate they are coming from. This is crucial, because the last time we investigated the MH370 case, we weren’t able to determine where the particular person was coming in from. “We can readily buy and install the passport scanners and HD CCTVs. Unfortunately, we can’t determine when it would be set up as it is pending clearance from the Home and Finance ministries as the plans are not in the Budget.” - Advanced Passenger Screening System (APSS)
The RM6billion system allows the department to quickly check the background of passengers through their passports, and those with a criminal background would be blacklisted and barred from entering Malaysia. “We will try to propose the APSS to the cabinet by this year, as it would take a year to set up the project. The working paper was prepared in March, and the Home Ministry was awaiting for agreement from other ministries which are involved in the system. Sakib said APSS has direct access to all countries, resources, and agencies worldwide. APSS is a long-term plan, and due to its high cost, the department has started off with the Interpol, which could be linked to the APSS in the future. Resource : NST