Under the newly-launched fully drive-through immigration checks
today, drivers and passengers are not required to go out of their vehicle.
Travellers (with passengers if any) need only present their travel documentation (identity card) to the immigration staffs manning the drive-through kiosk for clearance.
Labuan Corporation chief executive officer, Rithuan Ismail said the drive-through checks concept provide more convenience services to travellers especially senior citizens, pregnant women, travellers with small children and people with disability (OKU).
“We listened to people’s dissatisfaction and anger when we came up with a new policy of travel documentation checks at the ferry terminal.
“Therefore, we must ensure the travel documentation checks are not burdening travellers, rather easing the process for a smooth flow of traffic to the ferry,” he said today.
Rithuan said the drive-through immigration checks were introduced following public outcry and criticism over the newly-enforced immigration checks at the ferry terminal.
He reminded travellers to be always ready with their valid travel documentation at the ferry terminal immigration kiosk for a smooth process.
A traveler, Mohd Ismail Said, 47, when met at the terminal said the drive-through
checks is the answer to public’s grievances over the newly-enforced policy.
“It is much more convenience for me and my family members. We only presented our ICs to the immigration staff at the drive-thru kiosk without alighting from our vehicle and the check were done in less than three minutes,” he said.
Mohd Ismail said the drive-through concepts should also be implemented at the Menumbok ferry terminal to avoid a long queue of vehicles.
On September 10, the Home Ministry had directed the Immigration Department to enforce stricter control at the two Labuan ferry terminals, especially on non-Sabahan travellers bound for mainland Sabah.
Its former minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said stricter control was needed to ensure no uncontrolled travellers to mainland Sabah via Tanjung Pagar, Sipitang, Menumbok and Jesselton jetties, as requested by the Sabah government.
There had been allegations that the free flow policy at the ferry terminals were abused by certain quarters, resulting in out of control entry into Sabah.
