Malaysia to screen visitors ahead of arrival

Malaysia's immigration department has plans to implement an "Advanced Passenger Screening System" (APSS) to obtain early personal information on foreigners about to enter the country via air, similar to what the US does with its "Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA)" system and its "Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS)".

The department's Director-General Datuk Alias Ahmad said such a system would facilitate the department in screening each foreigner who wished to visit Malaysia even before he or she arrives, including whether they are terror or crime suspects.

"The personal information would be first required and sent to Malaysia after the passenger registers to fly to our nation with any airline company. Those found to be blacklisted or suspected to be involved in any crime activities will be prohibited from entering the country," Alias said.

He added only 18 countries, all of them developed countries, had implemented the system and Malaysia would be working with them when the system is in place. The system will be implemented in 2014 in collaboration with Singapore. Both countries agreed to cooperate and share intelligence, apart from working together to detect missing or stolen passports.