The Immigration Department will introduce a device that will enable outgoing passengers to check their travel status at the departure hall of the KL International Airport next month.

Its director-general Mustafar Ali said the device could be used voluntarily by the outgoing passengers before heading to the Immigration counter.

Prior to this, the public could check their travel status online at the department’s official portal.

Mustafar said the introduction of the device was aimed at reducing congestion at Immigration counters, which was mostly due to the outgoing passengers’ unsettled issues with either the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) or the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).

“If the passengers have unsettled problems with the LHDN, they can immediately settle it with the LHDN officer at the airport before catching their flights,” he said.

Prior to this, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) was reported to have planned to open facilitation counters to tackle travel restriction issues at its airports.

MAHB managing director Badlisham Ghazali said the effort would see cooperation from the Immigration Department, LHDN, PTPTN and other relevant agencies.

On another development, Mustafar said the auto-gate system at the KLIA was also being upgraded, with retina recognition technique in the pipeline.

- Bernama