Malaysia to collect visitors’ biometrics
25 March, 2011
category: Biometrics, Government
Starting in June, the Malaysian Government is planning to begin collection of thumbprint data from foreign visitors at each of the 96 entry points to the country, according to a FutureGov article.
The new process is intended to track visitors from their entry through departing as well as to better find and stop wanted criminals from entering the country by having the immigration biometric database, called the National Foreigners Enforcement and Registration System, linked up with the Malaysian Police’s biometric database, called the Biometric Fingerprint Identification System.
Other issues the new system may be able to handle includes overstay, falsification of documents and misuse of visas, passes and permits. Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, has explained to the country’s parliament that he expects the system to be effective in fighting immigration issues just as similar systems in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia have been.
Read the full story here.