JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 28 — Latest technology scanners will be deployed at the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) Complex in Bukit Chagar here once the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link starts operations early next year.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the implementation of this technology marks a first for Malaysia and serves as part of efforts to enhance security at the nation’s entry points.
He explained that the technology is capable of detecting objects carried on a person’s body, including items wrapped or concealed in specific materials intended to evade detection.
“A demonstration of this equipment was presented to me while I was reviewing security preparations for the Malaysia-Singapore Cross-Border Joint Security Exercise (Field Training Exercise/FTX 2026).
“I was shown a system that is capable of detecting not just weapons, but anything else a person might be carrying on their body,’ he told reporters at the Malaysia-Singapore Cross-Border Joint Security Exercise (FTX 2026) closing ceremony at the RTS Link Wadi Hana site here today.
Also present were Singapore’s Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann an Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh.
Saifuddin Nasution said there is no longer any room or opportunity for anyone to evade detection if they attempt to conceal items as the equipment will identify them.
More than 100 of the latest scanning units will be deployed at the Bukit Chagar ICQ Complex.
Saifuddin Nasution explained that these enhancements align with a Cabinet directive for the home and transport ministries to look into strengthening security at the nation’s entry points.
He added that both ministries, through their respective secretaries-generals, have proposed 17 initiatives, encompassing short to medium and long term measures.
“For the start, more targeted inspections will take place with a focus on passengers and goods arriving from locations identified as high-risk based on established profiles and past incidents.
“More intensive inspection protocols are being implemented to ensure that security at the country’s entry points remains resilient.
“There will also be improvements that extend to access passes management,” he said, adding that the passes had longer validity periods, but they will now be subject to annual renewal.
