Malaysia Targets 2 Million Singaporean MACS Cardholders, Says Ng Yen Yen

Malaysia wants two million Singaporeans to become holders of Malaysia Automated Clearance System cards , said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

This will enable them easy access into the country.

She said any Singaporean or permanent resident with a passport that is valid for two years is entitled to a MACS card for RM30 or S$12 for a year, reports Bernama.
The card will also be issued to foreign international students as well as foreigners doing business in Singapore provided their passports are valid for two years, she said, adding: "We are also looking at the possiblity of enabling them to apply for the card at shopping complexes."

Currently there are only 100,000 MACS cardholders from Singapore.

"My wish is to increase it to two million cardholders and would like to encourage more Singaporeans to apply for it," she said.

Malaysia introduced MACS at the Causeway, a privilege originally intended to speed up Immigration clearance for foreign investors in Iskandar Malaysia.

When it was first introduced there were some teething problems with the system, with Singaporeans complaining of delays.

"We are now looking into ways to a more easy access to application (for the cards) which I will not reveal to you now because it is under the Immigration authority purview," said Dr Ng.

"But as the Tourism Malaysia, our role is to facilitate Singapore tourists' movement to Malaysia," she told reporters before the launch of Tourism Malaysia's advertising campaign, "Malaysia: A Million Experiences to Share".

"I do apoligise for hiccups in June and July when we implemented the biometric system, we are now taking steps to facilitate and simplify the immigration clearance system," she said.

Dr Ng said one of the first things that the Immigration department has done is to put in place the MACS.