KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to discuss with the Brunei government on the possibility of introducing a passport-free travel system at the land checkpoints of the two countries.
The Borneo Post reported Miri member of Parliament Chiew Choon Man as saying that such a system would allow for better movement across the border of the two countries in Sarawak.
This comes after Malaysia and Singapore announced that they are exploring ways to implement passport-free travel at their land checkpoints by using a QR code system.
"I urge both the federal and state governments to work together in reaching a similar initiative at the border between Sarawak and Brunei," he said in the report.
Chiew said the same move should also be extended to Sarawak, especially at the customs, immigration and quarantine centres (CIQs) of Miri, Limbang and Lawas, to ease long queues particularly during festive seasons and long holidays.
"And subsequently, we can also try to aim for setting up a special economic zone between Brunei and Sarawak, which can bring benefits to both countries," he added.
Chiew said that nearly one million travellers passed through Miri's Sungai Tujuh border checkpoint alone last year.
On Thursday, the Economy Ministry and Singapore's Trade and Industry Ministry, in a joint statement, said passport-free travel was among the initiatives aimed at supporting the development of the Johor-Singapore special economic zone (SEZ).
"The adoption and implementation of a passport-free QR code clearance system on both sides will facilitate more expeditious clearance of people at land checkpoints," said the ministries.