KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department is in the "final stages" of obtaining an artificial intelligence-powered (AI) passenger screening system.
The Advanced Passenger Screening System (APSS) is an electronic data interchange system equipped with AI to screen visitors before they board an aircraft headed for Malaysia.
"Airlines will be required to provide us with information on passengers, crew members and non-crew members on board a flight," department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said.
He said while the function of APSS was to screen passengers in advance, the system could help eradicate counter-setting at entry points into Malaysia.
Zakaria said the department was also in the final stages of upgrading its closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) systems to record audio and video at counters.
"We will consider integrating AI features, such as facial recognition and behavioural analysis, into the CCTV system," he said, adding that these would help to curb counter-setting.
He said the department would continue to work with police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission against syndicates involved in smuggling migrants into the country.
"Up to October last year, we have crippled 47 syndicates and made 1,285 arrests, which included syndicate members and illegal migrants.
"Our personnel conduct stringent checks at entry point counters to ensure visitors are coming in for the reasons that they have declared."
He said a team had been set up to patrol arrival terminals and conduct checks on those behaving suspiciously, even if they had passed inspection counters.
He said they would monitor the use of communication devices of those on duty, including compulsory checks and body searches every time officers clock in or out of duty.
"Supervisors will conduct spot checks at counters while monitoring personnel via CCTV."