TRAVELLERS can expect faster clearances at the Brunei International Airport following the launching of an automatic entry system named Auto-Gate, which uses the biometric passport to better facilitate the immigration process.
"We will be omitting the chopping process which will speed up the entire process of immigration," said Amir Ringgit, the senior chief immigration officer.
According to Amir, there are currently only two Auto-Gate units that have been installed and implemented in the arrival hall of the airport. He did mention, however, that there are currently plans to install two more of these units in the departure hall by next month.
"We have the technology, so why not use it?" said Amir as the reason for implementing the new system.
The chief immigration officer added that the benefits of using the Auto-Gate system does not end only at the increased speed and efficiency of the immigration process but "the system also has a better security system (because) entry is impossible without scanning".
A brief presentation on the workings, the features and specifications was also presented yesterday by the Acting Director of the Immigration Department and National Registration, Ahmaddin Hj Abdul Rahman. The overall presentation touched on a number of features of the new system such as its acceptance of the Smart ID cards, fingerprint ID's and also the Frequent Traveller's Cards.
The acting director added that this new system is one which is not only user-friendly and state-of-the-art but also safe as a safety beam is installed into the system which detects the presence of anyone preventing premature closing of the gates.
On hand to launch the Auto-Gate system was the guest of honour, Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Md Yusof.
The minister was also given a tour of the airport and a demonstration of the new Auto-Gate system via the Bruneian biometric passport holders on the flight SIA182 from Singapore.
Jennifer, a bright 15-year-old Bruneian currently studying in Chung Hwa Middle School who was taking the Singapore flight, informed The Brunei Times that she did not have the opportunity to make use of the Auto-Gate system this time round but felt that it would be a more convenient and very efficient system when compared to current methods of immigration as to ensure effectiveness.
According to information provided by Amir, 23,000 biometric passports have been issued since its launching in May 2008, with the highest monthly tally for the biometric passports being last month with over 5,000 issues.
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