Thoughts: Biometrics System in Malaysia

     For some weird reason, the Philippine Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, has just informed us that Malaysia is now enforcing a biometrics system for foreigners going to their country.  I mean, the government did the announcement quite late.  Malaysia has started taking fingerprints since 01 June 2011, or for over two months now.  

     

     When I went to Malaysia last July, I was shocked when the immigration officer at the Malaysia border coming from Singapore, told me to place my two index fingers in their biometrics machine.  I mean, don't get me wrong.  I know it is probably for the deterrence of crimes and such, for the common good.  But now, Malaysia does not only have my immigration files, but they also have my fingerprints.  Are they going to store all our finger prints forever?  And our government has just informed us of this development.  

     For anyone who is interested, here's the info released by the Philippine government regarding this matter:

http://www.gov.ph/2011/08/11/philippine-embassy-informs-filipino-travelers-of-malaysias-new-registration-procedure-for-foreigners/

An August 11, 2011 press release by the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur wishes to inform all Filipino travelers to Malaysia that all foreigners are now required to undergo Malaysia’s National Enforcement and Registration System (NERS), the biometric finger print registration of foreigners, upon entry to Malaysia.

Malaysia’s NERS took effect on June 1, 2011.

In the new procedure, which applies to all foreigners entering Malaysia through designated checkpoints, travelers are required to place their two index fingers on the glass plates of the electronic fingerprint scanning machines at immigration counters.

Biometric data of travelers will be captured, will be kept in the Department of Immigration’s database and will be used for verification process upon exiting the country.

Under the new system, all foreign nationals aged 12 years and above must submit to the biometric procedure.

Malaysia had amended its Immigration Law and Regulations to support and enforce the new biometric registration requirement at entry points.