N.STRAITS TIMES - Immigration counters open 1 hour earlier starting Dec 1

Aug 13, 2026

The Malaysian Immigration Department plans to open the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan one hour earlier, beginning Dec 1, to support the daily commute of nearly 500 Thai students studying in Malaysia and to reduce congestion at the border. The change will proceed only after approval from Thai authorities due to cross-border arrangements. The department also plans assistance for Malaysian students in Thailand, including limited passports or border passes for an RM10 annual fee, once implemented.

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N.STRAITS TIMES

Planned earlier opening of ICQS counters

Condition: approval from Thai authorities

Purpose: easing student travel and reducing congestion

Assistance for Malaysian students abroad

Enforcement and possible penalties

TARIKH:21 NOVEMBER 2024(KHAMIS) # N.STRAITS TIMES lmmigration counters to open 1 hour earlier NST 21//12×pg.6KUALA LUMPUR:The Immigra-tion Department will open theCustoms,Immigration,Quaran-tine and Security(ICQS)Complexin Rantau Panjang,Kelantan,anhour earlier at 6am starting Dec 1. However,Immigration direc-tor-general Datuk Zakaria Shaa-ban said the earlier opening ofthe ICQS counters would only beimplemented once approval wassecured from Thai authorities,asit involved cross-border move-ments. The move is aimed at facilitat-ing the daily commute of nearly500 Thai students attendingschools in Malaysia and prevent-ing congestion atthe Rantau Pan-jang ICQS counters,which coulddelay students from reachingschool on time. Zakaria said the issue would bediscussed at the National BorderControl Committee meeting,typ-ically held twice a year,but con-vened on an urgent basis whenneeded. The department is also pre-pared to assist Malaysian stu-dents residing in Thailand whocommute daily to schools inRantau Panjang,Kelantan,start-ing next month.This includes is-suing limited passports or borderpasses for an annual fee of RM10. “The enforcement of the banonillegal crossings along the SungaiGolok means that nearly 500Malaysian students living inGolok,Thailand,will need to uselegal routes to travel to school The new opening hours of the Customs,Immigration,Quarantine andSecurity Complex in Rantau Panjang will be implemented only onceapproval is obtained from the Thai authorities.NSTP PIC BYNIK ABDULLAHNIK OMAR from Dec1.They will have to passthrough the Rantau Panjang IC-QS and undergo immigrationchecks,similartoany official bor-derentry point,"he said. nouncement that,starting Dec1,they would be cracking down onindividuals using illegal cross-ings at the Malaysia-Thailandborder. "To ease their commute,we areconsidering starting ICQS oper-ations an hour earlier or settingup a special lane for students toavoid delays caused by conges-tion." Those caught violating Section5(2)of the Immigration Act,in-cluding students who previouslyused these illegal crossings toreach school,could face fines ofup to RM10,000 upon convic-tion. Currently,the Rantau PanjangICQS operates from 7am to 10pm,with any changes to its operatinghours contingent on mutualagreement between Malaysia andThailand. Education Minister FadhlinaSidek has expressed concern overthe issue,given the large numberofstudents affected. In response,Zakaria said thedepartment was awaiting furtherdevelopments,including poten-tially submitting a request toThai authorities to discuss thematter and reach an agreement. The issue emerged after nearly500 students who cross SungaiGolok by boat daily to attendschool in Malaysia faced uncer-tainty following the police an-

FAQs

When will the Rantau Panjang ICQS counters open one hour earlier?

Starting Dec 1, the ICQS counters are considered to open one hour earlier at 6am.

What requirement must be met before the earlier opening is implemented?

The earlier opening will only be implemented after approval is secured from Thai authorities because it involves cross-border movements.

How will the change help students and what actions are planned for them?

It is aimed at facilitating the daily commute of nearly 500 Thai students in Malaysia and preventing delays from congestion. The department is also prepared to help Malaysian students in Thailand with limited passports or border passes for an RM10 annual fee.

Aug 13, 2026

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