“IF you were among those who threw away the white arrival/departure cards for foreigners travelling into Malaysia, you may have to queue up for them again.
Signs have been put up at immigration booths to alert travellers that it will soon be necessary to fill up the cards again.
The New Paper contacted the Johor immigration department and was directed to call the checkpoint itself.
There, immigration officer Shahrul Nazrie confirmed that all foreigners will need to present white cards from 16 Jul to gain entry into Malaysia.”
See: “Going to M’sia? White cards are back,” by Shila Naidu. The New Paper, 12 Jul 2008.
Otterman speaks... 
“White card ruling back in force from Aug 15 for entering M’sia,” by Diana Othman. The Straits Times, 15 July 2008.
IT’S CONFIRMED. Singaporeans and foreign visitors entering Malaysia will have to fill in the white disembarkation forms from Aug 15.
The High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore confirmed the renewal of this requirement on Tuesday, after some confusion over the move, which was to be enforced on Wednesday.
Since Jan 19, foreigners have been exempted from filling in the forms, popularly known as ‘white cards’ in a move to ease traffic flow at border points. They just need to have their passports stamped by Malaysian immigration officials as proof of entry.
A spokesman for the Malaysian High Commission said the January move was meant as a test to ‘look at its efficiency as well as data sharing data sharing capabilities without the existence of the white card.’
‘The Malaysian Government has decided now that the white card is still needed for the system,’ he said on Tuesday.
In its statement on Monday on postponing the ruling to Aug 15, the Malaysian Immigration Department gave no reason for the change in enforcement date.
Singaporeans, especially regular visitors, have expressed dismay over the revival of the ruling as it will mean longer queues at Immigration checkpoints and traffic build-up.
Statistics show that some 23,500 Singaporeans enter the city every day. They spend RM5.3 million (S$2.2 million) daily on food, shopping and entertainment.
Both the Johor Tourist Guides Association and the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Association (Southern Johor) are worried that enforcing the ruling will deter Singaporeans from visiting Malaysia frequently.
“All foreigners entering Malaysia must fill in immigration cards,”
By Chan Eu Imm, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 15 August 2008 1444 hrs
SINGAPORE: All foreigners entering Malaysia must fill in immigration embarkation cards starting Friday. This includes Singaporeans who are entering Malaysia via the Causeway and Second Link.
The move is applicable to all entry points into the country after the cards are re-introduced as part of enhanced security measures.
The Malaysian government did away with the process on January 20, but has re-instated it.
Most travellers at the Causeway were caught by surprise.
“They should have told us before hand, so that we are more prepared,” said one motorist.
Another agreed: “I only found out this morning, before I left the house. I think it’s a little inconvenient because previously… I could just walk through without the hassle of filling up the form.”
Customs officials have stationed an additional 23 staff at the Causeway to help distribute the cards. But it remains to be seen if the new ruling will significantly slow down traffic.
A new version of the card is expected by mid-September, which will include a requirement for visitors to clearly state their address while in Malaysia. – CNA/vm