Passport Requests Still Processed On The Same Day, Not Six Months, Says New Immigration DG
KUALA LUMPUR: News circulating online about Malaysians who wish to renew or make a passport having to wait up to six months is not true.In a statement today, Immigration Department director-general, Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said the department is serious about rumours being circulated that said it will take the department six months to process new passports due to shortages.
Mustafar further explained the request for renewal and new passport applications are still processed on the same day.
“The department is serious about the reports which have caused panic among the public.
“Because of it, people were rushing to immigration offices at every state either to renew or make a new passport,” he said in the statement.
Previously, a local news media had reported that the Immigration Department had acknowledged a shortage of passports which will require the department six months to fix the passport system.
According to the English daily, outgoing Immigration director-general Datuk Sakib Kusmi said the department was introducing new passports which would include more security features hence required extensive testing to ensure they meet international safety standards and are not damaged easily when used.
“The reasonable time for the transition is six months. The department and the vendor will ensure there is enough supply of passports,” he said as quoted by the news daily.
However, the statement which refer to the transition period taking six months was misunderstood as the passport application procedure taking six months to process.
Mustafar said the department is always committed to ensure that there is enough supply of passports despite the Malaysian International Passport going through a transition phase which requires time to upgrade to the new version.
“All this while our record of producing Malaysian International Passport is among the best compared to other countries. The government and immigration department are also doing their best to strengthen public services.
“Hence, we urge the public to stay calm and support us so that we could solve the matter effectively,” he said.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid re-uploaded the same statement via his Instagram account.
--Malaysian Digest
