Do You Really Have To Wait For 6 Months To Get A New Passport?
People are rushing to Immigration offices to get their passport done.
By Tang Ruxyn — 03 Aug 2016, 02:34 PM
Malaysians have been rushing to make new passports after several local media reported that the application process would take six months due to a shortage of passport supplies
Thousands of Malaysians have been flocking to Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) outlets and Immigration officers every day after media reports caused panic among the public, as many feared that they may not be able to obtain a new passport in time.
In addition to claims that it may take up to six months to apply for a new passport, horror stories from people who had frequented the Immigration offices recently have been surfacing on social media.
People have testified about how they queued up as early as 5.30am in hopes of getting a number that would allow them to obtain a new passport. There were also those who still went home empty handed despite making several visits to different Immigration offices.
Additionally, those who have turned up at the UTC outlets or Immigration offices recently were faced with disappointment upon finding out that a limit has been imposed on the application of passports
According to an official from the Immigration Department, there has been a 50% decrease in passport supply at various branches.
"For example, if a passport office used to be supplied with 100 documents a day, now they only receive 50 passports so they have to turn many people away and ask them to return another day," he was quoted as saying by theSun on 2 August.
However, the Immigration Department has denied reports claiming that Malaysians may need to endure a six-month wait before they could get a new passport
This photo was posted on the Immigration Department's official Facebook page yesterday, 2 August.
Image via Jabatan Imigresen MalaysiaImmigration director-general Mustafar Ali said in a statement yesterday, 2 August, that due to the reports, the Immigration office nationwide was flooded by people wishing to make an application for new passports or renewing their expired ones.
He said although the International Malaysian Passport was in a process of transition for a new version of the passport, the Immigration Department had always ensured that supply of the passport was uninterrupted.
"… renewing your passport application will be processed on the same day," he said.
Mustafar also advised the public not to panic over this issue and provide space and support to the government to address it effectively.
bernama.com
Mustafar, who was recently transferred from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to lead the department, has promised to resolve the issues at hand
Mustafar made it clear that anything less than kosher with the department’s delivery service would not get past him. He said there had been many improvements to the public delivery system.
"But, there are those who lack discipline or are doing what they are not supposed to. With the automation of systems like passport renewal kiosks, for instance, bureaucracy and corruption can be reduced."
Mustafar said there was still room to counter corruption in the civil service. He said passports, visas and foreign workers’ applications remained major issues the public had with the department, and pledged to address them.
"There are things beyond our control, but let's not waste time, effort and resources because people are watching us. The challenge is in meeting the people’s future expectations today. We must be proactive because the demand is increasing, so we must be ready."