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The Immigration Department will begin issuing a new Malaysian passport with more security features from 1 June, aimed at strengthening the security of the national identification document
According to Bernama, Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the rollout will happen in stages, with nationwide implementation expected by July.
In the initial phase, these four offices will issue the new passport first:
– The Immigration Department headquarters in Putrajaya
– The Kuala Lumpur Immigration office on Jalan Duta
– The Selangor Immigration office in Shah Alam
– The Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Wangsa Maju
Zakaria said the new passport includes nearly double the number of security features compared with the current version, increasing from 49 to 94
Among the improvements are enhanced holograms, ultraviolet (UV) printing, hidden visual elements, and specialised forensic features that are difficult to forge.
"Even the thread used to bind the passport booklet has its own security features, and each page is designed differently," he said at a press conference after the 2025 Immigration Department Excellent Service Awards ceremony yesterday, 19 May.
He also urged the public not to rush to replace their passports, stressing that existing passports remain valid and do not need to be replaced
"The public is advised not to rush to obtain the new passport simply because of its new features. In fact, if the passport is still valid for more than six months, there is no need to replace it now. It can be renewed after it expires," he stressed.
Zakaria added that applications for the new passport can also be made online, subject to the capacity of individual passport offices.
He also reminded applicants not to submit photos that have been generated or altered using AI, saying that the department has already detected several such cases. According to him, some applicants have tried brightening or enhancing their images, but officers are able to detect the alterations.
Earlier this year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Malaysia would introduce updated passports and MyKad as part of efforts to improve the security of the national identification documents.
