The Immigration Department is actively considering the prospect of extending the validity period of Malaysian passports from the existing five years to a ten-year duration. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that the department is currently conducting a comprehensive survey to evaluate the feasibility of such an extension.

On the other hand, the survey will closely examine neighbouring countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore, which have already implemented a ten-year passport validity period. Minister Saifuddin Nasution expressed confidence that insights gained from this survey will play a pivotal role in shaping policy decisions concerning the potential transition.

Additionally, plans are underway to establish a dedicated passport office at Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Sabah, scheduled to commence operations in June. This strategic initiative aims to improve accessibility for communities engaging with the Immigration Department, showcasing a commitment to streamlining passport services.

Importantly, the establishment of the Kota Kinabalu passport office will be achieved through internal staff transfers, eliminating the need for additional personnel recruitment, and ensuring efficient resource utilization. Minister Saifuddin Nasution emphasised, "This underscores our commitment to facilitating community interactions with the Immigration Department by expanding passport office services without increasing staff overhead," as reported by Malay Mail.


Source / Image Credit : Malay Mail, AMAR SHAH, Bernama