‘Speed up 10-year passport’

PETALING JAYA: The travel and tourism sectors have called on the government to hasten the introduction of a 10-year standard Malaysian passport, as they feel it is already justified.

Malaysia Tourism Federation's president Datuk Tan Kok Liang stated that the longer validity period would also make it easier for immigration officers, in addition to the travellers themselves, to bear the administrative burden.

Lengthening the period of passport validity from five years to 10 years means fewer renewal proceedings and, more significantly, it minimises total expenses for the individuals involved.

"There will be smaller amounts of passport production materials and resources needed if fewer renewals are done," he pointed out yesterday.

In July, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that Malaysians would soon have the option of obtaining a new 10-year passport, which will come at a higher cost.

The Immigration Department has expressed its readiness to introduce a 50-page passport with a doubled validity period, similar to those issued by many other countries in the region.

Since then, there have been no updates on the planned development.

Malaysia's Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry treasurer-general Datuk Koong Lin Loong noted that people are looking forward to the implementation of the move.

Malaysian travelers will face fewer difficulties if they obtain 10-year passports.

" Antaranya adalah seterusnya tiada kelemahan lagi di gerai dikemudahan Ahli Kawalan Imigresen," katanya.

Malaysia Tourism Inbound Association chairman, Uzaidi Udanis, urged the government to act swiftly on the matter.

“With a longer validity period, it would be more advantageous and easier for everyone involved, enabling smoother travel planning, which would consequently benefit the travel operators as well,” he added.

A local citizen, known only by the alias John, stressed that the government must fulfill its vow to grant Malaysians 10-year passports, which was his personal desire.

Please keep the existing five-year passport option while granting approval for the 10-year passport soon. It would be more user-friendly to have a passport with a longer validity period.

"Why can't we sell it at a higher price if customers are willing to pay for it?" he said.

There have been cases in the past where travelers faced difficulties in renewing their passports when the department encountered technical issues in its system.

"It will be beneficial for them to issue the 10-year passports as it will significantly ease the workload for the department," he mentioned.

Currently, some countries, such as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, in the region have passports that are valid for up to 10 years.

The Malaysian passport currently issued is valid for five years from its date of issue, and its renewal must be done at least six months prior to its expiry date for international travel purposes.