PETALING JAYA: The move to introduce cashless transactions for passport applications and renewals at the Immigration counters is timely, says a consumer group.
Malaysian Consumers Association secretary-general Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said it was right for the Immigration as banks were also moving away from counters towards cashless transactions, including online banking. t.
“However, during the transition period, a help desk centre will be essential and this should be set up to help those unfamiliar with online transactions.
“It’s a matter of time before the public gets used to the system that is in place,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
Amarjit said mixed reaction to the department’s proposed system proposed was to be expected.
“But we cannot deny the fact that ultimately this is the way forward,” he said.
Amarjit was responding to a statement by the Immigration director-general Datuk Mustafa Ibrahim in The Star that all cash transactions for passports would be replaced with online payments by the end of the year in a bid to stem corruption.
Mustafa added that the public would also have the option of paying by bank draft and perhaps, through vending machines located at the department’s offices nationwide.
Members of the public have expressed concern that the new payment method might create problems for those less tech-savvy.
Amarjit said he hoped such cashless transactions would also be implemented across the board in all Government departments.
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