Ruslin (second from left) planting a tree to mark the launch of the Santuni Madani – One Leader One Village programme in Kampung La, Hulu Besut on Sept 12. – BERNAMApic
JERTIH: The operating hours at all 72 passport-issuing offices and counters of the Immigration Department nationwide will be extended by three hours during next week’s school holidays.
Immigration director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said the decision was made to alleviate congestion caused by the influx of applicants seeking to apply for or renew passports during the school holiday period.
"Except for Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, passport offices will operate from 8am to 8pm from Tuesday until Friday (Sept 17 to 20).
"On Saturday and Sunday (Sept 21 and 22), offices will operate from 8am to 3pm, with counters remaining open during lunch hour, except on Friday when they will temporarily close from 12.15pm to 2.45pm,” he told a press conference after officiating the Santuni Madani – One Leader One Village programme at Kampung La, Hulu Besut on Thursday (Sept 12).
He said that for Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, the extended hours will only apply on Tuesday and Wednesday (Sept 17 and 18), until 8pm.
Ruslin said that in these four states, the offices will operate from 8am to 6.30pm on Thursday (Sept 19) and from 8am to 12.30pm on Friday (Sept 20).
"On Sept 21, the offices will operate from 8am to 3pm with counters remaining open during lunch break,” he added.
He noted that the number of customers handling passport matters is expected to surge by 50% during the school holidays, rising from 10,000 people on weekdays to 15,000.
On the One Leader One Village programme, he said it was an initiative of the Prime Minister aimed at enhancing village potential and community capacity through direct involvement and monitoring.
This is to better understand and address socio-economic challenges and the needs of the population, he added.
"The department has chosen Kampung La as its adopted village under the initiative,” said Ruslin, who also visited ailing residents and presented donations from Yayasan Prihatin Nasional. – Bernama
