PETALING JAYA: The government needs to ensure open procurement, independent oversight and robust governance to protect public funds and strengthen public trust as Malaysia’s upcoming passport refresh involves hundreds of millions of ringgit in technology contracts.
Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president Raymon Ram said nationwide upgrades often rely on large-scale technology and procurement arrangements.
“Contracts should be awarded through merit-based, competitive bidding, with key details such as contractor identity, contract value and selection rationale disclosed wherever possible.
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“Independent oversight and clear evaluation criteria help prevent misuse, reinforce accountability and reassure citizens that public funds and sensitive systems are managed properly,” he said when contacted.
He noted that transparency is equally important for public confidence in the upgraded documents themselves.
“Even the most advanced security features will fail to inspire confidence if the process surrounding them is opaque.
“By sharing timelines, decision-making criteria and progress, the government invites constructive scrutiny that reinforces both security and accountability,” he said.
“Transparency is not a luxury, it ensures the upgrade genuinely serves the public interest.”
From a consumer standpoint, Malaysian Digital Economy Consumers Association (myDigitalConsumers) honorary secretary Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah welcomed the passport refresh but highlighted the importance of data privacy, accessibility and affordability.
“Security features alone are not the risk; how personal data is collected, stored, accessed and governed is what matters.
“Public trust will depend not only on stronger physical or digital security features, but also on governance, accountability and legal protections that place consumers’ rights and privacy at the centre,” he said.
Sha’ani noted that public agencies handling biometric and identity information are currently excluded from the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), leaving consumers vulnerable.
He called for amendments to bring all entities, including government bodies, under robust data protection obligations aligned with international standards such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation.
Both TI-M and myDigitalConsumers stressed that trust in the upgraded passport and MyKad relied on more than security alone.
They said that effective oversight, clear communication, fair procurement and legal safeguards are equally critical to ensure the rollout strengthens Malaysia’s international standing without compromising citizen rights.
Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce’s Melaka branch chairman Datuk Lee Chong Leng, who travels overseas frequently for work, said Malaysia’s passport is highly recognised worldwide and the upgrades make sense to maintain security.
“Malaysia’s passport allows travellers like me visa-free access to many countries and smoother customs clearance.
“Coming home, fast lanes and QR code scanning make things even easier, and our MyKad can now be used for targeted subsidies like Budi95,” he said.
Lee said many people are not aware that our passport is one of the most secure in the world.
“The upgrade is only logical to keep up this standard.
“I understand that cyber fraud is also becoming more sophisticated, so the government needs to enhance security,” he said.
Considering it a high-cost project using taxpayers’ money, Lee said the contract must be awarded with integrity and transparency.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said yesterday that newly designed passports and MyKad with enhanced security features would be introduced within the next six months as part of a scheduled renewal cycle.
Last year, the Malaysian passport ranked among the world’s most powerful, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 174 countries.
The Passport Index placed Malaysia third globally, alongside several European nations and South Korea, reflecting strong diplomatic ties and the reliability of its travel document.
The Star had previously reported calls for Malaysia to consider extending passport validity to 10 years, in line with practices in several other countries, to reduce renewal frequency and ease the burden on travellers.
The Immigration Department has said the matter is under study, taking into account security, cost and operational considerations.
