KUALA LUMPUR: The online passport application service will be expanded to include passports with a 10-year validity period, says Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.
The Immigration director-general said the expansion would take place once all passport-issuing offices locally and overseas have completed the implementation rollout and the system is confirmed to be stable.
“Currently, online applications are only available for passports with a five-year validity period.
“We will expand the online application facility for passports with a 10-year validity period gradually,” he said when contacted.
Zakaria said the public response to the new Malaysian International Passport had been encouraging with the extended validity period, improved security features and redesigned passport, receiving positive feedback.
He said members of the public had remained calm and were able to plan their passport usage and renewals accordingly.
“However, we will continue to monitor public feedback and the smooth implementation of the new passport to ensure its services remain efficient and meet customers’ needs,” he added.
Between July 1 and Sept 30, Zakaria said a total of 915,248 passports were issued, comprising 398,131 with a five-year validity period and 517,117 with a 10-year validity period.
“The average waiting time for the issuance of a new passport is about one hour after payment is made, depending on the efficiency of the process and operating conditions at passport-issuing offices.
“While slight delays can occur during peak periods due to an increase in applicants, the situation remains under control.
“We will continue our efforts to ensure the entire process proceeds smoothly and in an orderly manner,” he said.
Zakaria also reminded the public that the old version of the passport with more than six months remains valid for travel.
The new passport, introduced since July 1, allows Malaysians aged 18 and above to choose between a five-year or 10-year validity period. The 10-year option is priced at RM350 while the five-year passport remains at RM200.
Zakaria said the upgraded travel document is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the security of national identity documents, in line with Malaysia’s status as one of the world’s most powerful passports.
He said the new passport features 94 security elements, up from 49 in the current version, making it more secure and difficult to forge.
Among the enhanced features are holographic elements, ultraviolet (UV) printing, hidden visual elements and specialised forensic security features.
Malaysia is among the earliest countries to introduce the ePassport system, having done so in 1998.
The new passport complies with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and incorporates updated security technologies, including holograms, UV printing, latent images and guilloche patterns.
Zakaria said new-generation printing machines used for the passport are capable of producing up to 60 passports per hour, supporting the current demand of around 160,000 passports per month.
He said Malaysia currently produces between 180,000 and 220,000 passports monthly on average and expects demand to increase slightly following the introduction of the new passport.
