Use Immigration Department’s official Facebook page

REMEMBER how our parents used to complain about the long wait to get our passport done for us when we were young? Remember how we ourselves used to complain about it before the Covid-19 pandemic?

After decade(s) of complaining, and promises made to “look into the issue” and “improve the system”, sadly, we’re still where we were years ago.

The initiative to get people to renew their passports online is commendable, but the follow through is lacklustre.

Most, if not all, of the online applicants will NOT be able to get a successful renewal. Even if you’re lucky enough to get a successful renewal without the need to retake your photo or get your thumb print, you still have to queue up with the others to get the number to collect your passport.

The only difference between now and then is payment is done online after submitting our application. Other than that, everything seems to be status quo.

The amount of information available to those who are not tech-savvy is insufficient, to say the least. Many still do not realise that they can go to the collection centre if they do not receive any email confirmation from the department after three working days.

I, for one, was panicking when I did not receive any email after two weeks, and no one answered my numerous telephone calls.

To those who have not renewed their passports but are thinking about doing so, do head over to the Immigration Department’s official Facebook page and look for its telegram channel.

Many kind-hearted people will guide you through the problems you are facing, and some will even update the situation in the collection centres!

PASGETHEN

Shah Alam