PUTRAJAYA: Due to the difficulties in applying and renewing Malaysian International Passports (MIP) following the opening of the international borders on 1st April 2022, the Immigration Department of Malaysia (IDM) has taken several actions including abolishing the Online Appointment System (OAS) in all passport issuance offices outside Klang Valley effective 9th May 2022.
Director General of IDM, Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said, the abolishment of the OAS involves all passport issuance offices in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor Bahru, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka effective 16th May 2022.
Khairul said, starting 16th May 2022, applicants who have received appointment dates via OAS do not have to follow the dates given.
“All pasport issuance offices in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, Johor Bahru, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka will operate on Saturday from 8.00am until 1.00pm beginning 14th May 2022.
“The operation time at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) counters in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor Bahru will be extended until 10.00pm starting 16th May 2022,” Khairul said in a statement.
Khairul said the actions were taken following the daily applications for Malaysian International Passports (MIP) nationwide has reached on an average of 8,000.
“The 40 per cent increaase compared to before the opening of the international borders has been expected by the Department,” Khairul said.
“Starting from 1st until 26th April 2022, 151,173 MIPs have been issued nationwide. The increase in the demand for the MIP applications has caused a congestion in the OAS,” he added.
Meanwhile, all applicants under the new category involving senior citizens, handicapped, students, children and those who will perform the haj can directly go to the MIP counter such as in Putrajaya without OAS.
However, Khairul said, for renewal of MIP, the Putrajaya Passport Office will only process renewal applications that have been made via online and only applicants who have received notifications via e-mail will be entertained.-Malaysia World News
