KUCHING, Feb 19: The Immigration Department is looking into the possibility of extending the validity of the Malaysian International Passport (MIP) to 10 years, up from the present five years.
According to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the department is conducting a survey to see the viability of Malaysia following the 10-year period adopted by some of its Southeast Asian neighbours.
“This passport extension has been done among the Asean countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore.
“I believe that we could obtain the information from the survey and come to a policy decision on the necessity of five years to 10 years,” he said in a news report published today by MalayMail.
Saifuddin Nasution made the statement to reporters after opening the new passport office at Skyfunnel Zone Shaftsbury Tower in Putrajaya this morning.
Previously, it was reported that a union for Immigration Department staff had floated the idea of making passports valid for up to 10 years.
According to Ajeet Singh Gurbax Singh, president of the Immigration Services Union of Peninsular Malaysia (KPISM), more than 100 countries worldwide have introduced international passports with a 10-year validity period.
“The passport book with the existing pages can be used, but only add the validity period. This will save the government costs in addition to increasing the national revenue.
“The existing passport for five years is maintained, and the people will have a choice,” he was quoted as saying. — DayakDaily
