PETALING JAYA: The travel and tour industry has urged the government to expedite the issuance of a 10-year Malaysian passport, saying the move is long overdue.
Malaysian Tourism Federation president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the longer validity period would also ease the administrative burden on immigration officers, besides travellers themselves.
“Extending the validity period of passports from five to 10 years means less frequent renewals and, most importantly, it reduces overall cost for individuals.
“Fewer renewals mean fewer passport production materials and resources used too,” he said yesterday.
In July, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that Malaysians would soon have the option to apply for a passport that will be valid for 10 years, for a higher fee.
He had said the Immigration Department was ready to introduce a 50-page passport with double the validity period, as is issued by several other countries in the region.
However, since then, there has been no news on the plan.
Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia treasurer-general Datuk Koong Lin Loong said people are eager for the move to be implemented.
“It will be less hassle for Malaysian travellers if they issue the 10-year passports.
“There will also be less hassle at Immigration Department counters,” he said.
Inbound Tourism Alliance chairman Uzaidi Udanis called on the government to implement the move immediately.
“If the validity period is longer, it will be better and much easier for all of us. It will definitely make it easier to plan our travels, indirectly benefiting travel operators too,” he said.
A local traveller, who wanted to be known only as John, said the government should keep its pledge to issue 10-year passports.
“Keep the five-year option but please do approve the 10-year passport soon. It is more convenient having a passport with a longer validity period.
“If the people can pay more for it, why hold back on it?” he said.
John said there were instances in the past when travellers were caught in a quandary in renewing their passports when the department was faced with a system glitch.
“It will also be in their own interest to issue the 10-year passports, as it will reduce the pressure on the department tremendously,” he added.
Currently, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia are among the countries in the region with 10-year passports.
The existing Malaysian passport is valid for five years and requires renewal at least six months before expiration if one intends to travel overseas.
