PUTRAJAYA – The Immigration Department will abolish its Online Appointment System (STO) as well as extend the operating hours of passport issuance offices and counters to overcome problems regarding the application and renewal of Malaysian international passports.
Immigration Director-General Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud announced that the STO for all passport issuance offices outside the Klang Valley will be abolished from May 9, and in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor Baru, Negri Sembilan and Melaka from May 16.
“Those who have received an appointment date through STO from May 16 no longer need to follow the given date,” he said in a statement today.
Khairul also announced that all passport issuance offices in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, Johor Baru, Negri Sembilan and Melaka will operate every Saturday from 8am to 1pm beginning May 14.
Apart from that, the operating hours of immigration counters at the Urban Transformation Centres in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor Baru will be extended to 10pm starting May 16.
Khairul said the difficulties faced by Malaysians in dealings with the department were due to the sharp increase in passport applications and renewals following the reopening of the country’s borders from April 1, causing the online system to be congested.
He said a total of 151,173 passports were issued nationwide from April 1 to 26.
On average, he said 8,000 passport applications were received daily, an increase of about 40% compared to before the reopening of borders.
Khairul said new applicants, senior citizens, people with disabilities, students, children and applicants who are slated to perform the haj can immediately head to the counter in Putrajaya.
“However, for Malaysian international passport renewal applications, the Putrajaya Passport Office will only process applications made online and for those who have received notification via email,” he added. – Bernama, April 29, 2022
