[VIDEO] Hundreds throng immigration office at Ipoh UTC

KUALA LUMPUR – Hundreds were seen clamouring at Ipoh Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) as they elbowed their way to the immigration office when shutters opened at 7.50am. 

The crowds were in a mad rush, pushing and shouting their way past the building entrance, all wanting to be first in line at the office.

The ordeal was recorded and shared with The Vibes, including a snippet where immigration officers were trying to sort the crowd into queues.

There was a mad dash this morning at the Immigration office in UTC Ipoh as many were eager to renew their passports. pic.twitter.com/gnyiWrbpO8

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) May 21, 2022

“Getting to the immigration counter was like the survival of the fittest. Everyone was in a mad dash, like a herd of animals, to get into the front of the line and couldn’t care less about those who came way earlier than they did.

“People were shouting, shoving and just running to the immigration office. There were even parents who came with their kids and the elderly. It was so upsetting to watch all this happen,” said a reader who was at the premises today.

Opting for anonymity, she said at least 200 were already waiting, some from as early as 5.30am, and a makeshift queue was in place despite the premises being closed, with more people turning up later in the day.

However, all hell broke loose when people abandoned the queue and just stood right in front of the shutters before they opened.

Once at the immigration office, she said the attending officers did their best to calm the crowd.

“I was lucky to get a number and sort my applications. But I am not sure about the others as people keep coming in as time goes by.

“It seems the entire city wants to get their passports renewed.”

Many netizens have also gone on social media to vent their frustration at long queues at several immigration offices around the country as more people attempted to renew or apply for passports.

For Twitter user @ClaudiaKhaw, she shared her experience and photos of long queues at UTC Pudu here, where immigration officers are still processing passport applications that were filed the day before.

“Live from the UTC in Pudu to get passports done. We arrived at 9.15 a.m. It’s 10.28 and there has been no movement. According to the first person in line (here since 8), the officers are working on yesterday’s citizens. We have inched forward over the hour, because people left.

“For context, we already filled out an application online, but did not receive an email back. Upon calling, they said we have to come IRL (in real life).”

Live from the UTC in Pudu to get a passports done. We arrived at 9:15 a.m. It’s 10:28 and there has been no movement. According to the first person in line (here since 8), the officers are working on yesterday’s citizens. We have inched forward over the hour, because people left pic.twitter.com/LppAjrFhiM

— Claudia Khaw (@ClaudiaKhaw) May 21, 2022

Some even complained that immigration offices in UTCs elsewhere are closed by 5pm, despite Immigration Director-General Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud reiterating that operation hours have been extended to 10pm on weekdays.

“Immigration office at UTC Selangor closes at 5pm, not 10pm as widely circulated,” said Twitter user @von_leong.

Immigration office at UTC Selangor closes at 5pm, not 10pm as widely circulated

— von_leong (@von_leong) May 19, 2022

“I thought immigration counters are to be open until 10pm. The UTC Sentul one doesn’t seem to get the memo,” said another user @b1ekka.

I thought immigration counters are to be open until 10pm. The UTC Sentul one doesn’t seem to get the memo.

— Rebekka (@b1ekka) May 17, 2022

The Vibes has contacted the Immigration Department for comment. – The Vibes, May 21, 2022