KUCHING – The Immigration Department must explain and address the shortage of passport books throughout Sarawak, said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
Yii said that the shortage of passport books inconveniences those who need to travel overseas, especially those with urgent travel needs.
“This has caused much inconvenience to members of the public who were turned down and asked to go back without new passports since there is no stock for passport renewal.
“There is no confirmation when the new stock will come. This is especially inconvenient for those that need to travel soon on important or urgent matters for either work or other reasons,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Yii said he has spoken to the special officers of Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, whose jurisdiction the Immigration Department falls under, to highlight and for them to address this issue urgently.
“The fact of matter (is) that such an issue should not have happened in the first place as they should receive these books periodically or even foresee surges in demand and address it proactively,” he added.
Dr Yii said he will follow up on this matter with the relevant agencies and if he needs to, highlight it with the minister in Parliament to address this shortage urgently. – Borneo Post Online, March 19, 2023
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