Arya News - The existing Malaysian passport is valid for five years and requires renewal at least six months before expiration if one intends to travel overseas.
PETALING JAYA – With the new MyKad set to be introduced next year, tourism players and travellers are renewing calls for the government to expedite the implementation of a 10-year Malaysian passport.
The Tour Bus Association of Peninsular Malaysia Tai Poh Kim said many countries have already introduced it, including in the Philippines, Indonesia, the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
“The move will be good for students studying abroad and Malaysians who work overseas,” he said when contacted yesterday.
The existing Malaysian passport is valid for five years and requires renewal at least six months before expiration if one intends to travel overseas.
Tai, who is also managing director of Hello Holidays Sdn Bhd, said that it would be good if the government implemented it, as it would reduce the workload for the Immigration Department in the long run.
“We hope the Malaysian passport will eventually include a QR code to make it easier for travel agents like us to access the necessary data when booking air tickets and hotels.
“At the moment, passport information can only be read using specialised tools or readers,” he said.
Eileen Ooi, 33, who is a frequent traveller, said having a 10-year limit for passports saves the hassle of renewing them every five years.
“I travel quite often and have experienced some close calls, given that the passport is rendered ineligible for six months before the expiration date.
“At the same time, I don’t have to keep worrying when my passport will expire, especially if I do not fly for a long time,” said Ooi, who takes business trips frequently.
Siti Suhaila Sarifuddin, 35, hopes the government would also make the renewal fees more affordable.
“If the fees are affordable, why not? It would save us from having to queue and wait for long hours.”
The mother of two said that because she has young children, she would still need to update their passport photos every few years.
“Some countries may not accept a passport if, for example, the child is already two or three years old, but the photo used is from when they were a baby.
“So, unless there is an option to update their photos online and simply collect the new passport without any hassle at the immigration office, it doesn’t make much difference.
“Whether the passport is valid for five or 10 years, the process would still be the same for parents like me if we can’t update our kids’ photos easily,” she said, urging the government to implement the 10-year validity for passports soon.
Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association (Mica) president Datuk Dr Angie Ng took a neutral stance on the matter, saying that while a longer passport validity would certainly offer greater convenience to Malaysians, there is no clear evidence that it would significantly benefit the tourism industry as a whole.
“It will definitely be good for our travellers and is certainly helpful for the public.
“But for us, whether it’s five or 10 years, it doesn’t make much difference,” she says.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in July 2024 that the ministry was ready to introduce a 10-year validity passport, although no implementation date has been set.
He said the Immigration Department had prepared to roll out a 50-page passport with double the current validity period, similar to those offered in several neighbouring countries.
However, there has been no further update on the proposal since then.