Loss of passports: Fines may be like those for MyKads

The fines have not been decided yet although the proposal has been approved in principle.

JOHOR BAHRU: Penalties proposed for losing passports will follow those in force for identity cards (MyKads).

This is to ensure Malaysians treasure their passports, which are ranked as the fifth most powerful in the world.

“It is the most sought-after passport, including by criminals,” said Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

Before this, the Immigration Department had proposed penalties for those who lost their passports.

Its director-general, Mustafar Ali, said the proposal had been brought to the attention of Deputy Prime Minister  Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also home minister, and this had been approved in principle.

“We will follow the concept of penalty for loss of identity cards. We’ll set how much they have to pay for the first offence and the amount will be higher and higher for the second and subsequent offences.”

He said the penalty rate was still being discussed and had yet to be finalised. -FMT