PUTRAJAYA: Operating hours at six Immigration offices will be extended to 10pm beginning Wednesday (May 11) to cater to a sharp increase in demand for passport services.
The offices involved are in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur Selangor, Johor, Negri Sembilan and Melaka.
Immigration offices in Penang, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis will be open until 6pm.
Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the number of applications to renew or obtain a passport had incresed by 40% since the government announced the reopening of borders beginning April 1.
Between April 1 and May 6, a total of 165,449 passports had been issued.
"We are aware of the issues raised by the public on this matter and we have taken immediate steps to ensure smooth service," he told a press conference Monday (May 9).
Khairul Dzaimee said that as of April 14, all passport-issuing offices in Peninsular Malaysia would operate from 8am to 12.30pm on Saturdays as well.
Immigration offices at UTC buildings in the peninsula will also be opened until 10pm daily once approval from the Finance Ministry has been obtained.
"We have also opened a special counter to help those who have been offered to perform the haj to settle their passport matters," Khairul Dzaimee added.
He also said Immigration's online appointment system would be scrapped from Wednesday.
"All passport renewal matters are to be done online, except for new applications, senior citizens, people with disabilities, children under 13, students and haj pilgrims," he said. - Star
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