LETTERS: I would like to share a cautionary tale that underscores the importance of safeguarding your vital documents, such as the passport and MyKad.
Secure important documents as if your life depended on it, to save you unnecessary trouble, inconvenience and stress.
A friend went to the Immigration Department office at UTC Pudu Sentral in Kuala Lumpur early one morning to renew her passport, but there was a large crowd.
She held her passport in her hand, and that proved to be a mistake. In a moment of distraction, someone bumped into her and she fell on the floor. Her passport slipped from her grasp.
As she gathered herself with the help of a kind stranger, panic set in as she could not find her passport.
What she thought was an accident turned out to be a deliberate act by thieves who sought her passport. Her ordeal had just begun.
First, she had to lodge a police report. Only with a police report could she apply for a new passport.
She rushed to the police station at UTC Pudu Sentral, only to be told that due to the document's importance she needed to file the report at the Dang Wangi police station.
Getting from Pudu to Jalan Wang Dangi during rush hour was a hassle, not to mention getting a parking space.
The investigation was thorough and extensive, as police needed to ensure the case was genuine, which meant hours spent answering questions.
This incident highlights the importance of having digital copies of your essential documents saved on your phone for easy retrieval. This precaution could have sped up the investigation process.
She had to start from scratch early the next morning at the Immigration Department, where she learnt that her experience was common at the crowded centre.
The lesson here is to keep your valuables, including your passport, securely zipped up until you need them. Holding such documents in your hand can lead to unexpected consequences.
Another document frequently mishandled is our MyKad. Regrettably, many young individuals in the Klang Valley treat their MyKad casually, using the Touch 'n Go function when travelling on public transport. Most of the time, they hold their MyKad in their hands, risking loss or accidental drops at inconvenient places.
Over time, the wear and tear on these MyKad will necessitate a replacement. It costs money, plus the inconvenience of another visit and long wait at the National Registration Department.
Lastly, when travelling, pay attention to your travel documents at airports and tourist sites. Losing these critical documents can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare, leaving you stranded in a foreign land.
Understanding the importance of safeguarding your vital documents can make all the difference. Please heed this warning and protect what matters most.
DR POLA SINGH
Kuala Lumpur
-NST
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the MMKtT.
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