Issuance problem of passports resolved

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STEP-BY-STEP: Ting (third left) listens attentively to an applicant pouring his grouses over the delay in passport processing.

STEP-BY-STEP: Ting (third left) listens attentively to an applicant pouring his grouses over the delay in passport processing.

MIRI: New stock of security consumable item – special ink for passport – arrived here yesterday afternoon from Kuala Lumpur, thus resolving a problem related to the issuance of passports here since Feb 7.

Political secretary to the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Sebastian Ting, said with the four rolls of ink, the Immigration Department here could process up to 2,000 passports including the 510 outstanding applications since last Thursday.

“I really appreciate your dedication to resolve the problem which is good for those who urgently need their passports done,” he told the press at the Immigration Department office here yesterday.

He was there to get first-hand information from its chief, Mohamad Iswanni Sekawi, after media reports and public complaints about problem with regards to the issuance of passports caused by security ink shortage.

Ting also took time to explain to the (passport) applicants on the steps taken by the Immigration Department to speed up their applications, so that they could be collected within one hour.

Iswanni, meanwhile, said the shortage of the special ink was not only happening here but also in other offices in the state including Kuching. This was worsened by the fact that many people were applying for passports wanting to travel during the long CNY holidays.

“We received between 500 and 1,000 applications until we ran out of ink on Thursday before CNY. On some days we only received three or four applications and on good days about 130 applications.”

The department processed 46,955 international and Malaysian Restricted passports to Brunei last year, he said. They charged RM300 for the 48-page International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) passport valid for five years and RM100 for a two-year validity period.

Those needing further details are urged to call them at 085-442105 or 085-442134 during office hours.