Wednesday, September 16, 2009

A passport for RM100 from Oct 1

The Home Ministry is introducing a two-year passport costing RM100 next month.

Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Malaysians could apply for the alternative international Malaysian passport at all Immigration offices from Oct 1.

"The new passport is being introduced based on feedback from the people," he said at a breaking-of-fast function at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex here yesterday.

"We have received complaints that passports are too expensive for those who seldom travel."

Hishammuddin did not give the features of the new passport.

At present, the five-year Malay-sian passport comes in two variations -- 32 pages and 64 pages, which cost RM300 and RM600 respectively.

He said the ministry found many cases of one-off passport users such as parents sending their children abroad for studies, Muslims performing the umrah and haj, and people who used the document for a one-time field trip.

The present categories of passport were, therefore, irrelevant to these users, he said.

Hishammuddin said low-fare flights and affordable holiday packages had enabled more Malaysians to travel. However, some were put off by the high fee for a passport.

"I believe the number of applications for passports will now increase."




Source : NST
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