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By Mihar Dias March 2025
Let’s talk about your humble passport. No, not the metaphorical one your friends joke about when asking permission from your spouse to go out.
We mean the real deal—the one that determines whether your international travel dreams take flight or crash under a pile of visa applications.
To some, it’s just a booklet collecting dust in a drawer until the next budget airline sale. To others, it’s a symbol of freedom, prestige, and—let’s be honest—one-upmanship over your Southeast Asian neighbours.
And Malaysians, rejoice! We’ve just leaped three spots to claim the 9th most powerful passport in the world. https://newswav.com/A2503_jcPsLM?s=A_fVJLZbH&language=en
That’s right—while some countries struggle with visa applications that resemble SPM essay questions, Malaysians can now waltz into 170 countries visa-free, like a VIP with an all-access backstage pass.
Indonesians Feeling the Burn
Of course, not everyone is thrilled about Malaysia’s new ranking. Our dear neighbours in Indonesia have taken to social media with the kind of jealousy usually reserved for bad exes stalking their former partners’ Instagram accounts. https://newswav.com/A2503_jcPsLM?s=A_fVJLZbH&language=en
Comments range from "Kenapa Malaysia bisa?" ("Why can Malaysia do this?") to existential crises like "Kapan kita maju?" ("When will we progress?").
And it’s not just about passports. Some are pointing out that Malaysia has also outpaced them in economic growth, infrastructure, and living standards. At this point, it’s less of a travel issue and more of a national identity crisis.
What This Passport Power Really Means for Malaysians
While this ranking is undeniably impressive, let’s be real—many Malaysians still struggle with:
• Airport Chaos: Having a top 10 passport is great, but it won’t save you from getting stuck at KLIA2 behind 200 people with overweight luggage trying to negotiate with AirAsia staff.
• Currency Woes: Sure, we can travel visa-free, but after converting ringgit to euros, most of us are still eating Maggi in a Paris hostel.
• That One Uncle: Every Malaysian family has at least one uncle who brags about this passport ranking at kenduri, conveniently ignoring the fact that he hasn’t left the country since Langkawi in 1998.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia…
To be fair, Indonesian netizens have a point. Their passport ranks 55th, allowing visa-free entry to only 92 countries—barely half of what Malaysians can access. https://newswav.com/A2503_jcPsLM?s=A_fVJLZbH&language=en
No wonder they’re looking at us like we just stole the last piece of ayam goreng at a buffet.
Some Indonesians are even urging their government to step up its game, but we all know how that conversation will go:
Minister: “We are working on improving Indonesia’s global standing.”
Citizen: “Can we have a stronger passport?”
Minister: “We have nasi padang.”
What’s Next for Malaysia?
At this rate, Malaysia might break into the top 5 passport rankings soon. Who knows? By 2030, maybe Malaysians won’t even need a passport—just flash an IC, and you’re in.
Until then, let’s enjoy this victory. Flex that passport at immigration, post a humblebrag on Instagram, and remind our Indonesian friends (gently, of course) that Malaysia boleh—even at border control. So, this Hari Raya go for vacation to your favourite amongst 170 countries where we're welcomed.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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