.jpg)
By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright August 2024
For as long as I can remember, my Malaysian passport has been a ticket to the world. Since getting my first passport in 1968, I’ve proudly held over 12 passports, each one a testament to my adventures and the evolving landscape of immigration offices. The proposed shift from a five-year to a ten-year renewal period for Malaysian passports brings to mind a treasure trove of memories, some of which I’m eager to share with you.
My journey began at a humble, single-story, slightly dingy immigration office near the old railway station in Kuala Lumpur. Back then, things were simpler—thanks in no small part to a university friend who knew the campus passport officer. We waltzed in without much fanfare, bypassing the queues that would become a familiar sight in the years to come. Not many Malaysians were keen to venture overseas then, and knowing the right people certainly sped up the process.
The first renewal, however, was a different story. Living in New York meant my passport had to be sent to the Malaysian Embassy in Washington—a trek too far for a casual stroll. The real challenge, though, was getting the perfect passport photo. Unlike Malaysia, New York didn’t have photo studios on every corner. I had to make an appointment with a professional photographer, who, much to my surprise, took the best passport photo I’ve ever had. It was a far cry from the mug shots we’re all too familiar with.
Subsequent renewals saw me back at the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office, where photo studios were conveniently located at every corner. In recent years, the need for these studios diminished as digital cameras became a staple at the immigration counters. Yet, the queues grew longer, until the glorious introduction of the “Warga Emas” channel. This special counter for seniors guarantees a new passport within 60 minutes—a blessing for those of us who’ve earned a few gray hairs along the way.
The government's plan to extend passport validity from five to ten years is a step in the right direction, aligning Malaysia with practices in the US and UK.
But as much as I welcome this change, I’ll miss the camaraderie of queuing up every five years. There’s something uniquely unifying about joining the throng of Malaysians from all walks of life, each person ready to embark on their own adventure. Beyond the practicality of an identity card, a passport truly makes you feel like a citizen of Malaysia, a tangible reminder that you belong to this diverse and vibrant land.
So, here’s to progress and efficiency. But let’s not forget the quirky joys and trials of our passport renewals—the stories we gather, the people we meet, and the shared sense of belonging that a little maroon book can bring.
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!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.
