The redesigned Malaysian International Passport is now official, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launching it at the Dewan Rakyat on 30 June. Applications open on 1 July for anyone aged 18 and above.
A New Cover Design
The most visible change is on the cover and pages. The hibiscus motif has been replaced with the Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing butterfly, which the Home Ministry said reflects the country’s biodiversity and natural heritage. Each page has also been given its own layout rather than a repeated design.
94 Security Features, Up From 49
The new passport carries 94 security features, nearly double the 49 on the current version, aimed at making it harder to forge or tamper with. These include holographic elements, ultraviolet printing, hidden visual elements, guilloche patterns, and forensic-level features, along with added security in the thread used to bind the booklet.
The Immigration Department said the upgrade uses new-generation printing machines that can produce up to 60 passports an hour. Malaysia currently issues between 180,000 and 220,000 passports a month.
Rollout Runs In Phases Through August
The first phase in July covers 14 passport offices, including state offices and Urban Transformation Centres, with the full rollout reaching 71 offices across seven phases, by August.
The Immigration Department has advised that valid passports can still be used, and renewals are accepted up to six months before expiry. For anyone applying fresh, the main choice now is between the five-year passport at RM200 and the 10-year version at RM350, with the longer option built for those who travel often enough to skip a renewal cycle.
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