The Immigration Department has begun the phased rollout of Malaysia’s new international passport in Sabah and Sarawak, marking the next stage of its nationwide implementation.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the department said passport offices in both states will introduce the new passport in two phases, with Phase 6 starting on July 28 and Phase 7 beginning on Aug. 3.
Phase 6 covers the passport offices in Bintulu, Sri Aman, Kuching, Miri, Sibu, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, and the Keningau Urban Transformation Centre (UTC).
Meanwhile, Phase 7 will include the offices in Kuching, Lawas, Limbang, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Lahad Datu, and the Labuan Urban Transformation Centre (UTC).
The department said only the listed offices will begin issuing the new passport on the scheduled dates and advised the public to check the participating locations before applying for or renewing their passports.
It also reminded Malaysians that there is no need to rush, as existing passports remain valid until six months before their expiry date.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officially launched the new Malaysian passport on June 30. The upgraded travel document features 94 enhanced security features.
Since July 1, Malaysians aged 18 and above have been able to apply for the new passport with a choice of five-year or 10-year validity.
The new passport was first introduced at 14 high-volume passport offices before being expanded to 71 offices nationwide, with the full nationwide rollout expected to be completed by early August.
