Sarawak encounters shortage of passport books; Immigration must resolve it right away

KUCHING: The Immigration Department must explain and address the apparent shortage of passport books not just in Kuching but throughout Sarawak for the convenience of the public who needs to renew or make a new passport, especially those for urgent travel.
 
According to Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Yuen, he has spoken to the special officers of Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, under whose jurisdiction the Immigration Department falls, to highlight and urge them to address this issue urgently.
 
“The fact of the matter is that such an issue should not have happened in the first place, as they should receive these books periodically or even foresee the surge in demand and address it pro-actively.
 
“This has caused much inconvenience to members of the public, of whom many were turned down and asked to return without a new passport since there is no stock for passport renewal,” he said in a statement today.
 
Dr Yii also said there was no confirmation of when the new stock would come.
 
“This is especially inconvenient for those that need to travel soon on important or urgent matters, whether for work or even other reasons.
 
“I will continue to follow this up with the relevant agencies and, if need be, even highlight it to the minister in Parliament to address this shortage urgently,” he stressed.