Passport blues
Weng C LPublished: Sep 15, 2009 5:45 AM | Updated: Sep 15, 2009 5:46 AM
I would like to recount my experience the last two occasions I renewed my passport at Terminal 3 in Subang.
In Nov 2004, I applied for a new passport as the one I held was expiring in April 2005. When I received the new one, I found that the expiry date was Nov 2009.
After I kicked up some fuss, a new and correct date, April 2009 was imprinted on the inside page.
Recently I went to get a renewal. It was then discovered that the chip in my MyKad was faulty. I was told I had to get a replacement.
I was told that the certified copy of my BC by the commissioner for oaths at the Ipoh Court was unacceptable and I had to produce my citizenship certificate as well!
How in earth was I going to produce one? I was born in May 1957 and I don't have any friends and family members born before Merdeka possessing it.
I remember this ruling that if your parents are citizens and that if you are born here, then you are a citizen by operation of law.
When I tried to reason this out with the officer, I got nowhere. I have changed my passport at least four times. Why am I treated like a first-time applicant?
Anyhow I waited for my new MyKad to apply for a new passport. Upon checking I found that the expiry date was again wrong. This, despite me telling the officer who processed my papers, about the actual expiry date on the previous passport.
The chief saw me and curtly told me I could apply for a new one to correct this mistake. I had to take new pictures and photocopy my MyKad and fill in the forms all over again.
To their credit I got my new passport within an hour. I wasn't a happy person that day. I must say my experience with the Immigration Dept has been an eye-opener about efficiency.
In Nov 2004, I applied for a new passport as the one I held was expiring in April 2005. When I received the new one, I found that the expiry date was Nov 2009.
After I kicked up some fuss, a new and correct date, April 2009 was imprinted on the inside page.
Recently I went to get a renewal. It was then discovered that the chip in my MyKad was faulty. I was told I had to get a replacement.
I was told that the certified copy of my BC by the commissioner for oaths at the Ipoh Court was unacceptable and I had to produce my citizenship certificate as well!
How in earth was I going to produce one? I was born in May 1957 and I don't have any friends and family members born before Merdeka possessing it.
I remember this ruling that if your parents are citizens and that if you are born here, then you are a citizen by operation of law.
When I tried to reason this out with the officer, I got nowhere. I have changed my passport at least four times. Why am I treated like a first-time applicant?
Anyhow I waited for my new MyKad to apply for a new passport. Upon checking I found that the expiry date was again wrong. This, despite me telling the officer who processed my papers, about the actual expiry date on the previous passport.
The chief saw me and curtly told me I could apply for a new one to correct this mistake. I had to take new pictures and photocopy my MyKad and fill in the forms all over again.
To their credit I got my new passport within an hour. I wasn't a happy person that day. I must say my experience with the Immigration Dept has been an eye-opener about efficiency.
View Comments0