Rep wonders about passportbooklet shortage
KUCHING: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong wants the state Immigration Department to explain why there was a shortage of international passport booklets recently.
“The system was offline from last Saturday till Monday due to the shortage of passport booklets. Even though the section resumed service on Monday, it is still a serious matter that the Immigration Department can actually face such a problem,” she said at a press conference here yesterday.
“It is an unacceptable situation. The Immigration Department should give a full explanation to the public.”
She added that she called the department on Monday asking for an explanation, but there had not been any official statement from them since.
Yong said she visited the Urban Transformation Centre ( UTC) yesterday morning and was told they had limited passport booklets.
“I urge those who need to get their passports done or renewed to go fast and not wait until the last minute in case stock runs out.”
Yong observed that this latest shortage was not the first time it happened and urged the department to be fully transparent as to why it kept happening.
“I was given to understand that the shortage has been going on for the past few months. The public should not be kept in the dark as to why this problem keeps occurring,” she said.
“As Sarawak has autonomy over immigration, the state government should step in and explain to the public. If not, the public may perceive the government has something to hide.”
Yong said a possible reason for the shortage could be due to alleged faults in the biometric chips embedded in the passports.
“The biometric chips are supplied by a third party to the National Printing Department or Immigration Department for the production of the passport booklets.
“I have gotten information that the biometric chips have faults, resulting in low production of passports. On average, the nation produces 220,000 passports per month.
“Whatever it is, if no serious action is taken, it will get worse.”