Instant passport, competent personnel, good machines & aftersale service, 23.2.2007.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates the need for the Home Affairs Ministry to train adequate number of trustworthy personnel, ensure electronic machines and computers conform with the agreement signed as well as maintain aftersale service, in order to expedite the processing of passport applications.

Besides good machines, the provision of aftersale service by relevant companies is important. Let us appoint companies which are truly reliable.

Dr Tan pays attention to the intention of the Home Affairs Ministry to take two new steps to speed up the processing of passports. According to its Deputy Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho, starting from June this year, states will install electronic processing machines and online computer system, so that an applicant only has to bring his or her Mykad and no other documents such as birth cerificate.

If all goes well, Malaysians will not have to queue and wait for a long time to get new passports. This is good. But then, making statement is one thing, the actual application may be another. It is necessary to prevent public disappointment.

On 16 January, 2007, the Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi officiated the opening of the Wangsa Maju branch of the ministry and announced the issuing of instant passport. The Secretary-General of the ministry Tan Sri Aseh stressed that it would take 5 to 10 minutes for the processing of each passport. I told Tan Sri that I would come the next day to renew my passport. He told me to go ahead by all means.

The next morning, a friend and I arrived at the branch just after eight. We took photographs and filled in the forms and waited. We left for our office before lunch without passports. After 2.30 p.m.the same day, an official rang us up, saying that the passports were ready. It took another 30 minutes for the issuance of the passports the following day.

In fact, the branch personnel tried their utmost. However, the electronic machines were not functioning properly. Now, the branch sets the target of two hours for processing a passport.

The minstry must train more reliable personnel so that they are adept at using the machines including computers. The relevant companies should supply machines according to specifications, followed by competent aftersale service.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw