THE Immigration Department will abolish its online appointment system (STO) and instead extend the operating hours of its offices and counters to overcome problems related to the application and renewal of passports.

Immigration Director-General Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the STO for all passport issuance offices outside the Klang Valley will be abolished from May 9, while those in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Johor will be abolished from May 16.

“Those who received a STO appointment date from May 16 no longer need to follow the given date.”

Khairul Dzaimee said all passport issuance offices in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Johor will operate every Saturday from 8am to 1pm starting May 14.

The operating hours of immigration counters at Urban Transformation Centres in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor will be extended to 10pm from May 16, he added.

Khairul Dzaimee said Malaysians are facing a hard time applying for and renewing their passport as the online system is congested following the reopening of borders on April 1.

A total of 151,173 passports have been issued nationwide between April 1 and 26, he added.

He said 8,000 passport applications are received a day on average, a 40% increase compared with before the reopening of borders.

Khairul Dzaimee said new applicants, children, students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and those who will perform haj can directly visit the counter in Putrajaya.

“However, for passport renewal applications, the Putrajaya Passport Office will process only applications made online and from those who received email notifications.” – Bernama, April 29, 2022.