KUALA LUMPUR: Residents of the Klang Valley today took to social media to voice their indignation over the Immigration Department's suggestion that they renew their passports in 'less crowded' outlets outside the capital.
The New Straits Times' social media pages were bombarded by a flurry of comments from netizens, irked by the department's recommendation on how to speed up the application and renewal process.
They also questioned why the department did not come out with a contingency plan despite knowing that there would be a large number of passport-related applications during the current school holiday period.
One Facebook user, who went by the name Puteri Mawar Merah, said the Immigration Department should have prepared beforehand.
"Have your staff work overtime until 9pm or even work during the weekends for now to cater to the high volume. You've never even bothered to improve your services."
Another user, Gursharan Singh said the department should increase the number of counters in the Klang Valley instead of asking applicants to travel further.
"It's more appropriate for Immigration Department to increase the number of counters here instead of sending the people outside the Klang Valley where there are less applicants.
"Facilities should be compatible with demand. This is what Immigration Department management should do and not create problems for the rakyat."
Thiagarajah Sathasivam wrote: "Another quicker way is to do online segregation of passport renewal requests.
"Say if the Subang area has 200 requests in January 2023, then send the immigration staff to the nearest office. Think out of the box."
Vimalan Gunushakran wrote: "What a solution for your inefficiency."
Kisha Sivapatham wrote, "Wow, are they going to pay for transportation cost? Brilliant solution."
Earlier today, Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, in a statement, advised the public to renew their passports at its offices outside of the Klang Valley and other less crowded outlets.
This came about after the closure of its offices in Selangor due to a state public holiday today, which also coincides with the start of the school holidays.
He said the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya offices have also been receiving a high volume of visitors with passport related issues today.
Khairul said the public should not to wait until the last minute for passport renewals.
He said that the less crowded passport offices which can serve as alternatives are in Seremban, Melaka, Cameron Highlands, Raub, Kuala Langat, Kuala Kubu Bharu, Pengkalan Hulu, Mersing, Kukup and Kangar.