ALOR STAR: Border pass processing at Immigration offices in Alor Star, Sungai Petani and Kulim has been suspended for several weeks to make way for upgrading works.
State Immigration director Mohd Ridzzuan Mohd Zain said that temporarily, the service was only available at the department's branches in Bukit Kayu Hitam and in Durian Burung.
"Office upgrading works are underway for the processing of border passes at our Kulim, Alor Star and Sungai Petani Immigration offices.
"During this period, the border pass operation in these offices will be temporarily suspended.
"Civilians requiring assistance with border pass applications are advised to visit either the Bukit Kayu Hitam or the Durian Burung branches," he told a press conference at his office in Anak Bukit here today.
Ridzzuan said both the branches in Bukit Kayu Hitam and Duriang Burung were prepared to accommodate high volumes of applications.
"In the event of exceptional high demand, the state Immigration headquarters in Anak Bukit will also be available for the border pass processing services," he said,
Meanwhile, in response to complaints regarding long queues for passport renewals at the department's branch in Kulim, Ridzzuan said the branch would extend its operating hours after additional immigration officers were deployed to the branch two days ago.
"The immigration office in Kulim experiences a substantial increase of passport renewal requests, with an average of 150 applications daily and exceeding 200 applications on weekends.
"In response to the issue of lengthy queues, we have deployed reinforcement to the branch to efficiently manage the situation.
"The Kulim branch office will also be open on Friday and Saturday, from 8am to 12.30pm, to accommodate the higher volume of customers," he said.