ALOR STAR: Kedahans are relieved that the that border pass processing services at Immigration Department branches in the state have been restored.
Members of the public, when met at the Urban Transformation Center (UTC) in the state, commended the quick process.
Ong Eng Teik, 53, who successfully renewed his border pass, said he was able to complete the entire process in just an hour and a half.
"Everything was very smooth and the staff were very friendly, very different from what I experienced previously when I had to queue for three hours just to get the service order number.
"Upon arriving today, I got my service order number, filed for my border pass renewal and after an hour, came back to collect the pass.
"With everything smoother than expected, I can even plan a trip to Thailand with my wife this evening," said Ong, who works as a welder.
It was a similarly pleasant experience for Siti Faqilah Mohd Fazilah, 36, and her son Muhammad Danish Hakim Izham, 14, as they only spent two hours at the immigration office.
"In general it was a pleasant experience. The staff were welcoming and friendly.
"My passport renewal process went really smoothly and I was able to get my son's first border pass within two hours," said the civil servant from Kulim.
On Friday, the state Immigration Department announced that border pass processing services would be restored at all of its branches in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kota Putra (Durian Burung), Sungai Petani, Alor Star and Langkawi beginning March 25.
On January 30, state Immigration director Mohd Ridzzuan Mohd Zain said border pass processing at Immigration offices in Alor Star, Sungai Petani and Kulim were suspended for several weeks to make way for upgrading works.
He said that the service would only be available at the department's branches in Bukit Kayu Hitam and Durian Burung for the time being.