Fine is between RM300 and RM1,200 for replacement passport
KUALA LUMPUR: Errant Malay-sians may have to dig deep into their pockets to have their damaged or lost passports renewed.
Under a new directive a passport holder may have to pay the maximum RM1,200 to have a replacement passport.
A Bernama report yesterday said the directive on the penalties is contained in the Fees (Passports and Visas) (Amendment) Order 2019 dated Dec 20, 2018 which has been gazetted as a Federal Government Gazette.
The order, which was published on the official website of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, was issued by the Secretary of the Cabinet, Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar.
Among others, the order requires that an adult who wants to replace a lost or damaged passport (valid for five years) for the first time to pay a fine of RM400.
The fine is RM300 for a child under 12 years and students who are 21 years old or below and studying abroad.
For a second replacement of a lost or damaged passport, the same passport holder groups would be charged RM700 and RM600 respectively.
Heavy penalties come when seeking replacement for the third time – a fine of RM1,200 for adults and RM1,100 for children under 12 and students 21 or below and studying abroad.
Last year, the Immigration Department recommended that the government imposed penalties for passport replacements as the number of individuals losing the document due to negligence was high.
The new directive took effect from January 2. – Bernama
