JOHOR BARU: Malaysians in Singapore are happy with the government’s decision to allow Malaysians overseas whose passports are expiring this year to apply for a free two-year extension.

       M. Eddie, 26, who works as an assistant chemist in Singapore, said that the extension was a relief to him and other Malaysians in the island republic.

       “It’s good that the validity period has been extended. Here in Singapore, the Malaysian High Commission is always crowded.

       “Given the Covid-19 situation, decisions like this can prevent a large crowd from gathering and avoid an outbreak,” he added.

       Eddie, who has not returned to his hometown of Johor Baru since March last year, said his passport would have expired in September.

       Technician Mohd Amirul Yunos, 32, who also works in Singapore, said that the extension would help many Malaysians keep their jobs.

       “I have heard of cases where people were unable to renew their work permits because of the delay in passport renewal.

       “Thankfully, this move was announced before my passport expires,” he added.

       Mohd Amirul said the move would also ease the application load on the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore.

       Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen Kah Eng also said that the extension would ease the anxiety of many Malaysians in Singapore.

       “I applaud the good initiative by the Immigration Department as the process for this extension is relatively simpler compared to applying for a new passport.

       “This would also reduce the anxiety of Malaysians as many of them might not be able to apply for a new passport as quickly as they expect.

       “However, I would like to suggest the Home Ministry look into the feasibility of extending the validity of new adult passports to 10 years from the current five years,” he added.

       Chen said that among other things, an extension of the Malaysian passport validity period would reduce the demand for passport renewals as currently most passports were not fully utilised before their expiry date.

       “It would also reduce the amount of manpower and resources required, both domestically and at our embassies and high commissions overseas, for passport renewals.

       “It will also enable Malaysians all over the world to have peace of mind, knowing that their new passports would not expire during the pandemic,” he said in a statement here.

       It was recently announced that all Malaysians overseas whose passports are expiring this year can apply for a free two-year extension.

       This came after a surge in requests for passport renewals overseas because of the Covid-19 pandemic, said the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore in a statement posted on Facebook on June 8.

       Malaysians overseas would have to fill up a form and submit it to the high commission or embassy in that country. An e-mail will be sent to applicants for them to turn up to have their passports stamped.