M’sia High Commission in S’pore Stops Accepting Walk-in Applications for Passport Renewals After Long Queues

Right now, our passports are about as useful as the winter clothing accumulating dust in our closets.

But if you’re stuck abroad at the moment, a passport is the only way you’re getting back home.

So, what happens if your passport is expiring and you can’t renew it?

Over 200 People Queued More than 5 Hours to Get Their Passport Renewed at the Malaysian High Commission

Last week, The Straits Times reported that hundreds of people lined up at the High Commission of Malaysia to try and renew their passports.

At that time, the High Commission had a daily limit of 30 walk-in applicants.

That meant that some residents, including those who had queued for several hours since the early morning, had to be turned away.

Back in March last year, the High Commission stopped all walk-in applications for passport renewals. Malaysians instead had to apply online and wait for an appointment date to collect their passports.

This, presumably, was to prevent crowds from forming and facilitate safe distancing.

They resumed walk-in applications last December, but now they’ve halted it yet again.

M’sia High Commission in S’pore Stops Accepting Walk-in Applications for Passport Renewals After Long Queues

Due to the complaints over long queues, the Malaysian High Commission has reportedly stopped accepting walk-in applicants looking to renew their passports.

The move was devastating for the 400-plus people who were turned away on Monday (22 Mar), as some of them had queued since midnight.

Speaking to The Straits Times, a security guard at the High Commission confirmed that only those with appointments will be let in from this week.

Curiously, notices posted online and on the front gate stated that walk-in applications will only be temporarily closed from 30 March due to COVID-19.

Those who queued for hours before the High Commission opened were turned away and told that only those with an email from the High Commission or those with appointments could go in.

So, even those whose work permits or passports were expiring were turned away if they did not have an appointment.

Malaysia’s Immigration Department responded to the reports of long queues last Saturday (20 Mar), saying that they’re taking the necessary steps to resolve the congestion, and that eight more officers will be stationed at the consulate here from this week to accelerate proceedings.

Still Have to Wait For Borders to Reopen

Even if these Malaysians manage to renew their passports, they still have to wait for Johor’s borders to reopen.

And that could take some time.

With Malaysia’s COVID-19 mass vaccination drive underway, Johor’s chief minister said earlier this month that he hopes negotiations on travel arrangements between Singapore and Malaysia will resume.

“Opening of borders, the green travel bubble, all other arrangements should be considered upon completion of vaccination,” he said.

Once the borders are reopened and Malaysians here get their passports renewed, they can finally be reunited with their loved ones across the border.

Feature Image: Facebook (High Commission of Malaysia, Singapore)