PETALING JAYA: Selected immigration department offices nationwide will open on weekends to tackle a surge in passport applications, says home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Saifuddin said a total of 20 passport-issuing offices, which usually only operate on weekdays, will open on weekends, too, from next Saturday onwards, Berita Harian reported.
These immigration offices will open from 8am to 12.30pm, while counters at Urban Transformation Centres will operate as usual.
“I have taken note of the people’s complaints about congestion at passport-issuing offices. This initiative is among the proactive measures to overcome the problem,” Saifuddin said.
He also encouraged those who wished to apply for passports on weekends to do so directly at the department’s offices. Meanwhile, those who wish to apply on weekdays are encouraged to file their applications online.