The Immigration Department takes a serious view on media reports of the delay in processing new passports, which had caused panic among the public.

The reports by several local newspapers on July 29 stated that the passport application process would take six months due to the fact that there was a shortage of passport supply from the supplier.

Immigration director-general Mustafar Ali said in a statement today that due to the reports, the Immigration office nationwide was flooded by people wishing to make an application for new passports or renewing their expired ones.

He said although the International Malaysian Passport was in a process of transition for a new version of the passport, the Immigration Department had always ensured that supply of the passport was uninterrupted.

"… renewing your passport application will be processed on the same day," he said.

Mustafar also advised the public not to panic over this issue and provide space and support to the government to address it effectively.

The media today reported that people had to wait for more than eight hours yesterday at the Putrajaya Immigration Department in Precinct 3, as the department was experiencing technical difficulties in their computer system.

The reports also mentioned that the same problems had occurred at several Immigration counters including at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Pudu, UTC Sentul, Immigration office at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim (formerly known as Jalan Duta), in Kuala Lumpur and the Seremban Immigration Department.

- Bernama