I finally renewed my passport. It had expired in June 2020 and I didn't bother to renew it because the COVID-19 pandemic was at its height at that time and international borders were closed. So there was no point having a passport as I couldn't travel abroad.
Before renewing my passport on 8 May 2023, I made sure to read in the Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia website the requirements for passport photo, e.g. must wear dark coloured top, hair must be pulled back and not cover the face, ears must be seen, must not smile and show teeth, etc.
With that knowledge, I went confidently to a tiny photo studio at the Intermark to take my pic. I paid RM30 for 4 hard copies, and the soft copy was sent to my email too.
Next, was to apply for passport renewal through the Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia website. After filling up my details and uploading my pic, my application got accepted on the first try. Thank heavens! I've heard of stories where the pic was rejected and the applicant had to go to the Immigration Office in-person to take the pic there.
After 4 days, I received an email to collect my passport from UTC Kuala Lumpur, the centre which I had selected in my application.
When I went to UTC Kuala Lumpur to pick-up my passport, I presented my Identity Card (IC), receipt of payment (for the RM200 renewal fee) and the expired passport.
Alas, when the officer saw my documents, he said I had to update my IC before they could release my passport. I was aghast! This is why I detest going to Government offices because the nonsense that we need to comply makes life difficult.
The Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara office was opposite the Malaysian Immigration Office in UTC Kuala Lumpur. That is convenient, however I didn't bring necessary documents to update my IC.
To cut a long story short, I managed to update the address in my IC using the assessment rate notification issued by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur. I didn't update my IC for 28 years!
After collecting my passport, I now have my travel power back. It is time to plan a trip abroad. Which country shall I go next?
