MELAKA: The government’s move to impose between RM300 and RM1,200 fine for Malaysians who lose or damage their passports has received mixed reactions from Melaka folks.
Some agreed with the move, saying it would ‘teach’ the document holder to be more careful, while some lamented how costly the fine is especially for those in the Bottom 40 per cent group (B40).
Engineer Mohd Fazli Mohd Fadzal, 34, said the penalties imposed for loss of passports should be viewed from all angles.
“If the loss was due to negligence, then yes the fine is fair as it could deter any parties from making profit by selling passports.
“But if it was because of a theft or fire, then holders should be given a leeway. For me the high fine is to prevent others from abusing Malaysian passports,” Mohd Fazli said.
Berita Harian reported today that Malaysians who lose or damage their passports will be fined between RM300 and RM1,200 for a replacement.
The new decree, which came into force on Wednesday (Jan 2), falls under the Fees (Passports and Visas) (Amendment) Order 2019 of the Federal Government Gazette.
The decree states that Malaysians who lose or damage their passports for the first time will be fined RM400.
Meanwhile, children aged 12 and below, and students aged 21 and below studying abroad will be fined RM300 if they lose or damage their passports for the first time.
For the second replacement, Malaysians will be fined RM700, while children aged 12 and below, and students aged 21 and below studying abroad will be fined RM600.
Those who lose or damage their passports for the third time will be fined RM1,200, while children aged 12 and below, and students aged 21 and below studying abroad will be fined RM1,100.
Previously, Malaysians who applied for a replacement passport after losing or damaging their travel document were not penalised.
Meanwhile, a lecturer, Azwan Azemi, 35, said the fine is reasonable to teach the holders to be more responsible.
“I think it’s fair because the fee to renew a passport has also been lowered from RM300 to RM200,” he said.
In contrary, civil servant Mohd Shahrul Azha Mohd Sharif, 41, said the RM400 fine for Malaysians who lose or damage their passports for the first time is too high.
“The fine is too high for lower income people. If the move was made to teach people, that’s OK, but at least lower the fine.
“In this uncertain economic environment, the amount may be seen as high. Perhaps the government can loosen a few conditions, maybe a stricter passport issuance for the second, third and the remaining fines,” he said.