PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department is looking into extending the validity of passports from five years to 10 years.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the department will obtain feedback from stakeholders.
Such a move would be in line with the practice in several Asean countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
"A decision will be made once the department has completed studying the matter," he said launching the department's passport office at the Shaftbury mall here.
"However, priority is given to the research aspect first.
"Countries like Italy, France, the United States of America and the United Kingdom have also implemented this policy," he said.
The current Malaysian passport is only valid for up to five years.
Previously, it was reported that the Immigration Services Union of Peninsular Malaysia (KPISM) suggested that the validity period of the Malaysian passport be increased from five to 10 years with an appropriate fee rate.
KPISM president Ajeet Singh Gurbax Singh reportedly said more than 100 countries in the world have introduced international passports which are valid for 10 years.
"The passport book with the existing pages can be used, but only add the validity period. This will save the government cost in addition to increasing the national revenue. The existing passport for five years is maintained and the people will have a choice," he was quoted as saying.