MALAYSIAN PASSPORTS TO HAVE BETTER SECURITY FEATURES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry is in the final stage of
study to enhance security features of the Malaysian international passports
through the implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation
(ICAO) standard.

Its deputy minister, Jelaing Mersat, said there should not be any doubts On
the security status of Malaysian international passports as they were recognised
to be among the best in the world.

"The ICAO version of the Malaysian International passports will be
implemented soon, a move which will further improve the quality of Malaysian
passports and strengthen the country's security surveillance," he said in
response to a question in the Lower House of Parliament Thursday.

Abdul Manan wanted to know whether the RM100 (US$29.18) alternative
Malaysian international passports had the best security features and met
international standard.

Jelaing said the RM100 Malaysian international passports, with 32 pages, had
the same quality and security features as that of the 64-page RM600 (US$175.05)
Malaysian international passports.

"Both the passports use chip-based biometric technology which meets
international standard," he added.

He said a total of 19,440 32-page Malaysian international passports had been
issued until Oct 6 after the issuing of such a passport was announced by Home
Minister Hishammuddin Hussein on Sept 12.
-- BERNAMA