Dear Editor, THERE must have been a valid reason to change the passport renewal policy of Malaysians living in Australia and Malaysians who live and study there need to know why.

The government should have expanded consulate services throughout Australia, instead of shrinking it by moving out the services for passport renewals and registration of birth, which its consulates once provided, to its headquarters in Canberra as of Jan 1.

What has happened to the on line services at the consulate in Melbourne?
Steps must instead be taken to cut cost as well as make public services in close reach of Malay sians living and studying overseas.

It is an injustice to Malaysians, especially when the government proudly advocates that we have the most up-to-date ICT and IT network in the country.
Millions have been invested into this online service and it would be a waste of taxpayer’s money and public funds if it is not fully util ised.
With online services available at the Malaysian Consulate in Aus tralia, Malaysians living and studying there can use it to renew their passports and register a child’s birth without having to go all the way to Canberra.

If they want to take a look at you, then switch on a webcam.

The officer in charge at the Consulate in Melbourne can send pictures and documents over to Canberra for verification purposes through the Internet and upon clearance, issue the new passport within a day, like we do in Putrajaya.

I wonder why the Consulate cannot do this.

Because many are not aware of the new ruling or change, it is shocking and frustrating knowing that they have to go to Canberra in person to get it done.

The central government should try to make passport renewals less troublesome and affordable to Malaysians living and studying in other nations.

Lau Bing
Subang Jaya

Source: Malay Mail – January 28, 2008