Opening of new Immigration counter a welcome relief for residents

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KAMPAR folk are excited with the opening of a new Immigration counter in old town yesterday.

They got even more excited when they were informed that their passports would be ready in a day.

Senior citizen Leong Kok Choi said he was pleased to know that he no longer needs to travel to Ipoh which is almost 40km away, to renew his passport that was due to expire next year.

“It is really convenient to have the service at our door step now,” he said.

Leong 66, from Mambang Diawan said he would renew his passport soon as he had made plans to visit Singapore and China.

Quick briefing: Chang (second from right) speaking to Mohd Fauzi (second from left) to find out about the services offered. Looking on are Immigration officer Azahari Mat Hashim (left) and Kampar Village Development officer Tai Mun Hong (right).

Equally excited over the new facility was Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) undergraduate Chin Shuei Man, 20.

“We no longer need to go back to our hometown to apply or renew our passport like before.

“I will inform my friends on this,” Chin said, adding that she and seven of her friends had planned to visit Taiwan during their semester break next month.

Immigration officer Mohd Fauzi Yob said officers would be present to help the folks with the application and renewal of passports.

“We will try our best to make sure applicants get their passports within 24 hours,” he said, adding that the processing of passports would be done in Jelapang, Ipoh.

Applicants must bring along a copy of their photocopied MyKad and a passport-sized photo, he added.

Mohd Fauzi, however, noted that the counter would not deal with lost passports or border pass processing.

Keranji Barisan Nasional Coordinator Chang Gwo Chyang said the Immigration counter is now temporarily at the Kinta Selatan National Registration Department along Jalan Idris and a new office would be set up at Taman Kampar Perdana early next year.

“A shoplot in Taman Kampar Perdana is now being renovated for the purpose.

“For the time being, the public can apply or renew their passport at the counter in Jalan Idris and they will be informed of the shift once the new office is ready,” Chang said after visiting the newly-opened counter.