Amendments to passport, Immigration controls passed in Dewan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Bills related to passport and immigration controls have been passed in the Dewan Rakyat.

The Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2025 and Passports (Amendment) Bill 2025 were tabled for the second and third readings on Thursday (Dec 4) by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.

The proposed amendment to Section 2 of the Passports Act 1966 will require those entering Malaysia or leaving the country to provide a passport “through an automated system”.

This clause is a consequential amendment to the proposed amendments of the Immigration Act, which requires every person entering Malaysia or leaving the country to be examined by an Immigration officer or through an automated system.

The amendment to the Immigration Act sought to introduce new provisions on the use of automated systems and the control of the entrance and exit of any person into or from Malaysia by train.

A new Section 21a will be introduced that requires the master, owner, agent or charterer of every vessel, captain of every aircraft and driver of every train which is due to arrive at any authorised landing place, airport or point of entry in Malaysia from another country or those leaving Malaysia, to furnish passenger name record and advance passenger information.

They will have to report to immigration officers on the presence of any stowaway or unauthorised person on board their vehicle.