Rollout of new Malaysian passport with additional security features postponed

PUTRAJAYA, May 26 — The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has announced a postponement of the much-anticipated new version of the Malaysian International Passport (PMA), which was originally set to be introduced on 1 June 2026.

In a statement issued today, the department said the rollout would be rescheduled to a later date, to be announced soon. The decision, according to JIM, is aimed at ensuring smooth service delivery and maintaining the best possible experience for the public when transacting for their travel documents.

“This step is taken to ensure the smooth delivery of services and that the public’s transaction experience remains at an optimal level,” the statement read.

Importantly, the Immigration Department confirmed that members of the public may continue to renew their existing passports as usual. Current passports that are still valid will remain acceptable for travel until their respective expiry dates.

The department added that any further updates regarding the new passport’s implementation will be communicated through its official channels from time to time.

JIM expressed appreciation for the public’s continued cooperation and support, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the security of Malaysia’s travel documents and delivering the best possible service to the people.

The statement was signed by the Director-General of Immigration, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.