WITH tempers flaring and journalists getting harassed at immigration counters, a former commissioner from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) shared his own experience in trying to get his passport renewed.
Jerald Joseph took to Facebook to highlight how tedious and time-consuming it was to get his passport ready; after nine hours!
“A full Saturday at Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia. It’s taken a whole day. Just to share a sample of the timing of the processes. Finally got it after nine hours,” he said.
Detailing his ordeal at the counter, Joseph said that he arrived at the Pudu Urban Transformation centre (UTC) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday at 7.15am to wait in line.
It is to note that this was the same place two journalists from The Vibes were reportedly harassed by a security guard yesterday.
“At 9.50am, I got into the office to receive number. Got called at 3.30pm to make payment and received passport at 4.25pm.”
“Hope the processes and systems can be better improved like before. Pre-COVID it was amazing speed to get a passport done. Not sure what happened to the 1-2 hour machines at all the offices before.
“Also witnessed guard shouting at two journalist who were in the building (and not in the immigration office)” Joseph lamented.
Yesterday, The Vibes reported that two of its journalists were harassed by a security guard when the latter attempted to do a video story on how the people had to endure long hours of wait to get their passports renewed.
The guard was yelling to the duo that no one was allowed to take pictures and speak to those standing in line along the corridors without formal approval.
Both the reporters and security guard have lodged police report on the matter.
Meanwhile, The Star reported Joseph as saying yesterday that neither the media nor the public should be disallowed from disseminating the truth. – May 15, 2022
