When traveling overseas, your passport is probably at the top of your checklist of items to bring. Passports are an important identification document that’s issued by the government for you to travel outside of the country and verifies your identity and citizenship. You may need your passport when boarding flights, checking in to a hotel or even entering certain premises for identity verification.
If you didn’t know, passports are also considered government property. The passport holder is responsible for the security of the passport and will have to return it to the government upon demand. So, what happens if you lose your passport in Malaysia or abroad?
Losing Your Passport In Malaysia
If you lose your passport, you can make a police report as soon as possible either at a police station or online through the Royal Malaysia Police e-reporting system. This online reporting platform enables the public to make police reports remotely, which do not involve criminal incidents or do not require further investigation by the police.
The e-reporting of lost passport is only available to those aged 18 and above.
Replacing Your Passport
After making a police report, you can apply for a replacement passport at the Immigration Department of Malaysia. The required documents are the same as the first time application. The Malaysian passport is valid for five years and costs RM200 for adults aged 13 to 59.
Children and senior citizens need to pay RM100 only. Passport application is free for disabled applicants. You will have to bring along your last used passport and furnish the following documents as well.
- Police report for missing passport
- MyKad
- Birth certificate and MyKad of parents for applicants under 18 years old
- If you do not have a MyKad, bring along temporary identity card
- IM42c form
- Copy of previous PMA
- Marriage certificate or divorce letter for applicants under 18 years old if divorced
- Confirmation letter from employers working abroad if applicable
- Emergency certificate and report from the entrance if applicable
- Certificate from the Fire Department in case of fire
- Letter from the Local Authority for natural disaster cases
The approval for a replacement passport depends on the decision of the Director General of Immigration. Applicants will know the result within five working days of the application.
Losing Your Passport Abroad
If you lose your passport overseas, you can report the incident immediately at the nearest police station and contact your embassy, high commission or consular office to get a replacement.
You can apply for an Emergency Certificate to fly back to Malaysia. It is valid for only one trip to certain countries and for a period of not exceeding nine months.
Fines For Lost Of Passport
There was no penalty for the lost of passport due to negligence up till 2017, when cases of missing passports reached over 31,000.
According to a social media post by Malaysia Government Call Centre (MyGCC), passport holders who lose their passport due to negligence will need to pay RM300 to RM1,200 in fines.
The fine amount increases according to the number of times you lose your passport. For those who lose their passports for the first time, they will have to pay a fine of RM400 and RM300 for children aged 12 or below.
Those who lose their passports for the second time will need to pay RM700 and RM600 for children. Meanwhile, individuals who lose their passports for the third time will pay a fine of RM1,200 and RM1,100 for children.
If you lose your passport due to a fire or flood, you can present relevant documents to the Immigration Department. The Immigration Department has announced that it will replace passports that were lost or damaged from the recent floods for free. Those with passports with a valid period of at least six months may apply for replacement and bring along documents including identification card, police report and original passport if available.
Read Also: Complete Guide To Renewing Your Malaysian Passport
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