Fines to be considered if passport lost due to negligence - Ahmad Zahid

The government plans to impose fines against Malaysians who lose their international passport due to negligence, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Besides wanting passport holders to be more careful, he said the proposal also sought to curb the misuse of passports by other parties as Malaysia's passport was 'highly sought-after' among criminals and 'foreign fighters' because it could be used to enter about 160 countries without a visa.

"This is what we want to tighten, so that the lost passport is not misused by other parties," he told reporters after receiving United States (US) Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, Alan Bersin at his office here on Tuesday.

Ahmad Zahid said the proposal to impose a fine would be examined in accordance with the Fees Act 1951 and would be tabled in Parliament if it required amendments.

"However, if there is a clause that allows it to be done through administration, we will do it administratively without it being brought to Parliament," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said it was mandatory for Malaysian passport holders to make a police report within 24 hours of losing the document, following an agreement reached by the International Police (Interpol), Malaysian Royal Police (PDRM) and the Immigration Department.

He said the procedure was one of the items in the 'check list' to enable Malaysia to join the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

"We are close (to VWP). We are targeting 18 months from the visit of United States President Barack Obama. We are trying," he said.

So far, 37 countries have joined the VWP, including Singapore and Brunei.

The programme will enable Malaysians to enter the US, without applying for a visa and allow them to stay in the country for a maximum period of 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

Ahmad Zahid admitted that Malaysia faced 'pressure' to meet the requirements and demands under the VWP, including providing job opportunities, shelter and allowing free movement in the country for victims of trafficking-in-persons.

"It is difficult for us to fulfill everything because the immigration laws (of Malaysia and the United States) are different," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia should also reduce its visa refusal rate to three per cent in order to participate in the VWP.

"Although Malaysia's visa refusal rate has been decreased from 10 per cent to 4.7 percent, it deferred from the three per cent target. This is an effort we need make in the near future," he added.