“It’s A Really Dumb Website” Immigration’s eService Trolled By Photo Studio & Netizens Can’t Agree More
Netizens shared their frustrations dealing with the Immigration Department’s eServices.
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The Malaysian passport was recently ranked as the 14th most powerful passport in the world — allowing citizens to travel to 179 destinations visa-free or be issued a visa-on-arrival.
But the process of getting your hands on such an authoritative travel document seems to be the opposite of power lah…
Netizens didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the sight of the peculiar terms and conditions offered by a local photo studio that professionally shoots passport portraits for paying customers.
With a sign reading “even (if) done properly doesn’t guarantee 100% success” and “we did our best. It’s a really dumb immigration website,” the studio offers customers a chance to retake their photos for free if the 1st set of pictures was rejected by the Malaysian Immigration Department’s MyOnline Passport renewal system on its official website.
Read More: How To Renew Your Malaysian Passport Online
The studio’s honest-to-god comments were shared by local journalist and Jabberwock enthusiast Hadi Azmi on Twitter, who apparently employed the studio’s services in order to get his own passport renewed.
Went to get my photos taken for passport renewal. This studio offers free 1 retake if rejected.
— Hadi Azmi (@amerhadiazmi) February 24, 2023
“We did our best. It’s a really dumb immigration website.”
😂 pic.twitter.com/amSZl9kb3R
In no time, Twitterjaya came to applaud the establishment’s bluntness.
Love it, a poster with character
— Ehlexlee (@_ehlex) February 24, 2023
Some netizens also began sharing their own frustrations about dealing with the Immigration Department’s supposedly sub-par eServices.
Getting a photo successfully submitted for online passport renewal on the first try feels like winning the lottery! 😁
— Ellecubed (@Ellecubed1) February 24, 2023
Having gone through the process, I agree with the statement. Ended up going to and spending a whole day at the UTC to get my passport after online attempt failed.
— santaryna~🍁🍂🍁 (@_santaryna) February 24, 2023
Know what’s funny? The pic I used from a photo studio was rejected (first attempt).
— Berryblur (@berrytheblur) February 24, 2023
The 2nd pic i uploaded was taken from my phone and voila~! approved. pic.twitter.com/RgmTRSbgXV
Since the borders reopened in early 2022, and after two years of Covid-19 lockdowns, Malaysians scrambled to apply for or renew their passports to travel abroad. However, many experienced problems and setbacks including;
- frustrating long lines at the Immigration offices and kiosks.
- made online appointments but still had to wait and line up for long hours.
- thumbprint errors during the online application process.
- having their pictures rejected by the system.
Read More: [Watch] It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad World At Ipoh UTC As Hundreds Rushed To Get Their Passports
According to the MyOnline Passport guideline, applicants must submit a softcopy of a standard, passport-size portrait that clearly shows one’s face facing the camera.
The specifications also note that applicants must take photos in dark-coloured clothing that covers their chest and shoulders, not have their hair or accessories cover their forehead and shot with a white background.
The Immigration Department even provided a video tutorial to help applicants in their renewal process.
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