Malaysian passport is 6th most powerful globally
Immigration chief Mustafar Ali says latest version of passport accepted visa-free in 157 countries and comes with 50 additional security features.
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian international passport is in the top six among the most powerful passports in the world based on the 2018 Passport Index developed by global financial advisory firm Arton Capital.
The Passport Index is a reference point for all passport rankings based on the number of countries that can be visited by people of a country without requiring a visa, or with a visa-on-arrival.
Immigration director-general Mustafar Ali said the recognition was expected as the Malaysian passport met the guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). He added that it was now accepted in 157 countries without its holder needing to have a visa.
“Looking at history, the Malaysian passport is the world’s first passport that came with the chip-based biometric security features,” he said in a statement today.
Mustafar said the passport was further enhanced with additional security features to meet ICAO’s Document 9303 standards in 2013, while the chip was included in the passport’s biodata page in 2016.
He also said the latest version of the Malaysian passport came with 50 additional security features and a more unique design reflecting the country’s landmarks, local flora and fauna, as well as the five principles of “Rukun Negara”.
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“These additional security features have enhanced the trustworthiness of the people and international authorities to further strengthen its (the passport’s) use overseas,” he said.