Ministry to examine passport fees for Malaysia migrants

Two Cambodian employees walk to work at a factory in Malaysia, where migrant workers from the Kingdom allege they are forced to pay exorbitant sums for passport renewals. Photo supplied

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will investigate exorbitant passport fees for migrant workers in Malaysia, the ministry’s spokesman said late last week, following an investigation by The Post that found Cambodians in the country were forced to pay up to $800 for renewals.

“The consular affairs department of the ministry has been instructed to investigate the issue mentioned in The Post this morning,” Chum Sounry, spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said on Thursday.

A handful of migrant workers said they had paid fees significantly higher than their monthly salaries through agencies, because the Cambodian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur does not renew passports.

Sounry confirmed that Cambodia does not offer such services through any of its embassies. Asked for an explanation, he said the ministry would need to “investigate the issue”.

“The embassy says it’s because they don’t have the machines to do it,” said Irene Xavier, coordinator of the NGO Malaysian Committee for Asian Women. “The embassy should find a way to renew the passport in the country itself so there’s no need to go to agents.”

Contact author: Leonie Kijewski

MOST VIEWED

Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO
Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in
Ream base allegations must end, urges official
A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical
Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing
To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable
CP denied registration documents by ministry
The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do
Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit
Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former
After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024
The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.