KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — Malaysia’s upcoming new passport will feature significantly enhanced digital security, with the number of security features almost doubling from 49 to 94, as the government moves to strengthen protection against forgery and identity fraud while modernising the country’s travel documents.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the upgraded Malaysian International Passport (PMA) will incorporate advanced digital and forensic security technologies that comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Doc 9303 standards, ensuring the passport remains globally recognised and highly secure.

Among the new security enhancements are guilloche printing, latent images, rainbow printing, line-width modulation, holograms and ultraviolet (UV) security printing. The ministry said these features are designed to improve document authenticity, deter counterfeiting and reduce the risk of misuse.

The enhanced passport will be introduced alongside a new 10-year validity option, giving Malaysians the choice of applying for or renewing their passports with either a five-year or 10-year validity period. Fees will be determined according to the applicant category.

The announcement was made in response to a parliamentary question from Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah Wee Tse, who asked whether the government planned to introduce a 10-year passport in line with global trends towards digital immigration systems and longer passport validity.

The ministry said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to modernise immigration services while ensuring Malaysian travel documents remain secure and internationally trusted.

Malaysia’s passport continues to rank among the world’s strongest. According to Passport Index, it climbed from 10th place in 2024 to third in 2025, while the 2026 Henley Passport Index ranked it sixth globally, up from 12th the previous year.

The ministry said the enhanced security architecture reflects the government’s commitment to protecting citizens’ personal information and preserving the integrity of Malaysian travel documents as digitalisation continues to transform global border control and immigration systems.