In a statement released on Wednesday, the department said the implementation would be deferred to a later date that will be announced in due course, Malay Mail reported.

Immigration authorities said the postponement was intended to ensure smooth service delivery and maintain an optimal experience for members of the public applying for travel documents, The Star newspaper reported.

Authorities emphasized that passport renewal services for existing passports would continue as normal.

Current Malaysian passports that remain valid can still be used for international travel until their expiry dates.

Earlier, Malaysian authorities said the upgraded passport will include additional security measures such as holograms, ultraviolet printing and specially designed security threads embedded in the passport stitching.

Malaysia’s passport jumped three places to rank sixth most powerful globally in the Henley Passport Index 2026 updated this month, marking its highest position in the 20-year history of the index.

It is now the second most powerful passport in Southeast Asia, behind Singapore’s.

Malaysian citizens enjoy visa-free access to 183 out of 227 countries and territories.