KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 -- Malaysians are urged not to rush to replace their existing passports as the rollout of the country's new passport begins on July 1 in phases, says Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.

He added that passport renewals should only be carried out when necessary, such as when a passport has expired or when a new application is being made.

"We appeal to Malaysians not to rush to change their passports. If your current passport is still valid, continue using it until it expires."

"There is no necessity to replace it simply because a new version has been introduced," he told reporters after the launch of the new passport by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Parliament today.

He then said th...