Experiencing issues with Malaysian passport naming formats has caused significant trouble for many of us, including myself. Due to the current naming system on the passport, I have personally encountered several problems with government departments in Germany. This issue arises because the Malaysian passport's naming format does not clearly separate Forenames/Given names/First Name and Surnames/Family Name/Last Name. As a result, my full name is often misinterpreted abroad, particularly by the Immigration authority in Germany.

In my case, the entire full name is placed in the "Surname" field, leaving the "Given name" field blank on official documents. This not only results in grave confusion but has also led to administrative hassles, identity verification issues, and undue delays in processing official documents. This scenario isn't unique to me — many Malaysians who travel or reside abroad face similar challenges due to our passport's naming structure.

The crux of the problem lies in the fact that the one-field name system currently employed by Malaysia is not compatible with international standards, which typically require the clear separation of surname and given names. Adapting this system to international norms would ensure smoother interactions with foreign authorities, reduce instances of misidentification, and streamline international travel for Malaysians.

We urge the Malaysian Immigration Department to address this issue by revising the naming format on Malaysian passports. Implementing a standardized naming system that distinguishes between given names and family names would significantly alleviate the problems faced by Malaysians abroad.

Such a change would not only harmonize our passport system with accepted international standards but also improve the stamp of Malaysia globally and ensure the easier transition for Malaysians dealing with foreign governmental entities.

Sign this petition to urge the relevant authorities to make this essential improvement to our passport naming format and to support Malaysians living and traveling internationally.