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Straits Times

Forum: Include all previous passport numbers in new passports

I wish to highlight an issue that many Singaporeans, especially frequent travellers and business people, face when travelling to Asean countries after renewing our passports. A new passport number is assigned each time a passport is changed or renewed. In many parts of South-east Asia, older passport numbers are still referenced, especially in dealings with banks, government offices and legal entities – for example, in bank accounts, vehicle registrations, company resolutions and legal contracts. This has caused considerable inconvenience when the new passport number does not match the number in the old government and legal documents. Recently, when I flew into Penang and produced my Apec Business Travel Card with an old passport number, the immigration officer told me that the card could not be used as the passport number on the card did not match my new passport number. Fortunately, my last previous passport number was included in my new passport, which helped me resolve the issue at the checkpoint. However, I've been told by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) that it can include only the last previous passport number and not more. I once encountered a delay in selling my Malaysian vehicle because the ownership records referenced a much older passport number. I had to search through years of old passports just to prove my identity. To avoid such disruptions, I hope ICA can consider either including all previously issued passport numbers in the new passport, or issuing an official certification or document listing our full passport history. This would greatly help those of us conducting business overseas, especially in jurisdictions where identity card numbers are not accepted, and passport numbers are the primary form of identification. Many fellow businessmen share this concern, as we often have to update company resolutions or amend legal agreements because our identification number – the passport number – keeps changing. Victor Lim More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.