Did you know that Malaysia was the first country in the world to introduce the biometric passport?
Back in 1998, Malaysia made global headlines by launching the world’s first biometric passport, also known as an e-passport. This innovative travel document included a microchip embedded in the passport cover, storing essential biometric data such as the holder’s digital photograph and fingerprint information.
This forward-thinking move placed Malaysia at the forefront of secure international travel, years ahead of many developed countries. The purpose of implementing this technology was to enhance passport security, reduce identity fraud, and streamline immigration processes. It also allowed for faster and more secure identification at border control, improving both convenience and safety for travelers.
The success of Malaysia’s e-passport became a benchmark for other nations. Today, biometric passports are a global standard, but it all started with Malaysia’s commitment to innovation and security in the travel sector. Countries around the world soon followed, adopting similar systems to keep up with rising concerns over passport forgery and border security.
Being the pioneer in biometric passport technology is a milestone that highlights Malaysia’s significant contribution to global travel security. If you’re holding a Malaysian passport today, you’re carrying a piece of world history that changed the way we travel.
Source : ASEAN Culture & History
