KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 21): Datasonic Group Bhd has today launched its new factory in Petaling Jaya to manufacture the new generation of the electronic international Malaysian passport (e-passport).

"I am excited with the launch of our new factory, equipped with all the necessary machinery and relevant technology capabilities," said the group's chairman General Tan Sri Dr Mohamed Hashim Mohd Ali (Rtd) in a statement today, adding that Datasonic has started manufacturing the new e-passports in October this year and has made almost 650,000 pieces of e-passport, which was officially rolled out on Nov 15 onwards.

"With the support from the Immigration Department of Malaysia, this marks the beginning of our new initiative in producing the new e-passport with enhanced security features and new upgraded designs.

"By leveraging on our in-depth experience and proven track-record, I am optimistic that our group stands strong to being the largest ICT solutions provider in Malaysia and will continue to deliver higher and better quality products," said Mohamed Hashim.

Datasonic said the new version of the Malaysian e-passport with enhanced security features complies with the standards of International Civil Aviation Organization Document 9303 (ICAO).

The security features include an embedded chip in the polycarbonate in the biodata page, three colored security stitching thread stitched with back-sewn lock, and the use of ultraviolet (UV) light to verify the authenticity of the e-passport, while the front and the back covers are also secured with security features, said Datasonic.

Moreover, Datasonic said the upgraded design concept encompasses the Malaysian culture, such as the hibiscus, orchidaceae, red ginger, silver-eared mesia bird, and Rukunegara principles.

The inside pages have images that represent the five principles of the Rukunegara as well as the 12 Malaysian icons, which include the Putra Mosque, National Palace, Parliament Building, Palace of Justice and the National Museum, Mount Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur Train Station, Kuala Lumpur Twin Tower and Kuala Lumpur Tower.

Last year, the group was awarded a RM233.38 million contract to supply passport booklets for five years from Dec 1, 2016 to Nov 30, 2021, making Datasonic the sole provider of all components of Malaysian passports.

Shares in Datasonic closed unchanged at RM1.17 for a market capitalisation of RM1.57 billion.