SINGAPORE - The High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore caught some Malaysians by surprise when it suddenly announced on Feb 26 that it would limit its consular counter services to 70 cases a day.

The change took effect on Feb 27.

Queue numbers, which are subject to availability, are issued at the guard house from 8am, the High Commission said in a notice dated Feb 26 on its website. The notice was shared on its Facebook page that day.

The affected services include birth registration, marriage registration, document attestation and death registration.

The sudden announcement of a limit of 70 cases a day for consular counter services has left some Malaysians concerned and annoyed over the inconvenience that the move brings.

A netizen using the handle Gxf Cai, in a post on the High Commission’s Facebook page, said all 70 queue tickets were gone on Feb 27 by the time that the person arrived.

Gxf Cai reported making another trip the next day, and managing to get in after queueing for half an hour.

Gxf Cai later told The Straits Times that the queue was mixed with people who needed consular services and other services, so those at the far end of the line would not know if they would be among the lucky 70.

“People might take leave from work to get this done, but they can’t get the number and need to come another day, and yet you won’t know whether you can secure the slot or not,” said Gxf Cai.

Some other Malaysians wondered if appointments could be made online. “Any online appointment booking service? What if you make a trip down to find out all 70 numbers have (been) issued for that day?” asked Facebook user Miracle Holmes.

There were 1.13 million Malaysian migrants residing in Singapore as at 2022, according to numbers given in 2023 by Malaysia’s then Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar.

Responding to ST’s e-mail queries, the High Commission said the current limitations are temporary and are due to recent system limitations and manpower shortages.

Services such as passport and visa applications are unaffected, it added, and these continue to be available with the usual procedures in place.

“We are in the process of upgrading our operations and processes as well as managing resources effectively, and will be introducing a systematic and streamlined approach for consular services in the very near future,” said the High Commission.

It said it will provide updates from time to time on its website and social media platforms.