GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Immigration Department is investigating claims that its personnel refused to renew the passport of a local woman who does not speak Malay.

Its spokesperson said they were aware of the allegations.

"We are aware of the matter and an investigation is underway. 

"Any statement will be shared later," the spokesperson said when contacted here yesterday.

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The incident gained traction on Facebook last Saturday, through a post attributed to the woman's son, following their visit to the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Komtar.

According to the post, the man claimed to have brought his parents to the Penang Immigration counter for passport renewal but his father had no issues. 

However, the staff at the counter refused to renew his mother's document because she did not speak Malay.

The man also said that his mother could not speak Malay as she did not have the means to obtain education, but the staff insisted that she return on another day to meet with an officer.

A check on Facebook found that the post has been deleted but the statement continues to spread across various pages.