Use MyKad readers when hiring, security firms told

PETALING JAYA: With two armed robberies by security guards in the space of a week, crime awareness group Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch (MARAH) is urging security companies to fully utilise MyKad readers to weed out fake ID holders. 

“It is alarming to hear that fake MyKads can be easily bought for as low as RM 200. This begs the question of whether firearm permits can be obtained using fake MyKads,” said MARAH founder Dave Avran. 

The AmBank security guard who shot dead bank officer Norazita Abu Talib on Oct 23 was reportedly carrying a fake identification card (IC). 

In a separate incident a week later, the security guard of a jewellery store in Setapak held employees at gunpoint before taking off with some of the store’s inventory.

It is believed that he was also a holder of a fake IC. 

National Registra­tion Department (NRD) director-general Datuk Jariah Mohd Said had earlier said that although information and security features embedded in MyKads are fraud-proof, the photo or details printed on the card can still be tampered with.

“Since only details and the picture printed on MyKads can be faked, the solution is to get a card reader to read the data chip on MyKads for verification,” said Avran.

He also urged the NRD to take on a more active role in encouraging the stringent screening and vetting of hired guards by security firms.