Rules tightened for replacement ICs

PETALING JAYA: Come Oct 15, those who lose their identity cards for a third time will be subjected to an investigation and fork out RM1,000 for a replacement.

They will also have to lodge a police report, according to a new set of rules issued by the Home Ministry.

Those who lose their ICs for the first time will have to pay a RM100 fee, second time offenders RM300 (from RM200 now) and third time and more RM1,000 (now RM300). Second time offenders will also have to make a police report.

Home Ministry deputy secretary-general (security policy) Datuk Seri Adenan Ab Rahman said over 1.3 million ICs were reported lost since 2010, thus the need for the replacement process to be tightened.

He said those applying for replacements for the first time can still go to National Registration Department (NRD) counters.

"But any subsequent losses will  require a police report before an application can be made at the NRD.

"Applications to replace a third and any subsequent losses will be investigated before a replacement is issued,” he said in a statement.

All applicants will be issued a temporary IC before a replacement is issued.

Adenan said the new rules would not take into account the history of previous loss of ICs and the new fees would only be effective from Thurs (Oct 15).

Exceptions will be made for the disabled, the poor, senior citizens (above the age of 60) as well as victims of disaster or crime such as thefts and for Malaysians below the age of 18.