‘Digital ID’ to be developed to curb fake MyKad issue, says Hamzah

PETALING JAYA: Efforts are underway to develop a “Digital ID” for Malaysians and permanent residents in efforts to curb syndicates producing fake MyKad, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

“As of March this year, the National Registration Department (NRD) has the personal data of over 30 million individuals, ” said Hamzah.

“In light of this, the government has agreed to implement the National Digital Identification initiative or Digital ID where the NRD will be the lead agency in implementing the first ever such initiative, ” he added at the launching of the NRD’s online JPN eServices on Monday (April 26).

He said the new Digital ID would serve as a trustworthy identification platform that would benefit the private and public sectors with regard to identification purposes when online digital transactions are performed.

To ensure safer online transactions, he added that the Digital ID would rely on complex biometric features such as 10 fingerprints, facial and iris recognition systems.

“I wish to stress that the Digital ID will not replace the physical MyKad as the main identification document.

“The Digital ID initiative will further strengthen the safety features of the physical MyKad and represent a new way in the effort by the government to eradicate syndicates producing fake MyKad, ” he added.

He said the Digital ID would also make it faster for enforcement agencies to detect if an individual is using a fake MyKad.

However, Hamzah did not give a timeline when the Digital ID would be implemented by the NRD.

Meanwhile, the Home Minister said the online NRD eServices would allow the retrieval of certain records and applications with the department to be done online.

Among them, he added, were registration of births, retrieval of birth records, application for MyKad for 12-year-olds, retrieval of MyKad records and marriage registration application.

He assured that personal and sensitive data handled through the online JPN eServices would remain secured and safe.

Hamzah said that so far, a total of 41,816 individuals have used the JPN eServices prior to its official launching on April 21.