IPOH: After receiving three public complaints regarding fraudulent claims under the RM100 Sara cash aid scheme, Mohd Rawi Abdullah, the chief of the Perak Barisan Nasional Public Service and Complaints Centre, was taken aback to discover that he, too, had fallen victim to the scam.
Despite having replaced his stolen MyKad, he discovered that someone had used the old identity card to claim the aid, leaving only RM2.70 in the account.
“I lost my identity card about two weeks ago and lodged a police report. I applied for a replacement card.
“I assumed the old card would be automatically cancelled, but clearly it was still being misused.
“This indicates serious gaps in the government’s deactivation and security processes,” he told a press conference yesterday.
He said a police report on the fraudulent Sara claims was lodged on Oct 7.
Mohd Rawi suspected the person who broke into his car and stole his documents might have used his MyKad.
He warned that misuse of MyKad can result in financial losses, reputational damage, criminal liabilities and credit risks for the original cardholder.
“I’m now worried that someone might misuse my MyKad to apply for loans, claim fuel subsidies, or engage in other fraudulent activities,” he said.
He called on the National Registration Department to urgently review its protocols to ensure that lost or stolen MyKads are instantly cancelled and that government databases are updated in real time across relevant agencies and financial institutions.
He also urged MyKad holders who have lost their cards to promptly file police reports and inform all relevant parties, including banks, government agencies, and telecommunications providers, to reduce the risk of potential misuse.
“This issue goes beyond personal loss. It concerns the security of all Malaysians’ personal data, and I hope the authorities take it seriously and strengthen the system to prevent similar incidents from recurring,” he added.
