KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 1,377 arrests linked to the misuse of identity cards (ICs), identity theft and the sale of ICs were recorded between 2021 and Oct 31, 2025, according to the National Registration Department (JPN).
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said out of the total, 843 cases were prosecuted under the National Registration Regulations 1990, while 525 cases were charged under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957 (Act 299). Another nine cases did not lead to prosecution.
He said JPN had carried out 3,418 enforcement operations in collaboration with other agencies over the same period to curb offences involving the misuse of identity cards and birth certificates.
“Of these, 338 cases were directly related to IC misuse under Regulation 25(1)(e) with 232 involving fake identity cards and 106 cases involving the use of another person’s IC,” he said in a written reply to Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He added that 172 of those cases involved Filipino nationals, 132 involved Indonesians, while 34 were from other countries. Some of the offenders have already been charged and sentenced, while the rest are still under investigation.
On preventive measures, Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry, through JPN, had introduced a comprehensive approach that includes enforcement, prevention and public awareness initiatives to protect citizens’ identity data.
A special JPN task force was set up to detect and dismantle syndicates dealing in the sale of identity cards, while integrated audits and surprise checks are carried out regularly to ensure compliance with procedures.
Saifuddin Nasution also reminded Malaysians to play their part in protecting official documents such as identity cards and birth certificates to prevent abuse that could threaten national security.
“The public can lodge complaints through the JPN hotline or the Home Ministry’s online portal to ensure quick action against any misuse,” he said.
