KUALA LANGAT: Foreign nationals caught using fake MyKad identity cards say they did so mainly to secure employment, with the forged cards sold for RM300.
This was uncovered during a joint enforcement operation at an electronics factory in Telok Panglima Garang on Wednesday (Jan 14) involving the National Registration Department (NRD), the Immigration Department and the Labour Department.
The operation, codenamed Ops Vape, began at 7.30pm and was aimed at curbing the forgery of identity documents, particularly MyKad, as well as the misuse of other people’s identity cards for employment purposes.
An Indonesian woman, identified as Nulina, 37, said she was introduced to an agent by a friend to obtain a fake MyKad for RM300.
“I made this MyKad with a friend and bought it from her. She told me that if I wanted to work, I had to buy a MyKad.
“I only just started using it because I wanted a job. I didn’t know it was wrong,” said the mother of two after being detained.
Another Indonesian woman, 25, known as Murni, claimed she was forced to use a copy of someone else’s MyKad in order to secure employment.
“I entered Malaysia in 2024 after being promised a job as a domestic helper by an agent, but when I arrived, there was no job.
“I did various jobs, including working at a restaurant. Later, a friend invited me to work at this factory and told me to use her IC to get the job.
“I only used a photocopy and didn’t pay anything. When I applied, the boss didn’t say anything and I got the job straight away,” she claimed.
It is understood that the two women were among 15 Indonesian women detained for similar offences during the operation.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who led the operation, said the coordinated operation was carried out following three weeks of intelligence gathering, which led to the detection of offences involving possession of fake identity cards and the use of other people’s MyKad.
He said action by the NRD would be taken under the National Registration Regulations 1990, which carry penalties of up to three years jail or a fine of not more than RM20,000, or both.
“Under Immigration action, investigations will look into whether they entered the country without valid documents, overstayed, misused work passes or violated provisions under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“The Labour Department will enforce provisions under the Employment Act 1955,” he told a press conference at the raid location.
Also present was NRD director-general Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias.
Saifuddin Nasution added that authorities would examine all elements of the case, including identifying masterminds and the wider ecosystem behind such activities.
“This joint operation will see investigations opened, with all information and company documents gathered to determine the source of the workforce,” he said.
He stressed that the government views any form of abuse or forgery of identity documents seriously, as it poses significant implications for national security.
