KUALA TERENGGANU: The National Registration Department (NRD) has issued a total of 169,346 new generation MyKads nationwide from Sept 17 to Oct 6.
NRD director-general Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias said the five states with the highest numbers are the Federal Territories with 20,592 pieces; Johor (18,871); Sarawak (15,777); Sabah (13,711) and Selangor (13,452).
He said that so far, response from the public has been very encouraging due to increased number of high-tech security features from 23 to 53, capable of curbing identity theft issues.
"To accommodate the increase in applications for the new generation MyKad, the NRD has increased card production centres from 60 to 70 nationwide. Only one is not yet operational, which is in Langkawi. However, it is in its final preparation stage and is expected to operate soon.
"Based on NRD records for September, there were more male applicants at 57% compared to females. However, we would like to advise the public not to rush to change their old MyKads if the chip is still in good condition," he said after the Mekar Komuniti programme at Taman Sinar Harapan here on Thursday (Oct 8).
Also present was Terengganu NRD director Awatif Hannan Md Yusup.
Badrul Hisham said 25 Mekar programmes have been implemented in Terengganu this year to facilitate the public, including persons with disabilities (OKU), Orang Asli, chronic patients, mental patients and senior citizens in obtaining their MyKads. – Bernama
