Registration Department should be more tech-savvy

I AM 78 years old with faded thumbprints, preventing me from making cash withdrawals at banks and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) agent banks.

I was advised to visit the National Registration Department (JPN) to rectify the problem.

At JPN Penang, I was asked to surrender my old Mykad to be replaced with a new one. A fee of RM10 was charged for the replacement.

When I went to collect my new Mykad three days later, I received it along with two copies of a letter certifying that I had lost my thumbprints. I now have to produce the Mykad and this letter whenever I need to withdraw cash from the bank or perform other important transactions.

To prevent the letter from soiling due to frequent use, I had it laminated.

I am at a loss as to why JPN still resorts to such an archaic method of doing things. Why can’t the data (loss of thumbprints) just be incorporated in the MyKad chip so that the letter need not be issued?

If the Road Transport Department (JPJ) can go digital and paperless for road tax and driving licences, I strongly feel JPN can do so, too, especially when the Madani government is encouraging the public to be digitally savvy. I believe government departments should take the lead.

KHOO KOK HEONG

Bukit Gelugor, Penang