Lately, a lot of us have been feeling uneasy about how the MyKad system is being used more and more. Honestly that unease isn’t really about technology, it’s about trust or rather, the lack of it between everyday people and the institutions that are supposed to look after us. It was reported that the new MyKad has 53 features compared to the previous MyKad’s 23 features.
Yes, privacy and surveillance are serious concerns but we have to be careful not to let fear, rumours, and raw emotion take over the conversation, that’s a dangerous path.
Technology itself isn’t good or bad. What matters is who controls it, and how.
Many Malaysians are worried that using MyKad for everything from transactions, verification, you name it, could slowly turn into a culture of being watched all the time. That worry isn’t crazy as we’ve seen major data leaks in both government and private sectors in recent years. So it’s only fair that we demand stronger data protection laws, more transparency, and real accountability from those handling our personal info.
At the same time, we can’t let every new digital move feel like a conspiracy for “total control.” I get it—those stories are powerful and emotional. They can also create unnecessary panic, deepen distrust, and make us lose confidence in our own public institutions.
The real issue here isn’t really MyKad, it’s trust.
Here’s the ironic thing, millions of us willingly hand over heaps of personal data every single day to foreign tech companies through our smartphones, e-wallets, online shopping, social media. They track what we buy, where we go, what we like, how we behave, way more than most government systems ever could. Yet, many of us are more scared of our own local authorities than these global giants. That contradiction alone shows how badly trust has broken down.
A country can’t function properly if citizens suspect every single move the government makes, and at the same time, the government ignores real public concerns.
So yes, the government has a big responsibility here. Saying “don’t worry” isn’t enough anymore, we need real action.
First, be open tell us clearly, what data is being collected. Who can see it? How long will it be kept? What happens if someone misuses it? Silence and vague answers only make suspicion grow.
Second, we desperately need stronger, more independent data protection. Data leaks can’t be treated like small mistakes. There have to be serious consequences for negligence, corruption, or misuse of people’s information. Trust won’t grow if nothing happens when things go wrong.
Third, Parliament should seriously think about setting up an independent body to keep an eye on national digital ID systems and cybersecurity. Oversight isn’t a threat, it’s a safeguard which actually helps build trust.
Let’s be honest, we as citizens also have a role to play as we can’t be selective about privacy. Many of us over share online without thinking, click on shady links, fall for scams, and trade away our privacy for a little convenience. Being a mature digital citizen means being alert, but also being rational.
The real danger right now isn’t just surveillance. It’s becoming a fearful, divided society where suspicion takes the place of reason. When fear dominates our conversations, we become easy targets for misinformation, manipulation, and political extremes. Democracies don’t only fall to dictators, they can also crumble from constant distrust and fragmentation.
So we need balance where we must be able to question policies and demand accountability. The government must accept scrutiny with humility and transparency but our debates should be grounded in facts and fairness, not emotional alarmism.
The Rukun Negara still matters. A stable, progressive country needs more than just new tech. It needs ethics, respect for the Constitution, and mutual trust between the people and those who govern.
Technology without ethics can be oppressive as fear without wisdom that can be just as destructive.
Let’s not let Malaysia become a nation ruled by unchecked control or uncontrolled paranoia. The way forward is accountable leadership, informed citizens, stronger institutions, and a renewed culture of trust. Only then can digital progress go hand in hand with dignity, freedom, and unity.
K.T.Maran Social, Environmental & Animal Activist
K.T. Maran (maran.kt@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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