Malaysians need not rush to replace their MyKad as the new version launches Sept 17. Existing cards remain valid and linked records will be retained.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians have been advised not to rush to replace their MyKad when applications for the new version open on Sept 17, as existing cards will remain valid and all linked records will be retained.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the new MyKad, featuring about 50 new security features, would be introduced in phases, starting at 40 National Registration Department (NRD) offices nationwide.
He said the phased rollout was intended to prevent unusual congestion at NRD counters, particularly as the MyKad is widely used for government-related transactions, including welfare assistance and subsidised fuel purchases.
“The old MyKad can still be used until we phase out the card. My advice is for people not to rush so that we can avoid extraordinary congestion.
“The most important thing is that transactions requiring MyKad are not disrupted,” he told reporters after visiting a student whose MyKad application he helped expedite last year in Port Dickson today.
The visit was held for Nurul Arini Abdullah and her mother, Wan Nordin. Saifuddin visited Nurul Arini last year to hand over her MyKad after her application was processed under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution.
He said Nurul Arini had since completed her foundation studies and received an offer dated Aug 17 to pursue medicine at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Following the visit, Saifuddin said about 24 million MyKad had been issued to Malaysians aged 12 and above, while the NRD currently processes an average of 180,000 to 200,000 MyKad applications and replacements each month.
This includes applications for new MyKad as well as replacements for damaged or lost cards.
“If the number suddenly jumps to 500,000 because people want to get the new MyKad, that is what we want to avoid,” he said.
Saifuddin said replacing an existing MyKad with the new version would not affect the holder’s records, including eligibility details for government programmes and subsidies.
He said the NRD would remain the custodian of the data and the replacement process would be similar to that for lost or damaged MyKad.
“There is no issue. The records will remain the same,” he said when asked whether details such as subsidised fuel eligibility would be affected.
Saifuddin said the new version would eventually replace the current MyKad, which has been in use for about 12 years.
He said Malaysia had maintained a strong record in safeguarding the integrity of its identity card system, with only about 600 attempts to falsify MyKad detected over the past 12 years.
He said forged cards might be used to pass routine checks but would not be able to pass formal transactions involving government or private-sector systems.
Saifuddin said there had been no reports of fake MyKad being successfully used for fuel transactions, despite about three million MyKad-linked fuel transactions being carried out daily at more than 4,000 petrol stations nationwide.
“Still, the launch of the new MyKad version is to further strengthen our level of security,” he said.
