Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) incurred a revenue shortfall of about RM714,000 after waiving the standard RM10 replacement fee for damaged MyKad, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the move was deliberate and timely to support citizens, particularly flood victims, many of whom risk losing essential identification documents while fleeing their homes during disasters.
“The revenue loss is not an issue. What matters is that KDN plays its role as an enabler for the successful rollout of Budi 95, the targeted fuel subsidy that can only be accessed by Malaysians with a valid MyKad.
We must ensure that citizens are ready and eligible,” Saifuddin told reporters during a working to the IPK Sabah, Friday.
He said since the exemption was introduced, close to 10,000 people in Malaysia, 817 of them from Sabah, have renewed or replaced their MyKad, reflecting what the Minister described as strong public awareness of the importance of identity documents in securing government benefits.
The fee waiver, which runs until Oct 7, covers damaged MyKad, while the usual charge for lost or stolen cards still applies.
On average, the National Registration Department (JPN) processes about 1,000 replacements daily nationwide, translating to roughly 30,000 cases per month under normal circumstances.
During his visit, Saifuddin also handed out cash assistance and food supplies to 93 KDN agency staff affected by floods as well as 20 evacuees still housed at temporary relief centres.
The Minister said the distribution demonstrated the Ministry’s commitment to not only enforcing laws but also showing compassion to its own personnel and the wider public hit by natural disasters.
He further emphasised preparedness for the coming Northeast Monsoon season, which typically brings severe flooding towards end of the year.
“We have mobilised about 20,000 police personnel nationwide, and all related assets are in full readiness to assist with security, rescue operations, safeguarding properties and managing public order during floods,” he explained.
The waiver initiative and flood support, Saifuddin said, were examples of how the Home Ministry seeks to embed values of empathy, mercy and care within government service delivery under the Madani Government.
“This is about more than just documents and subsidies. It is about showing citizens that the Government cares and is willing to make sacrifices, even financially, so that they can weather difficult times with dignity,” he said.
The Home Minister was accompanied by the Ministry’s Secretary-General, senior state officials and the Deputy Commissioner of Sabah Police during the visit.