General : People Advised Against Rushing To Replace MyKad From Sept 17

PORT DICKSON: Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has advised Malaysians not to rush to replace their MyKad when applications for the new version commence on September 17. The new MyKad, featuring approximately 50 enhanced security features, will be rolled out in stages, while current cards remain valid for everyday use.

Saifuddin highlighted that there are currently 24 million MyKad cards in circulation, with issuance rates averaging between 180,000 and 200,000 cards per month. He reassured that the replacement process would not impact subsidy balances or eligibility for subsidies tied to the identity card, as records are maintained using the existing MyKad.

Additionally, Saifuddin addressed concerns about the high number of unregistered births in Malaysia, which stands at approximately 13,000 to 15,000 cases annually. He emphasized that this figure is still concerning despite Malaysia's independence being achieved decades ago. Factors contributing to the lack of birth registration include insufficient information, social issues, and family-related problems, all of which could adversely affect children's futures.

Saifuddin called upon parents, guardians, and the public with knowledge of unregistered births to approach National Registration Department (NRD) offices for assistance. It's worth noting that birth registration is free, and parents or guardians often provide reasons such as financial difficulties and family constraints as excuses for not registering their children's births.