New-generation MyKad applications open tomorrow with enhanced security features

From today (Sept 17), the National Registration Department (NRD) will commence issuing a new MyKad model equipped with enhanced security features, replacing the existing version with 23 features. This transition, spanning more than two decades, aims to bolster the card's design, structure, and security measures, according to the NRD.

Forty NRD branches across the country, equipped with printing facilities, will be ready to issue the improved MyKad on the same day it is introduced. The upgraded card will include a QR code for verification, hologram technology, microtext, ultraviolet security features, laser engraving, and an advanced chip with heightened encryption. These advancements are expected to bolster identity verification and mitigate forgery and misuse risks.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail advised the public to refrain from rushing to the National Registration Department (NRD) offices when applications for the new MyKad commence. The department will roll out the new card in phases, initially introducing it at the NRD headquarters in Putrajaya and 18 select offices before a nationwide expansion. This gradual approach is intended to prevent congestion at counters and ensure a smooth implementation.

Currently, there are approximately 24 million active MyKad holders, while the NRD issues between 180,000 and 200,000 cards monthly. A phased rollout is necessary to avoid severe congestion at NRD offices. Saifuddin reassured the public that replacing the MyKad would not impact eligibility for subsidies, existing records, or the transfer of balances, as the data remains associated with the individual's current identification profile.

Additionally, the NRD continues to record between 13,000 and 15,000 unregistered births annually, predominantly due to financial constraints, social issues, and family disputes. Saifuddin emphasized that birth registration in Malaysia is free and urged parents, guardians, and relevant informants to register their children promptly to secure the necessary legal documentation.