{
  "id": 2567163,
  "title": "Govt not taking over passport, MyKad supplier Datasonic",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/govt-not-taking-over-passport-mykad-supplier-datasonic",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-22T11:04:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/22/govt-not-taking-over-passport-mykad-supplier-datasonic"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian government has clarified that it is not planning to take over Datasonic Technologies Sdn Bhd, the firm responsible for supplying passports and national identity cards in the country. This statement was made by the National Security Council (MKN), countering earlier reports suggesting a potential acquisition at an estimated value of RM7.5 billion.\n\nMKN emphasized that the country's citizens' identities are among its most critical strategic assets and that national security and sovereignty are of the highest priority. The government remains committed to ensuring secure and trustworthy services for all citizens while exploring proactive strategies to safeguard identity security.\n\nDatasonic's parent company, NexG Bhd, initially received an indicative price request from the finance ministry in July. The RM7.5 billion figure was based on an internal assessment by NexG's management and was not an independent valuation or firm offer. Any potential transaction would still require further discussions, negotiations, and potentially an independent valuation.",
  "summary": "The National Security Council says the government will continue to ensure identity services remain safe and trusted.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Govt will not take over Datasonic Technologies, says NSC",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/govt-will-not-take-over-datasonic-technologies-says-nsc",
        "published": "2026-08-22T10:28:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Govt not taking over passport, MyKad supplier Datasonic",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/govt-not-taking-over-passport-mykad-supplier-datasonic-2569776",
        "published": "2026-08-22T11:04:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}