{
  "id": 8412895,
  "title": "New MyKad: Dyed hair allowed if not too prominent",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/new-mykad-dyed-hair-allowed-if-not-too-prominent",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T08:12:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1536112/new-mykad-dyed-hair-allowed-if-not-too-prominent"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The new-generation MyKad allows individuals to have dyed hair, provided the colour appears natural and is not overly prominent. National Registration Department Identification Card Division director Muhammad Asraf Sukadi made this clarification during an interview. He emphasized that the requirement also considered an individual's original hair colour, including those with grey hair or those who use henna. The department does not necessitate black hair, but the chosen colour should closely match one's natural hair shade and avoid excessive artificiality. This policy applies to all ethnicities, including Eurasians, and there is no issue with such applicants. However, the dyed hair should not be completely blonde, as it should remain more natural-looking. Sukadi addressed a viral photograph of a new MyKad belonging to a female singer, which sparked discussions about hair colour and other requirements for identification card photographs. Additionally, he clarified that claims requiring applicants to wear a black headscarf for the MyKad photo were incorrect. The department instructed applicants wearing headscarves to use dark colours, as the background of the MyKad photo is white. If a light-coloured headscarf is used, it may not be visible clearly in the photograph.",
  "summary": "PUTRAJAYA: Applicants for the new-generation MyKad are allowed to have dyed hair as long as the colour looks natural and is not too prominent.",
  "key_points": [
    "Dyed hair permitted if natural and not overly prominent",
    "National Registration Department clarifies policy",
    "Headscarf color instructions clarified for applicants"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}