MyKad, was introduced by the National Registration Department of Malaysia in 2001. We were the first country in the world to use an identification card that incorporates both photo identification and fingerprint biometric data on an in-built computer chip embedded in a piece of plastic. The introduction of the card came with much potential. There was the intention to make it a multipurpose card with 8 different applications for the convenience of the Malaysian citizens.
Alas, 17 years later, the potential and intention remains as potential and intention. The many promises it came with has yet to be realised. Instead we get a card with limited usage beyond serving as an ID card and a touch and go card, and many complains on the chip malfunctioning. This is in spite of the significant investment by the Malaysian Government in eGovernment for the last 19 years, and having the Digital Signatures Act amended in 1997.
There is a strong need to reengineer the citizen identity system to be a more advance identity management system, ie a digital Identity which can be used not only in eGovernment initiatives but also in the private sector. Technology has progressed by leaps and bounds, but our MyKad seems to be stuck in a time warp.
It has been alleged that certain politicians and their cronies from the former regime have benefited enormously from supplying this low tech and easily cloned MyKad to the government. This allegation should be investigated to clear the names of those involved. It is high time we review the functionalities and technology of our MyKad and demand the supplier to bring it to date with today’s demanding requirements of the connected world and economy at their cost.