MyKad

Press Release image of the new features that are included in the MyKad

MyKad is the compulsory identity document for Malaysian citizens aged 12 and above. Introduced by the National Registration Department of Malaysia on 5 September 2001 as one of four MSC Malaysia flagship applications[1] and a replacement for the High Quality Identity Card (Kad Pengenalan Bermutu Tinggi), Malaysia became 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.[2]

Besides the main purpose of the card as a validation tool and proof of citizenship other than the birth certificate, MyKad may also serve as a valid driver's license, an ATM card, an electronic purse, and a public key, among other applications, as part of the Malaysian Government Multipurpose Card (GMPC) initiative, if the bearer chooses to activate the functions.

Other cards which are currently in use or soon to be introduced in the GMPC initiative and share similar features are:

  1. MyKid – for Malaysian citizens under the age of 12 including newborns (non-compulsory);[3]
  2. MyPR – for Malaysian Permanent Residents;[4]
  3. MyTentera – for Malaysian Armed Forces personnel;[5] and
  4. MyPolis – for Royal Malaysian Police personnel.[5]

Etymology

The term MyKad is a compound of two words with ambiguous meanings; namely My and Kad.

My can be:

Kad can be:

Technical specifications

The initial MyKad was a contact card solution developed and manufactured by IRIS Corporation. Made of PC with the dimensions in the ISO/IEC 7816 ID-1 format (standard credit card format), the initial card had a 32kb EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) embedded chip running on M-COS (MyKad Chip Operating System). In November 2002, the capacity was increased to 64kb.

The upgraded and current version of the MyKad is a hybrid card containing two chips for both contact and contactless interfaces. Currently, this hybrid type MyKad is only issued in Malaysian states that employ the Touch 'n Go application.

The MyKad chip has a data retention up to 20 years, while the card itself has a lifespan of 10 years and has been tested according to the ISO 10373 standard.

Eligibility and adoption

All Malaysian citizens and permanent residents 12 years old or above are eligible for a MyKad. From 2001, it gradually replaced an older Malaysian Identity Card system, that had been in use since 1949 under British colonial rule, with the intention of becoming ubiquitous by 2007. Children are issued with a MyKid after birth. This card is "upgraded" to a MyKad on the 12th birthday. The MyKad must be replaced when a person reaches 18 years old, as it is a requirement that the photograph be "current".

Adoption was optional but was spurred by the waiving of the application fee of between RM20 and RM50 until 31 December 2005. As of 27 December 2005, 1,180,208 Malaysians still held an old identity card. After the waiving period ended on 31 December 2005, each new first-time application comes with a fee of RM10.

Applications on MyKad

The MyKad project was developed was originally intended to have four functions:

Current applications

Four further applications were added before or during its initial release,

At this time, most of the functions are still not widely used because they are not widely promoted.

Future / proposed applications

The extensible design of the card may be leading to functionality creep. Further applications envisaged by the government include:

Personal identification

MyKad must be carried at all times. Failure to do so may incur a fine of between RM3,000 and RM20,000 or jail term of up to three years.

No unauthorised persons, including security guards, are allowed to retain the MyKads of other people. Only those authorised by the National Registration Department, like the police and immigration officers, can do so.

For Muslim citizens, "Islam" is printed on the card below the picture of the holder. This is to help the enforcement of Shariah law, which is applicable only to Muslims.

As the state of Sabah and Sarawak maintain separate immigration controls, citizens who has permanent residency in the state of Sabah and Sarawak are denoted by the letters "H" and "K" respectively on the bottom right corner of their card.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

MyKad's Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) application allows for two digital certificates to be inserted. MyKad holders can apply and purchase the digital certificates from two of Malaysia's certification authority, MSCTrustgate.com Sdn. Bhd. and DigiCert Sdn. Bhd..

PKI allows for easy securing of private data over public telecommunications networks, thus allowing, secure electronic transactions over the Internet which include:

MyKad as a travel document

MyKad can be used as a travel document for citizens from Peninsular Malaysia to travel to Sabah and Sarawak for social and business visits not more than three months.

Frequent travellers between Malaysia and Brunei can use MyKad as a travel document.[7]

As Malaysia stopped issuing and renewing Restricted Passports for citizens from Peninsular Malaysia to travel to Singapore beginning 1 January 2006, Malaysia considered negotiating with Singapore to allow frequent Malaysian travellers to enter Singapore using MyKad. However, Singapore rejected the use of MyKad by frequent Malaysian travellers to enter the country, citing security concerns.

Other cards with similar MyKad features

MyKid

MyKid is a chip-based children identity card or personal identification issued to children under the age of 12. Introduced on 1 January 2003, MyKid contains features similar to MyKad except that it does not include a photograph and thumbprint biometric data.

The term Kid refers to:

MyKid is issued in pink instead of blue (colour of MyKad). Visible data for MyKid include:

The MyKid chip currently stores only three types of data:

(children born before 2003 do not get a MyKid)

MyPR

MyPR is an identity card or personal identification issued to residents of Malaysia with permanent resident status. All residents of Malaysia with permanent resident status are required to change their identity card to MyPR with effect from 1 June 2006. The MyPR is red and visible data include:

MyKAS

MyKAS is a temporary resident identity card issued under Regulation 5 (3) of the National Registration Regulations 1990. It is green with expiry date indicated on the card.

MyKAS must be renewed within five years.

MyTentera

The MyTentera will replace the current BAT C 10 document (Malay: Borang Angkatan Tentera C 10) (Armed Forces Form C 10).

The MyTentera will be silver and feature the Malaysian Armed Forces logo at the back top-right corner. It will also contain a 12-digit military identification number similar to the NRIC Number.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "MSC Malaysia Flagship Applications". Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  2. ↑ "One for All". Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  3. ↑ "MyKid". Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  4. ↑ "MyPR". Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "MyTentera card for soldiers". Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "MyKad: The Government Multipurpose Card". Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  7. ↑ Malaysia and Brunei to allow frequent travellers to use ICs

External links