31/10/2025

FRIDAY | OCT 31, 2025

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Seven-decade evolution of MyKad

Haarinesh Selvaraju, while Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate Ang Yi Hern and Chemical Engineering graduate Nur Rifhany Melissa Rozmi received the Chancellor’s Silver and Bronze Awards respectively. The two-day convocation, which began on Oct 26, involved 1,441 graduates comprising 1,031 bachelor’s degree recipients, 326 master’s graduates and 84 PhD holders. – Bernama While he envisions MyKad as a “public service passport” integrating aid, tax credits and healthcare, he raised concerns that poor implementation could risk exclusion. National Registration Department (NRD) director-general Badrul Hisham Alias said the department is working with the Inland Revenue Board and Employees Provident Fund to enhance MyKad integration with financial and digital services. “MyKad now supports the government digitalisation agenda, verifying access for programmes such as STR, e-Kasih and e government systems that include MyDigital ID, MySejahtera, e-Tanah and MyGovUC,” he said. He added that each chip is protected by a Security Access Module and encryption keys issued exclusively by NRD. “No data can be added, altered or deleted,” he said, adding that AI is being explored to strengthen verification and prevent fraud. Launched in 2001 as one of the Multimedia Super Corridor flagship projects, MyKad was envisioned as a unified digital platform for all Malaysians rather than just an identity document. Now entering its fifth generation, NRD is finalising a new version with enhanced security, paving the way for the next leap in digital governance.

Danial said he seldom sought help from his sister due to her schedule. “I learned to be independent throughout my studies and succeeded in graduating alongside my sister,” said Amir Danial, who has been working as a software quality assurance engineer at a private company in Kuala Lumpur since completing his studies last December. This year’s convocation saw the Chancellor’s Gold Award presented to Computer Science graduate credentials, enabling safe, consent based access to government and financial services,” he said. The MyKad has already proven to be cost-effective in channelling subsidies. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said MyKad was used to distribute STR aid to nine million recipients, proving its reliability. The same platform now verifies eligibility for 16 million Malaysian motorists to buy subsidised RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre, cementing the role of MyKad as the most trusted option for targeted aid and digital verification. KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific senior adviser Dr Anthony Dass said using MyKad for targeted subsidies such as the Budi Madani RON95 scheme signals a shift towards smarter, data-driven fiscal reform. “Duplication and fraud can be eliminated by linking verified citizen data that include income, household and vehicle ownership directly to aid distribution,” he said. However, Dass said data security and the digital divide must be addressed. He called for a Public Data Protection Act, an Independent Digital Ombudsman and offline access via post offices and mobile counters to ensure rural and elderly inclusion.

o From paper document in late 40s used for identification, current version features microchip to facilitate participation in govt initiatives

SERI ISKANDAR: Two siblings who graduated together from Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) have made their family proud while proving their resilience and determination to build a brighter future. Intan Nur Dania Asrul Amir, 27, earned a Master of Science in Petroleum Geoscience while her younger brother, Muhammad Amir Danial, 24, graduated with a Bachelor of Computer Science (honours). The siblings, originally from Ipoh in KUALA LUMPUR: Once a simple identity document, the MyKad has become the backbone of the nation’s digital transformation, linking citizens to government services, daily conveniences and opportunities in a connected economy. From a paper “rice card” issued in 1948 during the Emergency to the blue plastic card in 1960 and the colour-photo version in 1999, it has evolved into a multipurpose digital ID embedded with a microchip. This evolution mirrors Malaysia’s push to build a secure, inclusive digital economy under the Madani Economy framework, which promotes efficient subsidy delivery and better governance through programmes such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), Bernama reported. Supporting that goal, the MyDigital ID initiative enhances aid delivery through secure verification, ensuring it reaches the right recipients, reducing leakage and reinforcing public trust in the digital ecosystem. The National Tech Association of Malaysia (Pikom) said a strong digital

Among other applications, the MyKad is used to verify eligibility for 16 million Malaysian motorists to buy subsidised RON95 petrol. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

verification to prevent identity theft and enable seamless access to services, a model Malaysia is adopting. “This initiative will incorporate biometric verification and encrypted

ID must rely on verified data, multi-factor authentication and privacy-by-design safeguards. Its chairman Alex Liew said many countries now combine civil registry data, biometrics and cryptographic

Siblings show resilience with dual graduation

Bernama after the UTP 25th convocation at the Chancellor Hall. She said she chose UTP because its petroleum geoscience programme is among the best in the country, supported by well-equipped facilities such as laboratories, lecture halls and research infrastructure. She received financial assistance from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation and the UTP Zakat Fund. Meanwhile, Muhammad Amir

Perak, lost their father at a young age. Their mother is a housewife. For Intan Nur Dania, who has been studying at UTP since her foundation level, seven years of hard work have finally paid off. “Studying always comes with challenges, no matter how passionate we are. The longer we study, the tougher it gets. But the lecturers and friends were always supportive. Their support is what enabled me to complete my studies,” she told