KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 4,147 operations were conducted nationwide to curb identity card forgery and misuse between 2022 and September this year.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the enforcement operations, involving the National Registration Department (NRD) and other agencies, resulted in 1,868 arrests.
He added that 577 cases involving identity document offences were brought to court.
"Of these, 128 cases involved the use of another person's identity card, while 449 involved identity card forgery," he said in the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib (Pas-Maran) on the government's independent security audit measures to curb fraud and identity card misuse.
Shamsul Anuar said enforcement was crucial to protecting national security and sovereignty from attempts to misuse identity documents.
He added that the newly introduced next-generation MyKad has 53 security features, compared with 23 in the existing card, to strengthen protection against forgery and tampering.
"Among the security features introduced are dynamic security holograms, transparent windows, ultraviolet elements, microtext and laser engraving.
"The card also incorporates a QR code to facilitate verification and enforcement, as well as enhanced chip technology to strengthen identity authentication."
He said the government also prioritised protecting MyKad holders' personal data through security controls, operating procedures and compliance with the ISO/IEC 27001 information security management standard.
He said tackling MyKad misuse required more than advanced physical security features and chip technology.
"Instead, it also requires coordinated enforcement against those who forge, use or hand over identity documents for unlawful purposes.
"This is to ensure MyKad is not misused by foreigners to impersonate Malaysian citizens, particularly to secure employment or access facilities reserved for citizens."
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