Malaysia’s NRD recorded 577 prosecutions for identity card offences, including 449 cases involving fake MyKad and 128 involving cards belonging to others.
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Registration Department (NRD) recorded 1,868 arrests and 577 prosecutions involving identity document offences between 2022 and September this year, following more than 4,000 enforcement operations nationwide.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said most of the prosecutions during the period involved forged identity cards.
“Of the prosecutions, 449 involved fake identity cards, while another 128 involved the use of identity cards belonging to other people.
“This brings the total to 577 prosecutions under Regulation 25(1)(e) of the National Registration Regulations 1990,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said the NRD had conducted 4,174 enforcement operations during the period, resulting in 1,868 arrests as part of efforts to curb identity fraud and the misuse of identification documents.
Shamsul Anuar was responding to supplementary questions from Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS-Batang Lupar) and Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran) on identity card misuse, enforcement measures and the security features of the new-generation MyKad.
Referring to the recent detention of 36 foreign factory workers in Pasir Gudang over suspected identity card offences, he said the operation highlighted the need for continued enforcement and inter-agency cooperation.
“The operation also focused on the possible involvement of original identity card holders suspected of renting out or handing over their identification documents to foreigners for employment purposes,” he said.
He said the operation involved the NRD, the Immigration Department and other relevant enforcement agencies, with investigations examining the possible misuse of genuine identification documents.
Under existing regulations, individuals found possessing or using fake identity cards or identity cards belonging to others could face legal action, depending on the circumstances and evidence established.
Shamsul Anuar said the NRD would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, investigations and information-sharing with enforcement agencies to identify fraudulent activities involving identity documents.
“Enforcement is not merely about taking action after an offence has occurred, but also about detecting identity and identification document misuse at an early stage,” he said.
Earlier, he said the new-generation MyKad incorporated 53 security features, compared with 23 in the existing version, to strengthen protection against forgery, cloning and unauthorised modification.
These features include dynamic security holograms, transparent windows, ultraviolet elements, microtext and laser engraving, alongside upgraded chip technology and identity verification mechanisms.
He said the improvements were supported by the NRD’s document issuance controls, making identity cards more difficult to forge, alter or misuse.
On personal data protection, Shamsul Anuar said the government had implemented information security controls, including an Information Security Management System compliant with ISO/IEC 27001 standards, to protect personal information against unauthorised access.
In response to Ismail’s questions about the cost of introducing the new MyKad and financial losses arising from identity fraud, he said the relevant figures could be provided in a written reply.