Wong Kye Sang, the first recipient of the new MyKad, at the National Registration Department in Putrajaya yesterday. Pic by Ahmad Irham Mohd Noor
The National Registration Department (NRD) yesterday rolled out the new MyKad, which uses the latest laser technology and security features.
NRD director-general Datuk Jariah Mohd Said said the new MyKad was being issued at NRD offices here and in Shah Alam, while NRD offices in other states would follow suit starting Feb 15.
Made of polycarbonate for strong resistance and embedded with a chip, she said the new MyKad has a ghost image of the identification card holder to curb forgery.
She said as of 10am, 370 out of 700 applications for the new MyKad had been processed at the NRD office here.
Jariah said the new MyKad, which adhered to international standards and could not be easily damaged, would overcome the issue quality and durability raised by certain quarters.
The public are encouraged to change their MyKad to the new one although it is not compulsory, she added.
Meanwhile, Wong Kye Sang, 76, from Labis, Johor, was was the first person to be issued the new MyKad.
"My journey to Kuala Lumpur to change my MyKad to the new one was not in vain. I left Labis for the Bandar Tasik Selatan terminal by bus at 4am before taking a taxi to Putrajaya."
