The government’s plan to spend billions of ringgit to replace the nation identification card (MyKad) raises some concerns. The conflicting signals from government leaders are questionable. On one hand, they are projecting frugality by forgoing salaries, while on the other, engaging in questionable expenditures such as the PADU system development; a system that has shifted from a projected RM85 million to RM35 million.

It’s important to realise that the public is not concerned about whether officials have drawn salaries, but whether government spending is necessary and remains on target. This raises pertinent questions: why is it necessary to replace the current MyKad? Are there significant security vulnerabilities that make replacement unavoidable? Not only that, what costs will individuals incur for this replacement? Will there be additional system upgrade fees? There is also the question of whether there will truly be personal data protection after this costly implementation.

No matter how advanced a piece of technology is, they remain susceptible to breaches. Especially if enforcement criteria are weak. Considering this aspect, there is a very real concern as to whether we would be spending another few billion in the next few years to replace MyKad yet again.

Unless the new MyKad serves as a truly multifunctional card—integrating features such as bank, ATM, and medical cards, thereby effectively consolidating multiple databases—the replacement lacks compelling justification.

Should the new MyKad can function as a multi-purpose card, can the government guarantee the protection of personal data? The PADU case is a stark reminder of how fragile our data security is. Has the government taken measures to improve this situation?

MCA Youth is suggesting that instead of undertaking a massive MyKad replacement exercise, national priorities should focus on strengthening cybersecurity and addressing urgent systemic reforms. Issues like stateless children and citizenship rights, for example, are far more pressing matters for the Ministry of Home Affairs to address.

Saw Yee Fung
MCA Youth Secretary General

21 November 2024

-MCA Comm-