MyKad — Malaysian National ID

The National ID of Malaysia, MyKad, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MyKad, was introduced in 2001 as a scaling mandatory card — not fully required yet, but mandatory for anyone needing to update their ID information, until it rolls over into the de facto ID card for citizens over the age of 12.

Applications on MyKad

The MyKad project was developed was originally intended to have four functions:

Identity card, including fingerprints and photo
Driving licence
Travel document in Malaysia and several neighbouring countries. However, a conventional passport is still required for international travel: the card is aimed at reducing congestion at the border by enabling the use of unmanned gates using biometric (fingerprint) identification.
Storage of health information

Current applications

Four further applications were added before or during its initial release,

e-cash, an 'electronic wallet' system intended for low value but high volume transactions (the maximum limit[clarification needed] is US$ 500)
ATM integration[clarification needed]
Touch 'n Go, Malaysia's toll road tolling system and also public transport payment system
Digital certificate[clarification needed], commonly known as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), only supported by the 64Kb version (implemented by the end of 2002)

At this time, most[specify] of the functions are still not widely used because they are not widely promoted[citation needed].
[edit] Future / proposed applications

The extensible design of the card may be leading to functionality creep.[citation needed] Further applications envisaged by the government include:

frequent travellers' card
a merge with the Payment Multi-Purpose Card ('PMPC'), giving the MyKad credit and debit card functions that will pave the way for other financial uses

Personal identification

MyKad must be carried at all times. Failure to do so may incur a fine of between RM3,000 and RM20,000 or jail term of up to three years.

No unauthorised persons, including security guards, are allowed to retain the MyKads (identity cards) of other people. Only those authorised by the National Registration Department, like the police and immigration officers, can do so, said National Registration Department director-general Mohd Abdul Halim Muhammad.
[edit] Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

MyKad PKI application allows for two digital certificates to be inserted into the MyKad. MyKad holders can apply and purchase the digital certificates from two of Malaysia's certification authority, MSCTrustgate.com Sdn. Bhd. and DigiCert Sdn. Bhd..

PKI allows for easy securing of private data over public telecommunications networks, thus allowing, secure electronic transactions over the Internet which include:

Online submission of tax returns
Internet banking
Secure email

MyKad as a travel document

Frequent travellers between Malaysia and Brunei can use MyKad as a travel document.[7]

As Malaysia stopped issuing and renewing Restricted Passports beginning on 1 January 2006, Malaysia considered negotiating with Singapore to allow frequent Malaysian travellers to enter Singapore using MyKad. However, Singapore rejected the use of MyKad by frequent Malaysian travellers to enter the country, citing security concerns.