More than one million MyKad reported missing

By Rozaid A Rahman and Iwan Shu-Aswad Shuaib, The Star

PUTRAJAYA: More than a million MyKad have been reported missing since 2008, reportedly due to carelessness, natural disasters and criminal incidents like thefts and robberies.

Those who applied to get replacements for their lost MyKad were penalised with fines – totalling RM29.06mil up to the end of last month – depending on the excuses given to the National Registration Department (NRD) for the loss.

“Losing your MyKad is a serious matter as it is an important document implicating security and personal details of our citizens,” NRD director-general Datuk Alwi Ibrahim said.

“Each loss involves costs and the fines imposed are subject to how often it occurs, the reason for the loss and the appeals and consideration of the NRD,” he told Mingguan mStar, the weekly Bahasa Malaysia pullout of The Star.

“There are cases of applicants being exempted from fines or given reductions,” he said, adding there were fewer cases in recent years because people had become more careful about their MyKad.

Alwi said there were 198,102 reports of MyKad losses last year, compared to 356,605 in 2009 and 359,477 in 2008.

He said those who lose their MyKad for the first time will be fined RM100 and RM200 for the second time.

The fine increases by RM100 for every subsequent loss.

Effective last month, a police report is no longer required to apply for a replacement passport or MyKad.

This is part of the NRD’s move to cut down on red tape and costs.

Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam said last week Malaysians who lost their passport or MyKad could directly apply to the NRD for a replacement.

However, a police report is necessary if the loss was caused by an extraordinary circumstance, such as theft or robbery, where the person was victimised.

Over 28.99 million MyKad were issued over the past decade (2000 to 2010).