‘Faulty’ MyKads leaves Sabahans wondering

The much touted technology used in the MyKad chip may not be so 'sophisticated' afterall.

By Thomas Pi

SANDAKAN: The reliability of the MyKad as an identification document has come under increasing scrutiny and criticism by citizens.

The microchip implanted identity card, touted as a sophisticated technology, has been found to be faulty and unreadable by security devices.

While increasing incidences of scams and bank fraud around the country has made the ID card indispensable at all bank transactions, verification services have been unreliable.

Most complaints being received are those of ‘unreadability’ by some machines, resulting in troublesome delays for many seeking banking services.

Prominent Lahad Datu businessman Tham Shao Tong is among its critics. He was among those who claimed to be a ‘victim of sophisticated technology.’

Recalling an incident, Tham said he had gone to the bank to withdraw RM150 using his bankbook but was told that his MyKad was faulty.

As such he was denied the money and told to go to National Registration Department (NRD) to check or replace his ID card.

He was told that his MyKad could not be read by the bank machine.

The bank also denied that its card reader was faulty as it could verify the details and information implanted in the chip on other MyKads without a hitch.

Helpless

In Kota Kinabalu, a journalist said he encountered the same problem and was denied service.

“I had to go to another branch and fortunately it worked.”

In Sandakan, bank officer Jaafar said the bank was helpless when such incidents happened.

“It happens quite often … customers blame us for not being able to get any banking services but we can’t do anything if their ID card cannot be read by our machine. This is not our fault, it’s the NRD’s fault,” he said.

Another MyKad holder who preferred to remain anonymous said her card could not be read at the Kota Kinabalu Airport and at the EPF machines but was told by NRD when she went to their office to verify the card, that it was fine.

However, on returning to the EPF office, the officers there said they could still not verify her details as the thumbprint on her card could not be read.

Many point out that ATM, debit and credit cards, which also use microchips, do not have such problems despite having been used by card holders for so many years.

They say the government should first ensure there are not faults in the MyKad before implementing the use of it nationwide.

The fine imposed to replace a ‘lost’ MyKad is RM300, double that for a second replacement and so on.