Concerns over Digital ID completely groundless, says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said that the people's concerns with the implementation of the National Digital Identity or Digital ID, such as personal and banking records being leaked and chips implanted into the body of individuals, are completely unfounded.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said that when talking about digital transformation, the people must accept the fact that the country should advance in line with current development, including the use of technology.

"What is there to be afraid of personal issues? Bank Negara Malaysia will not release personal banking details. So, that is under control.

"Then, there are those who say that chips will be implanted into our body and so on, that is from watching too many Hollywood movies,” he told reporters after registering with the Digital ID in Putrajaya today, making him the first individual in the country to have a Digital ID.

The others who registered after Anwar were Deputy Prime Ministers Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also rural and regional development minister, and Fadillah Yusof, who is also plantation industries and commodities minister.

Online transactions

Among the cabinet members who also registered were Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu; Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin; Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri; Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said; Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil; and chief secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali.

Anwar said that before making any comments, one should listen first to the explanations from the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and Communications and Digital Ministry regarding the Digital ID so as not to affect the people's confidence.

While stressing that the government will not force anyone to register with the Digital ID for now, Anwar, however, encouraged all civil servants to do so as the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) and all forms of targeted subsidies will be channelled through the Digital ID.

Digital ID is a digital form of identification and verification of individuals that will benefit the public and private sectors in verifying the identity of users when carrying out online transactions.

Without replacing the MyKad system, Digital ID is a platform that is trusted and secure as well as facilitates online identity verification to avoid identity fraud when carrying out online transactions.

- Bernama