Kuala lumpur: The people have been advised not to rush to replace their MyKad when applications for the new version open on Sept 17, to avoid congestion at National Registration Department (NRD) offices.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the replacement exercise for the new MyKad, which includes 50 additional security features, will be conducted in phases. He assured that existing cards would remain valid for daily transactions, alleviating concerns about the immediate necessity of replacement. "I would like to advise people not to rush to replace their MyKad. There are currently 24 million MyKad cards in circulation, with an average of 180,000 to 200,000 cards issued each month," he told reporters.

Saifuddin Nasution emphasized that the new MyKad would not affect subsidy balances or eligibility for subsidies linked to the identity card. "There is no issue regarding the subsidy balance...the records are based on the existing MyKad," he clarified.

Furthermore, he highlighted a separate issue handled by the department, which involves between 13,000 and 15,000 cases of unregistered births annually. Despite Malaysia's independence decades ago, the figure remains high. He attributed the failure to register births to factors such as lack of information, social problems, and family issues, which could impact children's futures. "The reality is that there are still people who lack the basic knowledge that every birth must be registered, and this is still regarded as something normal," he commented, noting that reasons for failing to register births include financial difficulties and family constraints, despite birth registration being free.

In light of this, he urged parents, guardians, and the public with information on unregistered births to seek assistance at NRD offices.