KUALA LUMPUR – The National Digital ID or MyDigital ID recently introduced by the government will be used in the delivery of targeted subsidies for petrol and cooking oil, besides a host of other transactions such as healthcare and transportation.
According to infographics by the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (Mimos), the digital ID also has potential to be used as verification of citizenship, permanent residency, as well as foreign worker and tourist identification.
While not replacing the MyKad, the digital ID is an identity management and transaction signing platform to verify a person’s identification when public and private sector services.
The infographics, shared by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang on X, state that other services where the digital ID can be used in the future include passports, visas and permits, digital banking, telecommunications registration, and the Madani Medical scheme targeting the B40 group.
MyDigital ID. Ini yang anda perlu tahu.
— Chang Lih Kang (@changlihkang) December 1, 2023
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/HosVhnc07G
It will also be usable for the single login system in 30 government agencies, as well as for e-commerce and in private hospitals.
The advantages include easier access to government services online and a single sign-on facility for multiple applications, while eliminating identity data duplication as well as reducing online identity fraud risk.
“The digital ID is safe and reliable as it verifies an individual’s identity when transacting digitally to prove that ‘you are who you say you are’,” the Mimos infographics stated.
Register to get cash aid, targeted subsidies
According to Mimos’ infographics, MyDigital ID will be used for targeted petrol subsidies under its first phase, and for targeted cooking oil subsidies and other items in its second phase.
However, the graphics do not state any date or timeline on the implementation.
The Finance Ministry previously said targeted subsidies will be implemented in March next year, beginning with diesel.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who became the first person in the country to register and obtain a digital ID yesterday, said the application was not mandatory but urged those eligible for the Rahmah cash aid (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah or STR) to do so.
He said the digital ID will also be required for all forms of targeted subsidies in the future.
“(To get) STR and all forms of targeted subsidies, will require registration (to get the digital ID),” he said yesterday after obtaining his digital ID.
Ada menyuarakan kebimbangan kononnya cip dalam badan akan dimasukkan, mahupun rekod peribadi serta perbankan akan terbocor selepas pelaksanaan Identiti Digital Nasional (IDN).
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) December 1, 2023
Saya jelaskan, IDN yang dilaksanakan Mimos Berhad (MIMOS), merupakan suatu bentuk pengenalan dan… pic.twitter.com/6YKE18Se2X
Registration for a digital ID can be done through the MyDigital ID app on the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
On November 21, Anwar announced that the government had appointed Mimos, as the national research and development centre, as the implementing agency for the digital ID programme with an initial allocation of RM80 million.
Anwar also addressed identity and personal data theft concerns surrounding the digital ID, stressing that rumours of leaked bank records and microchip implants in user’s bodies were baseless.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has also assured that the digital ID programme will not collect fingerprints nor involve any biometric data, as claimed on social media. – December 3, 2023