Police have launched an investigation on a website allegedly advertising and selling fake MyKad, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
He said the National Registration Department had lodged a police report yesterday on the fake MyKad syndicate.
On viral photos of several fake MyKad, he clarified that they were linked to a case in Penang last year and that the perpetrators had been charged in court.
“Proceedings are still ongoing. All the pictures posted online have been scrutinised by the ministry through the NRD.
“They are old viral pictures of fake MyKad that have resurfaced. The pictures are linked to a forgery of MyKad in Penang in 2019. No new pictures and information of fake Mykad have been identified,” he said in a statement today.
Following the spread of the old visuals, he said there were calls by organisations and individuals to modify MyKad to curb forgery of the identification document.
“In this matter, the NRD has from time to time, carrying out improvements and upgrade on MyKad, particularly on its security aspect.
“NRD has also enhanced its Standard Operating Procedure by enforcing stricter verification and approval processes on the ID, as well as strengthening monitoring of its system,” he said, adding that the government viewed cases involving forgery of MyKad seriously, either by NRD staff or syndicates.
He said the police and NRD, through Op Biru would continue working together to address this, with a special task force formed to track down the culprits.
“The government will not cover up and compromise acts in regards to this. I hope the public will stop spreading such posts that are deemed as fake news to prevent confusion and unrest among the people.
“Legal actions can be taken under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (for spreading fake news).”
Hamzah urged those with information on forgery of MyKad to report directly to either the ministry, police or the NRD. – NST