New Mykad with anti-forgery "ghost image"

The National Registration Department (NRD) will be issuing the new MyKad with the latest security features in stages from Jan 3.

NRD director-general Datuk Jariah Mohd Said said the process would start at the NRD offices in Putrajaya and Shah Alam on Tuesday and extended to other branch offices throughout country after Feb 15.

"The new MyKad is more durable as it is made of tougher polycarbonate material as well as a new and longer lasting chip.

'Apart from that, the MyKad has a "ghost image" which uses a new laser technology on the surface to prevent forgery," she told reporters.

The image difference between the old (left) and new Mykad

Jariah said NRD was confident the new MyKad would meet international standards as it had improvements over the existing version.

"Members of the public are encouraged to change to the new MyKad but it is not compulsory," she said.

Jariah said NRD branches in other states such as Kluang and Ipoh would be issuing the new MyKad on Jan 10, Johor Baru (Jan 14), Kuantan (Jan 15), Melaka (Jan 17), Kuching and Kota Baru (Jan 20), Kuala Terengganu and Penang (Jan 29).

Apart from that, she said the NRD office in Alor Setar would also issue the new MyKad on Feb 2, Miri (Feb 6), Kota Kinabalu and other branches on Feb 7 and branches in the Federal Territory on Feb 15.

"NRD will take one day to issue the latest MyKad in the NRD branches stated.

"Other NRD branches will take 10 working days in the Peninsula and a maximum of 30 days in Sabah and Sarawak," she said