IDENTITY CARD

Government facilities face a challenging and ever changing risk profile. Security systems are paramount to increase safety and security for employees, area citizens and elected officials. But many government facilities, especially those in small city and towns are not staffed with a full-time security staff. So, technology becomes an even more important piece of the security puzzle. A long time ago, traditional analog-based system used but in this modern life it’s not effective enough to recure these critical facilities but the promise of Information Technology (IT) can help facilities manage and control risks. Government need advance networked tools that leverage the power of the IT backbone to correlate information from traditionally separate subsystems like video surveillance, analytic, access control, alarm management and VoIP for example into one platform to increase situational awareness and help security staffs identify violence or threats before an event occurs. Other than that, the using of identity card in our country which is known as MyKad. MyKad is the compulsory for Malaysian citizens aged 12 and above.

MyKad was introduce by the National Registration Department of on 5 September 2001 as one of four MSC Malaysia flagship application and a replacement for the High Quality Identity Card. Malaysia became the first country in the word to use an identification card that incorporates both photo identification and fingerprint biometric data on an in-built computer chip embedded in a piece of plastic. Besides, the main purpose of the card as a validation tool and proof of citizenship. Other than the birth certificate, MyKad also serve as a valid driver’s license, an ATM card, an electronic purse and a public key, among other applications as part of the Malaysian Government Multipurpose Card (GMPC) initiative, if the bearer chooses activate the functions.

The technical specifications of MyKad are the initial MyKad was a contact card solution developed and manufactured by IRIS Corporation. Made of PC with the dimensions in the ISO/IEC 7816 ID-1 format (standard format). The initial card had a 32kb EEPROM (electronically erasable programmable read-only memory) embedded chip running on M-COS (MyKad chip operating system). In November 2002, the capacity was increase to 64KB. The upgraded and current version of the MyKad is a hybrid card containing two chips for both contactless interfaces. Currently, this hybrid type MyKad is only issued in Malaysian States which employ the ‘Touch n Go’ application. The data retention up to 20 years while the card itself has a life span of 10 years and has been tested according to the ISO 10373 test standard.

All Malaysian citizens and permanent residents 12 years old or above are eligible for a MyKad. From 2001, it gradually replaced an older system that had been in use since 1949 under British colonial rule, with the intention of becoming ubiquitous by 2007. Children are issued with a MyKid after birth. This card is “upgraded” to a MyKad on the 12th birthday. The MyKad must be replaced when a person reaches 18 years old, as it is a requirement that the photograph be ‘current’. Adoption was optional but was spurred by the waiving of the application fee of between RM20 and RM50 until 31 December 2005. As of 27 December 2005, 1,180,208 Malaysians still held an old identity card. After the waiving period ended on 31 December 2005, each new application (first time application) comes with a fee of RM10.

MyKad project was developed was originally intended to have eight functions.

1) As identity card

2) Driving license information

3)

4) Storage for health information

5) e- cash

6) ‘Touch n Go’ Malaysia’s toll road tolling system and also public transport payment system.

7) Digital certificate commonly known as Public Key Infrastructure

Identity Card

MyKad as identity card that including fingerprints and photo must be carried all times. Failure to do so may incur a fine of between RM3000 and RM 20 000 or jail term of up to three years. No unauthorized persons including security guards are allowed to retain the MyKad of other people. Only those authorized by the National Registration Department, like the police and immigration officers can do so. For Muslim-citizens, ‘ISLAM’ is printed on the card below the picture of the holder. This is to help enforcement of syariah law which is applicable only to Muslims. As the states of and maintain separate immigration controls, citizens who has permanent residency in the states of Sabah and Sarawak are donated by the letter ‘H’ and ‘K’ respectively on the bottom right corner of their card.

Driving License Information

Next, driving license is official document which state that a person may operate a motorized vehicle such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus on a public roadway.

Travel Document

Besides that, MyKad also use as travel document in Malaysia and several neighboring countries. However, a conventional is still required for international travel. For example, when the people from Sabah went to peninsular of Malaysia they have to register their MyKad at immigration officer before fly to peninsular of Malaysia. The card is aimed at reducing congestion at the border by enabling the use of unmanned gates using biometric (fingerprint) identification. Health Information

The health information contained in the MyKad is of two types. The first type consists of the health status of the individuals, including his or her chronic illness, if any the supportive medications, the blood group and allergies and immunization history. The second type of health information in the MyKad consists of two out patients visit summaries and one impatient discharge summary.

E-cash

E-cash is an electronic wallet system intended for low but high volume transaction.

‘Touch n Go’

‘Touch n Go’ Malaysia’s toll road tolling system and also public transport payment system. It is like the credit card sized made of plastic with Philips’ MI fare microchip technology embedded in it. The Touch n Go systems are designed to process up to 800 vehicles per hour to ease the queue congestion at toll plazas and if used together with smart tag (a non-stop electronic toll collection system) will be able to process up to 1200 vehicles per hour.

The card can be categorized into four types:

1) Prepaid card

Standard card

 A standard Touch ‘n Go cards fare structure currently available for adult fare for CTS and standard class vehicles with 2 axles and 3 or 4 wheels (Class 1) excluding taxis for toll fare. It is like a top up card.

2) Postpaid cards

Fleet X’s card

 It mainly purposed for toll fare payment. The details of company name, vehicle registration number and vehicle class were printed on the card. Credit term of 15 days given for post payment and fleet operators are able to monitor toll record/vehicle movement at highways via e-statement (itemized statement) after 24 to 48 hours from the time of transaction.

Biz X’s card

 It is the same as standard card mainly purposed for corporate users.

3) Auto reload card

Zing Card  The Touch ‘n Go Zing is a companion card that works as standard card which is linked to Visa, MasterCard or American Express issued by participating banks in Malaysia. Each time the card balance falls below RM50, it will trigger the auto-reload mechanism to reload RM100 into the card. The amount will be charged to the credit card plus RM2 as auto-reload fee for each time reload.

4) Multipurpose card

MyKad

 A value added application for Malaysian identity card as e-purse.  Digital certificate commonly known as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).MyKad PKI application allows for two digital certificates to be inserted into MyKad. MyKad holder can apply and purchase the digital certificates from two of Malaysia’s certification authority, MSCTrusgate.com.Sdn.Bhd and DigiCert Sdn. Bhd. PKI allows for easy securing of private data over public telecommunications network thus allowing, secure electronic transactions over the internet which includes:  Online submission of tax returns  Internet banking  Secure e mail.

Besides that, there were other cards that have similar features with MyKad

1) MyKid

 MyKid is a chip-based children identity card or personal identification issued to children under the age of 12. Introduced on 1 January 2005, MyKid contains features similar to MyKad except that it does not include a photograph and thumbprint biometric data.  The term Kid refers to:  the slang for child in the English language  the acronym for Kad Identiti Diri or Personal Identification Card.

MyKid is issued in pink instead of blue (colour of MyKad). Visible data for MyKid include:

-kanak Malaysia

The MyKid chip currently stores only 3 types of data:

2) MyPR

 MyPR is an identity card or personal identification issued to residents of Malaysia with permanent resident status. All residents of Malaysia with permanent resident status are required to change their identity card to MyPR with effect from 1 June 2006. The MyPR is red in color visible data include:  The heading: Kad Pengenalan Malaysia permastautintetap  Full name

3) NRIC number

4) Permanent address

5) Gender

6) Permanent

7)MyTentera

 The MyTentera will replace BAT C 10 document.  The MyTentera will be silvered- colored and feature the logo at the back top right corner of the card. It will also contain a 12- digit military identification number similar to the NRIC number.

Conclusion

As a Malaysian citizen we should be proud because we have our own identification card which is known as MyKad. The key technology behind this smart card system is the chip and technology. There are lots of benefit of MyKad that is one for all, easy payment, quick exit and re-entry, emergency medical assistance, reliable identification of data, public key infrastructure, facilitate transportation need an easy and convenient banking transaction. I would to encourage all of us to register to Government Service Center (GSC) to apply some special service and benefits. We must take a reasonable care of our MyKad and improve our responsibilities towards its. Make sure we don’t use MyKad for some default advantaged for ourselves without thinking the causes to our country. So, that how IT helps improves system in government.