Hamzah: National Digital Identity to be fully implemented in 2024

PUTRAJAYA: The National Digital Identity (NDI) will be fully implemented in 2024, said Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

He said the initiative would not replace MyKad but would instead be a form of digital identification and self-authentication for individuals, using the latest biometric technology such as fingerprints, facial or iris recognition for people, while conducting business online.

"The digital verification of individuals is important, to prevent identity fraud in online transactions that can be detrimental to the country," he said during the 73rd National Registration Day which was held online today.

Hamzah said the NDI planning process began this year, with the National Registration Department (NRD) information and communication technology (ICT) system and infrastructure to be improved, so that it would always be up to date and safe to handle user identity verification matters through NDI.

"With NSI, review and verification of citizens who have a MyKad can be executed with ease and precision.

"It doesn't only help to smooth the process involved, what is more important, it can give confidence to the government's service delivery system," he said.

Hamzah said the NRD and police were developing an Integrated Mortality Data Verification System, which was an integration between the NRD and the Police Reporting System (PRS), involving 690 police stations in Peninsular Malaysia.

He said the system would facilitate the process of verifying deaths reported at the 690 police stations and non-criminal deaths at home.

Through the system, he said NRD would confirm the death online, while speeding up the process of registration and issuance of death certificates to the next-of-kin on the same day.

"Before the implementation of the system, people need to wait to obtain a death certificate. However, with this system, the issuance of a death certificate can be obtained on the same day the death is reported at the police station," he explained.

Hamzah said online services or eServices provided by the NRD had reached a commendable level. The applicants only need to come to the NRD offices to verify and take the documents that had been processed.

He also said the theme for this year's celebration, "NRD 73 Years: Digital Transformation" was appropriate and timely, following the transition towards digital and online service transformation.

"The transition and improvement from the old system to digital has proven to be able to increase the level of security of personal data information of Malaysians, especially in curbing irresponsible activities such as identity card forgery and the 'black economy'," he said. – Bernama