Existing cards were hardly ever an issue, say businesses

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 18, 2026

Businesses across Malaysia report few problems with the current MyKad for identity verification in sectors like fuel sales, hospitality, and healthcare, while noting minor issues such as worn card chips. The introduction of enhanced security features in the latest MyKad is expected to strengthen fraud prevention and improve verification reliability nationwide.

Businesses that regularly use Malaysia’s national identification card, the MyKad, report few issues with the existing version, while expressing cautious optimism about upgraded security features in the latest iteration.

At a petrol station in George Town, supervisor Wendy Teoh said her outlet processes over 100 transactions daily requiring MyKad verification for subsidized fuel purchases. She noted that counterfeit cards have not been a concern in her experience. “We rely on it every day and have not come across any problems with its authenticity,” Teoh said. The most common issue encountered involved a worn or tarnished metallic chip on the card that occasionally hindered machine reading. Staff usually resolve this by cleaning the chip surface with an eraser before attempting a scan again. “Most of the time, that works,” she added. Teoh welcomed the introduction of enhanced security features, expressing hope these would further improve the reliability of identity verification.

Similarly, hotels use the MyKad to confirm the identities of Malaysian guests during booking check-ins. Ran Cash, a manager at a three-star hotel, said the card plays a critical role in enforcing age restrictions. “We check MyKads especially when staff suspect a guest may be under 18, as minors are not allowed to check in on their own,” he explained.

In the healthcare sector, the card’s importance varies by setting. Doreen Ng, a dental clinic assistant, described the MyKad as supplementary rather than indispensable for patient registration. While patients can be registered manually with personal information, having the card on hand makes the process more efficient. “We welcome improvements to the MyKad and hope the new features can eventually be incorporated into the registration systems used by clinics,” Ng said.

The current MyKad’s widespread acceptance and resistance to fraud appear to meet the practical needs of businesses and service providers across multiple industries. Upgraded security features in the latest card issuance are anticipated to further enhance the integrity of Malaysia’s identity verification framework.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.