My Re-flectionz

MyKad requirement 'outdated, too rigid'

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians in general agree that people should be punished for not having their MyKad with them, but feel that the maximum fine of RM20,000 or three years’ jail is too harsh.

MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong also suggested that those who forget to carry their MyKad be allowed to ask others to bring it to them.

Fomca secretary-general Mohd Sha’ani Abdullah feels that the requirement to have your MyKad with you at all times is outdated and too rigid.

He said the situation today was no longer like during the Emergency era, when people were required to carry identity cards because the authorities had to weed out communists.

Lawyer Jesvin Jessy, 29, said the fines were too high. “Even people who speed and kill others are not given such a heavy fine,” she said when interviewed by The Star.

Her friend D. Dhena, 36, a business development executive, said a points system should be implemented whereby a person would be penalised after he or she repeated the offence.

Marketing executive Corinne Chieng, 25, said a penalty was good since it was part of the laws of the country.

“But the Government should not impose such a heavy fine if a person loses the card,” she said, adding that children, teenagers and the elderly should be given lighter penalties.

A manager who only wanted to be known as Raja said the penalty was ridiculous and unfair, especially when people forget to bring the card.

“People should be allowed to carry photocopies of their MyKad. A driving licence should also be enough to verify your identity,” he said.

Technical support engineer Noor Rasyada, 23, said she felt it was not safe to have her MyKad with her everywhere. “But the law needs to be obeyed,” she added.

A clerk said the fine for not having a MyKad should be between RM100 and RM200.

“Certainly, there should not be a jail sentence,” he added.

Ipoh Timur MCA deputy chairman Thong Fah Chong suggested that instead of fines and jail sentences, citizens should be given the chance to produce their MyKad at a later date.

“Perhaps, the authorities could give them a 48-hour notice, while accepting photostat copies of the MyKad for the time being,” he said, adding that some elderly citizens feared losing their cards, so they leave them at home.

Thong urged the authorities to channel their energy elsewhere instead of on petty problems such as this.

“Do something about the illegal immigrants in the country. Stop threatening innocent citizens and frightening tourists. This is not a ‘police state’,” he said.

Meanwhile, Michael Chong said the authorities should give time for family members of those caught without their MyKad to produce their cards.

He said those caught without the card should be taken to the nearest police station to wait for their family members to show the card.

“The authorities are going too far if they fine or take those who leave their MyKad at home to court. They should not waste the court’s time,” he said.

He said the National Registration Department should consider certifying photocopies of MyKad for students.

“We should realise that some students are very careless. Their parents will have to go through the hassle of reapplying for the MyKad for them,” he said.

However, he said, he had not received any complaint from people being fined or jailed for not carrying their MyKad.

Mohd Sha’ani said that even the lowest fine of RM3,000 was too much, adding that people should be allowed to carry other documents to prove their identity, such as their driving licence.

“Malaysia is now a safe country. We shouldn’t be so rigid like during the Emergency. You can educate people to carry their MyKad at all times, but it depends on the situation. If a person goes jogging in the park, need he have his MyKad with him?

“Those caught without MyKad during operations should be allowed to retrieve them from home,” he said.