Anwar – first Malaysian with Digital ID

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today registered with the National Digital Identity (Digital ID), making him the first person in the country to have a digital ID.

The Digital ID facility allows the public and private sectors to identify the identity of users when carrying out online transactions.

Without replacing the MyKad, the secure Digital ID platform facilitates online identity verification to prevent fraud when carrying out online transactions.

On November 21, Anwar announced an immediate allocation of RM80 million to research and development agency Mimos Bhd to speed up the implementation of the Digital ID and empower digital transformation, specifically on areas involving dealings with the government.

Anwar was reported to have said that the Digital ID was also a first step towards facilitating the disbursement of targeted subsidies.

He also dismissed concerns over information security and chips being implanted into individuals as completely unfounded.

“What is there to be afraid of about personal issues? Bank Negara Malaysia will not release personal banking details. So, that is under control.

“Then, there are those who say that chips will be implanted into our bodies and so on. That is from watching too many Hollywood movies,” he told reporters after registering with the Digital ID here today, making him the first individual in the country to have a Digital ID.

Other members of the Cabinet who also registered on Digital ID are Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali too registered.