National Digital Identity will verify online transactions and keep data in check
KUALA LUMPUR: The Information Department will help the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (Mimos) explain and clarify the use of the National Digital Identity (IDN), says Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said this, among others, was to answer any questions that arose, especially those involving the security of personal data and how to register for the IDN.
He said Mimos had made efforts to explain and provide information on the matter to the public, with the ministry being tasked to help.
“The department will assist Mimos to provide answers to common questions about it, and also an explanation in the form of videos,” he was quoted by Bernama at the Run Hack: Scam Alert 2023 programme at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here yesterday.
The IDN registration process would go full swing next March, he said.
IDN or digital ID is a form of digital identification and self-verification of individuals, which will be used by the public and private sectors, to verify the user’s identity when making transactions online.
Without replacing MyKad, the digital ID is a trusted and secure platform to facilitate online identity verification and to avoid identity fraud in online transactions.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was the first to register for IDN, had earlier said the government would not force anyone to sign up for it now but encouraged all civil servants to do so as the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) and all forms of targeted subsidies would be channelled through it.
Moving in a new direction: Fahmi (centre) joining in some exercise fun at the ‘Run Hack: Scam Alert 2023’ programme di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
Mimos Bhd has been appointed as the implementing agency with an initial allocation of RM80mil.
Fahmi said he had also requested CyberSecurity Malaysia and the Personal Data Protection Department to work closely so that any issues related to data and cyber security could be constantly monitored and addressed.
Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association chairman Datuk Ahmad Noordin Ismail said the implementation of IDN would facilitate the verification and distribution of aid during crises or natural disasters, which would ensure immediate and accurate assistance for those in need.
It could also reduce bureaucracy and optimise the impact of government subsidies by aiding in the efficient distribution of assistance to target groups more accurately and effectively, he added.
“This is highly beneficial in the context of providing financial aid or government subsidies,” he said.
“It ensures targeted aid is provided more quickly and alleviates the people’s struggles in accessing the benefits they deserve.”
Ahmad Noordin, who formerly served as principal assistant director (Cyber Crimes and Multimedia Investigations) at Bukit Aman, said IDN used digital certificate technology to enhance security in online transactions.
This technology verifies identities by linking cryptographic keys with their owners.
However, he said the government needed to examine a crucial issue, which was the possibility of IDN being exploited as “mule ID” by third parties for fraudulent purposes or illegal activities.
The government must ensure that robust security measures were in place to prevent the misuse of IDN, safeguard the system’s integrity and maintain the public’s trust in the initiative, he said.
“We support the aspirations of digital ID for the well-being of Malaysians. However, this system must have integrity and consistency to prevent its misuse by irresponsible parties, thus increasing public confidence in the government,” he said.
