‘No way’: Malaysia’s digital ID drive stalls as data fears loom large

Fewer than one in every 10 eligible Malaysians has signed up for a digital identity card in a flat rejection of a year-old plan to streamline access to public services – prompting the government to raise the prospect of making it mandatory despite data security fears.

Launched in May last year, the MyDigital ID was billed as a single login across state agencies that would consolidate the data of citizens aged 18 and over on government systems.

But despite a high-profile launch by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in December 2023, public enthusiasm has been lukewarm, hampered by memories of a botched roll-out last year that left many unable to register due to persistent server failures.

With only 2.8 million out of Malaysia’s 34 million eligible people on board the system, Federal Territories Minister Zaliha Mustafa told parliament that the voluntary nature of the programme remained a key barrier to adoption.

“The government is looking into the possibility of enacting laws to encourage or maybe require people to register for MyDigital ID,” Zaliha said on Monday.

Speaking on behalf of the prime minister, she added that the system now supported 82 applications, including motor vehicle registration, licensing and healthcare services.