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MALAYSIA will adopt a pay-per-issue model for its new-generation MyKad, with the government only paying for cards that are successfully produced and issued, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
Under the arrangement, each card is priced at RM40. With an estimated three million cards issued annually, the rollout is expected to cost about RM120 million a year — although actual spending will ultimately depend on how many cards are produced.
In a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday, Saifuddin said the approach allows the government to better manage costs, rather than committing to a fixed bulk payment.
He was responding to Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, who had sought clarity on the overall cost of the new MyKad programme and whether Malaysians would be required to replace their existing identity cards in stages.
The new MyKad, which began rolling out this month, comes with upgraded security features aimed at curbing forgery and tampering.
Still, Saifuddin stressed there are no plans for a blanket or rushed replacement exercise. Existing MyKad holders can continue using their cards as usual.
Instead, the rollout will be done gradually, focusing on specific groups — including first-time applicants aged 12 and above, as well as those replacing older versions of identity cards.
These include earlier plastic-based cards, high-quality identity cards, and MyKad Version 1, which lacks newer security features such as ghost imaging.
Importantly, Saifuddin said the move will not place additional financial pressure on the public, with the processing fee remaining at RM10.
Separately, NexG Bhd secured a six-year contract worth RM732.72 million last October to supply the new MyKad and MyTentera cards, covering the period from June 2026 to May 2032. - June 24, 2026
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