URBAN Transformation Centres (UTC) in the capital city are seeing a surge in visitors at weekends, with many Malaysians opting to renew or replace their MyKad identity cards without having to take leave from work.
A recent visit by Bernama to UTC Keramat found that queues began forming as early as 8am, as citizens sought to ensure their MyKad remained in working order—an increasingly critical requirement for everyday activities such as banking, healthcare, and accessing government assistance programmes.
“MyKad is used for almost everything now—Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), and soon even petrol subsidies. If the chip fails, it could disrupt so many things,” said Borhanuddin Othman, 52, a night market trader who renewed his MyKad for the first time in over 13 years.
Public attention to the functionality of the MyKad chip intensified after the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, recently urged citizens to check their cards and ensure the chip remains operational, warning that faulty cards could hinder access to vital subsidies and services.
The MyKad, Malaysia’s national identity document, contains a secure chip storing personal data and access credentials for government services such as health records, welfare assistance and digital verification systems.
Noraini Abdullah, 36, a homemaker, described how a faulty chip disrupted her attempt to open a savings account. “Two days ago, I went to the bank and the fingerprint scanner couldn’t detect my MyKad. The staff told me to replace it. UTC makes the process easier with multiple counters and shorter wait times,” she said.
Similarly, accountant Fatimah Zahra Mohd Salleh, 34, faced difficulties at a government clinic when her card's chip failed. “The system couldn’t read my information due to a scratch on the chip. Thankfully UTC operates on weekends. I only waited about an hour,” she said.
The National Registration Department (JPN) offers MyKad renewal services nationwide, including at UTCs, for a nominal fee of RM10. Replacements are free if damage occurs within 12 months of issuance.
In addition to JPN counters, Malaysians can also apply for or replace MyKad via the MEKAR mobile service (bus and van), MyPhone-In hotline, or the department’s online e-Services portal. - September 20, 2025
