PUTRAJAYA (Dec 1): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday stressed that the people's concerns over the implementation of the National Digital Identity or Digital ID, such as personal and banking records being leaked and chips implanted into the bodies of individuals, are completely unfounded.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said that when talking about the digital transformation, the people must accept the fact that the country should advance in line with current developments, including the use of technology.

"What is there to be afraid of 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 on Friday, making him the first individual in the country to have a Digital ID.

The others who registered after Anwar were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the rural and regional development minister, and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the plantation industries and commodities minister.

Among the Cabinet members who also registered were 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.

Anwar that before making any comments, one should listen first to the explanations from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and Ministry of Communications and Digital regarding the Digital ID, so as not to affect the people's confidence.

While stressing that the government won't force anyone to register with the Digital ID for now, Anwar, however, encouraged all civil servants to do so, as the Rahmah Cash Aid and all forms of targeted subsidies will be channelled through the Digital ID.

The Digital ID is a digital form of identification and verification of individuals that will benefit the public and private sectors in verifying the identities of users when carrying out online transactions.

Without replacing the MyKad system, the Digital ID is a platform that is reportedly trusted and secure, as well as facilitates online identity verification to avoid identity fraud when carrying out online transactions.

Read also:
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