PUTRAJAYA (March 13): The misuse of a man's identity card led to the uncovering of a MyKad forgery operation in the federal capital, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said the National Registration Department (JPN) uncovered the counterfeit MyKad operation when investigating the man's complaint about a RM14,000 loss he suffered after his MyKad had been misused.

The case resulted in the arrest of a 31-year-old temporary resident who was masterminding the MyKad forgery operation, he told a press conference here.

He said authorities discovered forged identity cards, which led to a raid by a JPN team at a residence in Pandan Indah, Ampang, Selangor.

"During the raid, JPN seized a complete set of equipment used to print fake MyKads, including a laptop, printer, laminating machine, hard disks and six MyKads.

"Checks found that two of the MyKads belonged to other individuals, while the remaining four were confirmed to be fake," he added.

Saifuddin Nasution said the suspect was believed to have operated alone, but authorities did not rule out the possibility of a larger network.

He said the fake identity cards were believed to have been sold to locals and foreigners for between RM4,000 and RM5,000 each.

Saifuddin Nasution said the man was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court on March 11 under Regulation 25(1)(e) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007) for possessing fake MyKads and identity cards belonging to others.

He said the man was convicted and sentenced to 13 months in prison and a RM3,000 fine.

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