Malaysia’s transport app MyJPJ initially mandated the use of the digital ID from October 10, sparking significant public criticism and a subsequent withdrawal of the requirement. Registrations for the digital ID system surged toward the deadline, yet concerns persist regarding its reliability. While the government plans to integrate digital ID for future apps, it will not enforce its usage for MyJPJ, prioritizing user accessibility.
Malaysia’s Road Transport Department announced that its MyJPJ app would require users to have the national digital ID starting October 10. However, this mandate has been rescinded following public backlash. The MyDigital ID system, introduced to promote digital identity in Malaysia, saw increased registrations leading up to the original deadline, though current registered users are still only about 800,000.
The MyJPJ app allows users to access driving license and road tax information without needing physical stickers. This app, launched in early 2023, has been downloaded millions of times. The initial announcement to transition to mandatory login via MyDigital ID sparked criticism from former officials, who expressed concerns that the system was not fully tested.
Ong Kian Ming, a former deputy minister, criticized the decision, suggesting it would have been better to use MyDigital ID to facilitate access to an electronic passport instead. He recommended that MyDigital ID not be the sole login option for the MyJPJ app, ensuring broader access for users instead.
Transport Minister Anthony Lake later confirmed that there would be no changes to the MyJPJ login process, allowing existing access methods to remain in place. The government plans to integrate the digital ID into more services but did not mandate it for MyJPJ, maintaining a balance between progress and user accessibility.
The Health Ministry had previously incorporated the digital ID in its MySejahtera app without mandatory usage, indicating a more cautious implementation approach. All future government mobile applications are expected eventually to utilize the national digital ID system for user login, as confirmed by officials involved in the MyDigital ID project.
The Malaysian government has retracted its decision to require the national digital ID for the MyJPJ app after public objections and feedback from experts. While the MyDigital ID system aims to boost digital identity adoption, expert recommendations emphasize voluntary integration over mandatory usage to ensure user access and system reliability. Future use of the digital ID will be promoted through various government apps; however, mandatory implementation will be approached cautiously.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
