Malaysia’s MyDigital ID now available on smartphones

Malaysia’s national single sign-on identity management and transaction system, MyDigital ID, is now available on smartphones.  

According to a statement released by MyDigital ID Sdn Bhd, users can download the app via either the Apple App Store or Google Play store and register for their digital ID without having to visit the kiosks which had been earlier set up at various locations to help citizens set up their digital ID. 

Similar to Singapore’s mobile-based SingPass ID system, the mobile version of My Digital ID will allow users to access different online government services without using different passwords and sign-on gateways. 

MyDigital ID Sdn Bhd said that the online app has integrated access to several vital government services like the Malaysian Road Transport Department’s mobile app, MyJPJ, the Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS) Mobile, MySejahtera, and MyGov portal. 

The organisation said that more government services will be integrated with the sign-on platform soon.  

First announced in November last year by the Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, MyDigital ID aims to function as a trusted form of digital identification management that provides a standardised and secure authentication protocol for online transactions. 

MyDigital ID Sdn Bhd was set up in January as a vehicle for implementing this. 

The system allows users to authenticate their identity online and has provisions for third-party applications to use the gateway for identity authentication and digital signage. 

Financial institutions interested

According to Malaysian government sources, several financial institutions and e-wallet services have expressed interest in using MyDigital ID for the authentication of their customers. Other countries in the region, including Singapore, similarly allow third-party applications to integrate with national digital identity APIs. 

In an earlier statement, MyDigital ID CEO, Mohd Mirza Mohamed Noor, said the registration process online can be done through facial recognition, with a match done vis-a-vis the National Registration Department’s (NRD) database for verification. 

He noted that once a user’s identity is confirmed, a digital certificate valid for a year would be issued and tied to the user’s phone. This certificate will represent the user when authenticating various online transactions. 

Mizra noted that while authenticating MyDigital ID would be done with the information stored in MyKad, Malaysia’s National Registration Identity Card, it will not replace the NRIC card. 

The government has taken measures to ensure compliance with Malaysia’s Personal Data Protection Act. Additionally, they have undertaken public awareness campaigns led by the Information Department and other relevant agencies to educate citizens.  

According to MIMOS, the strategic agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), MyDigital ID is key to inclusive socio-economic growth, facilitating access to government services, financial services, social security benefits, education, healthcare and many other critical services.  

It enables individuals to unlock value and benefits as they interact with Government agencies, businesses, institutions and other individuals, the agency said.