The government-issued MyKad, a smartcard which incorporates holders identity card and driving licence details, came under fire today with a DAP member of parliament revealing that police have yet to recognise it.

The smartcard, issued by the National Registration Department and launched in September last year, also contains the holders international passport details.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said she has been approached by a motorcyclist who claimed that police refused to entertain his MyKad which held his driving licence details.

Tan Swee Choon, aged 25, was riding his bike along the Federal Highway motorcycle lane near the PJ Hilton when he was stopped by police.

"When asked to show his driving licence, Tan took out his MyKad which had the words Malaysian Driving Licence clearly printed on it, said Kok.

The police, however, refused to acknowledge Tans MyKad and proceeded to issue him with a summons for failing to carry a valid driving licence, she added

Why is this still happening? The Home Affairs Ministry should have had enough foresight to see the need for additional MyKad readers or more like Tan will be unnecessarily inconvenienced and unjustly penalised, said Kok.

Following Tans complaint, Kok said she has written to the police requesting for his summons to be cancelled.

Only RTD licence

Problems of the non-recognition of the MyKad by government agencies are not isolated.

On Oct 16 last year, the New Straits Times reported a similar incident in which a Road Transport Department officer issued a summons to motorcyclist S Natchara when he produced his MyKad in lieu of his original driving licence.

The paper reported the RTD had yet to recognise driving licence details incorporated into the MyKad and that the department only recognised the driving licence it issued.

RTD officials were not available for comment when contacted by malaysiakini today.

The MyKad is due to be implemented on a nationwide basis this April.