Amended law offers compound option for MyKad-linked offences

PARLIAMENT | Failing to update a change in residential address on a person's identification card (MyKad) is among the compoundable offences under the National Registration (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was passed in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah listed the proposed offences in response to MPs who debated the amendment bill tabled for second reading.

"This measure (to offer a compound) is intended to facilitate handling a case without the need to bring it to court or prosecute," said Shamsul.

While he did not elaborate further on the listed offences, Shamsul earlier said the proposed amendments will assist the government in various matters, including those related to managing elections.

Other offences listed as compoundable include:

• Any person who fails to register or re-register when required.

• Any person who fails or neglects to register an identity card for any individual under their care.

• Any person who fails to change their identity card upon reaching the age of 18.

• Any person who fails to produce their identity card when inspected by an authorised officer.

• Any person found in possession of more than one identity card without reasonable cause.

• Any person who fails to attend investigations or checks requested by the registration officer.

Home minister’s power

Lawmakers debating the bill had raised the question in relation to the new Section 6A that empowers the home minister – with the approval of the public prosecutor – to make regulations prescribing offences that can be compounded, along with the methods and procedures for compounding such offences.

This clause further empowers the director-general to compound those offences, subject to the written consent of the public prosecutor.

Broader amendments also added a new definition of biometric data - from the current thumb print to include all 10 fingers and iris recognition.

Shamsul, in his speech, said the enhanced biometric data will also address issues of false identities to combat trans-border crimes.

Reporting by Alyaa Alhadjri, Zarrah Morden, N Faizal Ghazali

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