ID Cards. The Pros (and Cons?)

[MartinB]

Hi
Just a note lets remember we are after all guests in this country as we are in all but our own. So that's my main reason for abiding by the laws of the land ( I am in at the time).
Just my way of getting along.
Martin

[scott]

hi,

Very true, Martin. That's why I'm getting a Malaysian driving license as soon as I get back into the country. No more putting it off.

[bazzaman]

I wasn't really complaining... not having to carry the passport was sufficient reason to get the card. I have been only packing the passport on infrequent trips to Penang and K.L.; but around home just carrying a photocopy.
I have browsed the forum, and the benefits of "stamp/no-stamp", or getting into the local gun-club don't really affect me.
One small quibble though... I would have thought they'd include date-of-birth on the card. They don't. This means I'll carry a P/P photocopy to apply for seniors' discount... e.g. 50% off on train tickets.

[sag]

Yes getting a Malaysian Drivers License is recommended and actually it's quite easy to obtain.  It just takes time and the usual paperwork.

I have one now and so, like the Locals, I can treat all Road Signs, Traffic Lights and White Lines as 'suggestions only'   

Also I have used this as my ID for flights within Malaysia rather than take my passport 

[fizzychickensoup]

One small quibble though... I would have thought they'd include date-of-birth on the card. They don't. This means I'll carry a P/P photocopy to apply for seniors' discount... e.g. 50% off on train tickets.

.
Very good point. I had noticed the DoB was not on there but didn't think of the implications.
Perhaps I won't throw away my PP photocopy just yet!

[BillJay]

Date of birth is on the back of the card...sort of.

Line second from bottom (above name) starts with numbers for Year (last 2 digits), Month and Date of birth.

Bill

[fizzychickensoup]

Date of birth is on the back of the card...sort of. Line second from bottom (above name) starts with numbers for Year (last 2 digits), Month and Date of birth. Bill

BillJay, You are a genius. Yes indeed it is there, bit like the old British Driving license. It is on there also but in a way that was not obvious!

Interestingly your passport number appears no less than 4 times on the i-KAD

[scott]

hi,

Can't wait to get my card and take the "spot your birth date" challenge. 

regards, Scott

[fizzychickensoup]

ALERT i-KAD ALERT

Just to let you know if you are planning a trip to PWTC any time soon.....they have run out of i-kads.
Yes you read it correctly. They currently have no stock available! Not only that, but they are waiting for the government to appoint a new "i-KAD" supplier, so they cannot predict or indicate when the new stock will be available!

I know this because friend of ours went along this morning to get theirs, so this info is 'hot off the press'

Save your self an unnecessary journey and call the PWTC Center & ask to speak to one of the following:-

Mary on 03 2696 3365 (direct line) or
Amy on 03 2696 3367

[Martha]

Hi I just stumbled across this forum I looks interesting.
I have been a MM2h member for a couple of years, but not got the icard yet. Is it worth it, and are they now available again

[papaya]

Hi Martha.  According to the MoTour site, the cards have been suspended temporarily.  I think Fizzy has written quite a bit on the subject elsewhere on this forum.  Maybe Scott or one of the Mods can point you in the right direction.

[scott]

hi,

Welcome to the site, Martha.

As of today the MoTour site is still displaying the notice that mm2h ID cards are not available. The ID card doesn't replace the white entry/exit. After all, the white immigration card also contains a currency declaration, a quarantine declaration, and a where you've visted declaration etc. etc. So if you're going to fill in these bits IMHO you might as well fill in the whole thing and save on time and hassle at the check-point in trying to argue out any alternative. Some things just aren't worth the bother, and the hold-up.

I think that it's one of those things like the willow tree - bend in the direction of the wind. It's easier.   

But who knows in the future. The ID card for Malaysian citizens  can be used at immigration rather than a passport. Perhaps the same will happen to the mm2h ID card as well as students and foreign workers who have different coloured ID cards.

[scott]

hi,

The whole letter from Friday's The Star :

Friday February 5, 2010 : Issue ICs to MM2H residents
I AM a British citizen attracted by the “Malaysia My Second Home” programme. I have been granted residential status and here I am in Malaysia. However, I am facing a problem of great inconvenience and concern. I understand that I am required to carry some form of identification at all times and that I would be issued with an identity card under the MM2H programme.

But the Government department running the programme tells me that it has ceased issuing identity cards. Neither could it give me any letter of authorisation to enable another government department to issue me with an ID. I have discovered many circumstances – for example, in dealing with banks or utility companies – when I am required to show some identification and even entry into certain complexes requires the surrender of the ID.

The net result is that I have to carry my bulky passport at all times. Should the passport be lost or stolen, the repercussions would be very serious.

Could the Government resolve this matter for the benefit of people like myself who have come here for a quiet and peaceful life without anxiety?

It must impact the future of the entire MM2H programme if successful applicants are left in limbo.
D WONG, Kuala Lumpur.
End of Article

No time for a comment except that it's about time that MM2H Central Command in PWTC got the MM@H card-issuing machine working again. It's been out-of-order for 8 months.

[Megalink]

Yes, it would be good if the issuance of MM2H ID cards is resumed asap, but let's put the issue into perspective.

I have lived in Malaysia since ca. 1999, firstly on a work permit & more recently as a MM2Her. Not once during this entire stay have I been asked by any police or immigration officer to provide an ID. However, I've had to show some form of identification occasionally, e.g at the banks or when seeking entry into guarded establishments. In these cases, I've used one of the following without any problems:
1) a photocopy of my passport
2) my malaysian driving license
3) the ID card issued by my condo management.
I have not bothered to carry my passport with me, other than during my early days here. So, newcomers, please loosen up - things are not as severe as you seem to think.  The police et al are not on the lookout for MM2Hers who they recognise as useful contributors to this country. They are after foreign workers from 3rd world countries, especially the illegal ones who are easy victims from whom to solicit minor bribes.

[Qjumper]

Got a mail from Motour the other day after I enquired about ID cards.

Dear Sir/Madam,
 
Greetings from MM2H Centre and thank you for your email.
 
With regard to your enquiry, we regret that as yet, there is no indicative date of the resumption of the ID card service.  Please be informed that any update will be provided on the "announcement" page of our website.
 
Thank you and with kind regards,
 
Cindy Lim
Malaysia My Second Home Centre

Doesnt fill you with a lot of confidence

Bob