ID Cards. The Pros (and Cons?)

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Do you already have an ID card?.

If not do you intend to get one?

If you have one, how does it benefit you other than not needing to carry your passport (or a copy) around with you?

If you intend to get one, what are your reasons?

Fell free to expand and discuss

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I'd get one if I don't have to carry my passport and IF I don't have to pay more for bookings to places of interest.

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NST Online » NewsBreak
2009/03/23
Successful MM2H applicants to now get ID cards
By : June Ramli
Email to friend Email to Friend         Print article Print Article

KUALA LUMPUR, Mon.:

All successful applicants of the Malaysia My Second Home programme will now be issued with identification cards that are similar to the MyKad.
Tourism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng said the card, which was silver in colour, was introduced on March 9.

It is being issued to all participants of the MM2H programme under the re-branding exercise which was launched yesterday by the Tengku Mahkota Kelantan Tengku Mohd Fariz Petra Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra.

“So far we have issued 30 cards,” he said at a Press conference after the launch at Saloma Bistro where Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman was also present.

“This will enable the participants to move around without the hassle of having to carry their passports with them everywhere. It is very similar to the foreign student ID cards,” he added.
He said the cards were issued at the MM2H one-stop-centre at the ministry by Immigration Department officers stationed there.

He said the ministry’s target for this year’s MM2H programme was 1,700 participants. At present there are 12,566 applicants registered as at the end of 2008.

The highest number of applicants are from China (2,231) followed by Bangladesh (1,646), UK (1,497), Japan (921) and Singapore (710).

On why Malaysia was not attracting enough of the very wealthy participants to the programme like Singapore, Ong said this was Malaysia was aiming at a different target group.

“We are targeting retirees and pensioners and people from cold climate countries. Our target groups includes those from the Middle East and Russia,” he added.

He also said the waiting period for approval of applications for the MM2H programme has been reduced from 30 to 21 days. This included the two weeks for the background and security checks on each applicant, he added.

With the re-branding of the MM2H programme, new participants will be allowed to invest in business in Malaysia while those above 50 years old can also apply to work in critical areas like engineering and the petroleum sector where the country does not have the expertise.


End of News.

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I have an MM2H ID card, very nice and yes it is silver with one passport and one tiny photo of the cardholder. I don't know how much use its going to be to me but I got one just in case.

The process was very simple, floor 6 of the PWTC, took about 15-20 mins, thumbprint scans of both the left and right hands were taken and all the staff were very friendly.

The only odd thing is the principal applicant is only eligible for a card, wifes, spouses, children are not currently able to obtain one. I was told that they would be in contact with me at a later date to let me know when the other half can have one.

Oh and there wasn't any fee to pay...

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So when I next return to KL I will be able to pick up the ID card?  Or do you still have to rent or own property there to get the the new card? (My MM2H visa valid thru June 2014)...Jim 

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Do you already have an ID card?.
If not do you intend to get one?

I still do not see the advantages of an ID card. It is a lot of trouble, I have to travel to KL and this all for one year only? And I am pretty sure neither Singapore or Holland will recognize the ID card as a valid travel document.

In stead I followed FCS advice and got full colour copies of passport, MM2H visa and driving licence.
Have them sealed, paid RM 9 and carry them with me.

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The process was very simple, floor 6 of the PWTC, took about 15-20 mins, thumbprint scans of both the left and right hands were taken and all the staff were very friendly.
Oh and there wasn't any fee to pay...

Paul...what paperwork did you need to produce?
As I don't live far away, I might as well pop over & get one. I will still probably copy it and laminate the copy for my 'golfing wallet'!

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NST Online » NewsBreak
2009/03/23
Successful MM2H applicants to now get ID cards
By : June Ramli
Email to friend Email to Friend         Print article Print Article

KUALA LUMPUR, Mon.:

All successful applicants of the Malaysia My Second Home programme will now be issued with identification cards that are similar to the MyKad.
Tourism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng said the card, which was silver in colour, was introduced on March 9.

It is being issued to all participants of the MM2H programme under the re-branding exercise which was launched yesterday by the Tengku Mahkota Kelantan Tengku Mohd Fariz Petra Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra.

“So far we have issued 30 cards,” he said at a Press conference after the launch at Saloma Bistro where Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman was also present.

“This will enable the participants to move around without the hassle of having to carry their passports with them everywhere. It is very similar to the foreign student ID cards,” he added.
He said the cards were issued at the MM2H one-stop-centre at the ministry by Immigration Department officers stationed there.

He said the ministry’s target for this year’s MM2H programme was 1,700 participants. At present there are 12,566 applicants registered as at the end of 2008.

The highest number of applicants are from China (2,231) followed by Bangladesh (1,646), UK (1,497), Japan (921) and Singapore (710).

On why Malaysia was not attracting enough of the very wealthy participants to the programme like Singapore, Ong said this was Malaysia was aiming at a different target group.

“We are targeting retirees and pensioners and people from cold climate countries. Our target groups includes those from the Middle East and Russia,” he added.

He also said the waiting period for approval of applications for the MM2H programme has been reduced from 30 to 21 days. This included the two weeks for the background and security checks on each applicant, he added.

With the re-branding of the MM2H programme, new participants will be allowed to invest in business in Malaysia while those above 50 years old can also apply to work in critical areas like engineering and the petroleum sector where the country does not have the expertise.
End of News. 

Also in Today's Star

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/3/24/nation/3539766&sec=nation

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If you have one, how does it benefit you other than not needing to carry your passport (or a copy) around with you?

YES THAT IS IT!!!! You have just read it above!!!!

I just called Amy at the MM2h 'One stop center' and asked her a lot of question and some on behalf of Jim. She couldn't answer most of them without putting me on hold and coming back to me. Eventually a 'well spoken' lady called Mary came on the line, and was very categorical that the only benefit was it was an acceptable substitute to your passport!

You cannot get an ID card if you do not have a permanent address in Malaysia!

There are no discounts or local admission fee/hotel rates associated with the card!!

You will still have to fill in the immigration form whist re-entering the country!!

So there you have it, and since I never carry my passport with me anyway unless I am traveling abroad, (with the exception of a laminated colour photocopy of the four relevant pages, and even then i only carry that some of the time), I shall not be bothered to get one!

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As you say, there is no point. Especially for members in other parts of the country (it wouldnt warrant a trip to KL). Maybe in the future additional benefits will ensue.

Until then I will just carry my Bonuslink and Tesco cards as I have always done. These at least provide store points.

Bob

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For me no pros only cons, a very disappointing end of the MM2H card story.

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I agree. It would be a waste of time and money for me to travel from Penang to KL to get it. I don't carry my passport unless I go to the bank and I know I will need it. If I am ever asked for my IC number, I simply tell them my passport number. No problems.

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If I am ever asked for my IC number, I simply tell them my passport number. No problems.

Very good point steveso. Very often when various administrators ask for your IC No. or passport, all they actually want is to copy down you passport number. Whenever this has happened to me I just quote it to them from memory, and that has always been satisfactory.
If it is for something minor, and you never intend going back, and you can't remember your passport number, a 'made up one' will also suffice.....but don't say I told you so

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T.I.M. 
My Tesco, BonusLink and Metrojaya cards are more useful than this ID card then. I've been anticipating and waiting for this MM2H ID card for so long and now very disappointed 

BB

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One handy alternative ID that I carry (since I can see no benefit of applying for a local driving license) is my EU-style UK driving license - pink, plastic, credit card size, with photo & signature. So far this has always been accepted within Malaysia in place of passport.

regards,

John