Malaysia’s next-generation MyKad has only been rolled out nationwide for a few days, but its new design is already causing compatibility issues with several electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) systems.
Besides Touch ‘n Go eWallet, we have tested and confirmed that the new MyKad was also rejected during the eKYC process when attempting to sign up for Ryt Bank, AEON Bank and GXBank.
Turns out MyDigital ID is affected as well. The current situation reveals that the industry and government agencies are not fully prepared for the new national identification card.
MyDigital ID app fail to recognise new MyKad design
When a new MyKad holder tries to scan their IC for verification, the MyDigital ID app returned and error saying Wrong ID detected, Ensure correct MyKad is inside the frame.
As shown above, the MyDigital ID app is still showing the template of the previous generation MyKad which has the cardholder’s photo on the right while the chip is on the left.
MyDigital ID has issued a notice confirming that first-time users with the new MyKad currently cannot complete the normal online registration process.
According to MyDigital ID, support for online registration using the new MyKad will only be available from 1 October 2026.
New MyKad users will have to use kiosks to register MyDigital ID
For existing MyDigital ID users who have subsequently replaced their identification card with the new MyKad, there is no impact to their existing MyDigital ID certificate and they can continue using the platform as usual.
However, for first-time users attempting to register MyDigital ID with the redesigned MyKad, they will have to use a physical MyDigital ID kiosk for now. Take note that the chip is now located at the back, so you’ll have to turn the MyKad upside down before slotting it into the card reader.
MyDigital ID says there are nearly 700 kiosks located nationwide. Users can perform their registration at one of these kiosks while waiting for online registration support to become available on 1 October.
There is another option if you are applying for or replacing your MyKad at a Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) counter.
Users can inform the JPN officer that they wish to pre-register for MyDigital ID during the MyKad application process. Once the pre-registration is completed, users can continue the MyDigital ID registration process on their smartphone without having to scan their MyKad as part of the usual eKYC process.
New MyKad appears to have been rolled out before systems were ready
As highlighted previously, the new MyKad comes with a substantially redesigned layout along with 53 security features. The cardholder’s photograph has moved from the right to the left side, while the physical chip has also been relocated from the front to the rear.
These physical changes appear to be causing problems for systems which were designed to recognise the previous MyKad layout.
The new MyKad was originally expected to be launched on 1 June 2026, however, it was delayed until it was officially revealed recently on 16 September. The new IC was made available nationwide on the following day on 17 September.
Despite the additional lead time, several major digital services were apparently not ready to recognise the redesigned card once it went live.
Based on what we are seeing so far, this points to a lack of coordination between the agencies involved and the wider industry before the new MyKad was rolled out.
A controlled pilot involving banks, eWallet providers, digital identity platforms and other services which depend heavily on MyKad verification could have identified compatibility issues before nationwide deployment.
Instead, Malaysians who have just gotten their MyKad for the first time now risk encountering problems when trying to register for services which rely on automated MyKad scanning and eKYC.
For MyDigital ID at least, there is now a firm date for the issue to be addressed, with online registration for the new MyKad scheduled to become available from 1 October 2026.
For those whose existing MyKad is still in good working condition, there is no urgent need to replace it. JPN has confirmed that existing MyKad cards remain valid and it won’t affect their existing MyKad-linked entitlements and initiatives including BUDI95.
