KUCHING: The newly upgraded MyKad is already drawing keen interest in Sarawak, with 692 applications recorded at three Urban Transformation Centres (UTCs) on its first day of issuance.
From Kuching to Miri and Sibu, hundreds put in applications on Thursday (September 17) to get their hands on the new-look identity card.
According to Sarawak National Registration Department (NRD) personnel, who requested anonymity, UTC Kuching recorded the highest number of applications at 314.
UTC Miri and UTC Sibu received 189 applications each, bringing the total at the three centres to 692.
At the Sarawak NRD headquarters here today, a steady stream of people was seen arriving throughout the day.
Despite the steady flow of applicants, the process moved relatively quickly as new MyKad were printed on-site.
Sarawak has four locations equipped to print and issue the new MyKad on the same day – UTC Kuching, UTC Miri, UTC Sibu and the Sarawak NRD headquarters.
According to the NRD personnel, the four are among the locations with on-site printing facilities for same-day issuance.
An NRD Facebook post stated that 40 branches nationwide have such facilities, while applications made at branches without printing facilities will be ready within five working days.
The new-generation MyKad began issuance in stages nationwide on September 17.
For existing cardholders seeking a replacement, only their current MyKad is generally required for the application.
Parents bringing children aged 12 to apply for their first MyKad, however, are required to bring the child’s original birth certificate.
