KUCHING: Sarawak has launched the nation’s first palm-recognition technology, an AI-driven, contactless identity verification system designed to streamline services for the elderly.
Developed by SOCOE Holdings Sdn Bhd, the system – branded as WaveJak – is the first of its kind in Malaysia.
It has been integrated with the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) to resolve identity verification hurdles often faced by senior citizens.
The initiative was launched by Sarawak Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, during the ‘Senior Citizen: We CARE for You’ programme at the Taman Sukma Multipurpose Hall today.
Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said WaveJak places Sarawak at the forefront of global smart AI developments.
“WaveJak provides a high level of security, as palm vein AI is globally recognised for its effectiveness in preventing scams and identity threats. Similar technology is already utilised in the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea,” she said.
Fatimah noted that the technology allows for seamless verification without the need for physical contact, mobile phones, or cards.
“You may forget your wallet, your card, or even your phone, but you will never forget your palm,” she remarked.
WaveJak Group Managing Director, JW Sam, explained that the system overcomes the limitations of traditional biometrics.
“Current biometrics like facial and fingerprint recognition can change over time, requiring frequent updates. However, WaveJak uses an infrared layer to scan the dermal vein pattern, which is then securely stored in a government data centre,” Sam said.
He added that the innovation is particularly vital during emergencies, such as when elderly individuals may forget passwords or physical documents when rushing to a clinic.
WaveJak Project Manager, Nicholas Chan, detailed the registration process, which involves linking a user’s palm directly to their KGC.
“Users register their card, bind it with their palm, and enter their KGC number before scanning,” Chan explained.
He emphasised that the system is spoof-proof, as it uses infrared technology to detect unique vein patterns beneath the skin rather than surface images.
Chan also highlighted that the technology was developed in collaboration with Tencent, one of the world’s largest multimedia companies.
He noted that while the KGC is the first to adopt this technology in Malaysia, there are plans for a broader implementation in the future.
