KEPALA BATAS: MyKad applicants at selected National Regis­tra­tion Department (NRD) offices will be able to get their new cards within 45 minutes of submitting their applications, effective April 1.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this is the latest transformation initiative by the department, which falls under his Home Ministry portfolio, in the issuance of identification documents.

“Back then, it used to take months when it came to getting a new identity card after applying. Then the time was shortened to a month, and then again to five days.

“A MyKad can now be ready within 45 minutes,” he said in his speech at an NRD programme in Dewan Millennium here yesterday, adding that 56 out of 231 NRD offi­ces nationwide have their own MyKad printing machine.

He said the various transformations carried out by NRD in a relatively short time have been recognised by world bodies for being among the best national initiatives in the issuance of identification do­­cuments.

“Upgrades are done every year to avoid imitation or fraud. We will not compromise in terms of the safety and security aspects of the MyKad,” he added.

At the event, Dr Ahmad Zahid launched the NRD bus as a mobile printing hub for the issuance of MyKad.

At another function earlier, he said that in addition to community policing, modern policing is also needed in crime prevention.

“Modern policing is not just about dressing smartly. It means having modern assets and equipment,” he said in his speech at the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation’s (MCPF) Penang 2018 Town Hall Engagement at Politeknik Seberang Perai in Jalan Permatang Pauh.

He said the crime rate in the state has been brought down through efforts by the police, MCPF and community policing.

“I hope all Malaysians will participate in community policing activities in their neighbourhoods to change the perception of crime in this country,” he said.