Malaysia’s national digital identity program, MyDigital ID, has surpassed 2.8 million registrations as of the second quarter of 2025 – up from 1.8 million in Q1. The sharp growth reflects accelerating integration across both government and private-sector services. In response, officials say the cabinet is studying new legislation that could make registration mandatory.
Integration expanding across sectors
According to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, voluntary registration alone has limited uptake. A proposed MyDigital ID Act is now under consideration to “encourage or require” Malaysian citizens to enroll. While no bill has yet been tabled, the move signals growing urgency to expand participation in the national digital ID system.
MyDigital ID is now live across 35 government systems, with another 17 in active implementation and 21 more under preliminary discussion. In the private sector, seven systems have already integrated the digital ID, with two more in progress, bringing the total number of integrated systems to 82, nearly double the figure reported in March 2025.
The platform enables secure authentication for a growing number of services, including the national MyGov portal, the MyJPJ app, and verification for prepaid SIM card purchases. In the financial sector, six banks have completed sandbox testing of MyDigital ID under the supervision of Bank Negara Malaysia, following broader regional trends in digital identity for banking and payments.
Not a replacement for MyKad
Officials have emphasized that MyDigital ID is a digital authentication credential and does not replace the physical Malaysian identification card (MyKad), which remains the official proof of identity for in-person transactions. The digital ID resides on a user’s smartphone and is intended to streamline secure access to online services, not act as a substitute for the government-issued ID card.
As digital integration continues to expand, Dr Zaliha said registration numbers are expected to grow further, especially if digital ID becomes a prerequisite for accessing key services. The potential move toward mandatory registration is seen as a key step in supporting the government’s broader digital transformation strategy.
Sources: BusinessToday, The Edge Malaysia, Free Malaysia Today
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By Ali Nassar-Smith
