Even security guards can’t retain MyKad

No unauthorised persons, including security guards, are allowed to retain the Mykads (identity cards) of other people. Only those authorised by the National Registration Department, like the police and immigration officers, can do so, said National Registration Department director-general Mohd Abdul Halim Muhammad.

He said that section 7A of the National Registration Act 1960 (amended 2001) clearly states that only authorised personnel could ask visitors to show them their MyKads for identity verification and recording purposes. The MyKads must be returned to the visitors immediately, he said.

“The law states clearly that any security personnel who retains another person’s MyKad is committing an offence and liable to be charged under Article 7A of the Act.”

Abdul Halim told The Star this when asked to comment on complaints from several readers that security officers in public buildings and gated communities retained their MyKads before allowing them to enter.

“Even departments like the Road Transport Department must get the authority card from NRD to request for MyKads in the process of their work or enforcement,” he said.

So, there you have it. The powers-that-be have spoken. Now we know the law -- section 7A of the National Registration Act 1960 (amended 2001). No unauthorised people, not even uniformed security guards manning entrances to buildings or compounds, can ‘confiscate’ our identity cards.

Jot this down on a piece of paper and put it in your pocket -- section 7A of the National Registration Act 1960 (amended 2001) -- and next time you attempt to enter any building or compound and the security guards ask that you leave your identity card at the counter, protest like mad. Demand that they just note down your particulars and hand back your identity card. This is the law, warn them; section 7A of the National Registration Act 1960 (amended 2001).

Let us see whether we Malaysians can exercise our right under this law.

Sure, and can pigs fly? Try it and at best you will be denied entry to the building and at worst you will feel the blow of the truncheon on your head.

Security guards feel that they are next to God in authority and they have the power of life and death over you. Give them a uniform, truncheon, walkie-talkie and whistle and it goes to their heads. All of a sudden they become extremely arrogant and rude.

Security guards not only demand you leave you identity card at the door before they allow you entry to the building, they also handle traffic control. They blow their whistles and shout at you to move your car. Since when do security guards have the authority to direct traffic?

What is confiscating your identity cards when you enter their building? This is small potatoes. You may say this is illegal under section 7A of the National Registration Act 1960 (amended 2001), but does this stop them?

The problem is that security guards view themselves as private police. So they act just like regular police. And if the police can act brutally and heavy handed against the man on the street, then so can they.

Yes, leadership by example. Now do you know why security guards flout the law? And now they tell us that under section 7A of the National Registration Act 1960 (amended 2001) it is illegal for security guards to confiscate our identity cards. Don’t tell us, tell the building owners so that their security guards can be informed about it.