A purported image showing the design of the new identity cards, featuring the Malaysian coat of arms, flag and a digital thumbprint, was shared on Facebook on April 14, 2026.

"Said to be the new mycard without a photo. Dangerous," says Malay-language text superimposed on the image, misspelling the official name of Malaysia's MyKad national identity card (archived link).

The post claims Chinese nationals who overstayed their visas in Malaysia could be given these new cards to allow them to vote in the next general election and that the new cards would be manufactured by a Chinese company.

The current Malaysian administration under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been seen as growing closer to China, prompting unease among Malay nationalists who fear a resurgence of Chinese identity in the country (archived link). Ethnic Chinese account for about one-fifth of the Malay-majority nation’s 34 million people (archived link).

AFP has previously debunked the false claim that millions of Chinese nationals were given citizenship in Malaysia.

The same image was shared alongside similar claims about the design of Malaysia's new identity cards elsewhere on Facebook, while another version of the claim shows a purported design where the holder's photo is replaced with a QR code.

Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced on January 8 the government would roll out new passports and identity cards later in 2026 as part of periodic updates necessary to ensure the ...

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