Saturday 13 February 2021

Can security guards ask for your MyKad /Driver's License?


Can security guards ask for your MyKad or Driver's License (even just for scanning/ recording purposes only)?
-Absolutely not!

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to this "GnG" subject. This lack of clarity and knowledge by the communities have been used by unscrupulous RAs to bully its non-paying residents and the surrounding communities. 

When we want to talk about this subject, we need to define first whether we are referring to a formal GC scheme or an informal "GC" scheme? They are both very different and people should know the differences.

Due to the lack of awareness by the public, the RAs have been taking advantage of the situation to coerce residents to sign up their bogus scheme by flouting the guidelines and breaking the laws.

Regulation 7 of the Peraturan-Peraturan Pendaftaran Kebangsaan 1990 clearly states that security guards (or any persons) are not allowed to conduct checks on your identity, let alone request for any kind of identification documents.

Regulation 7 also explicitly states that only certain officers are allowed to inspect the identity of a person and request the person to produce his/her MyKad for inspection. These officers include:
  • registration officers (of the National Registration Department of Malaysia or JPN)
  • police officers (PDRM)
  • customs officers/ immigration officers
  • members of the Armed Forces on duty
  • public officers authorized by the Director General



"Informal Gated Community" schemes that are run by RA in non-private housing areas are not legal gated communities at all. Actually, these so-called "GnG" schemes implemented by the RAs are against the laws and guidelines. They have no right to ask for anyone's ID as it is not private-property.

However, formal gated communities (private properties) that are managed by Management Corporation (MC) or Joint Management Body (JMB), are legal GnG schemes protected and bound by the Strata Title Act 1985 and the Strata Management Act 2013. So, they have the right to ask  visitors for their ID such as MyKad/ driving license for taking down the details.

Security guards at an "informal gated community" do not have the right to ask visitors for MyKad or driving license. It is against the law and it is an offense.

Only licensed security guards on duty at a "formal gated community" (private-property) or a stratified condominium have the right to ask visitors for MyKad or driving license for identification and recording purposes.

Pengawal keselamatan yang bertugas di kediaman awam (termasuk di komuniti berpagar yang tidak formal) tidak dibenarkan untuk meminta dokumen identiti seperti MyKad ataupun lesen memandu daripada pihak awam. 

Tetapi pengawal keselamatan yang bertugas di premis swasta/persendirian (seperti di komuniti berpagar yang formal, kondominium dan bangunan swasta) dibenarkan untuk meminta dokumen identiti pelawat bagi tujuan rekod butiran.

Peruntukan Peraturan 7 Peraturan-Peraturan Pendaftaran Kebangsaan 1990 memperuntukkan bahawa hanya seorang pegawai pendaftaran, pegawai polis, pegawai kastam, pegawai tentera atau pegawai lain yang diberi kuasa bertulis oleh Ketua Pengarah Pendaftaran sahaja yang dibenarkan untuk meminta dan memeriksa identiti seseorang dengan mengemukakan kad pengenalan.

"Syarikat Kawalan Keselamatan hanya boleh meminta dokumen identiti pelawat semata-mata bagi tujuan semakan dan rekod kemasukan ke premis persendirian dan kemudian mengembalikannya kepada pelawat selepas identiti mereka direkodkan."

Therefore, only formal gated communities have the right to block roads and demand visitors for their MyKad or Driving License. So, only licensed security guards on duty at formal gated communities can ask for your MyKad or Driving License for recording purposes only.

This is as clear as it can get... hope this helps!

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What the Local Councils initially approved for Guarded Neighbourhood schemes now have become illegal Gated Communities. How? 

It is because unscrupulous RAs have gone against the Council's guidelines, flouting laws to implement their own version of the scheme in non-private residences.

Corrupt RAs have turned these guarded schemes to illegal gated communities by implementing prohibited procedures such as blocking public roads, guards asking the public for ID (such as Driver's License) and some even using auto access card system. Some are also prone to hiring unlicensed security guards. Now, this is the problem! 

The above procedures introduced by the RAs are clearly against the laws in normal terrace houses residences under the jurisdiction of local councils. This type of informal gated communities run by RAs are divisive, a hindrance to the community and a nuisance in today's society.

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Back in 2007, a circular by the *Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), addressed this issue, in regards to the guidelines for identification of visitors entering premises such as condominiums, residential areas, and fenced communities nationwide (that are under "private property"). *Btw, it is illegal to ask for identification of visitors entering "public property" housing including informal GnG residences.

It was stated that only a registration officer, police officer, customs officer, military officer or other officers authorised by the National Registration Department (JPN) director-general, can conduct checks on the identity of a person and request for identification, in accordance with Rule 7 of the National Registration Regulation 1990.

Additionally, National Registration Act 1959 (Act 78) and the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007), under Regulation 8, states that only an authorised personnel may require visitors to show them their MyKad for identity verification. *(Fyi, a private security guard is not an authorised personnel from the government)

In fact, a person who unlawfully keeps another person's MyKad can be charged under Regulation 25 of the National Registration Act.

Despite it being completely illegal, some people still give in to these requests for sensitive, important documents such as MyKad

It is argued that it will be difficult to get things done if a visitor refuses to give a personal document as they will not be allowed to pass through the security check point and get to their desired destination.

Many others have voiced their objection to this practice, only to hear from the security personnel, saying that they are "only doing their job" and that there was no way to win the argument.

Eventually, people comply just because they "do not want any trouble" or to complicate things.

The practice of handing out an identification document to security guards is illegal and it poses the risk of forgery or misuse. 

For those who think that it's a good security measure, it is not. It is not foolproof as there were many cases whereby gangs and criminals use forged or stolen identity cards to target the GnG communities.

Only licensed security guards on duty at a "formal gated community" usually a "private/ strata property" have the right to ask visitors for identification.

On the oter hand, security guards at an "informal gated community" do not. In the first place they have no right to block anyone from access to any "public property" residences. It is illegal.

Recently, the residents associations (RAs) in Shah Alam are being subjected to the guidelines by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) for gated-and-guarded (G&G) scheme. The Star Online reported that the guidelines were amended to streamline the process and avoid confusion.

Here are some of the highlights of the new guidelines:

1. RAs must get consent from residents (100% approval) to set up automated gates and the access card system.

2. Security guards are not allowed to stop anyone from moving in or out of public residences.

3. Security guards are not allowed to ask for anyone's MyKad or even take a photograph of it at informal gated communities (public property or individual title residence).

4. Security guards on duty are allowed to record details of any visitor's MyKad or driving licence only at formal gated and guarded community (private property or strata residence).


A citizen residing in Petaling Jaya wrote in an open letter that was published on The Star, saying that other local city councils such as Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) should take heed and emulate MBSA's efforts in tackling this tricky issue.

The writer said that the current landscape and process at G&G housing areas has made it extremely tedious for non-residents to move around the surrounding neighbourhoods.

It was said that the new stipulations, aimed at establishing orderliness and greater security and convenience for residents and visitors, are welcomed in a step forward towards the development of the country.

"I am sure this may have annoyed some but there must be the rule of law and the MBSA puts it quite clearly what must be complied with."

"I ask those wanting their neighbourhood gated and guarded, how they would feel when they are being asked for their identity card or stopped when visiting another housing area?"

Source: says.com/lifestyle
Original article by: Tang Ruxyn

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Source: AskLegal.my
by Denise C
https://asklegal.my/p/neighbourhood-security-guards-registration-block-roads-malaysia

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