KUALA LUMPUR: Datasonic Group Berhad (Datasonic) expects to issue around two million new and renewed foreign worker card (i-Kad) applications annually from this year onwards.

Executive Director of Datasonic Datuk Ab. Hamid Mohamad Hanipah said demand for i-Kad is expected to continue increasing, especially following the recent approval to issue i-Kad for temporary working visit pass (PLKS) renewals.

"The issuance of i-Kad is gaining momentum each month, and we anticipate that the total for new and renewed i-Kad will reach about two million units per year," he said in a statement on Friday.

He said the group has been delivering i-Kad since August 2023 with personalisation and issuance available at all 18 Immigration Department of Malaysia's issuance centers

He noted that the new i-Kad is made from high-quality polycarbonate material and features a highly secure chip, the latest printing system, and advanced security features.

"It incorporates our multi-modal biometric system, including the DSonic Facial Recognition system. This allows for the authentication of i-Kad holders and further assists our country in improving the enforcement and monitoring of foreign workers," he added.

Ab. Hamid emphasised that the i-Kad initiative plays a crucial role in the efficient management of foreign workers, ensuring proper documentation, and contributing to Malaysia's overall economic development.

"By facilitating better monitoring and enforcement, we are not only strengthening national security but also supporting the protection of workers' rights," he said.

He also highlighted that Datasonic's research and development team has developed a specialized Digital i-Kad application to support national enforcement activities and provide users with a digital identity document.

He expressed excitement about expanding the Digital i-Kad app's potential as a platform business, including delivery services, financial accounts, remittances, and other online services to reach a broader market.

"This is part of our strategic goal of diversifying revenue streams by pursuing new ventures and initiatives both domestically and globally," he added.

Ab. Hamid mentioned that the success of the i-Kad project has led the Group to win two prestigious Malaysia Cyber Security Awards 2023, namely the Cyber Security Company of the Year 2023 and Project of the Year for the Digital i-Kad enforcement app development.

"This recognition demonstrates our team's unwavering commitment to innovation and adaptability in the ever-changing technological landscape. This achievement reflects not only our capability but also our dedication to advancing technology to deliver exceptional value to our clients and contribute to strengthening national security in this increasingly interconnected digital world," he said.

TAGS: Datasonic, i-Kad,  foreign worker, Ab. Hamid Mohamad Hanipah, PLKS