_{Photo from Astro Awani}

Lose your IC more than twice and you may have to pay up to RM1,000 to get a replacement! Expensive-nya! And, if you are one of those who tend to be careless with your personal belonging, here’s what you need to know if you ever lose your IC:

1. What’s the big deal?

No matter what your excuses are, losing your IC is a big deal, period.

If it falls into the wrong hands, a lot of nasty things may happen to you. Criminals can easily steal your identity and use your IC to commit theft or fraud.

For example, your IC can be used to sign up for multiple new broadband services or to apply for new credit cards. Imagine having those bills sent to your home address.

2. What to do

Make a police report. Whether it’s due to crime or your own negligence, always make a police report for your lost IC.

If you don’t have the time to visit the nearest police station, you can make your police report online at e-reporting. (e-reporting is currently only available for non-criminal cases in Kuala Lumpur).

Next, visit any Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) branch with your police report to apply for a replacement. You can also try out JPN’s online “MyKad Replacement System”, subject to terms and conditions.

3. What if you lose your IC overseas?

If you lost your IC during your overseas trip, go to the nearest local police station there and make an official police report.

When you are back in Malaysia, bring the overseas police report to your nearest police station. PDRM would definitely want a record on the overseas incident before filing a report for you locally.

4. What if you were robbed?

If you are a victim of a robbery or snatch theft, you’ll be exempted from having to pay for the replacement fee.

The Government also extends the exemption to the disabled, the poor, senior citizens aged 60 years and above, victims of natural disasters and adolescents aged 18 and below.

5. The Fees / Penalties

_{Applies to all Malaysians}

For more details, do check out JPN’s official website.

WARNING: never, ever make a false police report! If you've lost your IC due to your own carelessness, admit it. Do not claim that you were robbed thinking it will be the ticket for you to avoid paying the penalty for a replacement.

In doing so, you’ll be committing a serious offence and be charged in court for making that false report. If found guilty, you’ll risk bearing a life-long criminal record! Having a criminal record will have a negative impact on not just yourself but also on your family, as you will find it difficult to obtain a loan or unable to be a guarantor for your child’s study loan.

All that just to avoid paying the replacement fee?

6. How long does it take to process your new IC?

_{Source: JPN' website}

You can also check the status of your application via MyPay.

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