‘you can’t change place of birth’

Don’t fall prey to services to get new MyKad middle digits, says exco man

JOHOR BARU: A Johor leader has warned the people against falling victim to bogus agents who claim that they are able help people become Johoreans by helping them change their MyKad middle digits.

State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said it had come to his attention that these so-called agents asked for fees of between thousands and tens of thousands for such services.

Tee said the agents claimed that they know people who can help to change a person’s MyKad middle digits to 01, which represents those born in Johor.

He said there were some enquiries from people outside Johor such as Selangor and Kuala Lumpur asking him whether it was possible for them to change their MyKad number to become a Johorean.

“I urge everyone especially those who are from other states not to believe claims from people who offer this type of services because the middle digits in our MyKad serves to signify our place of birth and there is no way to change it.

“However, it does not stop us from welcoming those who want to settle down or do business in Johor.

“You can just move here without having to make any change to your MyKad, as long as you adhere to the Johor way,” he said yesterday.

Tee added that currently there were many people who were not born in Johor but now call the state home without having to make any change in their identification documents.

He believed the term Bangsa Johor, used to refer to those born in the state, and the introduction of the Johor Muafakat (Johor United) concept by the state government were what attracted many to become Johoreans.

Furthermore, he said, the state also enjoyed steady development, while people of various races live in harmony and had forged a stable and united relationship with each other.