KUALA LUMPUR: The new United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card was officially launched today, together with its new card verification application.
UNHCR representative to Malaysia Richard Towle said the new card is part of its continued drive to combat identity fraud and counterfeiting.
Towle said the new card includes a number of enhanced security features including 3D holograms and bar codes, while on the rear of the card a large "Secure Quick Response" (SQR) code can be seen.
He added that the card is also supported by an enhanced biometric data collection at the UNHCR office.
"To enable the law enforcement authorities or others engaged in UNHCR's protection and assistance work to scan the SQR and verify a card's authenticity, UNHCR Malaysia has launched the UNHCR VERIFY-MY application," Towle said.
Senior Protection Officer (Oversight) Michael Wells, who explained features of the new card and application, said the verification application is easy to use and could be utilised offline, making it versatile and user-friendly.
To prevent hacking and counterfeiting, he said automatic updates will regularly be downloaded to the hand-held devices.
Wells said the app is free and available both on Apple and Android mobile application stores and comes in both Bahasa Malaysia and English, not only for the authorities but also for public use.
On the physical qualities of the card, he said the new card was more robust, stronger and more durable.
"We identified the weaknesses of the old card, which was easier to replicate. We have learnt a lot on how to design the new card based on the previous one.
"This is state-of-the-art technology, one of the highest and best globally, backed with a retina, 10 fingers and face scan," he said.
The first new card was issued today at 11.05am when a female refugee renewed her old card at the UNHCR headquarters at Jalan Bukit Petaling.
in March this year, the New Straits Times had exposed syndicates offering fake UNHCR cards to illegal immigrants, especially those from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia to seek immunity from being caught by the authorities.
The syndicates were operating in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities around the country, selling as cheap as RM50 up to RM170 a card, depending on its quality.