He said it was among the measures recommended as an immediate improvement and part of strategies to streamline JPN’s delivery system, including tightening its standard operating procedures (SOP).

Muhyiddin said the recommendations were made at the meeting chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general Alwi Ibrahim on Sept 18 following reports on the illegal issuance and sale of the Malaysian identity card (MyKad) and birth certificate to foreign nationals in Penang recently.

“Among other measures are to immediately terminate the late registration of births at all state JPN offices and to make it compulsory for it to be done only at the department’s headquarters to ensure checks and balances,” he said.

The minister said the ministry would also increase the frequency of spot checks at all JPN divisions, including its vendors to ensure compliance with its SOP.

The level of security would also be enhanced in stages so it cannot be accessed easily by all officers, but instead only through verification by top officials, Muhyiddin said.

The move would also involve a rotation of JPN officers to prevent them from being at the same position for more than two years so as to minimise abuse of power; and a review of all unclaimed birth certificates so that they can be deactivated from the system to avoid misuse.

“I wish to stress that the ministry will not protect any government officers involved in the MyKad syndicate. It has given full power to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to investigate the case and take legal action against the country’s traitors.

“At the same time, the ministry will not compromise on the dissemination of lies and fake news and, at the same time, warns of stern action against those who continue to do so,” he said.