Malaysia to fingerprint all new-born children

Blunkett curses missed opportunity...

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Security, 4th May 2005 09:28 GMT

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Malaysia’s National Registration Department is doubtful that it would be useful to fingerprint all babies born in the country.

Malaysian police are proposing all new-borns should have their fingerprint and footprints taken before they leave hospital, according to the BBC. The National Registration Department is concerned that prints from such a young child will be unreliable for identifying the terrible toddlers.

The NRD is “keeping an open mind” but is worried that such fingerprints will still be changing and so won’t be useful for identification, according to the Malaysian Star. Police believe software could allow for such changes in the prints.

Malaysians are already required to give fingerprints at age 12 when they receive their “MyKad” ID card. Their prints are taken again when they are 18. Malaysia is aiming to have everyone over the age of 12 carrying a smart ID card by the end of the year.

Civil liberties groups in the country have attacked the proposal as intimidating and likely to create a climate of fear.

Newborn kids are already issued a “MyKid” - similar to an ID card but without fingerprints or photos.

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