The National Registration Department (JPN) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that updating the address on a MyKad will automatically result in a change of polling centre.
JPN director-general Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias said the public should not be alarmed by the misinformation, stressing that MyKad address updates and polling centre assignments fall under the jurisdiction of different government agencies.
“Many people are under the impression that changing the address on their MyKad will automatically change their polling centre. That is not true.
“Updating a MyKad address is handled by the JPN, while polling centre matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission (EC),” he told reporters on Thursday.
Earlier, Badrul Hisham had presented a birth certificate to a family in Kampung Johal during the Menyemai Kasih Rakyat (MEKAR) programme.
He explained that under Regulation 15 of the National Registration Regulations, individuals who have moved to a new residence for more than 90 days are required to update the address on their MyKad.
However, he said that although Section 25 provides for penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment or a maximum RM20,000 fine for non-compliance, the department has no intention of taking indiscriminate action against the public.
“JPN is not out to punish or burden the people. Our objective is to ensure that everyone complies with the law and keeps their residential information accurate and up to date.
“Every case will be assessed based on its individual circumstances and reasonable verification before any enforcement action is considered,” he said.
Badrul Hisham added that applicants must provide supporting documents, such as utility bills, to verify that the address being registered is genuine and currently occupied.
He said the requirement is important to ensure population records remain accurate and to facilitate the efficient delivery of government services in the future.
