New ID card with increased security to be issued October 31

2013-9-26

From：Macau Daily Times

Starting from October 31, a new model of the Resident Identity Card (BIR), due to provide increased security, will be issued to both permanent and non-permanent residents who are either renewing their identity cards or requesting them for the first time.
According to Executive Council spokesperson Leong Heng Teng, the new model will be a “smart contactless card”, replacing the previous “smart contact card”.
In a press conference held yesterday, the Executive Council explained that “over the years, techniques applied in the production of the identity cards have evolved, and there is a tendency to adopt the use of contactless smart cards.”
The main difference lies in the improvement of security levels. Moreover, changes were introduced in the placement of the cardholders’ pictures, with further personal details being added.
However, no changes were introduced regarding the e-channels used to both enter and leave Hong Kong and Macau. The procedure will be similar for both the “smart contactless card” and “smart contact card”.
Asked if the government might consider allowing non- permanent residents to enter and leave Hong Kong using just their Macau ID cards, the spokesperson of the Identification Services (DSI) stated: “Regarding Hong Kong, we made an agreement, which only allows the access of Macau permanent residents through the e-channels. Will it be possible to extend [that rule] to non- permanent residents? Well, we will have to conduct a study and it does not only depend on the government of Macau; we also need to hear what the Hong Kong administration has to say on the matter.”
Leong Heng Teng emphasized that the new contactless ID cards “have more modern anti-falsification characteristics, and its security program is an upgrade of the original one, thus reinforcing the security level.”
In addition, the Executive Council spokesperson explained that the current conception of the ID card remains, with the new chip being incorporated inside the card. “It aims not only to avoid detrition caused by daily use, but also to overcome the problem of displacing the chip,” he added.
Using the advanced techniques “Tru/window LOCK” and “Tru/vision”, new anti-falsification elements were introduced, which will be perceptible by touch. The DSI spokesperson chose not to reveal any figures on the falsification of ID cards, but guaranteed there would be “a high level of protection against falsification” in the new documents.
Other introduced changes relate to the cardholder’s personal details. A comma will no longer separate the surname and given names. Details such as the Chinese characters’ codification, height, birth, first emission, last emission and expiration date will remain.
In March, it was revealed that the MSAR government had chosen the German Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) to manufacture and deliver the multifunctional smart ID cards. At the time, the Munich-based technology company stated that “this will make the Macau government the first public body to accommodate the new technology.”
The company is responsible for project management and development of the smartcard applications, as well as modifying the existing infrastructure to accommodate the new technology.
The DSI spokesperson revealed yesterday that, so far, a total of MOP48 million has been invested in the emission system of ID cards. The government believes that – within ten years – it can save up to MOP20 million in repair and maintenance operations, using the new software and hardware system.
The coming three years are expected to be the “peak period” of BIR replacements, with at least 640,000 residents having to renew their ID cards at some point. Moreover, 53,000 people own lifelong permanent ID cards, which do not need to be replaced.
Leong Heng Teng stated that citizens should only request the new ID card “when it has expired or when the expiration date is approaching.” The price for requesting the new BIR remains the same at MOP90. Staff reporter

Copyright@Macau Daily Times