Malaysia is talking to several West Asian nations to promote the use of Smart cards instead of the conventional passports to ease travelling procedures within the region.
The MDC has been actively promoting Malaysia's very own multi-purpose Smart card, the MyKad, which has seven applications - identification card, driving licence, international passport, health information, e-cash and automated teller machine services, Touch 'n Go service and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
Iris Corp's subsidiary, Iris Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd, is the chip provider for Malaysia's electronic passport and the MyKad. Iris has also been scouting various markets beyond the Association of South-East Asian Nations, having recently secured its first international deal to implement its e-passport technology in Nigeria.
Countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, Ghana, Cambodia and India's state of Andhra Pradesh have also expressed interest in carrying out similar smart card initiatives.
