Identification Services Bureau (DSI) Director Chao Wai Ieng announced yesterday that the bureau will roll out the new generation of identity (ID) cards for Macau residents from December 15, adding that taking into account that nearly 400,000 residents will have their ID card renewed in the next three years, seven Government 24-Hour Self-Service Centres will later be launched, in conjunction with new document card processing and collection machines, enabling residents to apply for the renewal of their ID cards and self-collection of the cards around the clock.
According to the Statistics and Census Bureau’s (DSEC) latest data released in March this year, as of the end of last year, Macau’s total population had stood at 672,800, with locals accounting for 570,700.
A number of new self-service kiosks with additional functions, such as height measuring and finger printing, are available at China Plaza on Avenida da Praia Grande as well as the Government Service Centres in Areia Preta and Taipa, according to Chao, who pointed out that public demand for the use of self-service kiosks and Macao One Accounts was on the rise, with the former accounting for 40 percent and the latter for over 20 percent of the total number, while the remainder still use conventional counter services.
In addition, according to Chao, the bureau is planning to launch an online application for the renewal of ID cards, after which permanent residents can apply to renew their ID card via their Macao One Account, adding that the online service will be combined with the existing counter application and outreach services to schools and associations, aiming to provide residents with a “multi-channel” experience in renewing their ID cards.
Chao acknowledged that the appearance of the new generation of ID cards will be optimised, with its security and anti-counterfeiting features being enhanced.
In terms of the e-ID certificate in residents’ Macao One Account, Chao noted that since its launch at the end of June this year, over 280,000 residents have activated their e-identity in their personal account, with the e-ID certificate having been used more than 3.67 million person-times to cross border checkpoints, over 37,000 to sign in for their continuing education subsidy scheme, and more than 13,000 for medical e-vouchers. He also noted that so far, no cases of theft of e-ID certificates have been detected.
Chao underlined that an “e-ID” certificate can only be linked to one phone. He said that about 1,300 residents had had their certificate removed from their Macao One Account due to the loss or change of their mobile phone.
Chao made the remarks when attending public broadcaster TDM’s Chinese-language radio phone-in programme, Ou Mun Gwong Cheuhng, yesterday.
This photo taken yesterday shows the Identification Services Bureau’s (DSI) self-service kiosks at China Plaza on Avenida da Praia Grande. – Photo: Yuki Lei
