KUALA KUBU BARU, June 28 ― Effective September 1, all security service companies must confirm with the National Registration Department (NRD), the identity cards (ICs) of individuals applying for a job as security guard with the companies.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the candidates for the job must present themselves to the NRD for confirmation of their MyKad through the biometric method before the companies submitted the applications for security screening to the Home Ministry and Royal Malaysian Police.

“This measure is to ensure that all local security guards are Malaysian citizens and possess a valid identity card,” he said after launching the Certified Security Guards Training Programme, here, today.

Ahmad Zahid said the measure was also in response to the various issues that arose involving the security service industry, including the quality of service, hiring of illegals as security guards and using of false identity cards.

He said 659 security guards who were illegals were detained nationwide between Sept 1, 2013 and June 23, this year.

“We (home ministry) also cancelled the licence of eight security service companies and issued the final warning to 25 other companies for committing various offences, including hiring illegal immigrants as security guards.

“I wish to remind and warn security service companies which are still hiring illegals to immediately stop the practice or face cancellation of their licence by the ministry,” he said.

On the implementation of minimum pay for security guards, Ahmad Zahid said it was not intended to burden the companies but to improve the service quality of their employees.

“Currently, the minimum basic salary is RM900, excluding allowance and overtime payment. Their average monthly pay comes to RM1,200 to RM1,900,” he said.

“To ensure the companies provide the best service and at the same time would not have to wind up their business because of the minimum wage implementation, the ministry has decided on centralised certified training for security guards so that the pay increase could result in quality service.”

On Nepalese security guards, he said they were not only required to undergo training at selected training centres in their country, but to also have further training for four days each year while working in Malaysia.

Ahmad Zahid said to improve the image of security guards in this country, the ministry would be rebranding their uniforms into three categories ― static security guarding, armed guarding to protect cash in transit and maritime guarding.

“The discussion is in the process and the implementation will be coordinated with PDRM and the association of banks before the enforcement announcement is made,” he said.

About 10,000 local security guards, especially school security guards, are targeted to be trained by the year-end through the certified security guards training programme. ― Bernama