KUCHING: Sarawak has taken another step forward in digitalisation with the introduction of WaveJak, the first artificial intelligence (AI)-based contactless identity verification technology of its kind in Malaysia, specifically designed to simplify and strengthen security for senior citizens.

The high-impact initiative was launched by the Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi in conjunction with the Senior Citizen: We CARE for You programme at the Taman Sukma Multipurpose Hall on Saturday.

Sarawak Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah stated that WaveJak is an innovation developed as a practical and secure solution for daily use, particularly for the elderly.

SOCOE Sdn Bhd is WaveJak’s technical partner, while Tencent is SOCOE’s tech partner for this project.

According to her, Palm Vein AI technology allows identity verification to be performed simply through a scan of the palm’s vein without requiring mobile phones, cards, or physical contact.

“While someone might forget to bring their phone or wallet, they will not forget their own hand. This technology also offers a high level of security as it is effective in preventing fraud and identity theft,” she said.

She added that the technology has been widely used in developed nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Singapore, China, and Korea, thereby proving its effectiveness on a global scale.

Meanwhile, WaveJak Project Manager Nicholas Chan explained that the system identifies individuals through unique hand palm patterns, making it more secure than conventional methods like MyKad, facial recognition, or fingerprints.

Users simply hold their hand over the scanner without touching it, and the system identifies them based on unique internal vein structures rather than just an external image.

The internal nature of the scan makes it extremely difficult to replicate, even using photographs or 3D prints.

WaveJak will be implemented as a pilot project integrated with the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC), allowing senior citizens to access various facilities without needing to carry a physical card.

Also in attendance were Sarawak Deputy Minister for Women and Early Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister for Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, and KPWK Permanent Secretary Nur Alina Abdullah @ Colliner Gohe. — UKASnews

Prepared by: Nur Nabilla
Photographer: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Ryan Lim