The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is developing a token system that will help to ease the checking in process at premises for those who do not have smartphones, according to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. The tokens will be similar to Singapore’s TraceTogether system which has been in use since last year.

The minister noted that those without smartphones can already check-in manually by carrying their vaccination card and writing their details in a logbook or by having family members accompany them and use MySejahtera’s dependent feature. That being said, such a system would make it easier for those in this predicament and Khairy says that the token device will be given for free.

TraceTogether uses Bluetooth proximity technology and exchanges signals with other tokens or smartphones running the TraceTogether app, and the data is stored for 25 days for the purposes of contact tracing before it is automatically deleted. Khairy hints that Malaysia’s tokens will use the same technology, but did not give a timeline on when it will be available.

MySejahtera has been Malaysia’s primary contact tracing tool since the pandemic began, however, it does not take advantage of any proximity technology but instead requires users to log their presence by scanning a QR code every time they enter a premise. Some malls now require patrons to show proof of full-vaccination before letting them check-in and enter the premises. The MySejahtera app has also been recently updated with a new check-out feature and even checks you out automatically when you check into another location.

(Source: Parlimen via Youtube // Image: Ooi Boon Keong/TODAY)