KUALA LUMPUR: IRIS Technology, which developed the technology for the Malaysian biometric passport, is certain that the data in the microchip is 100% secure and clone-proof. 

Its chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said that many had tried but failed to clone the chip. They only managed to tamper with the passport books. 

On a report that a computer expert had managed to hack similar biometric passports used in other countries including Australia, Razali said IRIS was fully confident of the technology, “otherwise we would not have marketed it.”  

According to the report, Lukas Grunwald, a consultant with a German security company, said he had discovered a method for cloning information stored in the new passports. 

Data could be transferred onto blank chips, which could then be implanted in fake passports, Grunwald said, adding that this flaw undermined the passport. He had used US$200 (RM736) worth of equipment to copy the data. 

“We have used the card without any problem for the past eight years. There are cases where people have tried to clone it but failed,” Razali said when contacted. 

“I do not mean to blow my trumpet but some other countries have even looked at Malaysia’s passport and they are quite satisfied (with the technology).”  

He said the technology used by Malaysia, which was the first country to use biometric passports and autogates at airports, was far ahead of that of other countries using similar technology. 

Australia introduced biometric passports with a digitised facial image on a microchip last year. Britain issued its version in March and the United States plans to use the e-passport in October. 

“The Germans and other Europeans, are trying to compete with us and we should not be susceptible to what they claim. It’s part of competition,” he added. 

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho said the Government did not doubt the security of the Malaysian passport but would investigate the claim. 

“We must always be on high alert. If there is such a technology that can clone the passport, we have to identity it and tighten up security or make the necessary changes,” he said when contacted. 

The fact that no one had succeeded in cloning the passport was proof of its technological advantages, he said.