The Government Multi Purpose Card (GMPC) project described in this article forms part of the Malaysian Multi-media Super Corridor (MSC) initiative. The project is one of seven flagship applications initiated by the Malaysian government to attract developers of leading edge technology to Malaysia. Conceptualised back in early 1997, the project was launched after a Concept Request For Proposal (CRFP) had been developed to pave the way for a competitive tender to conceive, develop and deploy an advanced smart card-based multi-application card system. The CRFP was announced in mid-1997 and elicited a response from more than ten international consortia. As a member of the IRIS team, Eddy Cheah was closely involved in the implementation of the Malaysian passport system. Prior to joining IRIS, he spent 16 years with Schlumberger, where he primarily focused on the management of technology projects in Asia and Europe. Eddy is the Managing Consultant of Agape Consultancy, an independent consultant active in the Asian smartcard industry.