Right now, track and tracing are one of the best weapons we have against the COVID-19 virus. By knowing where it is and who it has been in contact with, we can break the chain of infection. But, funny how Malaysia has an app for this purpose and hardly anyone knows about it.

The app is called MySejahtera, and it is clearly made by nerds. It is just complicated enough that most people are going to give up setting it up, and it is full of nerdy statistics, charts and graphs.

At the core of the app are the health assessment and location function. Users will have to answer a set of simple questions (honestly) and tell the app their location to get a risk rating. Chances are, if you have no symptoms and don’t live in a high infection zone, you will be categorised as low risk.

By letting the app know your health status and location, you help the country keep track of COVID-19.

Wherever you go somewhere, you could also check-in using the app. This is extra useful for tracing COVID-19.

Let’s say someone at a location you have been to is identified as an infected. Those who have checked-in at or near the area can be found and tested as well. This will help break the chain of infection.

If you’re thinking that this would lead to privacy issues, don’t. The company that made your phone and the social network apps on your phone knows more about you than this app. Except MySejahtera is not interested in selling your data to advertisers, they just want to save lives.

Besides, MySejahtera is an official app, developed by the Malaysian Government to save lives.

So what else can the app do for you?

Upfront the app will tell you the latest information on the COVID-19 statistics. Basically a summary, in numbers, of what you usually get during the KMM (Health Ministry) 5PM update.

Tap the dashboard tab, and you’ll be neck-deep in nerd territory. Here, you will find numbers, charts, and graphs about the spread of the virus, locally, regionally, and globally. It is my favourite part of the app.

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If statistics are not your thing, the app is also a source of information about the nearest health facility and the most up-to-date source of guidelines. Tap the ‘What would you like to do?’ bar up top when at the home tab to get to most of these options.

There is even a button on getting a COVID-19 test at home. But, you would have to pay for that out of pocket on your own.

If your dependency does not have a smartphone, there is an option for that too. For example, a baby, you can help the government keep track of their health also.

The app would also send you a ‘Things to do’ notification periodically. Basically, easy instructions like updating your health status.

What would make some people not use this app is how complicated it is to set up. Actually, it is not that complicated, it’s just complicated enough. Let me explain.

First, you will need to register at the MySejahtera website. You can do it in the app, but it’ll basically take you to the webpage anyway, so it is not really in the app.

Next, you need to get an OTP number to register by entering your phone number and completing the ReCaptcha. Then you will get an SMS with the OTP number. Enter the number into the OTP field in the registration field.

You know nerds made this because this is a way to prevent the system from being flooded with fake and unwanted data caused by unwarranted registrations. They are being thorough and careful.

Once you’ve passed that test, you will be taken to a form where you will need to fill in your necessary information like name, identification card number, address, and so on. This is also where you create a password.

But you are not done yet. Take your phone number and password and use that to log into the app. Now you’re in.

It is as easy as… No, it is not. But, these are the steps we need to go through for security and accuracy. Two of the most critical factors in a system like this.

So do the country a favour and install the app, register, and keep your information up to date.