 The presence of Chinese miner-merchants was recorded since the time of the old Pahang Sultanate, and the community have historically been dominant in the business and commerce community.Immigrants from India, the majority of them Tamils, began arriving in large numbers during British protectorate at the end of the 19th century.Every citizen is issued a biometric smart chip identity card known as "MyKad" at the age of 12, and must carry the card at all times.