Somebody's selling personal data to salespeople, loan sharks, says Melaka PKR man

MELAKA: People's personal data seems to be widely available to insurance agents and even loan sharks, according to Melaka Pakatan Harapan's youth vice-chief Naqiuddin Nazrin.

He said feedback received from the grassroots suggested that callers claiming to represent insurance firms and loan providers had personal details of individuals.

"We need to look into a more comprehensive data protection law to protect innocent people from being scammed," he said in an interview on Tuesday (July 9).

Naqiuddin said many were still waiting for the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2010 to be amended.

"I have been informed that the government is reviewing the law to enhance personal data protection.

"Such leaks are risky and could jeopardise the safety of individuals," he said.

Naqiuddin, who is also Melaka PKR vice-youth chief, said calls from unknown parties had been rampant recently, including from online sales agencies.

"How come personal data is available to strangers?" he asked. 

Naqiuddin urged the authorities to take stern action in curbing the illegal sales of data.

Meanwhile, those who have received calls from unknown people are alleging that the callers even had their Mykad details. M. Krishna, 50, said he received a call from insurance agent detailing his old home address at Kota Baru, Kelantan.

"I used to work in Kelantan between 2002 to 2006 but the caller could give me the exact details on the house I lived in previously," he said, adding that he was upset upon receiving the call. 

Krishna, from Alor Gajah here, said the caller claimed to be an insurance agent and wanted to introduce new policies to him.

A salesman who wanted to be identified as Chung, 43, from Bandar Hilir said he received a call from a person offering personal loan.

"The strange part was that the caller knew my full name which I seldom use, as most of my friends know me through my nickname," he said.