There must be controls in place, urge groups

PETALING JAYA: Calls for the Central Database Hub (Padu) security to be strengthened to prevent data breaches have been growing stronger, while some quarters are also urging that controls be put in place on how the government is allowed to use this sensitive data.

To address concerns about personal data protection, it is crucial for the government to introduce an “Omnibus Act” to include provisions on the treatment of personal data by the public sector, they said.

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The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) said data security measures should be strengthened to prevent data breaches like the MySejahtera app case that had affected three million users.

“Upgrading data security measures leads to improved public trust, which would then improve uptake among the general public,” the think-tank said in a statement yesterday.

MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng called for a halt of the Padu data registration process to address any weaknesses and security issues.

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli should not resort to threats, saying that the people would “not be able to obtain government subsidies” if they do not register with Padu, he said.

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“He should take full responsibility and immediately stop Padu and apologise to the people,” Wee said in a statement yesterday.

He suggested that former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming and other legal experts be invited to join the Padu team to assist in rectifying weaknesses.“The government’s first mistake was to launch the system without a proper safety mechanism. If it continues to force the people to adopt this flawed system, including threats of people losing access to subsidies, the problem will only get bigger,” he added.

Wee also expressed concerns that some groups might miss out on subsidies owing to the use of inconsistent information.

“Will the inconsistent information result in disadvantaged groups not receiving government aid? If the government only uses Padu as a reference for disbursing aid and subsidies in the future, this will be very detrimental to disadvantaged groups who don’t have adequate network facilities,” he said.

Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek said there was a need for an immediate amendment to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 so that the government and relevant agencies would be responsible for the protection and security of the data collected.

“Any exemption from liability is unacceptable and shows the lack of confidence by the government of its own platform and its ability to protect the collected public data from misuse or theft.

“Without the amendments being made before the launch of Padu, the public cannot be assured that their data will be protected from misuse by the government or scammers and unscrupulous individuals who will undoubtedly target the massive database,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said priority must be given to data security to protect personal information under Padu from being abused.

“Has the system been fully tested and proven that it cannot be breached easily? Or will we see our data being sold soon,” he said.

He suggested that a Parliament Special Select Committee investigate current weaknesses in the system to ensure the data security of the people is guaranteed.

Padu, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday, is a government database containing detailed individual and household profiles of all citizens in the country.

One of its primary goals is to help the government deliver targeted assistance, with accumulated federal subsidies for petrol reaching hundreds of billions of ringgit, with more than half used by high or upper middle-income earners.