KUALA LUMPUR: A Bill to ensure faster and safer data sharing between government agencies has been tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo tabled the Data Sharing Bill 2024 for the first reading.
The Bill provides provisions for the sharing of data between government agencies and the setting up of the National Data Sharing Committee.
Under Clause 12 of the Bill, it allows any public sector agency to request data from another agency with the approval of the National Digital Department director-general.Under Clause 13, a request for sharing of data may be allowed for several purposes.
It includes enhancing the effectiveness of policies, programme management and to improve service planning as well as delivery by public sector agencies.
Such requests can also be made in response to a public emergency, in public interests or other purposes as the committee may determine.
The public sector agency receiving a data-sharing request under Clause 14 will evaluate whether the data sharing is justifiable.
Among the considerations taken are whether the request will harm public interest, and whether the requesting agency has proper security measures to protect the data from unauthorised access and use.
“After making the evaluation under subsection (1) of Clause 14, the public sector agency to whom the request for data sharing is made shall, within 14 days from the date of receiving it, decide whether the data requested may be provided, with or without conditions, or refused under Clause 15,” according to the Bill.Under Clause 16, the Bill provides the duties of the data provider and data recipient relating to data sharing for the purpose of protecting the data.
It also provides provisions for the duty of third parties to protect the shared data.
The clause also relates to the setting up of the committee, its membership that includes the chairman, deputy chairman and secretary, as well as function.
The Bill also proposes that no action, suit or other proceedings shall be brought in any court against the minister, any member of the committee, the director- general or any officer or servant of a public sector agency on account of or in respect of any act, neglect or default done in the course of carrying out his duties under the legislation.
However, action can be taken unless it is proven that it was carried out or omitted in bad faith and without reasonable cause.
Previously, Gobind was reported saying the Bill would be key for the digital economy.
