PETALING JAYA: The Digital Ministry is set to introduce Malaysia’s first intelligence system to monitor and curb the sale of personal data on the dark web.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo (pic) said the Threat Intelligence Capacity Support Automation Project for Personal Data Breach Case Management, will be launched in the second quarter of this year.
“This project is developed following growing concerns over the sale and transaction of personal data through e-commerce platforms, including on the dark web,” he said.
He said the Digital Ministry, through the Personal Data Protection Commissioner’s Office, is actively increasing enforcement and advocacy efforts to enhance personal data protection in Malaysia.
Additional measures include increasing personal data system inspections under Section 101, Act 709 in 2025 by at least 30%, compared to 2024.
In addition to on-site inspections at the organisation’s premises, the office will also enhance online self-assessment activities to improve compliance in processing personal data.
The ministry will also be intensifying raids based on data breach complaints and cyber incidents occurring in companies that process personal data for commercial transactions.
It also aims to establish more commissioner offices nationwide, starting with Sabah and Sarawak.
Gobind also announced that government agencies will be allowed to share data among themselves by tomorrow, when the Data Sharing Act is gazetted.
He said the new law was among several pieces of legislation recently passed by Parliament to enhance data security, as the nation strives to become a regional data centre hub.
“The ministry has also drafted several laws aimed at strengthening the nation’s data and digital regulatory landscape related to data security, protection, innovation and storage.
“Among them are the Cyber Security Act 2024, Personal Data Protection Act 2024 and Data Sharing Act 2025.
“The Data Sharing Act is expected to be gazetted on Feb 20,” he said when answering a question raised by (PN-Fathul Huzir Ayob) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
The law will facilitate data sharing between federal government agencies subject to approval by the National Data Sharing Committee.
To ensure personal data is protected, those flouting the law could face a fine not exceeding RM1mil, imprisonment of not more than five years or both, upon conviction.
Gobind also said the government will unveil the National Cloud Computerisation Policy by the second quarter of this year.
