Gobind said the passing of the law is essential towards creating an ecosystem for innovation to thrive, allowing digital services and solutions to be put into effect more efficiently. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has passed the Data Sharing Bill 2024, a landmark legislation to facilitate data sharing between Federal Government agencies.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the passing of the law is essential towards creating an ecosystem for innovation to thrive, allowing digital services and solutions to be put into effect quickly and efficiently.
“This, at the same time, ensures the process is secure. We will start with the Federal agencies and later consider expanding it to the states and beyond,” he said during the second and third reading of the legislation in Dewan Negara on Dec 19.
According to a statement by the Digital Ministry, the Data Sharing Bill 2024 creates a process by which requests can be made for data and how such requests will be considered, overcoming a previous limitation in regards to data sharing between agencies.
This process will also involve a National Data Sharing Committee to conduct a strict evaluation when an application is made, in deciding whether or not the data requested can be shared.
The Committee will assess the nature of the data, the purpose for which the data is requested, the manner in which the data requested will be handled, as well as the safeguards that will preserve “the privacy and confidentiality” of the said data.
The ministry added that law requires the committee to determine if the agency requesting the data has "sufficient cyber security measures in place" before a decision can be made to allow the data to be released.
If a breach occurs, penal consequences will follow, where those found guilty will face a fine not exceeding RM1mil or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both, as per the Act (Clauses 17 and 23).
The ministry said that analysis of data is crucial for the application of technology such as AI: “With this legislation, the Madani Government’s aspiration to create an AI nation will be further accelerated.”
