MCA has expressed concern that the Central Database Hub (PADU), which gathers data on Malaysian citizens to assist the government with precise socio-economic measurements, is not bound by the Personal Data Protection Act 2024 (PDPA).
Its vice president Datuk Lawrence Low said this in response to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo’s statement during the winding up debate on the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2024 yesterday (July 16) that the PDPA is only structured to regulate commercial transactions.
“Since its launch, data security issues surrounding PADU remain a primary concern for the public as the system requires applicants to input various sensitive information,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (July 17).
“To date, perceptions prevail that the government lacks the determination to genuinely strengthen PADU under the PDPA 2024 (Act 709).
“Therefore, the question arises as to what measures the government had undertaken to ensure the security of personal data.”
For context, PADU, which encompasses profiles of individuals and households including citizens and permanent residents of Malaysia, is an integrated national socio-economic database.
It consolidates data from various government departments and agencies to provide a comprehensive overview of the socio-economic status of every household in Malaysia.
Low further touched on PADU’s purpose, given that the recently-announced diesel subsidies will be distributed through the Budi Madani system which the public must register with to receive aid.
“Given an option, the public would certainly prefer not to disclose personal information to PADU if its security cannot be guaranteed, while subsidies can still be distributed without resorting to PADU,” he noted.
“We hope the government will provide a clear clarification on these matters. Let’s not rush to defend mistakes at the expense of compromising public data security.”
In Gobind’s winding up debate, he however clarified that PADU not being bound by data protection law does not mean the federal and state governments are exempt from liability or responsibility in handling data.
According to Gobind, who is Damansara MP, there are other legislations such as the Official Secrets Act 1972 as well as circulars binding officers and public servants. – July 16, 2024
Main pic credit: SoyaCincau
