Calls for RCI formation unanswered, Lembah Pantai MP questions update on data leak issues

SHAH ALAM - Lembah Pantai MP today questions the updates on data breaches and leaks that have taken place over the past five years after his earlier calls for the formation of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) went unanswered.

Fahmi Fadzil said the cybersecurity issues in the nation were crucial as they involved government agencies, yet there were no further updates on the investigations and steps taken to combat the issue.

"So far there are no updates from the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob or the government as to whether they intend to set up an RCI," he told Sinar Daily during a media visit at Karangkraf headquarters today along with Selayang MP William Leong.

The duo had earlier met with Karangkraf chairman Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub and representatives from various departments in the company.

However, Fahmi stressed that further investigations were necessary because the amount of data stolen over the last five years was quite staggering.

"Over 100 million sets of personal data have been stolen and this year we have seen four incidents where three out of four are allegedly government agencies.

"This is crucial and the Prime Minister needs to step forward and give an explanation on what steps have been taken in making sure that these incidents are (if not) not completely eradicated but reduced," he insisted.

Fahmi, who is the Pakatan Harapan communications director urged the authorities to order an immediate cyber security audit.

On Sept 17, 2022 Fahmi insisted the authorities to take action in curbing multiple security breach incidents which caused millions of Malaysians’ personal data to be stolen throughout the past few years.

A hacker group had allegedly stolen data from the government's e-statement of wages which resulted in the personal data of more than one million civil servants, MPs and ministers being stolen was the fourth of such incidents in the country.

Fahmi said Finance Minister should relook at the compensation system that could compensate all victims who have been affected by the theft of their personal data.

He also urged the Communications and Multimedia Minister to amend the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 to remove the non-disclosure of the act to the Federal Government and State governments.