KUALA LUMPUR – The public’s lack of trust in the Central Database Hub (Padu) system does not stem from the government’s intentions in collecting personal information – but rather from concerns about the robustness of its security, said PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari.
In Dewan Rakyat today, the Pasir Mas MP said individuals have reservations about sharing personal data with government initiatives like the Central Database Hub (Padu) due to fears of data breaches resulting from cyberattacks.
“The issue at hand is not a lack of trust in the government, but rather the cyber security infrastructure itself.
“The minister (Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli) himself admitted to millions of attempted cyberattacks aimed at breaching the Padu system within the first month alone.”
“How then can the people be expected to confidently input all their personal information into Padu?” asked Fadhli during the debate on the Cyber Security Bill 2024.
He said that the government must prioritise three principles in addressing cyber threats: safeguarding national sovereignty, adopting risk-based approaches, and ensuring transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi), during the debate, asserted that the timing of the Cyber Security Bill 2024 was apt, given the current critical state of cyber security in Malaysia, marked by numerous reported data breaches in recent years.
“It’s reached a critical juncture. We should have sounded the alarm bells repeatedly by now…each incident or allegation of cyber-attacks and data breaches further erodes public confidence in the security of their personal information,” he remarked.
Syahredzan highlighted that in 2023, Malaysia witnessed a fourfold increase in data breach incidents, the highest on record.
He further revealed the alarming trend of individuals selling personal data online, including details such as marital history, MyKad numbers, addresses, and contact numbers.
“Imagine our personal information laid bare, accessible to the highest bidder. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive cyber security legislation,” he concluded. – March 27, 2024