Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua has questioned the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over what he claimed was the commission's “lack of rigour” in dealing with a reported major data breach.
Pua pointed out the MCMC was "lightning quick" in taking actions against individuals who allegedly insulted the government or Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on social media.
"It would appear that MCMC treats itself as a political watchdog for Najib and BN instead of playing its role to protect the interest of ordinary Malaysians.
"MCMC and the Information and Communications Ministry need to provide Malaysians with an assurance that our private data online is being protected and breaches are investigated thoroughly.
"Perhaps, instead of political policing, it is time they focused on policing cyber threats and protecting Malaysians’ privacy," he said in a statement today.
Pua was referring to a report by technology news portal Lowyat.net which highlighted the alleged sale of personal data online, which included some 50 million entries of personal data from various telecommunication companies.
Other allegedly compromised data included databases of doctors from medical associations, job applicants from a jobs portal as well as housing loan applicants.
The data contained sensitive personal information such as MyKad numbers, mobile phone numbers and home addresses.
The data was put up for sale on forums on Lowyat and other platforms.
Following Lowyat.net's report yesterday, MCMC had instructed the technology portal to take down its report.
"Why is the first move by the authorities at MCMC to block the report?" Pua asked.
He also wondered aloud whether the MCMC was "toothless" in enforcing the Personal Data Protection Act 2010.
"Or is the MCMC protecting all the 'big' players in the market from telecommunication companies to banks to government agencies from being charged for breaking the law by failing to take adequate measures to protect the privacy of their customers' data?" he said.
MCMC yesterday said it was working with the police to investigate the reported personal data breach.
It also confirmed instructing Lowyat.net to remove the advertisement offering the personal data for sale as well as the portal's news report on the matter.
Lowyat.net had since restored the news report after it was given the green light by MCMC.- Mkini
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