New cyber law to strengthen protection of personal data
14th May 2004 (Business Times)
By CHONG JIN HUN

MALAYSIA may soon introduce another cyber law to further improve the security of confidential information stored and transmitted electronically.

Deputy Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said this is an important step towards instilling greater confidence among the public on the safety and reliability of the technology.

Shaziman said a draft was submitted to the Attorney -General's Chambers in March last year.

The Government hopes to table the proposed Bill in Parliament this year.

"The personal data protection legislation would ensure the proper management of personal information to prevent misuse of such data in cyberspace.

"We are still waiting for the AG (Attorney-General) to agree with it and hopefuly we can table it sometime end of this year," Shaziman told reporters after the launch of Cardex Asia 2004 and Smart Labels 2004 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

It was reported that the Government would introduce three new cyber laws - the Electronic Government Bill, the Electronic Transactions Bill and the Personal Data Protection Bill.

Since 1997, cyber laws that have been passed by Parliament include the Digital Signature Act 1997, the Computer Crimes Act 1997, the Copyright (Amendment) Act 1997, the Telemedicine Act 1997, and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

On MyKad, Shaziman said the Government wants full adoption of the multi-application national identity card among Malaysians by 2005.

Launched in September 2001, the smart card consolidates a cardholder's particulars such as identification, health, driving licence, and passport into one card. It can also be used as a cashless payment card and an automatic teller machine (ATM) card.

To date, 9.9 million MyKads have been produced since its launch, under the project's first phase which covers areas in Kuala Lumpur, the Klang Valley and the Multimedia Super Corridor while 8.97 million Bankcards (multi-purpose payment cards) have been issued as of March 1.

All 3,986 ATMs are Bankcard compliant while 84 per cent or 3,422 machines have been upgraded to accept MyKad's ATM application.

The evolution of smart card technology in the country began with the electronic passport project in the 1990s. The technology has brought forth, among others, MyKad, the chip-biometric passport, the multipurpose payment card and the Touch 'n Go card.

Shaziman was speaking to reporters after officiating at the 4th International CardEx Asia 2004 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

In view of Malaysia being the first to use the smart national identity card, he said, the nation's expertise in the field has been sought after by countries in the Association of South-East Asian Nations and Africa.