TAIPING: The Digital Ministry has assured that amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) will not affect the government's efforts to create a new act to combat fraud in the online domain, or platforms.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said this was because both acts were entirely different, from technical, and legal implementation perspectives.

"The amendments to Act 709 are more about ensuring that personal data stored is secure. If there is a data breach or hacking incident, we need to put in place legal provisions that make it mandatory for stakeholders to provide notice of the incident.

"Meanwhile, the new act that we aim to establish is directed more towards combating online fraud that affects individuals. So, we can see that it will differ from a legal standpoint," he said when met at the 150th Anniversary of Taiping Heritage Town dinner, organised by the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Organisation here, today.

He also pointed out that the implementation of Act 709 would be coordinated, and fully enforced by the Digital Ministry, while the forthcoming Act will involve cooperation between the Communications Ministry and the Home Ministry.

"Although different, we will still collaborate to address complaints, and when complaints are made, we will review the direction in which these complaints can be forwarded and resolved by the relevant ministries," Gobind said.

Commenting on the amendments to Act 709, he said these changes would not only provide convenience, but were also seen as having the potential to improve the standard of business and daily life for Malaysians.

Gobind was reported on July 4 as saying that the cabinet had approved the proposed amendments to Act 709, which are expected to be tabled during this Dewan Rakyat session.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, had said in February that the government was drafting a new act that included provisions related to procedures and enforcement of a 'kill switch' to enhance digital security, in combating the rising cases of online fraud. - BERNAMA

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1073485/amendments-personal-data-protection-act-wont-affect-new-law-combat