‘Our data protected from being stolen by malicious parties’
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians have been assured by the authorities that the National Digital Identity or Digital ID project will not jeopardise the security of their personal data, says Fahmi Fadzil.
He added personal data security in the Digital ID will be implemented in a module that will be used by the ministries and eventually the private sector.
“With this module, we need not worry about the security aspects of Digital ID,” the Communications and Digital Minister told reporters after attending the Malaysia-Japan Digital Transformation and Innovation seminar at the Management and Science University (MSU) yesterday.
He said he has instructed the Information Department and the ministries to explain to the people about the details on the Digital ID.
“There were claims that certain countries refused to implement it, but many countries have done so because of its numerous benefits. It will also reduce costs for application development.
“The data of Malaysians will be safe from being stolen by malicious parties. Therefore, the issue of personal data security can be controlled,” he said, adding that countries which have Digital ID included Estonia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
He added the initiative is a collaboration between Mimos Bhd, National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa), CyberSecurity Malaysia and the National Security Council.
Digital edge: Fahmi (second from left) after launching the Malaysia-Japan Digital Transformation and Innovation seminar at the Management and Science University. — Bernama
Fahmi said that there are many benefits of using the Digital ID, such as a reduction in cost in application development, while the people’s data will be made safer.
He added the Digital ID is a policy to standardise, especially the ‘sign-in’ process across ministries.
“Each ministry will have its own applications and registrations, which led to the information or database being held by many parties. That’s why we want to have the single sign-in registration in addition to solving security issues,” he said.
He also said that conspiracy theories surrounding the digital ID are false, adding that the initiative was not new.
“This is not a new effort or policy, it was announced by the then home minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin in 2021, it was a policy for us especially to standardise the sign-in processes across ministries,” he added.
Hamzah had said that the government will introduce the Digital ID for use in online services and transactions.
He added the Digital ID will be a form of digital identification and authentication for individuals, using the latest biometric technology such as fingerprint, facial and iris recognition when they conduct matters online.
“This digital authentication of individuals is essential to avoid identity fraud,” he added.
Hamzah also said the Digital ID, which is expected to be implemented in 2024, will not replace the MyKad as an identification document.
It was earlier reported that the government had approved an initial allocation of RM80mil for the development of the National Digital ID project as an effort to expedite the implementation of the self-verification platform, which is believed to further enhance the efficiency of public services.
