Penang highly receptive to enacting data sharing laws, says Gobind
GEORGE TOWN: Penang is highly receptive to the proposal to enact data-sharing laws aimed at creating a larger ecosystem among federal, state and local agencies.
Gobind Singh Deo, who met Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow yesterday, said the former was very supportive of the initiative, which is crucial for the state's ongoing efforts to modernise and boost its digital infrastructure.
He said, yesterday, they had a meeting with all state executive council members.
For some who could not attend, they sent their representatives.
"We told them that we can build an ecosystem where data is accessible not only at the federal level, but also at the state and local levels. My team has been proactive in educating state authorities about the importance of data sharing.
"We want to digitalise government operations as much as possible. And once we are able to do that, everyone will benefit from it.
"For Penang, the chief minister (Chow Kon Yeow) is very receptive to the proposal," he said after the Malaysia Digital Open Day 2025 here.
Gobind said, last week, his legal officer presented the proposal to state Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.
He said his officers also visited all the states to explain the data-sharing law plan.
"It is our hope to see the law enacted in all states by the end of the year," he added.
Yesterday marked a historic milestone for Malaysia as the much-anticipated Data Sharing Act 2025 came into effect.
The law provides a legal and structured framework for secure and efficient sharing of data between ministries and federal government agencies.
The Data Sharing Act 2025 establishes a process through which federal agencies can make requests for data and outlines how such requests will be handled.
The National Data Sharing Committee will evaluate each application, based on the criteria set in the Act, to determine whether the requested data can be shared.
This process promotes accountability while ensuring the safety of personal data.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang govt to review 5% housing discount for Indian Muslims, says Sim
Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim said he had spoken to the chief minister after the proposed discount drew criticism. PETALING JAYA : A 5% housing discount offered for Indian Muslims in Penang will be reviewed by the state government, says Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim. He said he had raised the matter with chief minister Chow Kon Yeow recently, after the proposed discount drew criticism. Sim, who is also human resources minister, said Chow had agreed to bring the matter back to the state executive council to be discussed and reviewed. 'I take note of the public feedback on the matter. As a party that upholds the Federal Constitution, DAP always fights for justice and the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion. 'It is important that the Penang government continues to uphold the principle of social justice and ensures that every Malaysian's right to homeownership is protected,' he said in a statement. The discount was announced on Thursday, by executive councillor for housing, S Sundarajoo. He said private developers will be encouraged to voluntarily offer a 5% discount to first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers for one year as part of a state housing campaign. The initiative was criticised by human rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who called the campaign discriminatory and unconstitutional. However, Sundarajoo defended the discount, saying it does not infringe on the rights of other communities and was purely aimed at increasing homeownership among groups with low participation in the open market. He also said developers would offer the discount as a form of corporate social responsibility and would not involve the state government's funds.
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Penang to review housing discount for Indian Muslims at next exco meeting
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government has agreed to review and discuss the five per cent housing discount for first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers at the upcoming state executive council (exco) meeting. State DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong said he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. "I acknowledge the public feedback regarding the five per cent discount given to the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of unsold property units (overhang) in Penang. "I have discussed this matter with YAB Chow (Kon Yeow), and he has agreed to bring this issue up for review and discussion at the upcoming exco meeting," he said in a statement. As a party founded on the Federal Constitution, Sim said DAP had always championed justice and the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion. "It is important for the Penang state government to continue upholding the principle of social justice and to ensure the rights of every Malaysian to own a home are protected," he added. does not involve units under the Bumiputera quota and does not affect any existing home ownership policies. He said the initiative was part of efforts to expand home ownership opportunities in the open market, particularly for groups with low participation rates, without affecting the rights of other communities.
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Penang govt to study decision on 5% discount for first-time homebuyers among Indian Muslims, says Sim
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will review its decision to offer a 5% discount to first-time homebuyers among the Indian Muslim community for one year before implementing it, says Steven Sim. The Penang DAP chairman said he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, adding that the latter agreed the matter to be brought up for review and discussion at the upcoming state executive council meeting. "I take note of the public feedback regarding the 5% discount given to the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of unsold (overhang) property units in Penang," he said in a statement. Sim said it is important for the state government to continue upholding the principles of social justice and to ensure that the right of every Malaysian to own a home is protected. Earlier, state housing committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the state government has approved measures to revitalise the property sector. Sundarajoo said the decision was made during the state executive council meeting on Saturday (June 7) and the state planning committee meeting on Tuesday (June 3), following discussions with housing industry stakeholders. He, however, said the discount excludes bumiputra quota units and does not affect existing housing policies. The provision of the discount is based on developers' social responsibility and does not involve financial support or subsidies from the state government. Meanwhile, state MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah criticised the state government over the measure, questioning if it introduces a new form of racial quota. He questioned why the Penang government couldn't base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion and said that DAP is promoting a "Malaysian Malaysia" while introducing racial policies that divide society.
