MCA Youth slams govt over Dr M's RM486k Japan trip
MCA Youth criticised the government's decision to approve RM486,000 expenditure for former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's two-day trip to Japan for the Nikkei Forum last month, questioning its financial priorities at a time of economic strain.
'Who is really tightening their belts? The people, or you, so-called reformist leaders?' MCA Youth central committee member Lee Kok Seng asked in a statement today.
He pointed out that the average Malaysian worker...
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New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Of private data and public use
WHENEVER the government says it is collecting personal data, Malaysians get the jitters. Can't blame them. One thought that crosses the mind of some people is: is Big Brother keeping watch on us? The other and more common concern is about leakages, of which there have been far too many without any serious consequences to those who were responsible. Understandably, the recent announcement by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil that Putrajaya is collecting phone call data from telecommunication companies for policymaking brought back the old anxiety, especially when they learnt that discussions between the government and the telcos have been going on since 2023. Phone call data is itself a fear-generating phrase. Does it mean data on all calls one makes are collected? Early communication would have helped allay the people's fears, but transparency isn't Malaysia's strong point. Putrajaya has to work hard on it. The government must understand people's fears. Every day, people are bombarded with numerous anonymous calls and text messages. Neither the telcos nor our regulators seem to be able to put a stop to such an invasion into our private world. Some even know the names of the phone owners. How did they get access to the names and phone numbers? Can't blame the people for suspecting it to be an inside job. People do recognise the government's need to work with personal data to deliver their services efficiently and effectively in this highly digitalised world. But their concern is how the personal information is collected, stored and shared. Not just telcos collect personal data, but all manner of companies do that. The important thing is robust oversight by regulators. Making the non-compliant accountable is critical. Since 2017, only about 20 companies have been compounded or fined for personal data breaches under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA), some even for processing personal information without consent or permits. Thankfully, the amended PDPA that came into effect in January comes with a bigger bite. Data controllers and data processors face a fine of up to RM1 million or imprisonment of up to three years or both for non-compliance. As under the unamended act, gathering evidence remains a huge challenge as the lawbreakers delete the data once non-compliance is detected. Some have described the hunt for evidence as a cat-and-mouse game, only more vicious. So where does this leave the people whose personal data has been made public by unlawful means? The tort of invasion of privacy, which is a well-developed civil remedy in several common law countries, isn't recognised in Malaysian jurisprudence. A court or two appeared to have thought it was a recognised tort, but higher courts have overruled such judicial activism. Perhaps the answer lies in the statutory introduction of the tort. Some will argue that there is no need for one because the PDPA is there, but they forget that it doesn't address civil remedies. Until such time when invasion of privacy does become a recognised tort in Malaysia, either through the courts or statutory introduction, people must seek recourse through other torts such as breach of confidence or negligence.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Merchantrade Asia aiming for digital payroll disbursements of RM5 billion in 2025
PETALING JAYA: Merchantrade Asia Sdn Bhd's digital payroll solution surpassed RM3.6 billion in salary disbursements to foreign worker e-wallet accounts in 2024, highlighting the company's continued leadership in digitising and transforming payroll processes while advancing financial inclusion for underserved communities. Maintaining this momentum, Merchantrade Asia is aiming to achieve an ambitious payroll volume target of RM5 billion by the end of 2025. Founder and managing director Ramasamy K Veeran said the RM3.6 billion disbursed in 2024 not only demonstrates the impact of the company's solution but also reflects a clear shift among Malaysian employers towards digital wage solutions that enhance productivity, transparency and employee well-being. 'We are focused on building on this growth to reach RM5 billion in 2025 by deepening our partnerships, strengthening our onboarding capabilities, and continuously innovating to meet employer and worker needs,' he said in a statement. The company has positioned itself as a trusted enabler of digital wage disbursement solutions for Malaysian businesses, from large corporations to SMEs across sectors including plantation, manufacturing, construction, and services. More than 40 public-listed companies now rely on the solution for secure, efficient, and transparent salary payments to their migrant workforce. Merchantrade Asia's digital payroll offering was strengthened following its recognition as an approved issuer of a designated payment instrument under the Employment Order 2024 by the Ministry of Human Resources. Designed for convenience and scale, Merchantrade Asia's digital payroll system includes mass onboarding at the employer's premises, an easy-to-use portal, training, and access to 97 branches and 450 agent locations nationwide that act as service centres. With comprehensive support for employers from onboarding to after-sales service, the solution is a more sought-after choice compared to traditional banks, particularly for the foreign worker segment. For foreign workers, salaries are credited directly into the Merchantrade Money e-wallet, enabling access to a suite of digital financial services. This includes international remittances, mobile top-ups, micro-insurance, bill payments, and retail and online payments with the Visa prepaid card. One of the key features of Merchantrade Asia's payroll service is its capability to facilitate Social Security Organisation payments directly into Merchantrade Money accounts. This integration simplifies the claims process for eligible foreign workers and supports employers in managing their social protection obligations.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Arisprop aims to bring Aris Burger to China by 2027
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