Leak of assembly portal data a serious intrusion
This follows the leak of an answer to an oral question from Ong Ah Teong (DAP – Batu Lancang), directed to state Social Development, Welfare, and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim (DAP – Sungai Pinang).Chow said the matter was serious and required immediate attention from State Speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang to uphold the integrity of the assembly."Only state assemblymen should have access to the portal."However, some unauthorised individuals accessed it, took screenshots of the information, and shared them — this is a serious intrusion," he said.Chow said the premature circulation of the information before it was officially answered in the state legislative assembly was highly concerning.He urged action to be taken against the officer responsible for uploading the answer ahead of time, citing negligence.Law confirmed that the error had been addressed and the answer removed from the portal.He said answers were typically uploaded only after they were presented during an assembly sitting."We will ensure such incidents do not recur."We also hope that assemblymen will help maintain confidentiality when others are given access," Law said.The leak sparked a heated response from Lim during her winding-up speech today.Ong, who had responded to the leaked answer earlier, later apologised and retracted his remarks.Lim said the leaked version did not represent the complete response and criticised Ong for making assumptions based on partial information.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Malay Mail
CM: Penang launches bold resilience roadmap to futureproof against climate and urban challenges
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 1 — The Penang state government today unveiled the Penang Resilience Strategy (PRS), a bold and inclusive roadmap, aimed at strengthening the state's capacity to withstand and adapt to future disruptions. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the occasion marked more than just the unveiling of a document, but a collective commitment to futureproof the state against the uncertainties and challenges of an ever-changing world. He said the PRS, Malaysia's first state-level resilience strategy represented years of collaborative effort rooted in shared values, local knowledge and global insights, forming a people-first, data-informed and action-oriented strategy to guide Penang's transformation into a resilient, adaptive and inclusive state. 'Penang has long been celebrated for its industrial strength, cultural diversity and innovation capacity. Yet, with global climate disruptions, demographic transitions and rising urban pressures, we must now go beyond growth and competitiveness — we must build resilience,' he said at the PRS Unveiling Ceremony here today. Also present were State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee Chairman Zairil Khir Johari, Micron Malaysia Corporate Vice President of Assembly and Test (NAND) Operations Amarjit Singh and Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities) Board Member who is also Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif. Chow emphasised that recent flash floods and other extreme weather events were no longer isolated incidents but part of a new normal that demands urgent and proactive governance. 'Resilience, in this context, means more than recovery. It means building systems that anticipate, absorb and evolve whether in response to climate challenges, economic shifts, public health threats or social inequalities,' he said. He noted that the strength of the PRS lies not only in its alignment with key frameworks such as Penang2030 and the Green Agenda, but also in its deeply inclusive approach, shaped by thousands of contributions from communities, youth, businesses and civil society. To turn vision into action, the state also launched the Pledge for a Resilient Penang, calling on all sectors to embed resilience into everyday decisions from green business practices to community-based safety initiatives. Chow said the Penang State Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) will lead the implementation of the PRS by coordinating efforts, aligning with broader planning frameworks, engaging stakeholders inclusively and integrating resilience into urban development, land use and infrastructure strategies to ensure policy continuity and effective execution. 'This is just the beginning. The PRS sets the direction, but its impact will depend on how we walk the path together. While we cannot predict every shock or stress that lies ahead, we can strengthen our capacity to respond — with unity, foresight and compassion. 'I am confident that with collective resolve and sustained action, Penang will continue to lead, inspire and thrive — not only in moments of stability, but also in the face of adversity,' he said. — Bernama
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Penang CM: Business as usual at PDC amid MBI probe
GEORGE TOWN: It is business as usual at the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), the state's main development agency, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said. He said this when asked if PDC's accounts had been frozen pending investigations into the into the Mobility Beyond Imagination (MBI) investment scheme. "Ask the police. Ask far as I know, PDC is still operating as usual. "For other details, please ask the police. I, myself, have no information. It is not my responsibility to answer," Chow, who is PDC chairman, told newsmen here today. Officers from the Bukit Aman Special Task Force on Anti-Money Laundering (AMLA) visited PDC headquarters on July 9, as part of a nationwide investigation into the MBI investment scheme. The visit was aimed at tracing financial flows possibly linked to the scheme. The transactions involved the Bayan Mutiara development, where a company linked to MBI became the major shareholder in 2018. Chow had repeatedly said that PDC was not the subject of the investigation, but assisting as a stakeholder involved in earlier commercial transactions that might be relevant to the probe. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that enforcement efforts were discussed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Xi's visit in April.
The Sun
13 hours ago
- The Sun
Penang appoints 19 new Hindu Endowment Board commissioners
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government has appointed 19 new commissioners to the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) for the 2025–2026 term, following the expiry of the previous term. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said in a statement today that the appointments are effective from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. He also announced that the executive councillor for housing and environment, Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, has been appointed to coordinate matters related to the PHEB on behalf of the state government. 'Heartfelt congratulations are extended, and it is hoped that the PHEB will continue to carry the mandate and empower the socio-economic development of the Indian community in the state,' he added. The PHEB is a statutory body under the Penang government and manages Hindu religious endowments including temples, burial grounds, and related assets. Established in 1906 under the Hindu Endowment Act during the colonial era, PHEB also plays a wider role in supporting education, welfare, and community development. Penang is the only state in Malaysia with such an institution to ensure the needs of the Hindu community are taken care of. Among those appointed as commissioners are Jelutong MP Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer and Senator Dr Lingeshwaran Arunasalam. Also appointed are Perai assemblyman Kumaran Krishnan and Batu Uban assemblyman Kumaresan Aramugam. Other appointees include Penang state MIC chairman Datuk Dhinagaran Jayabalan, Malaysian Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Penang president Datuk Parthiban Sanderasaggram, Datuk Sundraraj Thannimalay, and Datuk Hitendra Joshi. Women's representation on the board includes educationist Jagruti B. Upadhyaya and Dr Vishanthini Kanasan, who joins as an ex-officio member. Also appointed are Shanmuganathan Govinda Konal, Chandra Mohan Krishnan, Dinesh Varman Nagan, Datuk Kristnan@Krishnan Arumugam, V. Krishna Murthy Naidu, Datuk Seri K. Kumaraendran, Datuk Ashok Kumar Poduval, Datuk Harikrishnan N. Veerasamy, and Kumaran Velisamy.
