Latest news with #DigitalID
Focus Malaysia
7 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Overlapping job portfolios: Who takes the blame for gov't digital breach – Fahmi or Gobind?
BEEN getting strange calls from unidentified numbers lately? Referencing a post on (@LowyatNET), clinical oncologist nazferatu (@nzranasr) complained of getting loads of mysterious calls lately. I've been receiving SO many calls recently! Is anybody going through the same thing? — nazferatu 🍉 (@nzranasr) August 5, 2025 In the post, the pertinent question over this cyber breach was who should shoulder the blame between Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. One commenter claiming that this was the consequence when the Personal Data Protection (PDPA) Act 2010 absolves the government of any responsibility. It is a serious question as the breaches has led to a leak of confidential data, resulting in scam calls as the post by nazferatu attests. It was further claimed that government offices still used pirated software which reflects budgetary constraints that prevent beefing up security measures. One commenter counselled government bodies to implement SOPs (standard operating procedures) as practiced in financial institutions to ensure safety of data. When treated like cash, perhaps there will be better security measures, starting with more rigorous testing. More than a few used this security breach to raise concerns about implementation of the proposed Digital ID scheme. Like nozferatu, there were plenty who claimed to have received calls from strange, unidentified numbers. One commenter revealed that she had just purchased a new number and had yet to even inform anybody when she got a call from an unidentified number. Requests by one caller who claimed to be a financial advisor for copies of identity card, payslip and EPF statements raised red flags for one commenter. A quick check showed that the said financial institution was not registered with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). Scarier still was a TraxxFM radio report claiming a scam call had AI (artificial intelligence)- generated voice impersonating a bestie's syntax who asked to borrow some cash! The sense of dismay over yet another breach of government digital sites was also evident here. Suffice to say, this doesn't exactly breed confidence. In dealing with this latest episode, one commenter imparted some sterling advice. Firstly, he underlined that there is no such thing as a free lunch, insinuating that those who fall for scam calls are gullible, greedy or both. Secondly, the idea that the wealthy were keen to share knowledge on how to get rich was laughable. The message is clear – do NOT fall for such ploys. Last but most pertinently, civil servants are not so hardworking as to personally call citizens! – Aug 8, 2025
Coin Geek
24-07-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
Rwanda's $200M digitalization project halfway done: official
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... In Rwanda, the government says its Rwf280 billion ($200 million) Digital Acceleration Project is halfway done. Speaking to lawmakers recently, the CEO of the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), Innocent Bagamba Muhizi, said the project is 55% complete, with the government targeting completion by 2026. The World Bank funds the project and aims to digitalize public services and integrate emerging technology to improve education, health, and agriculture. It supports access to smart devices in marginalized communities and nationwide digital literacy programmes. It also funds connectivity for remote government offices, schools, and hospitals. The project further aims to boost digital ID uptake in the country, channeling $39.3 million to the cause. 'The goal is to enable citizens to carry out secure digital transactions—like opening a bank account—remotely, using digital IDs instead of physical cards. This will be supported by an application installed on smartphones that authenticates users via biometric data,' Muhizi said. Rwanda ranks as one of Africa's leaders in digitalization. The East African nation ranked third in the African Leapfrog Index, behind South Africa and Kenya, in digital public services. A separate report by the International Data Center Authority ranked Rwanda first on the continent for digital readiness. UK welcomes eVisas, digital ID transition faces trust setback Elsewhere, the U.K. government has transitioned from physical visa documents to eVisas to boost security and reduce processing times. However, the Labour administration's push to transition to digital IDs is facing pushback, with public distrust emerging as the greatest hurdle. The U.K. Visas and Immigration Department (UKVI) has been rolling out the eVisa for nearly two years. Since March last year, over 4.3 million people have received the eVisa; between August and December last year, the department registered 3.2 million new accounts. On July 15, UKVI officially announced that it had transitioned into a digital immigration system. It touted some benefits such as enhanced security since the digital document can't be tampered with, reduced costs and wait times, and faster processing at U.K. borders. However, while the transition into the eVisa system was swift and smooth, the U.K. government's push for digital IDs has been marred by political controversy and public backlash. UK's digital ID hindered by public distrust The U.K. has been exploring a digital ID for years to keep up with rapid advancements in the digital economy, especially with its peers like France and Germany moving fast. Under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Labour administration has ramped up its predecessor's efforts since taking over last year. In April, a group of Labour MPs under the Labour Growth Group wrote an open letter calling for digital ID to improve public services and mitigate the country's immigration challenge. The lawmakers noted that a digital ID would bolster the government's development agenda and called on the administration 'not to miss this opportunity.' More recently, former Chief of Secret Intelligence Service, Alex Younger, told the BBC, 'It's absolutely obvious to me that people should have a digital identity.' However, multiple studies show that public distrust of a digital ID remains high. Even leaders who support the initiative have called for stringent oversight to avoid abuse. One of these is Harriet Harman, a former deputy leader of the Labour Party. While she acknowledged that it would deter illegal immigration to the U.K., she says people's support 'depends on whether or not you think the state is going to actually overstep the mark and oppress people.' The government's approach hasn't helped. Last December, it ran an ad on local outlets that painted critics of the digital ID as outdated and clumsy. It didn't go down well with the majority of U.K. citizens. The digital ID faces similar public distrust as the proposed digital pound. The central bank indicated on Tuesday that it's now mulling shelving the plans for the CBDC to focus on supporting private-sector digital payment initiatives. Distrust of the government in the U.K. remains among the highest in the world, a 2024 study revealed, with only Colombia recording a steeper drop year over year. Watch: Digital identity is a core part of Web3—here's why title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Advancing identity for digital governance
Malaysian-owned Zchwantech showcases National Digital Identity platform to the Government of Timor-Leste. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian-owned technology firm Zchwantech Titan Lda has successfully held a high-level technology showcase for the Government of Timor-Leste, featuring its flagship National Digital Identity platform. The presentation aligns with Timor-Leste's broader vision to modernise public services and advance digital governance. The strategic engagement took place during an official working visit to Malaysia by senior representatives of the Timor-Leste Government. During the visit, Zchwantech demonstrated its secure, biometric-powered digital identity solution, designed to seamlessly integrate key public and private sectors, covering banking, healthcare, telecommunications, education and civil registries. Trusted solution Zchwantech's presentation was well received, with government officials expressing strong interest and confidence in the platform's potential to support Timor-Leste's E-Governance Roadmap and Vision 2025 for a more inclusive and connected society. The system is built to deliver unique digital identifiers linked to biometric and demographic data, enabling secure and seamless access to services for over one million citizens. Zchwantech chairman Datuk Seow Gim Shen said, 'We are honoured to be given the opportunity to present our vision and capabilities directly to the Government of Timor- Leste. 'This is more than just a digital ID — it's about empowering people, creating transparent institutions and laying the foundation for inclusive digital growth. We commend the government's leadership in prioritising national digital transformation and are ready to support Timor-Leste every step of the way.' Seow added: 'We believe in building technology that scales with purpose. By focusing on inclusive design and national priorities, we aim to enable long-term value creation for governments and citizens alike.' Zchwantech executive director Alex Chan Chau Loong emphasised the delivery commitment: 'This project is where vision meets execution — we're turning Timor-Leste's Digital Revolution goals into reality. 'Our Digital ID platform is built to be both agile and rigorously secure – ensuring fast deployment while safeguarding citizen trust. Critically, it is future-ready for connectivity to Asean systems, so Timor-Leste grows hand-in-hand with the region.' Strategic rollout As part of the proposed phased deployment model, Zchwantech unveiled Oecusse —Timor-Leste's Special Administrative Region — as the ideal pilot location for launching the Digital ID platform. The initiative positions Oecusse as a controlled, scalable testbed to demonstrate tangible benefits before a full nationwide rollout. The pilot initiative supports Timor-Leste's strategy of building trust in new technologies through live demonstrations, active stakeholder engagement and a phased rollout across government ministries and institutions. Regional leadership If implemented, Timor-Leste could become one of the first Asean nations to roll out a nationwide digital identity framework powered by biometrics and secure data infrastructure —positioning the country as a regional leader in digital public service innovation. The proposed platform aligns with Timor-Leste's aspirations for Asean accession, while advancing national objectives such as financial inclusion, transparent governance and cross-border digital interoperability. Supported by a potential investment of up to US$13.8mil (RM58.2mil), the platform is fully prepared for implementation, pending government approval and compliance with national procurement protocols. To learn more about the company, its solutions and services, visit
Focus Malaysia
05-07-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
M'sian-owned Zchwantech Titan showcases national digital identity platform to Timor Leste gov't
MALAYSIAN-OWNED technology firm Zchwantech Titan Lda has successfully conducted a high-level technology showcase for the Timor Leste government by presenting its flagship National Digital Identity platform as part of the country's broader vision to modernise public services and accelerate digital governance. The strategic engagement took place during a recent official working visit by senior Timor Leste government representatives to Malaysia. This was when the regional digital identity systems specialist demonstrated its secure biometric-powered digital identity solution which is designed to integrate key public and private sectors spanning banking, healthcare, telecommunications, education and civil registries to the Timor Leste delegation. Zchwantech's presentation was well received with Timor Leste's government officials expressing strong interest and satisfaction in the platform's potential to support the country's E-Governance Roadmap and its Vision 2025 for an inclusive and connected society. In a nutshell, the system is designed to provide unique digital identifiers linked to biometric and demographic data, thus enabling secure, seamless access to services for over one million citizens. 'This is more than just a digital ID – it's about empowering people, creating transparent institutions and laying the foundation for inclusive digital growth,' commented Zchwantech's chairman Datuk Seow Gim Shen. 'We commend the Timor Leste government's leadership in prioritising national digital transformation and are ready to support Timor Leste every step of the way.' Reaffirming the delivery of its commitment, Zchwantech,'s executive director Alex Chan Chau Loong described the project as an undertaking where 'vision meets execution'. 'We're turning Timor Leste's Digital Revolution goals into reality. Our Digital ID platform is built to be both agile and rigorously secure, thus ensuring fast deployment while safeguarding citizen trust,' he envisages. 'Critically, it is future-ready for connectivity to ASEAN systems therefore Timor Leste grows hand-in-hand with the region.' Pilot showcase zone As part of the proposed phased deployment model, Zchwantech has earmarked Oecusse – Timor-Leste's Special Administrative Region – as the ideal pilot location to launch the Digital ID platform. The showcase envisions Oecusse as a controlled, scalable testbed that can demonstrate tangible benefits ahead of a full nationwide roll-out. This pilot concept aligns with Timor Leste's strategy to build confidence in new technologies through live demonstrations, stakeholder engagement and phased adoption across government ministries and institutions. If adopted, Timor Leste stands to become one of the first ASEAN nations to implement a nationwide digital identity framework powered by biometrics and secure data infrastructure – one which positions the country as a regional trailblazer in digital public service innovation. The proposed platform supports the country's aspirations toward ASEAN accession while reinforcing national goals for financial inclusion, transparent governance and cross-border digital interoperability. Backed by a potential investment of up to US$13.8 mil (RM58.2 mil), the platform is ready for full implementation pending government approval and alignment with national procurement protocols. – July 5, 2025
Coin Geek
24-06-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
Maldives makes strides in digital ID as Taiwan faces scrutiny
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Legislators in the Maldives are making strides toward enacting a digital ID legislation, with the most recent development being the initiation of a public consultation. Lawmakers are seeking public comments on the draft of the nation's Digital Identity Bill, which is designed to improve residents' identification by establishing the Maldives Digital Identity System (MDIDS). A community reading of the incoming legislation identifies five key objectives, the first of which is the provision of a system that allows residents to identify themselves in both in-person and online transactions. Furthermore, the system will prioritize privacy and data security while maintaining the economic benefits flowing from digital IDs. There are plans by authorities to use MDIDS as the foundation for a digital payment system akin to India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI). The Maldives is also eyeing the possibility of using the digital ID legislation to crack down on illegal migrants flooding the tiny island nation. Ahead of the legislative hurdles, members of the public are urged to submit written comments on the first draft of the bill. The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology (MoHST) will lead the consultation exercise and release all comments to the public. However, the MoHST will recognize requests for confidentiality provided they are justifiable, but a non-confidential version must be attached to the submission. 'The MoHST seeks comments from government stakeholders, the business community, and the general public on the draft Digital Identity Bill,' read the statement. 'All comments should be supported as much as possible by detailed explanations and must identify the sources that the respondent is relying on.' The Maldives is keen on catching up to regional first-movers in digitization and exploring the possibilities of partnerships. Recently, it partnered with Dubai-based MBS Global to build an $8.8 billion blockchain hub in an attempt to diversify its economy from tourism and fishing. The country has also inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Estonia to explore emerging technology use cases for public services. Despite the forward-thinking initiatives, authorities are clamping down hard against illegal operators of digital currency services and other bad actors within their borders. Taiwan's digital ID system under fire Several months following the public launch of Taiwan's national digital ID system, the initiative has attracted significant criticism concerning the security and privacy risks it presents to the public. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Ko Ju-chun is leading the barrage of criticisms against the digital ID system, arguing that residents face grave risks. Dubbed the Natural Person Certificate system, over eight million digital certificates have been issued, but only around four million are in active use. The lawmaker revealed that bad actors are using the porous security system in the digital ID system for criminal purposes. Up to four times as many flagged bank accounts were opened using Natural Person Certificates over other means of identification, said Ju in a statement. Ju based his argument on the latest data from the Taiwanese Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC). He added that scammers are gaining access to innocent residents' personal details and using the digital ID system to open a wave of bank accounts for criminal activities. Commercial banks are striking back, with up to 17 institutions halting the use of digital IDs for identification purposes. Ju hints that more financial institutions are poised to pause the use of the Natural Person Certificate system, defeating the entire purpose of their creation in the first place. The lawmaker launched a tirade against the government over the handling of the security breaches in the digital ID system. He terms the government's approach as 'absurd,' noting that a public advisory urging individuals to set limits on transfers and asking banks to suspend withdrawals on inactive accounts is 'untrustworthy.' Ju extends his criticism to the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the National Police Agency, and the Ministry of Interior for failing to take decisive action against bad actors. He recommends new security measures to combat the rising tide of bad actors so the government can gain the waning public trust. 'Government agencies should stop promising lots and delivering little, and instead do their jobs, which is to make Taiwan a haven for digital technology developers, not scammers,' said Ju. Despite the criticisms of its digital ID system, Taiwan is marching on to introduce a wave of digital products for its residents. At the top of the list is a national digital wallet to be launched before the end of 2025 that will hold all citizens' personal information. The country is also rushing to plug the holes in its anti-money laundering (AML) rules, aligning itself with international standards. On the regulatory side of things, Taiwan has unveiled new digital asset rules and an artificial intelligence (AI) draft bill designed to improve economic gains. Watch: Digital identity, digital assets enable Web3 title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
