29-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
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.
