9 hours ago
Govt under fire from opposition, allies over telco data handover demand
THE Malaysian government is facing mounting criticism over an alleged directive requiring all telecommunications companies (telcos) to hand over comprehensive mobile user data, including call records, internet usage, and GPS location history.
MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has voiced serious concern over the move, warning that it poses a significant threat to citizens' privacy and could lead to the misuse of personal information.
He rejected the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) claim that the data had been 'de-identified,' arguing that metadata, such as GPS coordinates, call logs, and IP addresses, could still be easily traced back to individuals, especially when cross-referenced with other digital sources.
He believed MCMC is trying to downplay the issue by saying, :Don't worry, the data has been de-identified and contains no personal details that can identify individuals.'
'But I want to ask, de-identified, really? Don't try to fool us. If you're collecting data on who we call, when we call, how long we talk, our IP address, and our GPS coordinates, the exact latitude and longitude, time and day, anyone with access to this data can easily match it back to our identities. Especially now, with e-wallets, CCTV, Touch 'n Go, and banking records, it's incredibly easy to pinpoint someone's identity,' he said in a video posted to Facebook on Saturday.
From the opposition, Pejuang raised similar concerns. Pejuang information chief, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, criticised the move as unjustified and questioned the true motive behind collecting such intrusive data.
'What exactly does MCMC intend to do with this data? Their excuse is to promote local tourism? But what is the real motive?' he said.
'Not only is this a privacy issue, but there is also the risk of this data being misused or leaked to other parties,' Rafique added.
'MCMC should stop trying to cover up a huge scandal with a tiny sieve,' he said via Facebook on Sunday.
Both Pejuang and MCA, despite being on opposing sides of the political spectrum, are united in calling for greater transparency and accountability from the government on this issue.
Their joint concern marks a rare moment of bipartisan unity in defending Malaysians' right to privacy and democratic safeguards. —June 8, 2025
Main image: Securiti
