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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Data protection officer rule creates SME compliance woes
KUALA LUMPUR: An association representing more than 5,000 small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) has voiced concerns about the lack of clarity on the government's requirement for certain businesses to employ data protection officers (DPOs). Last July, the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) was amended, requiring, among other things, the appointment of DPOs for companies processing more than 20,000 individual personal data entries and 10,000 sensitive personal data entries. The amended PDPA comes into effect today, but the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) said many companies are in the dark over policy specifics. "Most SMEs are struggling to interpret what is expected of them, including the criteria for determining who qualifies as a DPO, the scope of responsibilities, and the consequences of non-compliance," Samenta president Datuk William Ng said. He said while SMEs understood the importance of data protection, there is a need to be realistic about the capacity of smaller companies to absorb additional costs linked to the rule. "Many SMEs subject to PDPA are using bare-bones templates for their policy statements. "The new rule requiring a data protection officer will raise costs and compliance requirements." He said the creation of such a role would set an SME back by RM45,000 to RM60,000 a year. Ng called on the government to extend the deadline for compliance. "We need the government to provide clearer, more detailed guidelines on the DPO role, including responsibilities, compliance expectations and enforcement mechanisms." The New Straits Times has reached out to the Digital Ministry for comment and clarification about the DPO role, enforcement plans and industry player concerns, but has not received a response. While the Personal Data Protection Commissioner's Office has released guidelines on the appointment of DPOs, employers say the guidelines lack clarity and specificity. According to the FAQ on the commission's website, no minimum requirements have been set for DPOs, although employers must ensure that appointed officers receive adequate training to perform their duties. It also states that DPOs must be knowledgeable about PDPA and have a sound understanding of data security. The FAQ said there is no directive on the duration of courses or training that DPOs must attend. "However, it is recommended that such courses or training be completed within a reasonable timeframe, and organisations should determine an appropriate duration based on the course content and their needs." Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman has called for the publication of detailed guidelines on the minimum qualifications required for DPOs. "The government should outline minimum competency standards to ensure consistency. "Without this standard, enforcement may be arbitrary, and employers acting in good faith may face penalties." "Without guidelines on credentials, employers face uncertainty when hiring and appointing DPOs." Syed Hussain said MSMEs, in particular, would struggle with role allocation, especially if the DPO role is part time or combined with other responsibilities. "For large employers, DPO responsibilities may be absorbed within the legal, compliance or IT departments. "But most SMEs will find it difficult to manage this as a separate requirement. "We need to be realistic in our execution and not rely on a textbook approach." He urged the government to consider extending the compliance deadline. "Additional time will allow employers to prepare and build the necessary infrastructure for sustained compliance and effective data protection governance." Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said hiring a full-time DPO would significantly increase salary and benefit costs for companies. "Annual salaries for an in-house DPO range from RM40,000 to RM150,000, depending on the company's size, the size and complexity of the data handled, and the talent's experience." Soh said a short extension period should be given to companies struggling to comply with the regulation. He said the government should provide additional guidance and support, such as training programmes and clearer communication about the requirements. Jobstreet by SEEK estimates that 27,000 DPOs are needed to fulfil the government's requirements, its managing director Nicholas Lam said. "There is no public estimate for thenumber of practising DPOs in Malaysia. "However, industry feedback on our platform indicates that while organisations recognise the importance of data protection, many do not yet have a dedicated DPO role." Lam said DPO job listings have been relatively unchanged since 2021 despite the new requirements. UiTM Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Safety Dr Muhamad Khairulnizam Zaini said university programmes at the bachelor's and master's levels and even certificates were sufficient to supply such talent. "The Human Resources Development Corporation's Data Privacy and Privacy by Design course is also applicable to develop the skills needed." Khairulnizam, however, said there would be a temporary shortage of DPOs as the June deadline looms. "We are on the right track. Preparedness is a challenge due to a lack of talent." He said that the government's mandate has aligned Malaysia more closely with international standards. He added that having qualified personnel will reduce data breaches and cybersecurity risks, and encourage companies to be more accountable in maintaining cyber hygiene.
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Influencer Sofyank looks forward to more Hollywood collaborations
THIS year marks popular social media influencer and special effects creator Sofyank a.k.a. Mohamad Sofian Abdullah's "big break" in Hollywood. Not that he has bagged a major film project involving Hollywood's A-listers, but he has finally met his favourite star — Tom Cruise. The 29-year-old from Kota Baru, Kelantan said in an interview with The New Straits Times that he was "on top of the world" having met Cruise during the superstar's recent trip to Tokyo, Japan to promote his new action movie 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning'. "We met at the premiere of the movie in Tokyo, and it was a major tick on my bucket list!" said Sofyank who was accompanied by his longtime collaborator and friend, Mohamad Shaffuan, during the trip. "Meeting Tom Cruise... I never imagined it would happen to me. "It felt like something impossible — so when the opportunity came, it felt like a miracle. "What I've always admired about Tom is his dedication and passion for his work. You can clearly see it in every Mission: Impossible movie — how much effort, commitment, and detail he puts into every scene. "He always gives his best, and that is really inspiring." SHORT Sofyank said that he was not involved directly in the latest Mission: Impossible movie's production but was invited to shoot a short content piece as part of the marketing campaign for it. "It was part of a movie junket where selected content creators got the chance to meet Tom and shoot a video with him within a specific time slot," he said. Sofyank hopes that meeting Cruise would lead to paths that will help him progress in his CGI-making career. "Right now, I don't have any other actor in mind because meeting Tom already felt like a dream beyond reach. "But if I ever get another chance to collaborate with any Hollywood actor, I would definitely be excited and grateful. "My loved ones often ask me who would that be, and ''ve got a pretty long list, almost all of them are A-listers!" AVATAR When asked about his all-time favourite Hollywood movies which used special effects, Sofyank said they were 'Avatar: The Way Of Water', 'Avengers: Infinity War', 'Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings', 'Transformers' and 'Man Of Steel'. "These movies impressed me with their high-quality visual effects, immersive worlds, and how the VFX enhanced the storytelling without overshadowing it," he said. Sofyank has yet to work on blockbuster local movies by providing special effects and would love to do so someday. "However, I have worked with local film teams to create promotional VFX content featuring their actors. "As for acting, it would be interesting. "I admit I'm rather shy to star in a TV drama or even a movie, but it's worth stepping out of my comfort zone and doing something new!" SYAFIQ YUSOF If there are three major Malaysian moviemakers Sofyank would love to work with, they are Syafiq Yusof, Abhilash Chandra and Razaisyam Rashid. "What I admire about them is their artistry and direction. They have a talent for delivering emotion, tension, and suspense in their storytelling in a way that is very cinematic and yet easy for the audience to follow," he said, adding that their execution of movies feels seamless and impactful. Sofyank lists five very important lessons Malaysian content-creators can learn from Hollywood. "First, create content that offers value to your audience. Second, continuously improve storytelling so that viewers leave the cinema with a richer experience. "Third, explore fresh ideas that push the boundaries of your current style while still being relatable. "Fourth, diversify your content but stay true to your identity and voice. "Finally, Malaysian creators must continue to show a wide range of styles and creativity — each with his or her own level of excellence. The good news is, we are already moving in the right direction." CHINA Sofyank would love to work on movies from China and Hong Kong, as he sees East Asia as the "next big region" in creating world-class cinematic content. "I have not been invited to work on movies from China and Hong Kong. But if I ever do, I would prefer to start by learning from their teams first — especially in observing how everything works behind the scenes, how decisions are made, and how each part of the production comes together. "Rather than jumping straight into editing or production roles, I believe it is more valuable for me to understand their workflow and creative process first," said Sofyank. Sofyank is known for his expertise in visual editing and illusion videos. He produces Hollywood-inspired creative content and has received praise from celebrities and overseas productions. Sofyank is the winner of the Ultimate VFX Challenge — Magic Of The Month competition in Los Angeles, the United States in 2023. In the same year, he shot a video with Transformers star Anthony Ramos. In his 41-second clip Ramos greeted Malaysian fans with "apa khabar Malaysia" before Sofyank got into frame in a silver Porsche 964. Ramos who played Noah Diaz in 'Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' was shocked when Sofyank casually "shrunk" his car. The video was shot in Singapore in conjunction with the movie's red carpet premiere there. Sofyank has also collaborated with two big names in Hollywood, Will Smith and John Cena.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Blood Brothers: Bara Naga celebrates action, teamwork
THE most-talked-about Malaysian movie this year, Blood Brothers: Bara Naga has been warmly welcomed by Malaysians of all races as a celebration of Bangsa Malaysia in cinema. It has Bangsa Malaysia written all over its multiracial cast - starring major Malay actors Sharnaaz Ahmad, Syafiq Kyle, Shukri Yahaya and Syazwan Zulkifly, Chinese actors Andy Teh and Chris Tong Bing Yu, Indian actors such as Irfan Zaini (Indian Muslim) and Amelia Henderson (Indian-Scottish), and Sabahan Tracie Sinidol who is of Kadazan-Dusun-Murut heritage. And on a closer look, the unsung heroes who worked hard behind the scenes to make it an astounding success are likewise. The New Straits Times recently caught up with some of them, namely director, writer and co-producer Abhilash Chandra, line producer Nana Azmi, cinematographer Nicholas Chin, colourist Ooi Yi Jing, and assistant stunt director Mohamad Fauzan Mohamad Dohir, as they shared some interesting and less-known stories about working with the star-studded cast over the last two years. Klang-born Abhilash, 37, is of course, director Syafiq Yusof's partner in crafting the film. A Masters graduate in film from New York University, Tisch School Of The Arts, he began as an on-set personal assistant in the assistant director's department for the US$100 million 2014 Netflix historical epic series Marco Polo, which was filmed in Pinewood Iskandar Studios, Iskandar Puteri, Johor, a little over a decade ago. "I learnt a lot about professional on set filmmaking there, and how sets were run at the highest level with incredible meticulous detail and it was exciting because I got to experience and work as a crew in the coordination of huge battle scenes. "But my real involvement in my own designed fight scenes started with Polis Evo 3 in 2023, where I was the writer and led the choreography design with the stunt boys who later formed Defenderz," said Abhilash whose favourite action movies are those made by John Woo, Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg and Gareth Evans. "While I love Evans' The Raid, my all-time favourite director is Spielberg because he infuses action with emotion to create meaningful exhilarating set pieces that leave a lasting impact on the viewer," said Abhilash who shares with Syafiq a similar passion for action-packed films. TOM CRUISE Abhilash said that Blood Brothers was an idea he presented to Syafiq and crafted the story through many discussions with him, as they built the central thematic story around powerful and profound messages of family, friendship and belonging. "The core of its story, is brotherhood and the emotional bond between men, something it shares with Tom Cruise's Top Gun and its sequel Top Gun 2: Maverick," he said. "And because Blood Brothers depicts its heroes as strong-yet-sensitive men, we were pleasantly surprised to discover a majority of Blood Brothers fans who flocked to watch it in cinemas nationwide were female fans." FANS Abhilash revealed that some of these hardcore fans have watched Blood Brothers 10 times, and their love of the movie rang loud and clear when the main cast comprising Sharnaaz Ahmad, Syafiq Kyle, Shukri Yahaya, Syazwan Zulkifly, Irfan Zaini and Andy Teh were mobbed at most cinemas during their 7-week roadshow across the country. "Most of these fans were not just from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, but also from the Northern Region, East Coast and East Malaysia. "Female fans made their presence felt during these road tours while male fans made their presence felt online," said Abhilash. During the meet-and-greet sessions with fans, Andy who plays bad boy Pablo, impressed fans with his K-pop looks and husky voice, while Irfan who plays "playboy" Malik gained many fan girls with his natural Bollywood charms. SILAT Fauzan, the key designer of the action of Blood Brothers with stunt director Ubai said that the actors' martial arts training lasted five months just before filming began while the design of the choreography itself took 3 months before that. "Not all of the stars were already experienced in martial arts, in fact some of them were struggling," he said, adding that the working environment during training was intensive. "There were some challenges and some actors did struggle, but we dealt tactfully with them in order to keep their morale going. All of the stunts began with discussions, then a raw video was made for the fight scenes which we pre-visualised in detail. "Much later, the final product was created and brought to the set. It formed our physical template to test with the actors, and if an actor was not comfortable with it, we made the necessary alterations according to their strengths ." KNIVES Mohamad Fauzan revealed that Andy, a natural skilled martial artist amongst the Blood Brothers, never fought using knives but was able to adapt quickly in order to play the ruthless Pablo. "It took three months to design the stunts, and a total of six instructors to train the actors. "While we are trained in silat, we made sure that the actors did raw and rough fighting instead of the stylish silat." Nana said that the length of every day of filming was taxing, and likewise the number of takes per scene. "My team dealt with low morale by not 'pissing' the cast off. We got the diverse cast to bond well by friendly chatting and trying our best to accomodate their needs during those tough days on set especially at 3 to 4 am in the morning after doing heavy stunt scenes. "Knowing some of the main actors helped greatly with the production process. "Yes, a few of the actors had mood swings and found it difficult to adjust to the grueling shoot but they gradually did, and my team and I always made sure we supported them," she said, adding that the three-month filming process was done in mid-2024. SPORTS Nana praised Andy for guiding his co-stars in mastering martial arts. "He was a real gentleman, very helpful, and a great team-player. As for Irfan, he did not have experience doing fight scenes, but he worked very hard to master them and came out tops," she said. "Shukri was a bit scared at first, but all of us persuaded him that he could do it, and eventually he gave a stellar performance, probably one of the best in his career." Nana described the Blood Brothers actors as fast-learners, especially Syafiq Kyle who excelled in the fights because of his incredible stamina and his sportsman background. "We filmed 13 hours a day with an average of 10 to 15 takes for each scene. At first, the actor tries his own thing, and after the third or fourth take, we start guiding him," she said, adding that 80 per cent of filming was done at night. "Many of the actors knew each other prior to Blood Brothers, especially Sharnaaz and Syafiq Kyle who acted together in Polis Evo 3. Knowing each other helped them bond well on the set and perfect each scene," said Nana, who previously worked in Syafiq's anti-corruption blockbuster Sheriff: Narko Integriti which was screened last year. POLICE Abhilash said that the police helped the team in the form of advice and handling weapons. "Many of the main stars and some of the crew had good training in handling weapons and explosives previously for example through their work in Polis Evo 3 and Takluk. He added that all explosions were done in one take, and no computer-generated imagery or CGI enhancement was used. Abhilash also said that stuntman Razib Salimin who played senior Blood Brother Abang Sham was the "go-to guy" when it came to pyrotechnics and explosions, while Syazwan had the "fright of his life" when the frog that perched on his head in a scene was a giant bullfrog which tried to jump down on his face. TRACKS Nicholas, 34, has been a cinematographer for a decade, having worked on hundreds of commercials and Blood Brothers is his first feature film. "I've known Abhilash for at least a decade, so the trust and bond was there between us. Prior to Blood Brothers, I made a few short films with him including a PSA in 2023 called Haze Zilla, and it was an anti-pollution story where Ray Dap Dap played a giant who unleashed the haze on Kuala Lumpur. "That is how Ray and I both landed a place in Blood Brothers," he said. Nicholas said that his photography crew thought out of the box and did things differently from the start. "We used many moving shots on a Segway, without the use of tracks, which is new for Malaysian films," he said, adding that they also used the Sony Venice camera for the first time. The reason why Nicholas chose that camera was because it could be detached from its bulky body, making the shooting of action scenes fluid and dynamic while maintaining clarity at 6K resolution. Nicholas revealed that one interesting scene had to be done at a special time, based on the full moon. "The scene where Sharnaaz walks away from a car blowing up, was shot in Hulu Langat and the full moon allowed for greater visibility despite how pitch black the jungle area was. Filming it in such conditions made it a lot more dramatic," he said. DRONES Nicholas also personally handled the iconic drone shot for the ending of the film with Sharnaaz riding into the sunset. None of that was CGI, and it required precise timing and coordination to get the shot at the exact time when the sun was perfect. Jing, the master colourist of the film, said that he set the mood and tone of the film beforehand with Abhilash meticulously, and this gave Blood Brothers a Hollywood look. Their colour references were shows like Max series The Penguin and Korean action film Kill Bok Soon. The entire process took three months and Jing would meticulously craft the grade with Abhilash frame by frame. "As the person in charge of grading, it is my job to get the right tone for all of the scenes to reflect their moods. "We hand crafted more than 3,000 frames painstakingly over three months. I think with the time given the result is something a little more special than usual. In commercials we never get to be this gritty so it's fun doing this and challenging the creative look," Jing said. Nicholas added that he used different anamorphic lenses for the flashback scenes, involving the heroes' younger selves, to give the flashbacks their own identity. Jing would later add richness and texture to the colour to reflect the harshness of their early days. This is one example of how the cinematographer and colourist work together to form the final picture. MONTH Nicholas added that the third act final battle took a month to shoot. The longest of all scenes, it had to have its own aesthetic, so it did not look generic and repetitive. He used a particular colour palette with ember tones which Jing later enhanced in post. Abhilash said that the film was built on the backs of Malaysians for Malaysians, and he is deeply grateful that Skop Productions is championing the way forward for making films this way. Blood Brothers: Bara Naga is still blazing through cinemas, and is currently the second highest grossing local film of all time with RM76 million at the box office.
New Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Siti Kasim, Adnan Yaakob in fiery spat over Orang Asli
KUALA LUMPUR: A heated exchange between former Pahang Menteri Besar Tan Sri Adnan Yaakob and lawyer-activist Siti Kasim took place earlier today at the Kuala Lumpur Courts compound. Videos of the confrontation, now circulating online, show both individuals exchanging strong words in what appeared to be a tense verbal dispute. While the exact cause of the altercation remains unclear, it is believed to be related to issues concerning the Orang Asli community. Siti Kasim can be heard saying, "You only want to sell yourself to the Orang Asli?.. Don't be rude, you must respect everyone." To this, Adnan replied, "Why are you interfering?" Siti: I know them (the Orang Asli) very well. Adnan: I look after them very well. Siti: Really? Adnan: You're only around now. Ask the Orang Asli in Pahang how it is. Don't interfere. The New Straits Times has reached out to both Adnan and Siti for comments.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kedah Umno dismayed over sorry state of Tanjung Dawai beach
KUALA MUDA: Kedah Umno has voiced disappointment over the deteriorating condition of Tanjung Dawai beach, describing it as an eyesore that undermines efforts to promote the state as a tourism destination. Its information chief Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said the beach was now strewn with marine debris, casting doubt over the effectiveness of the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign. "What is the point of launching a tourism campaign if iconic destinations like Tanjung Dawai are left in such a polluted state?" he said in a statement today. He said Tanjung Dawai beach was not only known for its tourism appeal, but also served as a lifeline for local communities, including fishermen, small traders and homestay operators, who were now affected by the worsening waste problem. Shaiful took aim at Merbok member of parliament Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan and Tanjung Dawai assemblyman Hanif Ghazali, claiming that they appeared indifferent to the state's tourism agenda. "Where are they when it comes to defending the dignity of their own constituency? Have they made any effort to push for urgent action from the local authorities and the state government?" he said. Commenting further, Shaiful urged the state government and relevant agencies not to rely solely on catchy tourism slogans while failing to address basic issues such as environmental cleanliness and lack of tourist infrastructure. "The people demand answers and immediate action," he said. The New Straits Times had contacted both Nazri and Hanif but yet to receive a response. Once known for its white sands, Tanjung Dawai beach now saw fewer visitors. Despite twice-weekly clean-ups by the Sungai Petani Municipal Council since July last year, rubbish and debris continue to wash ashore and pollute the beach. Non-governmental organisations, government bodies and student volunteers had pitched in to clean up the area, but their efforts were short-lived. Some locals had suggested installing garbage traps or a sea wall, but these might pose financial and other environmental challenges.
