KUBANG PASU: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has brushed off claims of a data breach involving 17 million MyKad belonging to Malaysian citizens, as alleged on social media recently.
Saifuddin said a thorough check conducted by security agencies, including the National Registration Department (NRD), concluded that the claims were completely baseless.
He stressed that the government guarantees the security of data, particularly MyKad information belonging to all Malaysians, remains safeguarded and secure.
"The claim arose from a social media user who displayed several MyKad cards and alleged there were 17 million," Saifuddin said.
"I immediately checked with NRD and also the National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa), which functions as the government's IT security authority. Both agencies confirmed that no data breach had occurred."
"We urge the public to be cautious when receiving such information. It is easy to spread misinformation by showing a few cards and claiming it involves 17 million. I hope this matter will stop," he told reporters after visiting evacuees at a temporary flood relief centre (PPS) in SK Bukit Tinggi, Kepala Batas today.
Saifuddin assured that the integrity of data and population information is well maintained under the NRD's supervision.
Meanwhile, on a separate matter, Saifuddin said the government remains open to the idea of expanding an independent commission to investigate misconduct within other law enforcement agencies, similar to the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC).
He said for now the government is focusing on enforcing the IPPC which was passed in the Dewan Rakyat last year.
"As for the Independent Police Conduct Commission that was passed in 2022, it is specifically for the police force," Saifuddin said.
"If we talk about good governance and integrity, it is supposed to cover all agencies, but the decision at that time is to proceed with the IPCC."
"Therefore, this administration decided that the Act that was approved in 2022 to be enforced beginning July 1, which comprises its staffing and to begin receiving complaints," Saifuddin said.
"As for now, we focus on the IPCC. In future, if there is a room for us to expand it to the other agencies, we are always open for that."
Yesterday, the IPCC reported receiving 529 complaints related to issues involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) over the past year since the enforcement of the IPCC Act 2022.
Following this, there have been suggestions to expand the independent commission to include other enforcement agencies, such as the Immigration Department and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, to better address public complaints.