Dr Wee questions probe against MCA youth leader over mobile data criticism
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has questioned the authorities for probing one of the party's youth leaders over the recent controversial private mobile data collection.
The MCA president said that Wong Siew Mun, who is Pahang MCA Youth chief, was contacted by police for posting a series of videos criticising the latest move by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on social media.
'However, since she's still in the hospital, she will meet police once discharged,' he told reporters at the MCA headquarters on Friday (June 13).
Dr Wee said that he was saddened by the action on Wong.
'I said it first, I quoted news reports, and now you are after a little girl?' he said.
He added that Wong was not the first individual who commented on the issue, as she was only quoting news reported by the media.
'Are you calling others who spoke over this matter too?' he added.
Dr Wee's comments came following the government's order demanding telcos in Malaysia to hand over detailed records of phone calls and Internet logs for the first three months of this year for the government's 'Mobile Phone Data' project.
Earlier, he said that the move could undermine users' data privacy and urged for it to be called off.
Dr Wee also outlined several proposals to better protect sensitive mobile data.
The suggestions included a legal reform on the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) by including government agencies, transparent anonymisation protocols, implementation of consent mechanisms, and making public consultation mandatory.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Mayor: MBKS pushes for parking digitalisation to replace coupon system
A screengrab of Wee during the 'Shall WEE Talk' session yesterday. KUCHING (June 29): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is pushing for the digitalisation of its parking system, aiming to scrap the use of physical coupons. Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said they are looking at introducing a mobile application to facilitate the payment of parking fees within the MBKS jurisdiction. 'This proposal will be submitted to the State Cabinet for approval in July, and is expected to take form in either July or August. 'We are not trying to make things difficult, but digitalisation will offer greater convenience and is more friendly to users,' he said during his Facebook live session 'Shall WEE Talk' yesterday. In the process of digitalising the parking system, Wee said the personnel involved with issuing overparking compounds will be gradually reduced. He felt that it is time to embrace digitalisation, a transformation that people of all ages cannot run away from. On the implementation of e-invoicing and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST), the Mayor said the government should take the people into consideration before introducing any new policy. He said people are bound to voice their dissatisfaction if the government implements a new policy without seeking consultations from the relevant stakeholders. 'When a new policy is implemented in a rush, enterprises and people on the ground will find it hard to adapt to it, thereby eroding public confidence on the government of the day. 'Government policies are not experimental trials but get to decide the survival of enterprises and the livelihoods of our people,' he added. To make sure that people can cushion the impact of the rising cost of living, Wee said the government should work on ensuring that its policies would not create further financial burden amid the current economic slowdown. He added that the government must ensure financial stability while introducing new policies so that people can have better planning for their livelihoods. 'It is not that we cannot cooperate, but we need sufficient time to plan and adapt to new policies.' As such, he called for comprehensive consultation and planning from the government before it introduces and implements any policy to avoid protesting voices from the various communities.
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Mayor Wee calls for collective action against violence towards women
Wee (centre, front row) poses with others during the programme. KUCHING (June 29): People are urged to change mindsets, reinforce respect in homes and schools, and ensure that every girl and woman feels seen, heard and protected. In making the call, Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said violence against women is not just a women's issue — it is a human issue, a societal issue, and one that requires all of us to speak up, stand together and act with compassion and conviction. 'While we cannot change what has happened, we can take meaningful steps to ensure that no (such) tragedy will happen again,' he said when opening 'Pink Wings Protection Programme', jointly organised by JCI Kuching YMM Sarawak and Saberkas Sentosa at the MBKS Auditorium today. Wee pointed out that the programme represents a step in the right direction — raising awareness, educating communities and empowering individuals to stand up for the safety, dignity and respect for all women. He noted that the message behind the event is both timely and urgent, especially following the recent tragic incident involving a female university student in Cyberjaya, reminding all of the the real and pressing dangers many women face every day. On behalf of MBKS, he extended heartfelt condolences to the victim's family, praying that that they find strength in this difficult time. According to Wee, the programme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on Gender Equality and SDG 10 on Reducing Inequality. He said these are commitments that must translate into real policies, real conversations and real change on the ground, creating a society where women are safe, respected and given equal opportunities to thrive. In Sarawak, he said the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 reflects this vision, ensuring that no one is left behind, especially women. He added that the Sarawak government has made it a priority to transform the lives of women not only through social support but also by opening up new opportunities in education, business, leadership and public service. 'We are seeing this transformation take shape across various sectors. More women are taking on leadership roles, managing businesses, leading community initiatives and contributing actively to the state's progress.' Through PCDS, he noted, programmes have been introduced to support women entrepreneurs, upskill the workforce, provide childcare support and build confidence among young women and girls to step forward as changemakers. At MBKS, Wee said they are committed to making the city safe, inclusive and empowering for everyone. 'We have partnered with community groups, youth organisations and NGOs to implement grassroots programmes that champion women's health, promote safety in public spaces and support youth led empowerment initiatives,' he added. Addressing the young participants, the mayor said their actions, voice and courage matter, expressing hope that the programme would inspire them to advocate for what is right, to create safe spaces and support their friends and communities with kindness and respect. He also thanked the organisers for bringing them together for this cause, uniting them across organisations, generations, and sectors and making a real difference 'Awareness is powerful. When we come together like this — to talk, to learn, and to take action — we are taking real steps to build a safer society. 'A society where no woman feels unsafe walking alone. Where no girl grows up thinking her voice doesn't matter. Where protection and empowerment go hand in hand,' he pointed out. Wee stressed that women deserve not just to be protected, but to be uplifted — to be free to live without fear, to pursue their dreams, and to thrive in a supportive and safe environment. 'Let this not be a one off event, but the start of a continuous journey towards a safer, more equal and more compassionate society for all. Let us continue to spread this message beyond this event. 'Let us be the voice for those who feel voiceless. Let us extend a hand to those in need. And most importantly, let us keep building a Kuching where everyone — regardless of gender — feels safe, respected and empowered,' he said. lead Pink Wings Protection Programme violence wee hong seng women
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Dr Wee: Review expanded SST
PETALING JAYA: Apart from a longer list of goods taxable under the expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST), another major concern of the people is the tax on raw materials and machinery, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic). The MCA president said this will then set off a wave of price increases down the line, causing more pressure on the people. 'The SST brings a cascading effect because the raw materials and machinery will also be taxed after this. 'This silent inflation wave will surely be felt by all levels of society throughout the coming months,' said the Ayer Hitam MP in a Facebook video yesterday. He pointed out that back in 2018, more than 8,000 items were exempted from the SST. Under the expanded tax scheme set to take effect on July 1, the list has been significantly shrunk to only around 1,000 items, he said. He added that the expanded SST will not only apply to wellness and beauty-related services, it will also be applied to traditional products such as red dates, black fungus, dried longan and snow fungus. He stressed that many industries including rubber, plastics, medicine and oil palm, and the manufacturing sector have voiced their concerns about the expanded scheme as about 97% of goods in the market will be taxed. 'While we welcome the government's U-turn on the tax for imported fruits, it is not enough. 'The real issue and danger lies in the taxation of raw materials and industrial machinery,' he said. 'Politics aside, the people's welfare should be prioritised. It is better for the government to review the scheme or scrap it altogether,' he said, adding that the SST rate had already increased (from 6% to 8%) on March 1, last year. Dr Wee added that it was unfortunate that the expanded SST will start on July 1, the same day that the base electricity tariff and Port Klang tariffs are set to increase. 'The obvious solution for the government is still the GST, which is a fairer and more transparent taxation system. 'The main difference between both systems is that the GST taxes the end user – you use more, you pay more – while the SST taxes all levels of the supply chain and the end user has to pay a far higher price in the end,' he said. 'The GST ensures the stability and strength of the country while the SST will further burden the people and give businesses an excuse to raise prices,' he stressed. In announcing the expanded SST, the Finance Ministry said the measure is to strengthen the country's fiscal position by increasing revenue and broadening the tax base.
