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Free Malaysia Today
09-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Nothing new or intrusive about mobile data sharing, says MCMC
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said the sharing of anonymised mobile phone data is done according to benchmark international standards. (Freepik pic) CYBERJAYA : The sharing of anonymised mobile phone data (MPD) with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is neither new nor intrusive, and mirrors what global tech platforms already do every day, says a commission member. Derek John Fernandez said the move is consistent with the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and falls within international best practices on data use for infrastructure planning and national development. 'This goes on every day if you subscribe to Google, Facebook – and they have even more than that. 'We do it within benchmark international standards. I refer you to the United Nations sustainability report, expert conferences, and the practice around the world on this matter,' he said in a media briefing today. He was responding to concerns about whether mobile users can opt out of the process if they are uncomfortable with the use of their data. MCMC deputy managing director Zulkarnain Yasin said opting out was not an option, as the move had been approved at the highest level. 'It's a Cabinet decision. What we are doing is for national development. This is also part of the regulatory requirements that we have asked the operators to comply with,' he said. Zulkarnain also said that the anonymised MPD collected by the communications ministry and MCMC is not classified as personal data as data they receive from mobile network operators (MNOs) cannot be used to identify or trace individuals. 'The eight data sets collected by MNOs only include an anonymised identifier set by the operators, the date and time of the transaction by transmitters, the location of the transmission tower connected to the devices, the type of network, and country identifier.' He also gave his assurance that the practice was in full compliance with Malaysian laws and international standards. When asked why the public had not been directly informed that the MPD sharing project was proceeding despite stakeholder engagement sessions, Zulkarnain said the process had been transparent at the government level. 'The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), when they got approval from the Cabinet, did a lot of media engagement, led by the chief statistician,' he said. DOSM representative Jamaliah Jaafar added that the project was thoroughly discussed and planned in collaboration with several key agencies. 'We had discussions on this project with MCMC, the telcos, and the tourism ministry. We also prepared a Cabinet paper, which was approved. 'Last year, we had a session with the telcos to explain what MPD is, what the benefits are, and why countries like Indonesia are already doing this,' she said. Yesterday, telco companies reaffirmed their commitment to protecting customer data following the sharing of MPD for official statistical purposes. In separate statements, CelcomDigi, U Mobile, Telekom Malaysia, and Maxis stressed that only anonymised data – without any personally identifiable information – would be shared with MCMC. On Friday, MCMC clarified that its collection of mobile phone data from MNOs did not involve the access, processing, or disclosure of any personally identifiable information.
South China Morning Post
07-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Cooperation with new liaison office chief key in challenging times
A good relationship with the central government is of paramount importance as Hong Kong charts a new direction under the governance model of 'one country, two systems'. The appointment of Zhou Ji as the latest director of the liaison office marks another stage for both sides to cultivate closer communication and cooperation in accordance with principles laid out under the Basic Law, which is essential if the city is to maximise its potential and achieve more under the new national development framework. Zhou is the third Beijing envoy in five years. The former executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) has replaced Zheng Yanxiong, who succeeded Luo Huining after the former provincial party leader of Shanxi finished his three-year stint at the liaison office in 2023. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he was confident the new director would lead the liaison office in its continued cooperation with the Hong Kong government on promoting the city's proactive alignment with national strategies, creating fresh momentum and advantages for economic development, encouraging transition from stability to prosperity through innovation and invention, and making a further contribution to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Lee also praised Zheng for upholding the one country, two systems principle in safeguarding national security and maintaining constitutional order. Zhou wasted no time in his new role, having met Lee twice and reached out to local groups and residents over the past few days. Lee said the district visits underlined the importance attached to people's livelihoods and the revamped district administration. His exchange with Zhou had also helped maintain good communication with Beijing and formulate good policies. For his part, Zhou stressed the chief executive and his team bear primary responsibility for the city's governance, in a welcome assurance over its 'high degree of autonomy' and the principle of 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong'. Zhou had rich experience in handling economic and livelihood issues when he served in Hubei and Henan. His connections with the HKMAO and knowledge of city affairs also make him an ideal choice.
