Last month, we reported on a serious issue where the personal details of 22.5 million Malaysians were sold on the black web for around RM43,800, complete with names, addresses, telephone numbers and even identity card verification photos.
The Home Ministry later issued a statement that they would investigate the matter, and now, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said that his ministry has tightened access to only 44 government agencies for now.
According to a Sinar Daily report, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said that the data may have been collected through various open sources, including social media, telecommunications companies, financial institutions and agencies such as the Federal Department of Lands and Mines.
Because of this, he said that access to data from the National Registration Department could now only be accessed by 44 key agencies, such as the Companies Commission of Malaysia, the Inland Revenue Board and others. With this announcement, he is also seen confirming that access to citizen data has been withdrawn for a large number of other agencies.