Kuala lumpur: The government has given an assurance that whatever policies or approaches are implemented, including the process of digitalising services, especially in the field of security, will not jeopardise the people’s interests and future, including that of the Orang Asli.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah stated that although the use of MyDigital ID is targeted towards accessing government services, the manual approach is still being continued to facilitate those in vulnerable groups. He highlighted that the transition to digital services does not overlook the needs of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and rural folk, who may have limited Internet access or digital skills.
He further explained that for rural areas and Orang Asli settlements, the establishment of Digital Economic Centres by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will assist communities in accessing government services through Internet facilities and digital literacy training. MyDigital ID serves as a safe alternative for digital identity confirmation but does not replace the use of physical identification documents like MyKad.
Shamsul Anuar was addressing a question from Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok) concerning government measures to ensure the elderly, rural folks, and Orang Asli are not marginalised as security and immigration services transition to reliance on MyDigital ID.
Additionally, he assured that MyDigital ID data is managed according to stringent cybersecurity standards and is compliant with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, focusing on safety, privacy, and the protection of individual rights. Officers authorised to access this information receive specific training on the ethics of data use and the protection of vulnerable groups.
The system’s access is protected through several security mechanisms, including layers of verification, secure passwords, and activity log records. The government prioritises the security of people’s data and will take appropriate action against any misuse.