THE Health Ministry (MOH) did not sell MySejahtera to any private company, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said the cabinet decided that the app will remain as government property on November 26.

MOH is the appointed main owner of the app, which is used to manage public health, he added.

“The government has never made any payment to KPISoft (M) Sdn Bhd, which developed the MySejahtera app, during the period of the app’s use from March 27, 2020, to March 31, 2021.

“The company offered the use of the app to the government for a period of one year without any payment based on its corporate social responsibility (CSR).”

Upon the expiration of the CSR period, the government agreed for the MySejahtera service to be continued on March 31 last year, he added.

“The MySejahtera app is used because of the robustness and dynamic capabilities of its technology. In this regard, the government continues to work with the company in implementing improvements.”

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said a Public Accounts Commission (PAC) hearing raised questions about the sale of the app to a private company.

The cabinet decided to give up control of the app during a meeting on November 26 last year, he added.

“The cabinet told the Health Ministry to appoint MySJ Sdn Bhd to take over the MySejahtera app by direct negotiation.

“But in December, PAC recommended the government take over the operation of the app without incurring any additional cost, given that it has become an integral part of the national health system.”

Anwar said ministry officers who testified in front of PAC claimed that MySJ is not related to KPISoft.

Khairy said a government decision on November 16 stipulates that MOH forms a price negotiation committee with relevant stakeholders.

This is to negotiate the management of the app’s services and procurement prices with the company for a period of two years, and is in accordance with government procurement procedures, he added.

“MySejahtera’s scope of acquisition and management includes its operation, maintenance and system development, including additional module developments.

“It also includes data centre management and services provided by third parties, including subscriptions to Google Maps and Places API, and SMS services.”

The Finance Ministry, in letter dated February 28, 2022, approved and finalised MOH’s application to implement procurement for the management of the app.

“This negotiation process has started, and MOH will ensure due diligence is done to preserve the interests of the government,” said Khairy.

He said MySejahtera has more than 10 modules and 38 million users comprising of locals, foreigners and travellers.

The app’s data has been under MOH supervision since it was first used, he added.

“All data management will go through the data governance process that has been set by MOH.

“The use and management of app data must comply with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, the Medical Act 1971 and international standards.

“MySejahtera data cannot be shared by MOH with any government or private agency.”

Khiary said MySejahtera data transactions are uploaded to the cloud server network daily and can be accessed only for the use of the app.

“MOH hopes that the public will continue to use the app without hesitation.

“The confidentiality of public data is guaranteed and the ministry will always ensure this aspect is not compromised.” – March 27, 2022.