THE National Registration Department (NRD) has confirmed that there was no data leakage from its personal data base, said Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin.

He said this was because the firewall of the data security control system was very secure and that all information was protected.

“My ministry has always ensured the security and integrity of data on Malaysians is assured under NRD.

“So do not fret over data held by NRD, as my ministry will ensure all agencies using MyIdentiti from NRD take stringent measures,” he told a media conference at Bukit Aman today.

He was commenting on news of the sale of data on Malaysians which went viral on an online a forum recently.

“NRD has taken quick, high security actions and has always complied with the policy of myIDENTITY system usage to prevent data breaches by irresponsible parties,” he said.

Hamzah said on Monday the NRD confirmed detecting a post on an online forum alleging the sale of data obtained from the Inland Revenue Board.

“The alleged data on four million Malaysians born between 1979 and 1989 were offered for sale at 0.2 BTC (Bitcoin), which is equivalent to RM35,495.

“As such, NRD had reported the matter to IRB to investigate if data leakage had taken place at the agency,” he said. 

He said on Monday the NRD lodged a report with police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) yesterday to enable investigations to be carried out.

“Yesterday, a discussion was held with the National Cyber Coordination and Command Centre, the National Cyber Security Agency and IRB and among others, which touched on the issue, the method of sharing myIDENTITY with IRB and security control on the related data,” he said.

Hamzah said the NRD only shares the myIDENTITY service with government agencies for the purpose of reviewing and confirming the identities of Malaysians and permanent residents dealing with the respective agencies.

“Apart from that, NRD confirmed no such case had happened before,” he said.

Yesterday, the IRB denied the report on the forum, adding that the board is only a user and not the owner of the myIDENTITY system. – Bernama, September 29, 2021.