Even UN backs mobile phone data project, says MCMC

MCMC's Zurkarnain Yasin said unfounded claims about the mobile phone data initiative risks confusing the public and undermining trust in national data systems.
PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has clarified that the mobile phone data initiative is not intended to track or monitor individuals, as alleged by some quarters.
Its deputy managing director, Zurkarnain Yasin, said the data is fully anonymised and only used in aggregate to help provide macro-level insights for national development planning.
He said the project, still in its early stages, has received formal recognition from the United Nations as a key big data source to improve the quality, accuracy and timeliness of official statistics.
'This global initiative reflects the urgent need to go beyond traditional statistical methods and adopt innovative data solutions to better understand and address societal challenges,' he said in a statement to FMT.
The UN has also set up a special task force involving over 50 countries and organisations, including Malaysia, to explore the use of mobile data for development.
Other members include Japan, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
Zurkarnain said the statistics department, which leads the project, will hold briefings with stakeholders soon.
His comments came in response to concerns raised by MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who questioned whether the government's directive for telecommunication companies to share user data could violate privacy and lead to potential abuse.
Some parties have gone further, accusing the government of engaging in large-scale 'spying' on citizens through the mobile phone data project.
Zurkarnain dismissed these claims as baseless, saying such narratives could mislead the public and undermine efforts to develop more reliable sources of national data.
'More precise official data allows for stronger public policy planning and better service delivery,' he said.
He also clarified that the data collected does not include any personal or identifiable information, with no mechanism for opting in or out, as the data is drawn from standard mobile network operations.
At the technical level, Zurkarnain said the data is automatically generated when a mobile device interacts with transmission towers.
He said this data is then processed and anonymised at the telco level before being submitted to the statistics department and MCMC.
'There is no transfer of raw data or user information outside the premises of mobile network operators,' he added.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Malay Mail

6 hours ago

• Malay Mail

Malaysia taps fresh chip momentum with Intel, Vishay expansion plans

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has held discussions with leading tech giant, Intel, regarding the latter's plans on reinvestment and expansion of its operations in Malaysia. Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Intel has invested RM50 billion to-date, and provided employment opportunities to 12,300 local workers. 'Intel's presence in Malaysia since 1972 has grown in tandem with the country's rise as a global semiconductor hub. 'This meeting reflects Intel's continued confidence in Malaysia as its key investment destination outside the United States,' he said in a post on the social media platform X today. He added that the Malaysian government, through MITI and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), remains fully committed to supporting Intel's expansion in the country. 'Under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP2030), and the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), we will continue to strengthen a sustainable and competitive industrial ecosystem,' Tengku Zafrul said. Meanwhile, in a separate post, the MITI minister said a United States-based manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components, Vishay Intertechnology, has expressed its intention to expand its operations in Malaysia. 'They already have a presence in Melaka, and the rise in the number of high-tech semiconductor facilities is in line with the objectives of NIMP2030 and NSS,' he added. Tengku Zafrul is currently on a working visit to Washington, United States. — Bernama

Malay Mail

8 hours ago

• Malay Mail

Tengku Zafrul: Google's Malaysia investment to boost AI growth, create jobs

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Tech giant Google's investment in Malaysia is expected to continue driving Malaysia's artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing economy. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who is currently on a working visit to Washington, United States, met with Google representatives to discuss how the company can continue to drive AI development in Malaysia, strengthen cybersecurity and invest in digital skills. 'The government is committed to providing full support and ensuring a conducive investment climate for high-quality investments,' he said in a Facebook post. He added that Google's strategic investment of RM9.4 billion to set up its first data centre and Google Cloud region in Malaysia is expected to generate RM15.04 billion in long-term economic impact and create 26,500 jobs by 2030. 'Thank you, Google, for your continued confidence in Malaysia. Together, we are building a brighter digital future,' he said. — Bernama

Free Malaysia Today

16 hours ago

• Free Malaysia Today

Tengku Zafrul sees Google's investment driving Malaysia's AI economy

Tengku Zafrul Aziz, who is on a working visit to the US, says he met Google representatives in Washington. PETALING JAYA : Google's investment in Malaysia is expected to continue driving the country's artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing economy, according to investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz. He said Google's RM9.4 billion investment to set up its first data centre and Google Cloud region in Malaysia could generate up to RM15 billion in long-term economic impact and create 26,500 jobs by 2030. Tengku Zafrul, who is currently on a working visit to the US said he met Google representatives to discuss how the company can continue to drive AI development in Malaysia, strengthen cybersecurity and invest in digital skills. 'The government is committed to providing full support and ensuring a conducive investment climate for high-quality investments,' he said in a Facebook post. Last week, Microsoft reaffirmed its commitment to a RM10.5 billion investment in cloud and AI infrastructure in Malaysia, including the development of hyperscale data centres in the Klang Valley. The announcement came in the wake of a 24% tariff on Malaysian goods announced by the US in April, before a 90-day pause was declared a week later.