KUALA LUMPUR |  The Communications and Multimedia Ministry, via the Personal Data Protection Department, is in the midst of reviewing the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2010 to ensure it is up to date and in line with current developments.

Minister Gobind Singh Deo (pic) said the review would be based on the needs for effective and efficient implementation of the PDPA, as well as to streamline international requirements on personal data protection, including the many key takeaways of the European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

“Malaysia has the PDPA which was formulated in 2010, but after nine years, there are so many new developments and it is important for the law to be amended to ensure that we are up to date with current developments.

“There is no timeframe. We began reviewing the PDPA last year but it is still ongoing and I hope that we will be able to formulate a new one or bring a proposed amendment to the Parliament,” he told reporters after officiating the “Impact of EU-GDPR in Malaysia and Non-EU Countries” conference here Monday.

Earlier in his keynote address, Gobind said the implementation of the EU’s GDPR definitely required comprehensive changes to business practices for companies that have yet to implement a comparable level of privacy.

As such, he said multinational companies and government-linked companies having business dealings in the EU and with EU citizens should take necessary steps to comply with the GDPR.

“As for industry players, especially data users who have made preparations with regard to the PDPA, they are well positioned to embrace the GDPR,” he added.

The two-day conference, which began Monday (March 18), is being organised by GRM Training Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Iconic Training Solutions.

It provides an understanding of new and wide-reaching requirements from the GDPR and those rules relevant for businesses, as well as employees’ responsibilities for protecting personal information. –Bernama

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