21/08/2025

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THURSDAY | AUG 21, 2025

Data Commission crucial to governance, protection

Malaysia can tap Heilongjiang’s

agritech to enhance food security: ACCCIM

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

he added. In reply to the original question from Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Anak Brodi (GRS-Sri Aman) on the government’s measures to ensure the use of AI in cybersecurity complies with ethical principles and privacy rights, Gobind said Malaysia is finalising the National AI Action Plan. He said the plan sets out a clear gover nance framework that also considers the balance between security and privacy rights based on three main principles. “The first principle is transparency and accountability, where every AI model developed must be clearly auditable. Second, privacy-by-design and security-by-design must be incorporated to protect personal data from the stage of algorithm, system and AI application design, and not added later as an afterthought. “Third, human-in-the-loop – for now, AI cannot be given absolute power, and human control must be maintained at certain levels to prevent critical errors, discrimination and bias,” he said. Gobind said the National AI Action Plan is being developed collaboratively and

having a mechanism that can monitor risks and take action as we go along. We are looking at broadening the scope of data regulation, and that is why we are proposing the establishment of the Data Commission. “We want to ensure that we have specific standards that must be followed. Rules are in place, but they also need to be enforced, and the laws must be implemented. This is already in the plan, and moving forward, I hope the Data Commission can be established soon,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Gobind was responding to a supple mentary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) regarding the government’s commitment to establishing a special review body or an independent committee to ensure that the use of technologies such as AI does not compromise personal data or public privacy. He said the establishment of the Data Commission would fill the gap in the regulatory landscape by providing a fully empowered authority to handle data related issues beyond the scope of personal data. The commission would also create a clearer governance structure, thereby boosting public and investor confidence in the level of data security in the country,

KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of a Data Commission is a crucial step to ensure governance, compliance with standards and comprehensive data protection in the country, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said. He said the commission will serve as a dedicated regulatory body to address data related risks, in line with the Digital Trust and Data Security Strategy 2026-2030 outlined under the 13th Malaysia Plan. Currently, several functions related to data are managed by various agencies, including the Department of Personal Data Protection, which focuses on personal data, and the National Artificial Intelligence Office under the Digital Ministry, which oversees AI related aspects, but Gobind said there is a pressing need to expand oversight to cover data as a whole. “This is where we see the importance of o Need for dedicated regulatory body to ensure compliance, monitor risks and take action: Gobind KUALA LUMPUR: Asean’s pursuit of energy transition, sustainable water management and climate-resilient infrastructure must be guided by environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles that extend beyond corporate metrics, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said. He said ESG should not be seen merely as a reporting tool for companies, but as a framework that shapes government regulations, institutional enforcement and market behaviour. “ESG must be more than a corporate metric. It should guide how governments design regulations, how institutions enforce stan dards and how markets reward responsible behaviour,” he said in his speech at the Asean Law Forum 2025 here yesterday. Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said Asean needs governance systems that match climate ambitions, honour social protection and demand accountability. “To succeed, we need governance systems that match our climate ambitions, honour social protection, and demand accountability. This requires justice systems and dispute resolution mechanisms that are accessible, efficient and fair,” he said. He welcomed the inclusion of ESG disputes in the forum’s agenda, describing it as a timely platform for Asean to strengthen arbitration capacity within global supply chains. “I am pleased that this forum will discuss ESG Disputes and Arbitration in Global Supply Chains. It is a timely platform for us to explore due diligence, strengthen arbitration capacity and equip Asean to navigate the evolving nexus of trade, law and sustainability,” he said. On the broader theme of justice, Fadillah underlined that a ‘just transition’ in the energy sector must be treated as non-negotiable,

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia can tap the technology of the agriculture sector in China’s Heilongjiang Province, which has achieved scale, mechanisation, digitalisation and smart innovation. Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) president Datuk Ng Yih Pyng said Heilongjiang’s advanced agricultural machinery ensures efficient sowing, precision irrigation, remote-sensing field management and high-performance planting. With these technologies, he added, more farmland is shifting from “farmers’ fields” to “experts’ fields”. “For Malaysia, these experiences are highly valuable. Currently, our rice self-sufficiency rate is about 60%, with the remaining 40% dependent on imports. For staple rice, domestic production falls short of demand. Thus, Heilongjiang’s model of modern agriculture not only offers us opportunities for collaboration but also points the way forward for our own agricultural modernisation. “Agricultural modernisation is not merely about technology upgrades – it is also key to attracting young people into agriculture. With artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things, agriculture can be efficient, predictable, and even creative,” Ng said at the China (Heilongjiang)–Malaysia Economic and Trade Exchange Conference yesterday. Heilongjiang is China’s largest grain producer, often referred to as the “Northern Granary”. Its annual cultivated grain area exceeds 14.7 million hectares, with total grain output surpassing 75 million tonnes for seven consecutive years and ranking first in China for 15 straight years. “I believe that if we can collaborate with Heilongjiang’s agritech enterprises and research institutions and promote advanced planting, processing, and logistics technologies locally, we can inspire more young Malaysian entrepreneurs to venture into agriculture and transform it into a high-tech, promising industry,” Ng said. ACCCIM, in early 2016, led a delegation to visit Heilongjiang and signed a cooperation agree ment with the Heilongjiang Federation of Industry and Commerce, laying a foundation for bilateral economic, trade, and cultural exchanges. Ng believes that this conference and face-to face exchange and sharing will further expand areas of cooperation and elevate bilateral economic and trade ties between Malaysia and Heilongjiang to new heights. Beyond agriculture and trade, he said, Malaysia and Heilongjiang also complement each other strongly in tourism. Malaysia enjoys summer all year round, while Heilongjiang has long and cold winters. This contrast offers tourists from both sides fresh and unique travel experiences. “With the implementation of mutual visa exemptions between Malaysia and China and the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026, the bilateral tourism market is poised for a new round of growth. “More importantly, Malaysia will be the Country of Honour at the 2026 Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair (Harbin Fair),” Ng said. The Harbin Fair will allow Malaysian enterprises to directly access broader markets in Northeast China as well as Russia and Mongolia. “I urge tourism players from both sides to deepen cooperation in seasonal travel packages, cultural exchange activities, and joint promo tional programmes,” Ng said.

collectively, also taking into account legal aspects such as the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) and the Cyber Security Act 2024 (Act 854). – Bernama ‘Asean ESG agenda must go beyond corporate metrics’

Fadillah (fifth, left) joins the ‘Asean Wave’ group photo with representatives and delegates at the Asean Law Forum 2025 yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC ensuring fairness and inclusivity in economic and environmental reforms. inspiring confidence and shaping a future where growth and equity walk hand in hand,” he added.

He expressed confidence that the Asean Law Forum would generate practical solutions to strengthen cooperation, enhance access to justice and promote inclusive growth across the region. “When laws are clear, when remedies are accessible, and when justice is delivered without fear or favour, we are not just protecting rights, we are building nations,

The three-day forum, which began yesterday and hosted under Malaysia’s 2025 Asean chairmanship, provides Asean member states the opportunity to coordinate efforts in building strong and resilient legal institutions and mechanisms, especially in navigating today’s uncertain global economic challenges. – Bernama