Kuala Lumpur, Fri: A new cyber law to protect consu,er privacy is likely to come into force next year. The proposed Personal Data Protection Act breaks new ground not only in cyber-privacy but also in law-making. "The draft of the bill is already posted on my ministry's website," Energy, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Amar Leo Moggie told The Sun today after witnessing the signing of an energy conservation project agreement. The bill would be tabled in parliament sometime next year, he said but would not be more specific.

This is the first time a draft bill is posted on the web for public access, scrutiny, comment and feedback before it is sent back to the Attorney-General's Chambers for the final drafting, according to ministry sources. The ministry took the draft to cabinet to be declassified before uploading it on website so as not to contravene the Official Secrets Act, they said. "The law is based on the basic principles of transparency and clarity; more competition and less regulation," they added. They said apart from posting it on the net for public comment, industry and consumer groups and individuals have been invited for consultations. these have been held in the Klang Valley, Sabah and Sarawak. The next round will be in Penang.

Wendy Liew, who heads Pikom, the computer and multimedia industry association, said it will submit its views officially soon. The draft, which runs to more than 80 pages comes in 14 parts and five schedules, is expected to remain on the ministry's website till end of the year. Its chief aim is to regulate the collection, possesion, processing and use of personal data by any person organisation so as to safeguard individual privacy. It also aims to establish a set of common rules and guidelines on handling and treatment of personal data by any person or organisation.

According to the Ministry, the legislation is envisaged to be a world-class leading edge cyber law that provides for higher level of personal data protection. It also seeks:

• provide adequate security and privacy in handling personal information;
• create confidence among consumes and users of both networked and non-networked industries
• accelerate uptake of e-commerce; and
• promote a secure electronic environment in line with Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) objectives.

The rationale, the ministry said, is to promote Malaysia as a communications and multimedia hub where the national adoption of e-based transactions is expected to be high.

TOMORROW: Details of the new cyber privacy law