Act against officers involved in theft of personal data

to the report published in a financial weekly on Feb 26, in which it was stated that a foreign bank had filed a civil suit against a local bank regarding theft of data by a managing director of a business banking division of the local bank.

The director was formerly attached to the foreign bank in Kuala Lumpur.

According to the financial weekly, after filing the suit in the court, the foreign bank is seeking to “resolve” the matter with the local bank.

As a member of the public, I am disturbed that such a thing should happen. I have, on several occasions, received phone calls from strangers enquiring whether I needed monetary assistance to repay my loans. I wondered how these officers obtained my personal data. And, they seemed to even know my financial standing.

We need to put a stop to data theft. Authorities such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Bank Negara Malaysia and Department of Personal Data Protection should investigate bank officers who are involved in personal data theft. Those responsible must be made to face the full force of the law.

The investigation should not be confined to the headquarters of banks, but must be extended to their branches throughout the country.

I hope the authorities will put a stop to this malpractice as it tarnishes the reputation of our financial institutions.