PRESS RELEASE: FOMCA STRONGLY OPPOSES FOREIGN AND INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES HANDLING MALAYSIANSโ IDENTITY VERIFICATION DATA
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The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) strongly opposes any requirement that forces Malaysians to submit their MyKad, passport, or other highly sensitive personal identification documents directly to international social media platforms, foreign technology companies, or overseas-based verification providers.
While FOMCA acknowledges the need to protect children and minors online, consumer safety and national data sovereignty must never be sacrificed in the process. The current proposal raises extremely serious concerns involving privacy, cybersecurity, misuse of personal information, and loss of national control over Malaysiansโ personal identity data.
Malaysians should not be compelled to upload copies of their ICs, passports, or other official documents to companies that operate outside Malaysiaโs jurisdiction. Once such sensitive data leaves the country or is managed by international corporations, consumers lose visibility and control over how their information is used, stored, analysed, shared, monetised, or retained.
There are major unanswered questions surrounding the entire implementation. Consumers still do not know who exactly will manage the verification system, where the data will be stored, how long the data will be kept, whether the information will be transferred overseas, whether third-party vendors are involved, and whether the collected data could eventually be used for profiling, behavioural advertising, artificial intelligence training, commercial analytics, or data mining activities.
FOMCA is particularly concerned that this system could open the door to large-scale exploitation of Malaysiansโ identity data by private technology companies whose business models are heavily dependent on data collection and user profiling. Consumers must not become products in a digital economy where their personal identities are treated as commercial assets.
The issue goes far beyond age verification. This involves highly sensitive national identity information belonging to millions of Malaysians. Any data breach, leak, hacking incident, or misuse could expose consumers to identity theft, financial fraud, cybercrime, impersonation, scams, and long-term privacy violations.
FOMCA stresses that national identity documents are not ordinary information. MyKad data contains extremely sensitive details that can be abused if they fall into the wrong hands. Consumers are already facing increasing threats from scams, phishing syndicates, fake loans, mule account activities, and identity fraud.
Requiring citizens to upload identity documents across multiple social media platforms may significantly increase those risks.
FOMCA also rejects any approach that allows international companies to become gatekeepers of Malaysiansโ identities. Verification of citizensโ identity should remain under strict national control and must be governed through secure local infrastructure that complies fully with Malaysian laws and national cybersecurity requirements.
Instead of allowing social media platforms or overseas technology companies to directly collect identity documents, the government should explore safer alternatives such as a secure home-based Digital ID ecosystem managed under strict national governance and independent oversight. Verification systems should minimise data exposure and avoid unnecessary collection of sensitive documents.
FOMCA believes that any digital verification mechanism must follow the principles of necessity, proportionality, transparency, accountability, and data minimisation. Consumers should only provide the minimum information required for verification, without exposing full identity documents to multiple entities.
International experience has shown that age verification systems can easily become controversial when implemented without strong privacy safeguards. Several countries have faced criticism after citizens raised concerns about surveillance, excessive data collection, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and the possibility of sensitive information being commercially exploited.
Malaysia must learn from these global concerns instead of rushing implementation without proper public consultation. Policies involving personal identity data require public trust, and trust cannot exist without transparency. FOMCA therefore calls for the immediate postponement of the proposed implementation until comprehensive stakeholder engagement is conducted involving consumer groups, cybersecurity experts, digital rights advocates, privacy specialists, parents, youth groups, legal experts, and industry stakeholders.
The government must first present a clear and transparent framework explaining how the system will function, who will manage the data, what legal protections exist, how independent oversight will be conducted, and how consumersโ rights will be protected.
Protecting children online is important, but protecting the privacy, dignity, and sovereignty of Malaysiansโ personal data is equally critical. Consumer rights and national interests must never be compromised in the pursuit of digital regulation.
Dr. Saravanan Thambirajah
Chief Executive Officer
SIARAN MEDIA: FOMCA MEMBANTAH SEKERAS-KERASNYA PENGLIBATAN SYARIKAT ASING DAN ANTARABANGSA DALAM PENGENDALIAN DATA PENGESAHAN IDENTITI RAKYAT MALAYSIA
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Gabungan Persatuan-persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) membantah sekeras-kerasnya sebarang keperluan yang memaksa rakyat Malaysia menyerahkan MyKad, pasport, atau dokumen pengenalan diri lain yang sensitif secara terus kepada platform media sosial antarabangsa, syarikat teknologi asing, atau penyedia pengesahan yang berpangkalan di luar negara.
Walaupun FOMCA mengiktiraf keperluan untuk melindungi kanak-kanak dan golongan bawah umur dalam talian, namun keselamatan pengguna dan kedaulatan data negara tidak boleh dikorbankan dalam proses tersebut. Cadangan semasa menimbulkan kebimbangan yang amat serius berkaitan privasi, keselamatan siber, penyalahgunaan maklumat peribadi, dan dan ancaman kedaulatan negara ke atas data identiti peribadi rakyat Malaysia.
Rakyat Malaysia tidak seharusnya dipaksa memuat naik salinan kad pengenalan, pasport, atau dokumen rasmi lain kepada syarikat yang beroperasi di luar bidang kuasa Malaysia. Apabila data sensitif sedemikian keluar dari kawalan negara atau diuruskan oleh syarikat antarabangsa, pengguna akan hilang hak untuk mengetahui dan mengawal bagaimana maklumat mereka digunakan, disimpan, dianalisis, dikongsi, dikomersialkan, atau dikekalkan.
Terdapat banyak persoalan besar yang masih belum terjawab mengenai pelaksanaan ini secara keseluruhan. Pengguna masih tidak mengetahui siapa sebenarnya yang akan mengendalikan sistem pengesahan tersebut, di mana data akan disimpan, berapa lama data akan dikekalkan, sama ada maklumat akan dipindahkan ke luar negara, atau vendor pihak ketiga terlibat, atau data yang dikumpulkan akhirnya boleh digunakan untuk pembentukan profil pengguna, pengiklanan tingkah laku, latihan kecerdasan buatan (AI), analitik komersial, atau aktiviti perlombongan data.
FOMCA amat bimbang bahawa sistem ini boleh membuka ruang kepada eksploitasi besar-besaran data identiti rakyat Malaysia oleh syarikat teknologi swasta yang model perniagaannya sangat bergantung kepada pengumpulan data dan pembentukan profil pengguna. Pengguna tidak boleh dijadikan produk dalam ekonomi digital di mana identiti peribadi mereka dianggap sebagai aset komersial.
Isu ini bukan sahaja melibatkan pengesahan umur tetapi ia turut melibatkan maklumat identiti negara milik jutaan rakyat Malaysia yang sangat sensitif. Sebarang pelanggaran data, kebocoran, penggodaman, atau penyalahgunaan boleh mendedahkan pengguna kepada kecurian identiti, penipuan kewangan, jenayah siber, penyamaran, penipuan (scam), dan pelanggaran privasi jangka panjang. FOMCA menegaskan bahawa dokumen identiti negara bukanlah maklumat biasa. Data MyKad mengandungi butiran yang amat sensitif dan boleh disalahgunakan sekiranya jatuh ke tangan yang salah. Pengguna kini sudah pun berhadapan dengan ancaman scam, sindiket phishing, pinjaman palsu, aktiviti akaun keldai, dan penipuan identiti yang semakin meningkat. Perbuatan memaksa rakyat memuat naik dokumen identiti ke pelbagai platform media sosial boleh meningkatkan risiko tersebut secara ketara.
FOMCA juga menolak sebarang pendekatan yang membolehkan syarikat antarabangsa menjadi penjaga utama identiti rakyat Malaysia. Pengesahan identiti warganegara mesti kekal di bawah kawalan nasional yang ketat dan perlu dikendalikan melalui infrastruktur tempatan yang selamat serta mematuhi sepenuhnya undang-undang Malaysia dan keperluan keselamatan siber negara.
Daripada membenarkan platform media sosial atau syarikat teknologi luar negara mengumpul dokumen identiti secara langsung, kerajaan seharusnya meneroka alternatif yang lebih selamat seperti ekosistem ID digital tempatan yang diuruskan di bawah tadbir urus nasional yang ketat dan pemantauan bebas. Sistem pengesahan juga perlu meminimumkan pendedahan data dan mengelakkan pengumpulan dokumen sensitif yang tidak diperlukan.
FOMCA percaya bahawa sebarang mekanisme pengesahan digital mesti mematuhi prinsip keperluan, keseimbangan, ketelusan, akauntabiliti, dan pengurangan data minimum. Pengguna sepatutnya hanya perlu memberikan maklumat minimum yang diperlukan untuk tujuan pengesahan tanpa perlu mendedahkan dokumen identiti penuh kepada pelbagai pihak.
Situasi antarabangsa menunjukkan bahawa sistem pengesahan umur boleh menjadi kontroversi apabila dilaksanakan tanpa perlindungan privasi yang kukuh. Beberapa negara telah menerima kritikan selepas rakyat membangkitkan kebimbangan mengenai pengawasan, pengumpulan data berlebihan, kelemahan keselamatan siber, dan kemungkinan maklumat sensitif dieksploitasi untuk tujuan komersial.
Malaysia harus mengambil pengajaran daripada kebimbangan global ini dan tidak melaksanakan sistem secara tergesa-gesa tanpa rundingan awam yang sewajarnya. Dasar yang melibatkan data identiti peribadi memerlukan kepercayaan awam, dan kepercayaan tidak boleh dibina tanpa ketelusan.
Oleh itu, FOMCA menggesa supaya pelaksanaan cadangan ini ditangguhkan segera sehingga penglibatan menyeluruh bersama pihak berkepentingan dilaksanakan, termasuk kumpulan pengguna, pakar keselamatan siber, pejuang hak digital, pakar privasi, ibu bapa, kumpulan belia, pakar undang-undang, dan pemain industri.
Kerajaan mesti terlebih dahulu membentangkan satu rangka kerja yang jelas dan telus yang menerangkan bagaimana sistem ini akan berfungsi, siapa yang akan menguruskan data, apakah perlindungan undang undang yang wujud, bagaimana pemantauan bebas akan dijalankan, dan bagaimana hak pengguna akan dilindungi.
Melindungi kanak-kanak dalam talian adalah penting, namun perlindungan privasi, maruah, dan kedaulatan data peribadi rakyat Malaysia adalah sama penting dan tidak boleh dipandang ringan. Hak pengguna dan kepentingan negara tidak boleh sama sekali dikompromi demi mengejar kawalan digital.
Dr. Saravanan Thambirajah
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif
Enhance fraud detection
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KUALA LUMPUR: Banks and financial institutions are facing growing scrutiny on whether measures are in place to detect suspicious online transactions before customers fall victim to scams.
The issue has come under renewed focus following a Sessions Court ruling ordering a bank to compensate a customer RM166,000 over suspicious online transactions that went undetected.
As scams evolve, banks are facing heightened urgency to identify unusual transaction patterns and act fast, particularly as fraudsters exploit human behaviour and then move in to breach banking systems.
FOMCA SAMBUT BAIK PENAMBAHBAIKAN SISTEM KAWALAN DIESEL BERSUBSIDI (SKDS), SERU PEMANTAUAN LEBIH KETAT BAGI MEMASTIKAN MANFAAT SAMPAI KEPADA PENGGUNA
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Gabungan Persatuan-persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) menyambut baik keputusan kerajaan memperluaskan kelayakan Sistem Kawalan Diesel Bersubsidi (SKDS) kepada kenderaan jenis jip dan pikap di seluruh negara, khususnya bagi pengusaha yang terlibat dalam sektor pengangkutan barangan darat.
Langkah ini dilihat tepat pada masanya memandangkan kos pengangkutan dan logistik terus memberi kesan langsung kepada harga makanan, hasil pertanian dan barangan keperluan harian yang ditanggung pengguna.
Menurut Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup (KPDN), penambahbaikan mekanisme SKDS membolehkan syarikat yang memiliki kenderaan jenis jip dan pikap bagi tujuan pengangkutan barangan darat membuat pendaftaran di bawah sistem tersebut bermula 1 Jun 2026. Kerajaan juga memperluaskan manfaat subsidi diesel kepada kenderaan tertentu yang sebelum ini didaftarkan atas nama individu, tertakluk kepada syarat pendaftaran syarikat dan pertukaran hak milik kenderaan.
FOMCA menghargai usaha berterusan kerajaan dalam menangani peningkatan kos sara hidup ketika dunia berdepan ketidaktentuan ekonomi global dan krisis geopolitik yang telah menyebabkan kenaikan harga minyak dan komoditi di peringkat antarabangsa. Tekanan luaran ini bukan sahaja memberi kesan kepada Malaysia, malah turut dirasai oleh banyak negara lain.
Dalam keadaan mencabar ini, pengguna memahami bahawa kerajaan sedang berusaha sedaya upaya untuk mengimbangi keperluan melindungi kebajikan rakyat dan memastikan kedudukan kewangan negara kekal mampan.
Walaupun peluasan subsidi diesel ini berpotensi membantu mengurangkan kos pengangkutan, FOMCA menegaskan bahawa tiada jaminan automatik bahawa penjimatan tersebut akan diterjemahkan kepada harga yang lebih rendah kepada pengguna. Kos bahan api dan logistik merupakan komponen penting dalam rantaian bekalan. Namun begitu, pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan yang berkesan amat penting bagi memastikan penjimatan kos benar-benar diterjemahkan kepada harga yang lebih stabil dan bukannya diserap sebagai keuntungan tambahan oleh pihak tertentu.
Sehubungan dengan itu, FOMCA menggesa kerajaan, khususnya KPDN memperkukuhkan pemantauan terhadap harga barangan keperluan dan menilai secara berkala sama ada mekanisme subsidi ini benar-benar membantu menstabilkan harga untuk pengguna.
Pada masa yang sama, FOMCA memahami rasional kerajaan mewajibkan pemilik kenderaan individu mendaftarkan perniagaan mereka secara formal sebelum layak menerima subsidi kerana langkah tersebut mampu meningkatkan akauntabiliti, tadbir urus serta mengurangkan ketirisan subsidi.
Namun begitu, FOMCA berpandangan bahawa syarat ini berisiko memberi kesan kepada pengusaha kecil dan sektor tidak formal termasuk petani kecil, pengusaha pengangkutan luar bandar dan penghantar barangan sendiri yang mungkin tidak mempunyai sumber kewangan, pengetahuan atau keupayaan digital untuk melengkapkan proses pendaftaran syarikat dan pertukaran hak milik kenderaan.
Bagi memastikan tiada golongan tercicir, FOMCA mencadangkan agar kerajaan menyediakan proses pendaftaran yang lebih mudah, program bantuan pendaftaran bergerak, kempen kesedaran dan langkah sokongan sementara bagi membantu pengusaha kecil menyesuaikan diri dengan sistem baharu ini.
FOMCA turut menyokong langkah kerajaan memperketatkan kawalan di bawah SKDS termasuk penetapan kuota bulanan tetap dan pengurusan fleet card yang lebih ketat bagi membendung ketirisan serta penyalahgunaan subsidi diesel.
Dengan lebih 432,000 kenderaan kini layak di bawah sistem subsidi tersebut, FOMCA berpandangan bahawa penguatkuasaan yang lebih tegas, audit berkala dan kerjasama antara agensi amat penting bagi membanteras penyalahgunaan serta aktiviti penjualan diesel bersubsidi secara haram.
Pengguna juga perlu diberikan saluran aduan yang mudah dan berkesan sekiranya terdapat pihak yang terus menaikkan harga secara tidak munasabah walaupun menerima manfaat subsidi bahan api.
Akhir sekali, FOMCA menegaskan bahawa subsidi bersasar mampu membantu mengurangkan kesan turun naik harga minyak global dan ketidaktentuan geopolitik. Namun begitu, semua pihak termasuk kerajaan, industri dan pengguna perlu bersama-sama memainkan peranan secara bertanggungjawab dalam menghadapi cabaran ekonomi semasa.
Dr. Saravanan Thambirajah
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif
PRESS RELEASE: FOMCA WELCOMES IMPROVEMENTS TO SUBSIDISED DIESEL CONTROL SYSTEM (SKDS), CALLS FOR STRONGER MONITORING TO ENSURE BENEFITS REACH CONSUMERS
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The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) welcomes the governmentโs decision to expand the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) eligibility for jeeps and pick-up trucks nationwide, particularly for operators involved in land freight transportation.
The move is timely as transportation and logistics costs continue to contribute to higher prices of food, agricultural produce and daily essentials faced by consumers.
According to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), the improved SKDS mechanism will allow companies nationwide that own jeeps and pick-up trucks for land freight purposes to register under the system beginning 1 June 2026. The government has also expanded eligibility to certain vehicles previously registered under individual ownership, subject to company registration and transfer of vehicle ownership requirements.
FOMCA appreciates the governmentโs continued efforts in addressing the rising cost of living amid ongoing global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions that have contributed to higher global fuel and commodity prices. These external pressures are affecting many countries, including Malaysia.
In this challenging environment, consumers understand that the government is doing its best to balance the need to protect rakyat welfare while ensuring the sustainability of national finances.
While the expansion of diesel subsidies may help reduce transportation costs, FOMCA stresses that there is no automatic guarantee that the savings will be passed down to consumers in the form of lower prices. Fuel and logistics costs are important components within the supply chain. However, effective monitoring and enforcement are necessary to ensure that cost savings are reflected in retail prices instead of being absorbed as additional profits by certain parties.
FOMCA therefore urges the government, particularly KPDN, to strengthen monitoring of essential goods prices and regularly assess whether the subsidy mechanism is genuinely helping to stabilise prices for consumers.
At the same time, FOMCA understands the rationale behind requiring individual vehicle owners to formalise their businesses before accessing the subsidy, as this would improve accountability, governance and reduce subsidy leakages.
However, FOMCA believes this requirement may unintentionally affect smaller and informal operators, including small farmers, rural transporters and self-employed delivery operators who may lack the financial resources, awareness or digital literacy needed to complete company registration and vehicle ownership transfer procedures.
To ensure inclusivity, FOMCA encourages the government to provide simplified registration procedures, mobile assistance programmes, awareness campaigns and temporary support measures to help smaller operators adapt to the new requirements.
FOMCA also supports the governmentโs move to tighten controls under SKDS, including the implementation of fixed monthly quotas and stricter fleet card management to curb leakages and abuse of subsidised diesel.
With more than 432,000 vehicles now eligible under the subsidy system, FOMCA believes stronger enforcement, periodic audits and closer inter-agency cooperation are essential to prevent misuse and illegal resale of subsidised diesel.
Consumers should also be provided with accessible complaint channels if there are operators who continue imposing unreasonable price increases despite benefiting from subsidised fuel assistance.
Ultimately, while targeted subsidies can help cushion the impact of global fuel price volatility and geopolitical instability, all parties including the government, industry players and consumers must work together responsibly to navigate these challenging economic conditions.
Dr. Saravanan Thambirajah
Chief Executive Officer
TAKTIK PEMASARAN AGRESIF DI PUSAT KESIHATAN DAN KECANTIKAN: APA YANG PENGGUNA PERLU TAHU
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Peningkatan penggunaan Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) dan pelan ansuran telah mengubah cara pengguna mendapatkan perkhidmatan kecantikan dan penjagaan diri. Walaupun sistem ini kelihatan lebih fleksibel dan mampu milik, ia turut menimbulkan kebimbangan berkaitan taktik jualan agresif, psikologi pengguna, serta komitmen kewangan jangka panjang.
Dalam sesetengah pusat perniagaan kesihatan dan kecantikan, strategi jualan sering direka untuk mewujudkan perasaan terdesak melalui tawaran masa terhad, pakej eksklusif dan sesi konsultasi yang meyakinkan. Pengguna kadangkala berasa tertekan untuk membuat keputusan dalam masa yang singkat walaupun pada awalnya masih ragu-ragu. Tekanan ini biasanya berlaku secara halus melalui mesej seperti โtawaran sekali seumur hidupโ atau amaran bahawa mereka akan kehilangan manfaat jika tidak mengambil pakej tersebut. Ini boleh menjejaskan keupayaan pengguna untuk membuat keputusan yang benar-benar bermaklumat.
Read more: TAKTIK PEMASARAN AGRESIF DI PUSAT KESIHATAN DAN KECANTIKAN: APA YANG PENGGUNA PERLU TAHU
AGGRESSIVE SALES IN WELLNESS AND BEAUTY CENTRE: WHAT CONSUMERS SHOULD KNOW
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The growing popularity of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) schemes and instalment-based payment options has changed how consumers access beauty and personal care services. While these payment models appear to offer flexibility and affordability, they also raise concerns involving aggressive sales tactics, consumer psychology, and long-term financial commitment.
In some beauty and wellness centre, sales strategies are designed to create urgency through time-limited offers, exclusive packages, and persuasive consultations. Consumers may feel pressured to make immediate decisions, even when they initially express hesitation. This pressure is often subtle rather than direct, relying on psychological cues such as claims that a deal is โonce in a lifetimeโ or that missing it means losing valuable benefits. As a result, consumers may not always make fully informed or rational decisions.
Read more: AGGRESSIVE SALES IN WELLNESS AND BEAUTY CENTRE: WHAT CONSUMERS SHOULD KNOW
Buy Now, Pay Later - Nationwide Tsunami
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Be it ShopeePay Later, Atome, or Grab PayLater; an observing eye could notice that Buy Now, Pay Later (โBNPLโ) schemes have steadily gained traction among the younger generation. BNPL schemes provide a form of escapism and a second bite at the cherry for many young people seeking to sustain a particular lifestyle despite financial constraints.
Recently, BNPL schemes have even garnered legislative attention through the passing of the Consumer Credit Bill 2025. During the tabling of the Bill, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying revealed that BNPL transaction values had surged by more than 30%, increasing from RM7.1 billion in the second half of 2024 to RM9.3 billion in the first half of 2025.
Scams โ Focusing on Laws and Technology is not Enough
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Scam prevention has long been framed as a technological arms raceโbetter cybersecurity systems, tighter regulations, and stronger laws. While these are undeniably important, they are not sufficient. The uncomfortable truth is that scams persist not merely because of gaps in systems, but because they exploit something far more predictable and universal: human psychology. If we are serious about reducing scam victimisation, we must move beyond a purely institutional response and invest in scam literacy programmes that deeply integrate the psychology of scams to drive real behavioural change.
At its core, a scam is not just a technical deception; it is a psychological manipulation. Scammers do not randomly target vulnerabilities in software aloneโthey target vulnerabilities in people. Fear, urgency, trust, greed, loneliness, authority, and hope are the real entry points. Whether it is a phone call claiming to be from a bank, a message about a loved one in distress, or an investment promising unusually high returns, the tactics are carefully designed to override rational thinking and trigger emotional responses.
Read more: Scams โ Focusing on Laws and Technology is not Enough
Court holds bank liable for failing to monitor customerโs accounts
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KUALA LUMPUR: The sessions court here today held that a local bank was liable for negligence in monitoring a customerโs accounts, resulting in RM166,000 in losses from unauthorised transactions.
Judge Maimoonah Aid awarded RM166,000 to Chan Yan Li after allowing her civil claim against Maybank. She also ordered the bank to pay RM15,000 in costs.
Chan filed the suit in 2022 after RM166,000 was transferred out of her loan account through a series of transactions between June and July 2021.She has held two accounts with Maybank since 2000: a housing loan account and a savings account.
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Read more: Court holds bank liable for failing to monitor customerโs accounts
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