SEREMBAN: The appointment of a private entity, MySJ Sdn Bhd, through a direct negotiation mechanism rather than an open tender exercise to manage the next phase of the MySejahtera app is worrying, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

       The Umno deputy president said the people had the right to know the rationale, motives and capabilities of the entity involved in managing the MySejahtera app.

       “The app was developed for the purpose of monitoring the spread of Covid-19 and has been very helpful and useful.

       “But reports on the appointment of MySJ as a company that will be managing the MySejahtera app for the next phase is rather worrying,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Mohamad said although the Health Ministry had provided an explanation, some questions still needed to be answered.

       “This is because the decision involves the management of personal data, health information, movements and life trends of tens of millions of Malaysians.

       “Let’s not forget that this app was initially developed as a corporate social responsibility to deal with a contagious pandemic,” he added.

       Any purpose other than pandemic control would require the government to conduct a comprehensive study with all stakeholders, especially Malaysians, he said.

       He also said plans to upgrade the app’s use such as to facilitate organ donation or any other health matters, although beneficial, were not in line with its original purpose.

       “If there are plans to upgrade and diversify MySejahtera’s functions, a check and balance mechanism should be put in place to ensure the integrity of personal and medical information is not compromised.

       “The government should also decide on the rationale for continuing registration through MySejahtera and the obligation to activate MySJTrace,” he said.

       He added that Malaysians should not be burdened with a surveillance-like mechanism that directly invaded the privacy of their movements and daily lives.

       “Determine the period of time for the sake of normalising the lives of Malaysians, just like before the pandemic,” he said.

       He also said being transparent was important in strengthening the people’s confidence in the government’s plan to expand MySejahtera beyond its original function.