PETALING JAYA: A probe by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) into the procurement of the MySejahtera app is needed for “transparency and accountability”, said civil right experts.

       Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) chairman Dr Muhammad Mohan said there were issues of expenditure of public money and data security which has to be closely looked at.

       “As the costs of operating and maintaining the MySejahtera involves public funds, there should be a proper process on how this ‘privatisation’ of the app is being handled.

       “Almost the entire population of the country is using the app, and the public will not accept just an explanation from the ministry,” he said when contacted yesterday.

       Muhammad noted that there were still questions arising from the transfer of the ownership of this national health application and management of data.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin recently clarified issues over the procurement of the MySejahtera app while allaying worries on data security.

       “We need to prevent the leak of information and public funds equally and ensure such an application with unprecedented power is not put in the wrong hands,” added Muhammad.

       Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Dr Akhbar Satar, who is a member of the advisory panel of Parliament’s committee on corruption, said PAC could play a more transparent role if it decides to go ahead with its probe.

       “The public wants PAC to play a more effective and concrete role as per its mandate.

       “Among its tasks are to examine the public accounts as submitted by the Auditor-General’s Department as well as that of the local authorities,” said Akhbar who is also the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Malaysia president.

       Among the chief concerns, he said, was the control of a large volume of personal data, which must be prevented from being misused.

       “The app can locate and trace anyone, and is even better than the National Registration Department in this respect,” he noted.

       Akhbar, who sits as an advisor on the Parliamentary Special Committee on Corruption, said there were legitimate concerns that such sensitive data could be abused.

       He said that PAC should also make recommendations to prevent data leaks or abuse, including ensuring that data from MySejahtera is not sold to another private company.