SEREMBAN: Using direct negotiation to appoint private entity MySJ Sdn Bhd to manage the MySejahtera app through rather than through an open tender exercise is worrying, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

       The Umno deputy president said the people have the right to know the rationale, motive and capabilities of the entity involved.

       He said the MySejahtera app was developed to monitor the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic and is very useful and helpful.

       “However, reports on the appointment of MySJ Sdn Bhd to manage the MySejahtera app for the next phase is something to be concerned about,” he said in a statement on Monday (March 28).

       Mohamad said although the Health Ministry had provided an explanation, there are some things that need clarification.

       “This involves personal data, health information, movements and life trends of millions of Malaysians. Let’s not forget that this app was developed initially as a corporate social responsibility to deal with a contagious pandemic,” he said.

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

       He added that plans to upgrade the use of the application, such as to facilitate organ donation or any other health matters – although beneficial – were not in line with the original purpose of the app.

       He said if there had been plans to upgrade and diversify MySejahtera’s functions, a check-and-balance mechanism should be put in place to ensure that the integrity of Malaysians’ personal and medical information is not compromised.

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

       “Malaysians should not be forever burdened with a surveillance-like mechanism that directly invades privacy in their movements and daily lives.

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

       Mohamad said being transparent was important in strengthening the people's confidence in the government’s plan to expand functionality of the MySejahtera app.