Singaporean firms fined 1 million SGD for data leak

Singapore's Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) announced on January 15 that two companies which involved in the worst data leak in the city-state’s history were fined 1 million SGD (some 740,000 USD) in total.
Hanoi (VNA) - Singapore's Personal Data ProtectionCommission (PDPC) announced on January 15 that two companies which involved inthe worst data leak in the city-state’s history were fined 1 million SGD (some740,000 USD) in total.

The Integrated Health Information Systems Pte Ltd ("IHiS") andSingapore Health Services Pte Ltd ("SingHealth") were fined forbreaching their data protection obligations under the Personal Data ProtectionAct (PDPA), according to a press release issued by PDPC.

SingHealth's patient database system suffered cyberattack in mid 2018,which led to the disclosure of personal information of 1.5 million patients,including Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

PDPC found that IHiS, which was assigned by SingHealth to operate itspatient database system, had failed to take adequate security measures toprotect the personal data in its possession and thus has imposed a financialpenalty of 750,000 SGD (around 556,000 USD).

Meanwhile, a financial penalty of 250,000 SGD was also imposed onSingHealth as the owner of the patient database system.

In a statement released on the same day, SingHealth's CEO Ivy Ngapologised to patients and accepted the fine. The company is making changes toenhance its  cyber-security governancestructures and improve management oversight of its critical systems, she said.

SingHeath is the largest healthcare group in Singapore. Founded in 2000,it comprises four public hospitals and five national specialty centers.-VNA
VNA

See more

At Pulau Seraya power station (Photo: Straitimes)

Singapore begins construction on hydrogen-fueled power plant

Singapore on October 23 began the construction of an 800 million USD power plant that has the capability to use hydrogen to generate electricity, as part of a push to utilise the fuel to reach Singapore’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

125th anniversary of Permanent Court of Arbitration celebrated

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and missions of the Philippines, Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, Thailand, France, Eritrea and Austria, organised a ceremony on October 22 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), as part of the International Law Week at the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee (Sixth Committee).

CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Anuar Fariz Fadzil (Photo: focusmalaysia.my)

Malaysia continues placing emphasis on digitalisation

The Budget 2025 provides significant support to further accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation, encourage adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and drive inclusive growth, further positioning Malaysia as a leading digital hub within the ASEAN region, according to CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Anuar Fariz Fadzil.

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow

Malaysia has attracted substantial foreign investments, reaching 22.2 billion MYR (5.16 billion USD) in the third quarter of 2024, the highest level for the same period since 2012, according to UOB's Global Markets and Economics report.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN speaks at the debate (Photo: VNA)

Maintaining peace, stability a must for progress on human rights: Ambassador

Progress in human rights can only be achieved by maintaining peace and stability, respecting the rule of law at both the international and national levels, and ensuring respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, said Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

A visitor browses travel promotions at a travel fair in Nonthaburi province. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand plans enhanced support for domestic tourism

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to increase subsidy to local tourists in the upcoming stimulus scheme to 50% and would like to change the criteria for online travel agents, mandating them to register in Thailand to avoid losing income to foreign companies.

Oil field offshore Indonesia. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Indonesia begins major oil, gas exploration in Sulawesi

Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina, along with foreign partners Sinopec from China and Kuwait’s Kufpec, has signed a contract to explore the Melati oil and gas block, located off the coast of Sulawesi. The block is estimated to contain trillions of cubic feet of gas reserves.