On the same day, the authorities said that they had opened an investigation into the suspected data hack of the old eHAC system, which had compromised the contact details, ID card information and COVID-19 test results of around 1.3 million Indonesians. The Health Ministry used the system for COVID-19 contact tracing efforts.

The government assured the public that the new eHAC system, connected to the PeduliLindungi app, was safe, saying that the system’s server infrastructure was located in the national data center secured by the National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN).

Following the incident, Puan reaffirmed the House’s commitment to completing the ongoing deliberation process of the data protection bill, adding that she hoped the government would also show its “seriousness” in the deliberation process so that the bill can be signed in the House’s current session.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician also called on the government to optimize its data-management system to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, considering the government’s increasing reliance on digital systems for its pandemic-handling policies.

"The management of people's data should not be played with. The protection of citizens' personal data must be carried out optimally so that there is no leakage,” Puan said in a release.

Puan went on to call for improved coordination between the Health Ministry and the Communications and Information Ministry in order to avoid similar data leaks going forward.

Read also: Cyber-attack haunts Indonesia's COVID-19 strategy

In light of the incident, a coalition of civil societies, including the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) and Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet), have urged the government to accelerate the finalizing of the data protection bill, which is badly needed as a legal basis for data protection.

The major sticking point in the bill’s deliberation is the institutional design of the proposed data protection agency, which will oversee the implementation of the bill in the country.

The government proposed that the agency be established under the Communications and Information Ministry. Lawmakers, meanwhile, have insisted that the proposed agency be independent of the government to avoid any possible conflict of interest.

The bill is among 33 bills listed in the House’s National Legislative Program (Prolegnas) priority list for this year.

Progress, however, remains notably lacking, with deputy chairman of House Commission I, which oversees defense, foreign affairs, information and intelligence, Abdul Kharis Almasyhari saying last month that the government and lawmakers were still unable to resolve the deadlock.

Popular

Java airports grounded by low demand, poor planning

'Dialogue' must be at heart of China, Australia ties, PM tells Xi

Rethinking ocean finance