Eric Chua on disclosure and privacy protection over couple at centre of NCMP's POFMA case
The POFMA direction issued to NCMP Leong Mun Wai on Feb 15 did not identify the couple he highlighted in any way, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua. Replying to an MP’s questions in Parliament on Monday (Mar 4), he said disclosure of the couple’s Central Provident Fund and MediSave balances was necessary to dispel falsehoods in the public statement by Mr Leong about Government assistance to the needy. He said when cases are publicised with errors of fact, they create the misleading impression that society is failing those in need. Government agencies then have to set the record straight, in the public interest, and this is consistent with the Government's Instruction Manual and the Public Sector (Governance) Act, which provide that, among other reasons, personal data can be disclosed if necessary in the public interest.
The POFMA direction issued to NCMP Leong Mun Wai on Feb 15 did not identify the couple he highlighted in any way, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua. Replying to an MP’s questions in Parliament on Monday (Mar 4), he said disclosure of the couple’s Central Provident Fund and MediSave balances was necessary to dispel falsehoods in the public statement by Mr Leong about Government assistance to the needy. He said when cases are publicised with errors of fact, they create the misleading impression that society is failing those in need. Government agencies then have to set the record straight, in the public interest, and this is consistent with the Government's Instruction Manual and the Public Sector (Governance) Act, which provide that, among other reasons, personal data can be disclosed if necessary in the public interest.
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