There's Urgency For Asean To Establish Robust, Interoperable Data Governance Mechanisms -- Singapore HC

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 21 (Bernama) -- There is an urgency for ASEAN to establish robust and interoperable data governance mechanisms to help businesses reduce compliance costs and allow them to continue to grow even during this pandemic crisis. Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, said this is timely and apt as the ongoing COVID-19 has accelerated digital adoption. “Data governance has become more important in light of COVID-19. According to a recent survey, 8 in 10 businesses in ASEAN expect the COVID pandemic to change their business model to a digital version. “This means that cross border data transfers within ASEAN will become more critical to support our economies, critical to trade and business flows. This is why there is an urgency for ASEAN to establish robust and interoperable data governance mechanisms to help our businesses reduce compliance costs and allow them to continue to grow even during this pandemic crisis. “It can help companies access our collective markets much more easily, seek those opportunities and collaborate in that economic recovery,” Vanu Menon told Bernama in an email reply in conjunction with the first ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN1), held via teleconference from today to Friday, Jan 22. Themed "ASEAN: A Digitally Connected Community", the meeting seeks to strengthen cooperation among ASEAN countries towards building digital ecosystems as a pillar in the post-COVID-19 development plan. Vanu Menon pointed out that the Singapore-led ASEAN Framework on Digital Data Governance will continue to contribute and bring greater alignment between ASEAN Member States through key initiatives including ASEAN Data Management Framework, and the ASEAN Cross Border Data Flows Mechanisms – Model Contractual Clauses (MCCs) and Certification, which will be tabled at the ADGMIN1 meeting for approval. “The MCCs are important to help all our companies to ensure that data is protected across borders in an easy manner to include in their contracts as a valid transfer mechanism. “The Certification programme, on the other hand, builds on the MCCs and is intended for businesses with larger, more complex data flows to adapt to and adopt these data protection laws. Certification also allows for interoperability with larger mechanisms such as the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR),” he added. Vanu Menon noted that enhancing cybersecurity cooperation is also key to the security of ASEAN’s future economy and digitalisation initiatives, especially in view of the recent rise of global cybersecurity and supply chain attacks and threats. Speaking on ADGMIN1, Vanu Menon said Singapore look forward to the launch of the new digital masterplan, ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 (ADM2025), led by Malaysia that is a key deliverable under its ADGMIN chairmanship. “The masterplan reflects the need for accelerating inclusive digital transformation so that the region can emerge more resilient and stronger from the pandemic. “The new masterplan incorporates learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the need for infrastructure preparedness, digital connectivity, interoperable standards, availability of online facilities, digital services, and improving digital literacy and skill set of citizens. “We look forward to the launch of the ADM2025 that will strategically guide ASEAN towards that vision over the next five years from 2021 to 2025,” he added. Commenting on current technology and digital disparity that first need to be addressed in each of the ASEAN countries, he said bridging the digital divide is vital. “We must ensure that the opportunities from technology and innovation benefit the broad majority of people. To avoid widening inequality, we must recover in a manner that is inclusive.” The regional grouping of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN comprises 10 member states namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam. -- BERNAMA