Alleged Data Leak at AKRAB Resource Malaysia Exposes Sensitive Student Information

An image circulating online suggests a significant data breach at a Malaysian entity identified as “AKRAB RESOURCE MALAYSIA,” exposing the personal and educational details of numerous students. The leaked data appears to primarily affect recipients of scholarships from prominent Malaysian foundations, including Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) and Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera.

The leaked information, as displayed in the image, includes a range of sensitive data points for each student:

• Full Name
• Contact Number
• National Identity Card (IC) Number
• Email Address
• Scholarship Category (e.g., “YSD SKILL ENRICHMENT,” “Peneraju Tunas Potensi – YSD Bursary”)
• Course of Study
• Educational Institution

While the exact nature of AKRAB Resource Malaysia’s relationship with the affected foundations is not publicly detailed, it is plausible that the entity acts as a third-party administrator or vendor for the scholarship programs. In such cases, the data breach may have originated from this vendor rather than the foundations themselves.

Investigations into the entities mentioned reveal:

• AKRAB Resource Malaysia: The name “AKRAB” is associated with several entities in Malaysia. While it stands for “Rakan Pembimbing Perkhidmatan Awam” (Public Service Counselling Associates) within government agencies, there are also privately-owned businesses registered as “AKRAB RESOURCES” and “AKRAB DATA RESOURCES SDN BHD.” The latter is listed as an information technology company.
• Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD): A well-known foundation in Malaysia, YSD provides a significant number of scholarships and bursaries for students across various fields of study.
• Peneraju Tunas Potensi: This is a scholarship program managed by Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera, an agency under the Malaysian Ministry of Economy focused on developing local talent. The presence of a “YSD-Peneraju Tunas Potensi Bursary” in the leaked data indicates a collaborative effort between the two foundations.

As of now, there have been no official statements from AKRAB Resource Malaysia, Yayasan Sime Darby, or Yayasan Peneraju regarding this specific data leak. The incident highlights the growing concern over data security in Malaysia and the potential risks associated with third-party data management. Individuals who have applied for or received scholarships from these foundations are advised to be vigilant against potential phishing scams and identity theft.