Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department M Kayveas continued his onslaught against database company Credit Tip Off Service (Ctos) Sdn Bhd.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, he accused Ctos, which has 780,000 names in its database, of holding the public ransom.

"Under what law is Ctos operating? They cannot just register with the Registrar of Companies and start collecting personal data of the public," he said.

"No one can take others' information and put it on their computer and charge others access fee to allow them to check the information," he said.

The deputy minister also claimed that Ctos does not update the current status of the individuals featured in its database.

"Ctos lists a person who has been declared bankrupt. But it does not remove the name if the person has cleared his debts. He has to pay to get his name removed. I think this is daylight robbery," he said.

Kayveas said the Finance Ministry, through Finance Minister II Nor Mohamed Yakcop, had issued a directive on April 3 that banks and financial institutions should not use Ctos for reference.

The directive, he said, also stated that actions will be taken against banks that use Ctos' services.

Kayveas said the public has the authority to challenge banks that refuse to sanction loans because they have been "blacklisted by Ctos."

Website to collect feedback

He also said that Ctos should not be likened to the Central Credit Reference Information System (Ccris) that operates under Bank Negara because it is authorised by the government.

He explained that Ccris is limited to credit facilities only and provides information on the number of credit cards and bank loans a person has. It does not reveal the summons and writs a person has received.

Kayveas said officials from the Law Division under the Prime Minister's Department will visit the Ctos office on July 10, together with other relevant authorities.

"The government can take action. However, we want to visit Ctos and gather certain information before we take action.

"At the moment we find Ctos to be illegal. They are not covered under any law," he said, adding that Ctos must show what is their responsibility, who they are responsible to and who can check on them.

"If they challenge the government, the government will come down hard on them," he warned.

The deputy minister also revealed that the government has launched a website to compile public feedback regarding Ctos.

The website called Suara Rakyat can be accessed via www.insolvency.gov.my .

Previously, Ctos chief executive officer Chung Tze Keong said the company does not require a license to access information in the public domain