PM: Database to facilitate more effective subsidy distribution coming soon

Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Photo courtesy of the Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia.

By Nur Ashikin Louis

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15: The federal government will set up a database called Pangkalan Data Utama (PADU) to facilitate more effective distribution of subsidies to targeted groups.

Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim said PADU would strengthen the government’s framework and data sharing, which is important to ensure the effectiveness of government programmes to reach the target group and to reduce leakages.

“The creation of PADU will help the government to ensure that any subsidy programme is implemented more regularly to avoid any dropout among eligible household recipients,” he said in a statement after the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting today.

He further said the frequency and accuracy of data are important to help formulate government policies that can meet the needs and confidence of the people.

“Therefore, data security issues will also be addressed and prioritised, as well as better coordination to reduce overlapping aspects.

“MTEN was also instructed to see the need for the drafting of specific Acts to strengthen this data-sharing initiative,” he added. — DayakDaily