KUCHING, Jan 2: The Central Database Hub (Padu), which promises fairer distribution of targeted subsidies for Malaysians in need, has been officially launched today.
According to the national news portal MalayMail, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was at the launching ceremony at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre today, acknowledged the criticism following Padu’s announcement but also the necessity to digitise the delivery system to benefit those requiring assistance.
Anwar, as quoted by MalayMail, said, “The definition of subsidies is ‘handout’, assistance to those in need and for decades this practice remained unchanged in Malaysia, enjoyed by everyone, including non-Malaysians.
“So that is why when Padu is being opposed, I always ask, who are you trying to defend? The foreigners? The wealthiest?
“Because the ones still receiving subsidies are 85 per cent of Malaysians.”
Padu is a system containing individual and household profiles comprising citizens and permanent residents in Malaysia.
It integrates data from various government departments and agencies to create profiles of individuals and households for some 28.3 million Malaysian citizens to provide more accurate data, as well as enable targeted policy implementation to balance the fiscal position.
At present, Anwar said subsidies expenditure incurred by the government had reached RM80 billion, stating that Malaysia cannot sustain its fiscal policies if leakages involving subsidies remain unresolved and further compounded by said subsidies not reaching their intended targets.
The Padu initiative, said Anwar, was part of the government’s drive towards digital transformation to ensure deserving recipients can benefit from every government service.
“There must be determination and without compromise.
“Without Padu, there will be much leakage; otherwise, there is no reason why there are still groups of poor in the country,” he said.
Members of the public aged 18 and above are encouraged to register and update their information at Padu’s website and have until March 31 to do so. — DayakDaily
