Updated Padu will help clean up list of aid recipients, says Rafizi

KUALA LUMPUR: The Central Database Hub (Padu) will help weed out households that are not eligible for government aid but have been receiving it for years, says Rafizi Ramli.

“We will start cleaning up (the list) one by one and that is the reason why the data needs to be updated.

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“Previously, whenever the government has a large-scale socio-economic aid programme, problems arise.

“Some will say they receive aid while others question why they are not eligible.

“Padu will make it easier for the government to identify and clean up (the list) and ensure that only the deserving receive aid,” the Economy Minister said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday. (March 5)

Dr Wee wanted to know who would be responsible for verifying the updated data which cannot be altered once keyed in.

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He also asked how an individual’s net disposable income can be accurately determined, for example in the case of a thrifty person who owns a car.

“Also, how will data be protected so that hackers will not breach the system and make off with data where we end up becoming victims,” the MCA president asked.

Dr Wee said the public must be confident about data security if more people are to register with Padu.

Earlier, R. Yuneswaran (PH-Segamat) also noted that people were slow to update their data on Padu.

He said that as of Feb 25, only 3.79 million people had updated their details on Padu and now there was less than a month to do so before the March 31 deadline.

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Yuneswaran also suggested that Rafizi give an assurance on data security.

Rafizi said those who have yet to update their data fell within three categories.

“The first are those who don’t want to update their data because they feel that they are not eligible for aid.

“The second are those who will wait till the deadline approaches before registering.

“The third group will be those who will be rushing to update their data once the government announces the targeted subsidy,” he added.

However, he did not respond to the requests for an assurance on data security.