Homemaker Siti Khatijah Zubaidi from Hulu Selangor is among millions of Malaysians who have yet to fill in information in the Central Database Hub (PADU) despite many reminders to do so by March 31.

Although Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, the man who has been promoting the new database that will determine who is eligible to receive various government assistance and subsidies, Khatijah is still not convinced that the authorities are well equipped to deal with data security.

She still remembers how her late father lost RM15,000 in his bank deposit without his knowledge, as well as scammers who are still able to reach her personal phone and that of her family members.

"I am worried the data will be sold to irresponsible parties," Khatijah told MalaysiaNow.

"My husband had to register because he is a civil servant and has to follow the boss, otherwise it will affect his pension and others."

Concerns such as those expressed by Khatijah were recently mentioned by a senior Sarawak minister, who criticised the way the government implemented PADU by demanding various personal information.

"The moment you fill in, you strip yourself naked. Practically everything - your bank account, your house, everything!" said Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

"I don’t think that is a proper way to treat your citizens," the Sarawak state tourism minister said.

Abdul Karim also questioned if the federal government has a political agenda in telling people to provide personal information.

Rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) had expressed similar concern, warning of the danger of sensitive information being disclosed without any legal redress for the public to seek damages if their personal data are leaked or stolen.

“As it stands... the data collected by PADU can be disseminated or used by the government beyond its declared purpose of targeted subsidies. There have been cases of misuse of data by the government before where personal data were used to disseminate propaganda by way of SMS to the public,” said LFL's Zaid Malek.

Khatijah agreed.

"I think the matter is related to the information submitted online. We are also afraid if there is an breach of personal information," he added.

Khatijah was a recipient of Rahmah Cash Aid (STR), an assistance programme that has been rebranded by the current government.

Since getting married, she no longer receives STR assistance, but she is not bothered.

The government said PADU, which was launched by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last January, will ensure that assistance and subsidies are given to only those who qualify in an effort to move from bulk subsidies to targeted subsidies.

It combines data from various agencies such as the Inland Revenue Board and the Social Welfare Department, among others.

An information technology expert said the integrated data should be protected under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA), although the government says it is exempt from the act.

"PDPA which should protect our data only covers commercial data. It does not involve government agencies," said Azril Hanafi Abdullah Sharwani.

"This is the main issue in the public's response to PADU. The government needs to move in a more strategic and organised manner," he added.

As of March 23, Putrajaya said some 7.36 million people have registered in PADU.

Rafizi has been reminding Malaysians to update their data or risk missing out on government assistance.

For Azril, the narrative brought by Rafizi shows the weakness of the government's communication.

"They should come up with a better narrative that has positive connotations to the people. The government should have strategic communication that can urge the people to support the initiative," he said.

PADU is not the only initiative that requires people to hand over their personal details.

Recently, the Ministry of Finance instructed foreign currency exchangers to ensure that their customers fill in forms with name, address and other details.

A senior IT lecturer Saaidal Razalli Azzuhri said he understood Abdul Karim's concerns on data privacy.

"The government needs to strike a balance between using data for more efficient administration, and protecting the people's fundamental rights and privacy. Measures such as a comprehensive data privacy act, law enforcement, as well as data management with integrity and transparency, must become the priority," said the Universiti Malaya lecturer.

https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2024/03/25/padu-big-data-or-big-brother