WITH the deadline for registration to the Central Database Hub (PADU) fast approaching (March 31), it is still not known if there would be any extensions as there are plenty of misgivings and the lack of interest in the registration process.

This registration drive has been implemented in an informational vacuum as very important questions and doubts have been left unanswered by the Economic Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli.

Even the B40 who have nothing to hide about their personal details and particulars especially about bank accounts and who would very much like to register for the so-called targeted subsidies programme, are not rushing into it.

They are feeling lethargic about this constant need to update information of all kinds and this is the main reason. It for the lukewarm response as compared to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s BR1M Programme and even the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH).

One can call it application fatigue! Most of those registering under duress are the B40 who worry about being cut off from the much-needed subsidies to tide over the present spike in the cost of living and the dire socio-economic situation.

Some from the lower M40 group might also register but I doubt any from the T20 will sign up with PADU as they feel that their confidential particulars about their wealth should not be revealed to others.

Furthermore, they do not need subsidies! Even information with banks can be easily revealed and subsequently compromised and abused for various reasons as proven in the past, and there is always the fear of PADU being hacked and information shared with others for negative and criminal purposes.

Past few episodes of hacking do not instil confidence in local database systems. PADU, we have been informed, had been subjected to hacking attempts and there is no guarantee that future attacks will also fail to prise open the “pandora box”.

If the government wants information about the M40 and T20 groups, it can get them for socio-economic planning from other sources.

PADU should be confined to getting information about the B40 and others who want to do so.

Anyway, the poor are the targeted group and why bother about the others if they do not want to register for various reasons?

Registration should be voluntary and it should be extended for a longer time and the government needs to provide more information about PADU through various media.

There is no point expecting all to register as there are too many suspicions about the entire process. The government will never be able to get all the information about all the citizens and people in Malaysia.

No country has been able to do the same either as there are too much suspicions about central database hubs.

As such it will be better for the government to be satisfied with whatever information they get or have for their decision- and policy-making, and use it for its various socio-economic programmes and future planning.

The B40 and others who presently receive assistance under various schemes should continue to do so and the government should not stop or penalise them just because they did not register with PADU. - March 26, 2024

V. Thomas
Sungai Buloh, Selangor 

https://focusmalaysia.my/padu-should-focus-on-getting-info-from-the-b40-other-groups-can-volunteer-to-do-so/