KUALA LUMPUR: Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) has criticised Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi for claiming that the Central Database Hub (Padu) has 'failed' and asked him to 'shut up'.

AMK's communications director, Haziq Azfar Ishak, said Puad, an Umno Supreme Council member, made unfounded claims that revealed his misunderstanding of the targeted subsidy implementation concept.

Haziq suggested that Puad's deliberate attacks on Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli should earn him the title of 'Minister of Rafizi Affairs' if he persists.

"The premature statement made by Puad alleging that Padu has failed is unfounded and demonstrates his misunderstanding of the targeted subsidy implementation concept.

"The success or failure of Padu can only be assessed through the effectiveness of targeted subsidy distribution, which depends on its ability to minimise 'inclusion' and 'exclusion' errors," Haziq said in a statement.

He said the concept of targeted subsidies has been discussed since the administration of the sixth Prime Minister until the Pakatan Harapan administration from 2018 to 2020.

"However, the biggest challenge in implementing fair targeted subsidies can only be addressed through the establishment of a database that integrates all government agency data to ensure 'near real-time' data," he said.

Haziq added that Puad's eagerness to repeatedly criticise Rafizi indicates his personal dissatisfaction rather than addressing actual issues.

On Sunday, Puad attributed the flaws of Padu to Rafizi's failures.

According to Puad, Rafizi, known as the "Formula King," was unsuccessful this time with his formulas.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/03/1030595/pkr-youth-tells-umnos-puad-shut-over-padu