Targeted subsidies still being rolled out even with over half of Malaysians registered in Padu
The chief statistician said this was because the initiative will be supported by the basic data of 30 million Malaysians.
PUTRAJAYA - The implementation of targeted subsidies continues despite 11.55 million people or 52.6 per cent being registered with the Central Database Hub (Padu) system.
Statistics Department (DoSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said this was because the initiative will be supported by the basic data of 30 million Malaysians.
"It can be implemented because the government already has basic citizen data in the system," he said.
He said the basic data would be used temporarily in the initial implementation stage until the government decided on registration and periodic data updating into the Padu system.
"This basic data includes demographic data based on birth registration, vehicle ownership and so on.
"This is something that developed countries have already implemented and managed their citizens well," he said.
Uzir emphasised that periodic data updating was necessary to ensure that the obtained data was relevant.
"People are not static, they move, change jobs, marital status and education, so periodic updating will occur," he said.
He said when the government decided on the resumption of subsidy targeting, the people will see the importance of this data.
"We need to keep moving forward because some of the people want to see first what the government is implementing," he said.
On Monday, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli announced that a total of 11.55 million or 52.6 per cent of Malaysians aged 18 and above have registered and updated their details in the Padu system after it closed at midnight on Sunday.
He said this figure makes up 17.65 million or 58.7 per cent of the total population profiles including household members under 18 years old successfully updated in the Padu system.
Meanwhile, when asked whether senior citizens who previously received government assistance and were not registered in Padu for various reasons would be included in the subsidy recipient list, Uzir said that data for such groups has been incorporated.
"If they are found to still be eligible, still alive, they would be qualified, but screening will also be conducted," he said.
He also said individuals who have registered with Padu could still update any incomplete information even after the registration deadline.
"However, the registration deadline for Padu remains until last Sunday (March 31).
"The Padu team is helping individuals who have information that might not pass in the identity verification (failed identity verification), e-KYC (Know Your Customer Through Digital Platforms)," he said.
