KUALA LUMPUR: There should be no coercion to get people to register under the Central Database Hub (Padu), says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng

"As of Feb 15, only 3.43 million or 10% of the population had updated their information on the Padu portal. This is a very low number given that only a month is left to do so,” he said.

Wee added that this is worrying as the Economy Minister had previously stated that there is a possible risk of Malaysians losing out on getting targeted subsidies if they do not update their data on Padu.

"I view this as illogical as it seems as though the rakyat is being forced or threatened to register with Padu," Wee (BN-Tanjung Piai) said when debating the motion of thanks on Royal Address in Parliament on Thursday (Feb 29).

He also said that a 100% online registration rate under Padu may be difficult to achieve as there are Malaysians who have no proper internet access or are not digitally savvy, particularly in rural areas.

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Wee added that Padu registration is a tedious process involving some 40 questions under eight sections which must be completed.

"It also requires the rakyat to fill in confidential information," he said, adding there is worry over personal data safety because Padu is not bound by the Personal Data Protection Act.

"It is as though the government had already intended from the start to relinquish responsibility in the event of a data leak in the future," he added.

Wee suggested that the government enact a specific law which would hold the government bodies accountable for data leaks.

He also said that the government could rely on existing data from the various agencies to provide Rahmah cash aid to the target groups instead of bulldozing the Padu system.