KUCHING: There is a possible solution to the Central Database Hub (PADU) issue currently raging in Sarawak.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said among the alternatives that can be considered is to upgrade the eKasih system which was previously used to obtain data of citizens for the aid distribution process.
“Previously, the reviews of these assistances were processed through the eKasih system and managed by the respective District Offices.
“In my opinion, it is better to use the information available in the eKasih, provided that the system is upgraded first so that the same information can be used to ensure that government assistances is received by those who are eligible,” he told reporters after the bubur lambuk distribution programme organised by the Sarawak Manchester United Supporters Club (MUSCS) here, yesterday (Mar 24).
At the same time, Abdullah does not discourage the public, especially the B40 group in dire need of government assistance, from filling in their information in PADU.
“To me, there is no obstacle for them to register because the B40 group receives various forms of government assistance,” he said.
The Semop assemblyman also stressed that the public’s concerns about the PADU system need to be understood and taken seriously by the government, considering the alarming data on online fraud cases last year.
“We need to understand their concerns about the information distributed through PADU because they are worried that their information will be misused.
“Just last year, there were at least 23,000 reported victims of online scams, resulting in losses totalling RM1.22 billion,” he said.
He also hoped the banking sector would enhance its security measures to prevent accounts from becoming easy targets for online scams.
The Malaysian government launched PADU on Jan 2 as a single platform aimed at being the government’s primary source for targeted subsidy distribution and aid disbursement.
