PUTRAJAYA (Jan 4): The government’s Central Database Hub (Padu) will be flagging false information stored in various data systems to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information housed within Padu databases, said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.
He said that upon registration with Padu, any conflicting or erroneous data stored across various databases — such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) — would be flagged to rectify the false information.
“We don’t have any other means and this is the reason and the focus of Padu, [which] is to flag up all those who declare wrong information that does not match with other information,” said Rafizi at a press conference on Thursday.
He said Padu will automatically cross-check information across any other databases to ensure a fairer distribution of government subsidies.
“We want to update [the national data]," he said. "[For example), we want to ensure that the M40 group who previously declared their income on the STR match with others.
“From the data available in that filing — indeed, the data also comes from STR — but that data (from the STR) is not connected to vehicle ownership data and it is not linked to other income data and so on," he said.
Padu, therefore, is a comprehensive data mechanism with more variables for the government to access, the minister said.
He also stressed that STR recipients are still eligible to receive the cash aid if they fulfil the criteria outlined for the scheme.
“If they still qualify (for the cash aid), then there will be no issue. But if they basically do not meet the set criteria, they will be flagged up,” he added.