PUTRAJAYA: The second phase of registration for the Central Database Hub (PADU) programme will only begin after the cabinet approves key criteria that are still being refined, said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.
Rafizi said that discussions between the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance are ongoing, with both ministries working to finalize eligibility criteria, especially for the targeted RON95 fuel subsidy.
"We had a meeting last week, and plans regarding the timeline for implementation are being discussed. This matter will be brought to the Cabinet, and once the Cabinet agrees, only then can the Ministry of Economy announce the timeline.
"Of course, if the government decides on the criteria for eligibility, this will involve reopening the PADU registration at a later date," he said at the official launch of Innovathon Season 2 here today.
Commenting on the T15 classification, Rafizi said that once the eligibility criteria are announced by the government, he believes more individuals will register for PADU.
He noted that when PADU registration was open from January to March earlier this year, the trend showed that most high-income earners felt they didn't need to register as they were unlikely to qualify for subsidies. As a result, the majority of registrants were low-income families.
"However, previously the assumption was that those in the M40 and above wouldn't qualify for subsidies. Now, the government is indicating that it will be T15 and above.
"When the criteria are announced after being approved by the Cabinet, I believe more people who previously thought they weren't eligible will register because they know they will qualify for the subsidies," he added.
Previously, it has been reported in July that the government will reopen the PADU registration system for its second phase.
This move aims to allow individuals who have not yet registered to update their information within the specified period.
The government also revealed that phase one of PADU in March recorded a total of 10,544,016 individuals who had updated their information, with 1,071,796 of them being from Sarawak.