KUALA LUMPUR: Netizens aired their grouses over difficulties they faced in updating their data on the Central Database Hub (Padu) today.
Just hours after Padu's launch, people experienced issues when accessing their information on its platform.
While they lauded the government's goal of introducing a ystem to ensure a more organised and targeted distribution of subsidies in the future, they urged the authorities to resolve these technical issues.
Among other things, people who logged on Padu today faced issues when they were unable to verify the information they filled in.
It is learnt that a disruption in accessing the Padu website today was likely due to the large number of people wanting to be the first 3,000 registrants, who will qualify for a free Near Field Communication (NFC) version of the Touch 'n Go (TnG) card.
Social media user Zulnizam Ijul said what happened today was similar to the time when people were allowed to apply for withdrawals of up to RM10,000 from their Employees Provident Fund.
Danish Hamizan Abdullah said: "Already passed step one, but trying to verify with a OTP (one-time password) has failed millions of times, and now it's not working anymore."
Mirror Mirror Genz added: "How to input the phone number? It just won't go through."
Mohd Danial expressed frustration too when he could not verify his details on the Padu website.
"Trying to verify my ID, but I can't. When I click 'approve,' the system automatically says it is an error and kicks me out."
Siti Malini Mat found it difficult to fill in the income section for gig workers who are self-employed like herself.
"It's challenging to fill in the income section for gig workers or self-employed people like me."
Linda Ilias wondered if her inability to update her information on Padu's website meant that she would need to meet the hub's staff face-to-face.
"Trying to scan using a phone doesn't work. Does this mean one must walk-in?"
'Ali Baba' lamented that he persisted by trying to get his data updated many times but failed to settle it.
"Even after entering the correct phone number, it says wrong format... it's crazy. I've tried a hundred times."
Some social media users pointed out that Padu was linked to a lot of government-related benefits.
Man Aman said in jest that there was a long list of information he needed to key in.
"So many things to fill in. It's like Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) +Inland Revenue Board+ Welfare Department+National Registration Department + Public Services Commission SPA8 + many others."
Siti Mariamah Ishak said cheekily that this long list was probably why the hub's acronym was 'Padu', which is Bahasa Malaysia for 'solid'.
The registration process for Padu is opened from today until March 31. It allows the public to update and confirm 39 personal information items such as identification numbers, household size and address.
All citizens aged 18 and above can register and check their data on the Padu portal via https://padu.gov.my/.
Padu, which encompasses individual profiles and household data, including citizens and permanent residents in Malaysia, is the integrated socio-economic national database that combines data from government departments and agencies to provide a fair representation of the socio-economic status of each household in Malaysia.