KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Economy Ministry will discuss with Sarawak its concerns over the Central Database Hub (Padu) next week.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg said the meeting in Kuching will involve Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.
He said the Sarawak government welcomed Rafizi's willingness to understand the registration of Padu registration has been postponed in Sarawak.
"He (Rafizi) has expressed a desire to understand further why we requested the postponement, and we have explained (previously) that it is related to privacy.
"We want (an explanation of) other details from the perspective of information privacy because if too much is disclosed that is unrelated to financial positions, it is unreasonable to disclose such details," said Abang Johari after a state-level Nuzul al-Quran event, attended by the Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, at Masjid Al-Mutaqqin here, last night.
Abang Johari said the Sarawak government referred to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 before deciding to suspend Padu registration.
"The act states that there must be limits to disclosing personal information, and it is in line with the provisions in Article 5(1) of the Federal Constitution regarding the right to freedom.
"According to that law, you have the right not to disclose personal information, but if it is related to income and economic conditions, of course, the data is relevant."
He acknowledged that the Economy Ministry had previously discussed the information required by Padu with the Sarawak government.
"Our people have filled in forms through the resident offices, district offices, and village chiefs, and we have assisted in distributing the information required by the Economy Ministry.
"But when the forms (Padu) came out, there seemed to be too much personal information required, including some involving families that should not have been disclosed."
Abang Johari said despite suspending Padu registration, the Sarawak government supported the Federal Government's objective to target subsidies.