KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians will have till the end of today to register for and update their personal information in the Central Database Hub (Padu).
With the deadline inching closer, those who have not yet updated their information can still do so through the website https://www.padu.gov.my or at nearby Padu counters.
On March 23, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli was reported saying that the government had no plans to extend the deadline set for today, March 31.
This, according to Rafizi, is to allow the government to enable the implementation of subsidy restructuring in a timely manner.
"As far as I can say, we have no plans to extend beyond March 31. The Prime Minister announced in the last budget that this year we will carry out bulk subsidy restructuring and move towards targeted subsidies. So if I had the leeway, I would certainly be happy to extend it.
"However, if we extend (the registration and updating period), it means we are also delaying the implementation of targeted subsidies in the future, where every month of delay, the government incurs at least RM2 billion in bulk oil subsidies," he said.
Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday, Rafizi said the number of individuals updating Padu information had increased dramatically ahead of today's registration deadline.
As of 11.59pm yesterday, over 9.8 million people in the country had successfully updated their information in Padu.
"The registration and updating rate for Padu has increased dramatically over the past two days, perhaps more people are becoming aware and concerned about missing out. It's not too late to register.
LINK: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1032256/padu-registrations-su...
"It is not too late to register. Visit www.padu.gov.my or go to the nearest Padu counter in your area," he said on Facebook yesterday.
On Jan 2, Padu was launched by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as a database related to basic demographics, education, employment, income, commitments and assistance received by the people.
It aims to serve as the nation's primary database for periodic analytics and digitisation, minimising waste, formulating policies and decision-making processes based on data analysis, and maintaining fiscal balance through targeted policy implementation.
Rafizi has previously said that the forthcoming subsidy targeting will rely on information available in the Padu system.
Meanwhile, the official Padu Facebook page reveals that Selangor is the state with the highest number of Padu updates, totaling 1.56 million, followed by Johor (1.10 million), Perak (0.98 million), Sarawak (0.90 million), Sabah (0.83 million), and Kedah (0.76 million).
Other states include Kelantan with 0.76 million, Kuala Lumpur (0.57 million), Penang (0.56 million), Pahang (0.55 million), Terengganu (0.46 million), Negeri Sembilan (0.42 million), Melaka (0.30 million), Perlis (0.11 million), Putrajaya (0.3 million) and Labuan (0.2 million).