PUTRAJAYA, Jan 3 — The registration process for the Central Database Hub (Padu) system will not be postponed as several technical issues raised have been speedily resolved, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
The Cabinet decided this at its meeting today, which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chaired.
“The Cabinet did not decide so (postpone Padu). At the moment we find the system to be running smoothly, with issues raised having been resolved in a short time.
“There is continued monitoring of the security aspect so the issue of postponement does not arise,” he said during a press conference today.
Fahmi was commenting on former international trade and industry deputy minister Ong Kian Ming’s call to the government to postpone the Padu registration process until several security flaws are fixed.
He added that Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and the Padu team have always given serious attention to technical and security issues, especially concerning personal data, and the Cabinet was also told that cyber security is a priority in the Padu system.
Even before Padu’s launch yesterday, CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) had been helping the Economy Ministry and Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) to identify vulnerabilities in the system.
CSM will continue to hold meetings with DOSM and the National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) to constantly improve the Padu system.
“I would advise Malaysians wishing to get government assistance to sign up with Padu. Do not worry; you can use (Padu) without any apprehension because the issues highlighted are always monitored.
“The government takes a serious view of security issues concerning personal data and guarantees that no untoward incidents will happen,” Fahmi said.
Padu, launched by the Prime Minister, was developed using the internal expertise of the Economy Ministry, DOSM and Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu), with cooperation and support from various ministries, agencies, and state governments.
Its main function is to help people update their personal data so the government can channel targeted subsidies more effectively and prevent leakages.
— Bernama
