Public should not worry about Padu, data regulated under existing laws, says MDEC

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should not be concerned about data collected under the Central Database Hub (Padu) as it is regulated by existing laws.

Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the Omnibus Bill would also be tabled by the government, and it would be able to prevent any abuse by irresponsible parties.

"So there won’t be a situation where the data will be misused (in) scams and such. To me, it cannot happen easily now, as there are laws that regulate such matters.

"The Omnibus Bill will also manage our data privacy....so there will be more security control over these data," he said as a guest on Malaysia Petang Ini entitled 'Digital Transformation 2024: Launching of Padu' broadcast by Bernama TV today.

He added that legal action would be taken under the related Acts against any party misusing the data.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to launch Padu tomorrow.

The database will be the country’s main secure and comprehensive, nearly-real-time database, which would allow more accurate analytic data to be produced and the drafting of data-driven policies and decision making process, and the targeted implementation of policies to balance the country’s fiscal position.

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said last month that while it is not compulsory for members of the public to update their information on Padu, this means that their eligibility for targeted subsidies will be based on details already available in the government system.

The registration and update of information under Padu will take place for three months from Jan 2 to March 31.