Shifting subsidies: Rafizi (centre) speaking during the town hall session on Padu in Section 13, Shah Alam, Selangor. — Bernama
SHAH ALAM: The government has no intention of extending the March 31 deadline for the Central Database Hub (Padu) registration, says Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.
He said it was crucial to conclude the exercise on the set date so that the government could implement the restructuring of planned and targeted subsidies.
“Extending (the deadline) will cost the government an additional RM2bil per month in fuel subsidy,” he told reporters after a town hall session on Padu yesterday.
Rafizi said the RM2bil could be channelled to the needy instead.
During the unveiling of Budget 2024 in October last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim explained the need for a subsidy rationalisation exercise that would involve, among others, fuel and electricity.
Padu, which was launched on Jan 2, is the government’s central hub for data on Malaysians.
It is meant to help the government ensure that the distribution of aid and subsidies can be done more efficiently and accurately.
Malaysians have been urged to update their details, including their addresses, identification numbers, and number of household members, via Padu by March 31.
Yesterday, Rafizi said that low-income families not registered with Padu would risk being excluded from the various aid and targeted subsidies offered by the government.
He explained that the government was mulling over a plan to have a monthly transfer of cash aid to recipients.
“It is something that has not been offered to the people as yet, and through Padu, we want to implement a reformation of social aid on a long-term basis,’’ he said.
According to him, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur had the lowest registration rates at Padu compared to the other states.
This might result in the exclusion of the needy from receiving the government’s targeted aid, he said.
He said 1,224 areas in Selangor were yet to register with Padu, with Petaling Jaya having the highest number of people not registered with the hub yet.
Other areas were Hulu Langat, Sepang, Gombak, Klang, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Langat, Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam.
Rafizi also brushed aside talk that there would be a hike in petrol prices soon.
“It is not true. We have been clear that we want to first put in place all aid and support systems for the people before any decision is made regarding the petrol subsidy,” he said.
On another matter, Rafizi said his ministry would be having a meeting with the Sarawak government next week to discuss Padu.
Asked about a memo prohibiting Sarawak’s district and administrative officers from signing up for Padu, Rafizi said it (the order) was not for the general public in the state.
“Registration of the people in Sarawak is ongoing as usual,’’ said Rafizi, adding that the state had the highest number of people who had signed up with Padu.
