The government has been steadily moving towards the digitalisation of its services ever since the Covid-19 pandemic.
But with its latest push to digitalise the data of Malaysians via the Central Database Hub (Padu), some are still being left behind, particularly the elderly.
“Just this morning alone, we have maybe 10-15 people who came to the office specifically for Padu itself,” said Subang Jaya assemblyperson Michelle Ng Mei Sze to Malaysiakini, adding that they were mostly senior citizens.
“Because today is a weekday we don’t unfortunately see the poor or hardcore poor coming in for those purposes, but I wonder if the information to update personal data has reached the targeted group or not,” she added.
Padu is currently entirely in Malay and requires users to fill in their household details, address, job details, distance from home to work, monthly commitments, income and other sources of revenue, and aid that is already being received.
By obtaining the information, Padu is supposed to help the government better channel aid to those who need it.
Ng’s fellow party member Marina Ibrahim is also facing a similar problem in her state constituency of Skudai, in Johor.
“Many of those who come are the elderly, uneducated, and ethnic Chinese.
“Most of the problems the elderly face are in handling technology. Not everyone knows how to scan QR codes for verification,” she said.
So far, more than 10 residents have sought help from her office.
Marina said most of her constituents who live in Skudai are either old or urban poor, especially in the area of Taman Ungku Tun Aminah.
While she has sent out an explanation to residents on how to register themselves on Padu, she asked those who had difficulty registering to get assistance from her office.
Proactive help needed
Over in Kota Damansara, assemblyperson Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim has not yet had any constituents seek help from his office to get registered on Padu.
However, he believes signing up for the database is indeed a problem for those aged 60 and above.
“They’re not used to technology,” the PKR state lawmaker said when contacted.
The assemblypersons said proactive measures need to be taken to help people register on Padu.
Marina said her office is in the process of rolling out more mobile counters to explain how the Padu registration works to her constituents.
“In our experience with MySalam, Peka B40, Madani healthcare card, or Rahmah Cash Aid, there are still many people on the ground who do not know and are not aware of the initiatives implemented by the government,” she said.
Izuan cited how government officials went house-to-house during the recent national census and suggested volunteers do the same for Padu.
Likewise, Ng recommended that the government think about an in-between mechanism to reach out to households in danger of being left behind by the digital gap, something similar to what the census board did.
“I understand the need for the push but, at the same time, the government needs to think about an in-between mechanism to bridge the gap, where you need physical intervention,” she said.
She added that the digital literacy of her constituents has improved as many used the MySejahtera app during the pandemic.
She also noted that elderly individuals, from complaining to her several years ago, were now seeking solutions to technological challenges.
However, Ng cautioned against applying the experiences of Subang Jaya residents to other areas as her constituency is urban, has a higher percentage of ethnic Chinese, and its seniors tend to be educated ex-professionals.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said at the Padu system launch that its introduction will ensure government services are enjoyed by deserving recipients.
The system will also prevent leakage in the distribution of government aid and subsidies, he added. - Mkini
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