Some Padu details should not be editable, says Kian Ming

 

Ong Kian Ming has called for the government to suspend the registration of Padu users until several security concerns are resolved.

PETALING JAYA: Certain non-dynamic Central Database Hub (Padu) user details should be prefilled to avoid editing by users, says former deputy minister Ong Kian Ming.

For example, he said income-related details should be correctly pre-filled because users may otherwise enter false information to qualify for subsidies.

Ong added that once this is implemented, users may report incorrect details to the authorities.

“If I declare my monthly income as RM X and this contradicts what is stated in EPF’s records, which amount will be used as a reference?

“If the EPF amount is taken, Padu should prefill this information in the system,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

In an earlier post, Ong noted that Padu’s database records his status as single, and states that he is still serving in the investment, trade and industry ministry. His highest qualification is stated to be a college certificate.

Ong said the accuracy of information in the Padu database becomes questionable if even basic personal details such as the marital status of a user is incorrect.

“If the information framework is not seamlessly integrated, and user-entered information cannot be verified, the Padu database ultimately cannot be used for its original purpose – which is to introduce a more accurate targeted subsidy system,” Ong said.

His suggestion was in response to replies to his initial post, with X user @MuhammadShibl89 saying that Ong was suggesting that Padu may store false information.

Since the launch of Padu on Tuesday, Ong has raised concerns about various aspects of the system. He has called for the government to suspend the registration of Padu users until all security concerns are resolved.

On Tuesday, Ong claimed that those who have not registered with Padu may see others using their identity cards and postcodes to “register your IC on your behalf”.

He said this was because Padu account registration is done before the e-KYC (know your customer, or electronic identity verification) approval process is complete. He claimed the process takes three days.

However, a government source who spoke to FMT on condition of anonymity disputed Ong’s claim, saying the e-KYC process for Padu requires users to upload a selfie and a picture of their identity card.

Economy minister Rafizi Ramli disputed Ong’s three-day claim, saying the process takes less than five minutes.

Rafizi also sought to play down the possibility of identity theft at the point of registration. He said Padu’s team of developers has looked at data security, including user experience, from all angles. - FMT