Padu has best design, is safe and effective - DOSM

The design of the Central Database Hub (Padu) is the best, safe and effective, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) assured.

Hitting out at claims that it was developed using outdated methods, it said Padu is not only used as a data updating medium but also performs various main analytical functions and goes beyond the scope of transactions and data updates.

"Therefore, the claim that Padu was developed using outdated methods is reckless.

"The details of the Padu system and architecture are also not disclosed to the public, so the statement that the Padu system development method is outdated is inappropriate and imprudent," said the department in a statement tonight.

DOSM added that Padu is the government's latest initiative to create a database that becomes a single source of truth in strengthening the implementation of programmes and the use of national financial resources for the well-being of the people.

In developing this system, the objectives to be achieved have been determined covering the dimensions of data integration from various sources (ie various government databases, census data/surveys carried out by DOSM periodically and self-updating online by citizens), analytical dimensions and security, said DOSM.

DOSM said some elements need to be implemented in stages taking into account the availability of data standards, structure, coverage, concepts and definitions used in various data-providing agencies.

Subsequently, said DOSM, the mapping and data collection aspects need to be implemented, then the system will produce an accurate database and become the country’s strategic asset.

"The development of the Padu system implemented in-house has successfully taken into account the stated requirements and certainly the latest technology, methods and design are the cores of the development of this Padu system which is based on wisdom and thoroughness.

“The use of API (application programming interface) is one of the important mechanisms in this Padu system and will continue to be increased based on the dynamics, complexity and availability of databases in various agencies,” said DOSM.

DOSM said this when commenting on a report by a news portal that quoted a cyber security expert who claimed that the development of Padu was using "outdated" methods and that it could compromise its data integrity.

Last Tuesday, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli revealed that there were more than two million attempts every day to access the data contained in Padu in the first month of the implementation of the system. However, the attempts from abroad were successfully thwarted and still failed to penetrate so far.

As of Thursday, Padu registration showed an increase to 9.24 million compared to 8.79 million registrations made until Wednesday, ahead of the deadline this Sunday.

‘Padu is encrypted and safe’

Meanwhile, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Padu was developed with guidelines, advice and input from various stakeholders involved in the management of CyberSecurity Malaysia.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil

Fahmi said that those involved in the management of National CyberSecurity include the National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) and Cybersecurity Malaysia.

“I see no problems in the system because as Rafizi stated in Dewan Rakyat recently, data stored in the Padu system is also encrypted.

“Therefore, if there are attempts to steal data, the person who steals the data will not be able to open the document or data,” he told media during the Bernama annual Ramadan corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme yesterday.

He was commenting on claims by a cybersecurity expert that the Padu was developed using outdated methods that could compromise the data integrity.

The Lembah Pantai MP added that he was convinced by the level of safety in the Padu system and that he and his family members have already registered their details in Padu.

Meanwhile, speaking of the alleged draft agreement involving an allocation request by the opposition for its MPs as claimed by the Perikatan Nasional leadership, Fahmi, who is also the government’s spokesperson, said the matter was discussed in the cabinet meeting yesterday.

“There is no draft as stated but what has happened so far is just discussions of proposals that we are looking at closely. The next step will be to forward the proposal to the presidential council meeting of the Madani government which involves leaders of component parties.

“If the discussion with the opposition goes well, finally the proposal will come to the cabinet for approval,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof was reported as saying that no draft was submitted or received during his recent meeting with opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin in Parliament on March 19.

- Bernama