PETALING JAYA: According to Ong Kian Ming, while some security flaws in the Central Database Hub (Padu) may have been addressed, the overall system design is not conducive to accurately targeting subsidies. He noted that individuals who are receiving Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) but are not actually eligible due to undeclared income streams are unlikely to provide this information to Padu.
He expressed uncertainty regarding the data collected by Padu and its utilization in calculating new formulas for a targeted subsidy programme. Ong, a former deputy international trade and industry minister, conveyed his concerns in a Facebook post on Thursday (Jan 4).
Ong emphasized that if the formula is overly complicated, the Cabinet may struggle to comprehend and explain it to the public. He suggested that a better alternative would be to utilize the STR database, which he believes to be the most accurate in the country and has undergone numerous iterations and updates.
He proposed the government to decide on the most suitable channel for delivering targeted subsidies to the relevant groups. Furthermore, Ong expressed his apprehension that excessive time and resources invested in Padu may detract from developing a more practical targeted subsidy mechanism to replace the current untargeted petrol subsidy.
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