The Federal Government through the Economy Ministry made an ambitious step in making sure that data regarding citizens and permanent residents in our country is up to date by launching the Central Database Hub (PADU) on 2 January.
Touted as the most comprehensive database established by the Malaysian government to date, PADU enables the government to have more accurate data analytics for policy formulation and data-driven decision-making, especially as we move towards a targeted subsidy policy.
However, given that registration for PADU is done fully online, some groups are unfortunately unable to easily register for the central database hub, whether because they’re not tech-savvy, not having any internet connection or device and so on.
These people have to either get help from someone or go to a delegated PADU counter opened by the government nationwide to register.
As such is what this 84-year-old Malaysian man had to do, whereby after learning about PADU through reading the newspaper, he decided to travel alone to the nearest PADU counter to register.
As shared by the Selangor Department of Statistics (DOSM) on its official X account, the man struggled to travel to the counter while bringing a newspaper cutout regarding PADU.
In the X post, DOSM Selangor said that they’re touched by the elderly man’s dedication to come all the way to the counter to register for PADU and shared a photo of the man sitting at the counter and the newspaper clipping that he brought.
The caption reads,
“We’re so touched and moved to see this uncle who is 84 years old struggling to come alone to the PADU counter while bringing a newspaper cutout regarding PADU.”
The post has since gone viral with over 2,800 likes and more than 1,400 reposts as of the time of writing, though a quick glimpse at the replies showed that the sharing went viral for all the wrong reasons.
Most commenters bashed the government department for seemingly being ‘proud’ of the elderly man’s struggles instead of feeling sorry that he had to travel alone just to register for the PADU initiative.
One commenter asserted,
“Why are you touched? You should be ashamed instead. The (PADU) system should be helping these target groups, not troubling them to the point that senior citizens have to walk in and register. How about the differently-abled, those bedridden? Do they have to come to the counter too? Why don’t the government officials go to them instead?”
Another Malaysian echoed the same sentiment, saying,
“This is a wrong update. Why are you proud of this? An 84-year-old senior citizen can go to the counter to register for PADU but PADU, whose workers are young (working age) can’t go to the villages to help residents register! Can only sit and work comfortably. Embarrassing!”
Other commenters also voiced their opinion on the matter, with one netizen sarcastically saying that the workers are so lucky to have easy work. Meanwhile, another commenter said that the department should feel guilty and not feeling moved.
As of Tuesday (9 January), registrations for PADU have exceeded the 1 million mark. However, it’s still a far cry from the 29 million registrations targeted by the government by 31 March 2024.
The Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli previously urged Malaysians to help their parents, family and neighbours who are not tech-savvy to register for the database.
He also revealed that all government machinery is going on the ground to help people register, though as seen by the elderly man coming to the counter, the effort is not as extensive as it should be.
So, what is your take on this? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: PADU Only at 3.45% Registration Target, Rafizi Urges M’sians to Help Non-Tech Savvy Friends Sign Up
