[UPDATED] First 3,000 to register with Padu to get free NFC-equipped TnG cards

KUALA LUMPUR – The first 3,000 individuals who register with the government’s Central Database Hub (Padu) system will receive complimentary NFC-equipped Touch ‘n Go cards.

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli announced this today as part of a push to boost registrations when the system is launched on January 2.

Registration on the Padu database is for the purpose of updating data on individual and household profiles that will guide the government in determining the distribution of targeted subsidies.

“Padu will also collaborate with Mydin, and those who are registered (under the system) are entitled to get discounts there,” he said during a press conference in Putrajaya today.

“We encourage other retailers to join in and offer their own discounts or offers, to ride on the focus and excitement of Padu in the next few months – without a sen from the government.

“We predict there will be excitement and registration for Padu. If a third party wants to use (the system) to get a bigger crowd in your superstore or digital service, by all means (go ahead).” 

Addressing concerns about Padu’s security, Rafizi assured that data from the system will not be accessible to the public, unless it is information that the user must update.

He said all government agencies – such as the National Registration Department, Employees Provident Fund, and Tenaga Nasional Bhd – are bound by their respective acts.

“When a person submits (their) data, most of the government-related data are regulated through certain acts,” he said, adding that the data owners have been government agencies.

“This is why we could not integrate (the data), as each agency would say the data is theirs, and cannot be shared. 

“How you (government agencies) handle the data is already regulated by the respective acts. There is no question that you cannot share the data.

“Even among agencies, although they contribute data to Padu, not all of them can take the data. How (they) share data from one agency to another will be decided by the government.”

Rafizi also said the data is already with the government, with the system having about 290 databases from federal government agencies. 

He added that more government data will be incorporated in phases, especially data from state or local authorities.

Previously, Rafizi denied allegations from “voices of dissent” claiming that the development of Padu was a waste as it involved contracts worth hundreds of millions of ringgit.

He said Padu was fully developed by civil servants from three agencies – the Economy Ministry, Statistics Department and the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit – in collaboration with all other agencies. – December 29, 2023