MCA Youth has taken the government, in particular the Economy Ministry, to task for creating difficulties and meddling into matters beyond its jurisdiction in its attempt to coerce the people’s registration with the Central Database Hub (PADU).
According to MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung, this not only waste taxpayers’ money and time buy also squander government resources unnecessarily.
“Department of Statistics director-general Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin informed that those who do not register on PADU before the deadline will still have their basic data automatically entered into the system,” she noted in a statement on Monday (April 1).
“Meanwhile, he also admitted that the government is able to obtain the latest personal information from various ministries.
“This being the scenario, renders the government’s efforts requiring individuals to furnish 40 questions and deploying substantial manpower, materials, and financial resources from government agencies to engage in physical registration work as redundant. Doesn’t it also signify the failure of PADU?”
Saw said the underlying question remains, namely why had the government require the public to fill up a survey form with 40 questions in recent months.
“Since the registration began in January till to date, the government has repeatedly ignored public concerns over security issues involving PADU,” she stated.
“Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli had also consistently adopted a passive attitude and lacks effective response measures. This lackadaisical attitude towards the problem seriously betrays the government’s responsibilities and obligations.”
She said not only does this approach contravene the interests of the people but put their rights in jeopardy.
“The government should seriously note the issues affecting people’s livelihoods and safeguard their rights and interests rather than letting them feel neglected, waste taxpayers’ funds and resources – all of which should have been utilised to address real issues in society and not be wasted on meaningless activities,” she remarked.
“The government’s attitude and actions towards PADU registration have sparked a series of controversies, leading to doubts about the efforts made over the past few months.
“If automatic registration is possible, then the efforts of government departments, civil servants, community workers, or people spending time filling out lengthy forms become meaningless. Why then the need to require people to fill out forms again?”
Saw went on to question the government’s move to implement targeted subsidies based on only half of the data, seeing as the government’s registration target has only hit 50%.
“This is a question that requires careful and thorough consideration. Some people also question whether the government’s series of operations are aimed at solving problems or creating them,” she noted.
“MCA Youth urges Rafizi to provide a clear explanation on this system which wastes manpower, material, and resource. Citizens have the right to know whether their hard-earned taxes paid to the government has been spent effectively or otherwise.” – April 1, 2024
