PUTRAJAYA: The Central Database Hub (Padu) will help to plug leakages in the distribution of government aid and subsidies, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

       The Prime Minister said this was crucial to ensure any financial assistance provided by the government would reach the target groups.

       “The government has spent RM80bil in various subsidies and yet, there are still people who are poor.

       “There is something wrong somewhere,” he said at the launch of Padu here on Tuesday (Jan 2).

       He said Padu would ensure that those deserving would benefit from subsidy aid and other forms of government assistance.

       “The system will be able to identify those who are wealthy and in the higher income bracket as well as foreigners who are not eligible for aid.

       “This will make the distribution of aid and subsidy more efficient and will stop leakages,” he added.

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       Padu, managed by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM), covers nearly 300 types of data under the Federal Government, with data from state and local governments gradually included.

       Except for banking data, as the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 (BAFIA), does not permit the use of such data by anyone.

       The public can update their information until March 31.