KUALA LUMPUR: Nine out of 15 applications for data sharing from the Central Database Hub have been approved by the government as of Aug this year, said the Economy Ministry.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, who is carrying out the duties of the Economy Minister, said, the nine applications were approved for use in improving policy efficiency and effectiveness, enhancing public well-being, and innovations in the digitalisation of services as well as studies and research.
"The remaining are still under review by the ministry," said Amir in a Senate written reply dated Sept 9.
Amir Hamzah was referring to the other six applications that were still being reviewed by the Economy Ministry.
Amir was responding to Senator Datuk Sivaraj Chandran, who asked about the methods used by the government to determine the efficiency of the Central Database Hub in ensuring that RON95 subsidies reach the intended targeted groups.
According to Amir, among the approved applications were from the National Registry Department (NRD), the Higher Education Department, the Youth Development Research Institute and the usage of Padu by the Finance Ministry for the targeted RON95 fuel subsidy mechanism rollout.
"The Economy Ministry will continue discussions with government agencies to ensure that Padu data usage can be increased," he added.
Amir said Padu contains 30.4 million individual profiles of citizens and permanent residents of Malaysia after it integrated data with 204 government agencies.
"The repository is continuously updated to ensure updated data for the government’s reference in ensuring a more accurate socioeconomic policy planning and review," said Amir.
On Monday (Sept 8), Amir said the government is in the final stage of concluding eligibility criteria and implementation methods for RON95 fuel subsidies with stakeholders.
Amir said the subsidy targeting mechanism would be carefully designed to ensure the majority of citizens are not affected.
He also said the government is working with petrol station operators to ensure the MyKad payment system can be used at pumps once the ROM95 subsidy is rolled out at the end of this month.
