Sarawak govt also wants clarification regarding data security and privacy in PADU

“Be it surveillance, political manipulation, or other forms of control by irresponsible parties.

“These are not my mere imaginations – there have been many global precedents,” he said.

He added that if the federal government wishes to proceed with PADU anyway, then he would suggest that the platform be modified extensively and improvised without making the people apprehensive.

“The proponents of this system should also consider the impact of their communication style. There is no need to threaten the people by saying that if they do not register, they will not get subsidies.

“That tactic is not going to convince the people or make them want to cooperate with you,” he said.

“Personally, I would suggest that PADU populate their database using the existing databases already at their disposal.

“Help the people to ease their privacy concerns and more importantly, do not burden them as they are already wary of sharing their personal information as it is.

“In fact, I believe that all these data should be managed by the respective states.

“We in Sabah have endured too many bad memories of our data being misused in the past for unwarranted purposes. We do not want a repeat of that mistake,” said Jeffrey.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak government also wants clarification from the Economy Ministry on data security and privacy in the PADU.

Deputy minister in the Premier’s Office Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, who oversaw law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and state-federal relations, said the state government supported in principle the Federal Government’s intention to ensure that government resources to assist Malaysians were channelled effectively through Padu.

However, she said caution must be given to its implementation so as not to deprive eligible Malaysians from receiving targeted subsidies by looking into the financial position and economic wellbeing of individuals.

“To determine the targeted subsidies, information on economic and financial standing is important, but not to the extent of disclosing or exposing their personal and private profiles which are not necessary in determining the eligibility of the targeted recipients,” she said in a statement on Monday.