Malaysia’s Padu system will expand into analytics services for agencies, improving data-driven decisions and efficiency from May
PUTRAJAYA: The Central Database Hub (Padu) will begin offering a new analytics service to government agencies starting in May, expanding its role beyond its current function as a data verification platform, Economy Minister Datuk Seri Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir has announced.
A total of 26 agencies and departments had been approved to utilise Padu as of March, with one further application expected to be cleared next month.
According to the latest data presented, Padu currently holds profiles for 30.7 million individuals and has transitioned beyond its initial public registration phase.
“Padu will focus on the back end, but we want to make it more sophisticated to assist our agencies with analytics,” Akmal told reporters following the Economy Ministry’s monthly assembly at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre today.
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He explained that the system, previously used primarily to verify applicant information, will now be expanded to assist agencies in data analysis and evidence-based decision-making.
Among the bodies already utilising Padu are the Public Service Department (JPA), the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), and the Department of Skills Development (JPK).
Akmal stated that agencies providing scholarships, loans and grants are among the primary beneficiaries.
“They no longer need to check separately with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), the Social Security Organisation (Socso), or the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), as they can obtain all the necessary data via Padu in one go,” he said.
Akmal highlighted that one agency under the Youth and Sports Ministry had reported a 70% reduction in the time and manpower required for data verification since adopting the system.
The Social Welfare Department (JKM) is expected to be the next agency to join the platform.
Akmal clarified that Padu is no longer operating as an open public sign-up exercise. He stressed that while individual registration had been voluntary, the system has now matured into a live back-end government platform.
“The challenge now is to ensure other agencies understand the significance of these services, which will ultimately assist them in performing their duties more efficiently,” he added.
Padu was originally introduced under the previous economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, as a centralised socio-economic database.
It was launched on Jan 2, 2024, to facilitate the government’s transition towards more targeted subsidies and social assistance.
