GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong has likened the unity government's actions in implementing automatic registration in the Central Database Hub (Padu) to a bandit — as it 'steals' and 'robs' the people's information.
He said some people chose not to register because they were worried that their personal information would be leaked and due to security concerns.
"Now, with the implementation of automatic registration, without obtaining permission from the people, it is akin to 'stealing' and 'robbing' their information," he said today.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, meanwhile, thanked Malaysians who registered with Padu as the registration and information updating period ended yesterday.
He said the Department of Statistics had basic details of those who did not register with Padu.
He said the department only needed dynamic data.
"Other information (that is already in the Padu system), we've compiled data from the Social Security Organisation and the Employees Provident Fund," he was quoted as saying.
Oh asked if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar knew that automatic registration would be implemented for people who did not register with Padu after yesterday's registration deadline.
The Penang state Gerakan chairman also criticised Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli for not being serious in the management of Padu registration, 'fooling' the people and wasting government resources, including public funds, as well as the time of civil servants and the people.
He also questioned Rafizi and the Department of Statistics on whether they were worried that the target of 50 per cent registration would not be achieved on the last day of registration, and as such, hurriedly resorted to automatic registration.
He further questioned the legitimacy of the government's right, especially the Department of Statistics, to use data from various agencies for automatic registration.
"This is because at the beginning of the year, Rafizi said that the Omnibus Act is expected to be enacted this year to allow data-sharing and public storage among government agencies. Has this act been presented and approved in Parliament?
"We want to know from the unity government how much was used for publicity and the opening of Padu registration counters in the past three months? Who paid for these expenses?
"How much does it cost to set up the Padu system? Previously, Rafizi said it did not require much money, about RM2 million for hardware, but MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said it cost RM80 million. Please explain," he added.
Oh also asked if Rafizi had told all cabinet members about Padu automatic registration.
"With the implementation of automatic registration, the registration and publicity work done during these three months can be said to be a waste of public funds and the time of ordinary people and government employees," he said.
