COMMENT | The government’s Central Database Hub (Padu) has reached over one million sign-ups in nearly two weeks. While this is far short of the goal of 29 million registrants, it is a positive step towards enriching public data.

The slow registration and its concentration, low in Terengganu, for example, suggest serious obstacles remain.

This piece raises questions about Padu and its implementation. If the government is to introduce targeted subsidies after March this year, there needs to be greater acknowledgement of Padu’s limitations and concrete steps to improve the program and public service infrastructure to support building datasets.

The assumptions, implementation and Padu’s goals need greater reflection and debate.