KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 24 -- The Penang Institute has found that Padu's (Pangkalan Data Utama) - the more popular name for the Central Database Hub - manual registration and self-reporting to be susceptible to bias, loopholes, and leakages.

In a recently released report titled "An Inquisition into Malaysia's Padu Subsidy Targeting and Beyond", it noted that Padu is by far the most plausible way for the government to build a standardised database for subsidies, assistance and social protection.

It said this could reduce wastage in government spending, avoid duplication and increase the effectiveness of targeted assistance.

"This will help fight rising costs of living while closing the income inequality between the poor and the rich."

Padu ...