Northern Dialect Video Helps Promote Padu Among Penang Folks

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The state chapter of the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), in collaboration with the Information Department (JaPen) of Penang, has taken a creative approach by producing a short video about the Central Database Hub (PADU) system in the northern dialect.

The idea for the six-minute and 31-second video was initiated by the Penang DOSM director  Khairolnizam Hassan, together with State JaPEN director, Sabri Said, as an effort to enhance awareness and promotion of the importance of registering for PADU. 

The video also explains the procedures for filling out the system and the use of the northern dialect is considered appropriate given that the majority of the population speaks in that dialect.

“We use various methods to encourage PADU registration, and this video in the northern dialect is one of them... because the use of the dialect itself is more catchy and can attract public attention while helping to disseminate information about the system.

“Previously, DOSM, with the help of JaPen through the Info On Wheels programme, visited residential areas to provide information about the implementation of PADU, and from there, the idea was initiated to produce this video with more detailed information,” he told Bernama.

Khairolnizam said that the video was uploaded yesterday on all DOSM social media platforms and shared on the social media platforms of other strategic partners, including JaPen.

He urged Penangites to register and update information in the PADU database to avoid being excluded from government aid, subsidies and other contributions.

Penang has a population of 1.2 million, and as of yesterday, 53,031 individuals aged 18 and above have registered with PADU, he added, while expressing confidence that this number will continue to increase as the deadline approaches on March 31. 

“We have also launched a 'flying squad' to open counters at state assemblymen offices three days a week, from Thursday to Saturday, and this week, counter operations are at the Tanjung Bungah constituency office, Pantai Jerajak on the island, and the Sungai Acheh assemblyman’s office in Seberang Perai Selatan district (SPS),” he said.

Khairolnizam advised those facing difficulties in registering to visit PADU counters at Digital Economy Centres (PEDi) throughout the state, as well as at the Urban Transformation Center (UTC) in Komtar, district and land offices, and the Penang DOSM headquarters and Seberang Perai DOSM operations centre in Kepala Batas.

Meanwhile, Zainab Yahaya, 70, said the DOSM initiative to open counters is very helpful, especially for senior citizens like her who are not familiar with technology to register and update personal information.

“The staff on duty are also very friendly; I'm old and don't know anything about the internet, but they still treated me well, and the explanations provided were very clear,”, she said after registering at the PADU counter in UTC Komtar.

PADU registration is open to the public from January 2 to March 31, during which users can update and verify personal details, including identification numbers, number of household members and residential addresses.

--BERNAMA