THE Government is accelerating its transition towards data-driven governance with the expansion of its centralised socio-economic database, PADU, as authorities roll out enhanced public access and new analytics services for government agencies.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir announced that the upgraded PADU portal, featuring a renewed narrative and strategic direction, is now accessible to the public, marking a significant step in strengthening transparency and usability.
From May 2026, the ministry will introduce analytics services through the PADU platform, enabling government agencies to conduct deeper socio-economic analysis in designing programmes that better address public needs and improve overall welfare.
The system, known as Central Data Hub (Pangkalan Data Utama), was approved by the Cabinet in November 2023 and developed through collaboration between the Economy Ministry, the Department of Statistics Malaysia and the National Digital Department.
It functions as a unified repository of individual and household socio-economic profiles across the country.
Built on the integration of data from multiple agencies alongside updates provided by citizens, PADU has rapidly expanded in scale.
Between January and March 2024, 10.5 million Malaysians and permanent residents aged 18 and above updated their records on the platform.
By April 2026, the system contained 30.7 million socio-economic profiles, reflecting continuous integration across government databases.
With this capability, citizens are no longer required to repeatedly update their information, as the system is designed to synchronise data automatically.
The platform now offers a suite of services to government agencies, including profile, analytics and data services, as well as a unified data platform, supporting a shift towards evidence-based policymaking.
Since 2025, the ministry has approved 26 agency requests to access PADU data for purposes ranging from policy planning and programme design to verification and validation of information.
Officials expect usage to increase as Malaysia advances towards a fully data-driven government model, where integrated, consistent and near real-time data underpins decision-making and service delivery.
PADU has also been designated as part of the country’s National Critical Information Infrastructure under the Cyber Security Act 2024, underscoring the importance of data protection and system resilience.
The database is expected to support national priorities across key sectors, including education, healthcare, labour markets, housing, socio-economic development, security, ageing population readiness, disaster management and the expansion of government technology services.
As public expectations for efficient and responsive services grow, PADU is increasingly positioned as the digital backbone of Malaysia’s administrative system, streamlining processes while enabling more precise and inclusive policy outcomes. - April 20, 2026
