KUALA LUMPUR – After dealing with the health and economic consequences of Covid-19 since its outbreak, the government has learnt that statistics can help ensure food remains on every Malaysian’s table, said Minister in the Prime Minister’ Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
He said what the government had learnt from dealing with the pandemic is that there is a need to compile and disseminate granular and real-time statistics.
“For example, in providing help to the people, we need a much more robust data mechanism tracking micro, small and medium enterprises and people living under the poverty line.
“Statistics can help us ensure that food remains on every Malaysian’s table,” he said when delivering his opening remarks virtually at the 8th Malaysia Statistics Conference (8th MyStats) 2021 here today.
Mustapa said the pandemic had also enhanced the importance of statistics, as people wanted to have the latest information on unemployment and inflation on a monthly, if not weekly, basis.
“Statistics as they say, do not lie,” he said.
To meet the people’s expectations, he said there is a need for the rapid and transparent dissemination of granular data to the public.
Touching on the 2020 Malaysian Population and Housing Census (Census 2020), Mustapa said as of October 14, 90% of the population have been covered in the census, and the Statistics Department Malaysia remains committed to completing it by the end of this month.
Census 2020 was supposed to be completed by October 24 last year, but inevitably had to be postponed due to the pandemic, he added.
In terms of the department’s publications, Mustapa said none of them were affected even though movement control orders (MCOs) and the government’s standard operating procedures had been imposed from last year.
“Indeed, all 519 publications in 2020 and 269 publications in 2021 (as at September 30) were released on time,” he said.
Meanwhile, chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the department managed to release very useful information to the public almost every day even though several MCOs had been implemented since the pandemic’s outbreak.
“Among them are the Malaysian Economic Statistics Review report, which has now entered its eight series containing 322 economic indicators,” he said when delivering his virtual welcoming remarks.
Uzir said the department had also provided 61 Intelligence MCO Impact Case Study reports for several sectors, such as services, construction and manufacturing, to the National Economic Action Council to assist them in formulating national policies.
Uzir said that over the years, the department had relentlessly supplied economic and social statistics to the government for the purpose of national policy formulation.
“The Statistics Department will continue to excel with the dissemination of socioeconomic statistics of the smallest geographical level with the publication of Mylocal Stats,” he added.
Themed "Navigating Resilient Recovery Through Statistics”, the 8th MyStats is held simultaneously with the World Statistics Day Celebration.
Uzir said this year's theme coincides with the world situation today, which is in the recovery phase through the use of statistical solutions as the main platform.
The department, in a statement, said MyStats Day aims to increase the awareness and understanding in the statistical community regarding the importance of statistics to the development, as well as the well-being of the people who need correct decisions based on comprehensive and sufficient evidence and facts.
“With the availability of accurate statistics, the channelling of national resources for planning and development can be implemented efficiently and effectively in ensuring that no one is left behind,” it said. – Bernama, October 20, 2021
