Surveys to continue despite challenges, says chief statistician

CORONAVIRUS | The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) will continue to conduct its routine surveys despite challenging conditions following the Covid-19 pandemic, says its chief statistician Mohd Uzir Mahidin.

Among the surveys conducted involved are labour force, energy use, domestic tourism, services, manufacturing, wholesale and retail, he said in a statement today.

“The information collected is in the form of performance indicators including questions related to demographic and socioeconomic, revenue and production, expenditure, number of employees and salaries and wages paid as well as prices charged on selected items,” he said.

He urged all selected respondents to fully cooperate with DOSM officials in conducting the survey while taking precautionary measures, especially on social distancing including utilising e-survey, email and telephone interviews.

Mohd Uzir said the information collected by the DOSM was subject to the provisions of the Statistics Act 1965 (Revised 1989) where the information received was confidential and could not be disclosed to anyone or any institution outside the department.

“The survey will not touch on personal or banking information. Therefore, DOSM calls on members of the public to be careful of any manipulation or fraud,” he said.

Mohd Uzir said the information collected then served as statistical evidence used by the government in making evidence-based decisions for the formulation, implementation, evaluation and review of the country’s public policy.

“The information shared by the respondents will provide an overview of the current situation including the effects of Covid-19 and the statistics generated will assist the government in formulating strategies and initiatives to be implemented in balancing economic and social needs,” he said.

- Bernama

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