Using detailed data to drive growth
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir—ONG SOON HIN /The Star Reporter TEH ATHIRA
KUALA LUMPUR: The lifestyle and behaviour of Malaysians will come under the microscope with comprehensive data being collected to drive 'real transformation' among the population.
As part of efforts to gain a more complete picture of the country's development, the Statistics Department is planning new surveys to capture more detailed information, including how much coffee Malaysians consume, their dietary habits and how they spend their time.
While economic and industrial performance remain important, the department's chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin (pic) said greater attention must now be given to social indicators such as eating habits, hygiene practices and use of time.
'We need to understand how people spend (their time and money), live, and behave, to drive real transformation,' he told The Star.
Caregiving roles will also be a key area for study and data collection, especially with more grandparents actively helping to raise their grandchildren nowadays.
Malaysia has already taken steps to expand its data collection in this direction, he said, adding that the 2020 Population and Housing Census contained a new module which, for the first time, focused on the elderly.
Through the census, elderly respondents were asked about the challenges they faced.
One surprising finding was the high level of loneliness among seniors.
Sharing how a survey respondent was shocked to discover that their mother had ticked 'loneliness' as a major issue, Mohd Uzir said her children didn't know that she had been feeling so isolated.
The department, he added, has also started tracking the regularity of communication between neighbours, with data showing the frequency of people engaging with their immediate community.
These community interactions and social well-being indicators are already being examined by the department to provide a more complete picture of national happiness and quality of life, he said.
The department is also gathering behavioural statistics on hygiene and transportation habits, such as how often Malaysians wash their hands, and carpool.
In January, Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), a five-year roadmap for the country from 2026 and 2030, will focus on policies to facilitate behaviour change that can create beneficial societal and economic shifts.
To formulate effective policies, Mohd Uzir said rich behavioural data, which includes not only what people eat or drink, but also how they live and how much time they devote to different activities, would be required.
Malaysia previously had to rely on aggregate data (to formulate policies) as we did not have detailed behavioural data of Malaysians from all walks of life.
In addition to behavioural and lifestyle statistics, Mohd Uzir said Malaysia is working on improving data collection on health indicators, including the nation's Life Expectancy Index.
An updated and accurate Life Expectancy Index is crucial for planning future healthcare services, eldercare policies and pension systems as Malaysia's population continues to age, he said.
The country's Happiness Index is also being updated with the new report to focus more on the communities' state of happiness.
The report, he said, will be based on the perceptions of the people about themselves, rather than personality-based studies typically done by local councils.
'Statistics is social science. It is not rocket science. It does not require flying to the moon, but it requires sharpness and diligence,' he added.
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