First Phase Of 2026 Economic Census Focuses On Informal Sector, Including Online Traders – DOSM

By Anas Abu Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- The Economic Census 2026 (BE 2026), currently in its first phase, focuses on the informal sector, including small- and micro-scale enterprises and the rapidly growing online businesses, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the informal sector refers to online business activities and conventional business activities, such as mobile traders that do not have a permanent structure.

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He said that BE 2026 for the informal sector will be carried out in detail to obtain comprehensive coverage of economic activities conducted at the small, unstructured level.

“Large enterprises have proper records and the like. For the informal sector, we need to sit down with them to understand the pattern of their activities and what they produce. This allows the data we obtain to be turned into national statistical data that can help them, as well as assist agencies in determining how to empower this sector based on complete and holistic data,” he told the Malaysia Petang Ini programme on BernamaTV today.

According to Mohd Uzir, the census approach is used to ensure DOSM obtains full coverage from one area to another in collecting detailed economic data. “We go down to the ground and also use close relationships with local communities, including hawker associations, traders, as well as village heads or community leaders, which enables us to obtain good cooperation,” he added.

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BE 2026 is being implemented in three phases: the first phase from Jan 5 to Feb 28, involving the informal and micro sectors; the second phase from March 1 to June 30 (micro, small, and medium enterprises); and the third phase from June 1 to Oct 31, 2026, involving medium and large enterprises.

A total of 1.34 million business entities nationwide, covering informal enterprises, micro businesses, small and medium enterprises, as well as large companies, will be involved in BE 2026.

Mohd Uzir also stressed that BE 2026 is the best opportunity for the government to reassess national economic data in planning assistance for micro and small traders, including those in the informal sector. He explained that the data collected through BE 2026 will subsequently serve as a reference for ministries and relevant agencies in assisting these groups.

“My message is for everyone to have a sense of responsibility to jointly ensure the success of this census by providing the best possible information, so that the planning and findings of this census will ultimately have a positive impact on all parties, including traders and anyone involved in our country’s economic activities,” he said.

-- BERNAMA