HOW MALAYSIA’S STATISTICS ARE QUIETLY CHANGING LIVES

By Sakina Mohamed

(This article is published in conjunction with the World Statistics Day, celebrated on Oct 20th.)

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- When Malaysia quietly climbed from 67th to first place globally in the Open Data Inventory 2024/25 rankings, the news barely made a ripple beyond policy circles. Yet behind that dry statistic is a story of transformation – one that touches how Malaysians live, work, and make decisions every day.

For decades, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) operated in the background as the unseen backbone of policymaking. But in recent years, it has stepped out of the shadows, building not only credibility but also accessibility. 

This year, as the world celebrates World Statistics Day on Oct 20, Malaysia has a rare chance to pause and see what that achievement actually means. 

From Life Expectancy to Livelihoods

Beyond producing national statistics, DOSM has quietly built a growing suite of digital tools that bring data closer to everyday Malaysians.

Take for example, Kalkulator Jangka Hayat – a life-expectancy calculator that is available on the web or downloadable via Android’s PlayStore or Apple’s App Store. It is a simple and interactive tool that lets Malaysians estimate how long they’re likely to live based on age, gender, and lifestyle. 

“Through this calculator, we can see that life expectancy also varies depending on where you live.

“While we believe that the span of our lives is ultimately determined by the Creator, statistics help us understand the broader patterns that shape how long people tend to live, based on their unique profiles and circumstances,” Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin told Bernama in an interview. 

Besides publishing subnational statistics for every Member of Parliament and state assemblyman, DOSM has built another layer of empowerment through its dashboards.

These dashboards enable exploration of data down to district, parliamentary and state-assembly levels. They break down local economic performance, population trends, and household income data, allowing policymakers to see disparities, plan social aid more precisely, and argue their case with facts instead of anecdotes.

When Data Meets the Dinner Table

Among the more notable innovations is the Integrated Agricultural Statistics System portal, or TaniStats. It has been described as a game changer in Malaysia’s agricultural data landscape.

Built with the idea that food resilience starts with good information, TaniStats integrates agricultural, trade, and climate data into a unified platform. It can help identify supply-chain gaps, forecast harvest outputs, and alert policymakers when certain food commodities are at risk of shortage.

Mohd Uzir said the goal is to assess each district’s capacity and determine which crops should be prioritised for better yields.

“When the government implements assistance programmes for farmers, their impact and outcomes can be measured. 

“If the data shows that a particular district achieves better results with the support provided, it can serve as a reference for other districts that may not be performing as well,” he explained.

The idea is to predict and preempt food crises through a statistical system that doesn’t just describe reality but anticipates it.

In parallel, DOSM is preparing a National Agricultural Production Index to further reinforce the measurement of food security.

Beyond the Numbers

As Malaysia celebrates World Statistics Day, the occasion feels less ceremonial and more like a checkpoint. The country has proven that open data and transparency can coexist with development, and that statistical literacy is not just for economists but for every citizen.

But a cultural shift is still taking place. For many Malaysians, “data” remains something distant, technical, even bureaucratic. The real challenge ahead is helping them feel a sense of ownership over it.

When that happens, ordinary citizens will realise they can access and use the same datasets as policymakers, while journalists will feel empowered to verify official claims with data. Farmers, educators, and entrepreneurs will learn to draw practical insights from statistics.

World Statistics Day is a reminder that behind every figure lies a story – of inclusion, of progress, and of accountability.

And in Malaysia’s case, it’s about realising that the best policy tool might not be a new law or subsidy. Sometimes, it’s a single, well-designed dashboard that tells the truth, clearly and for everyone.

-- BERNAMA