Malaysia’s Statistics Bill 2026, which creates the National Statistics Council and empowers the DOSM, was introduced for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat.
kuala lumpur: The Statistics Bill 2026, which aims to provide for the functions of the Department of Statistics of Malaysia, the establishment of the National Statistics Council and matters relating to data and statistics, was introduced for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohammad Nasir, while presenting the bill, said that the second reading would be held on July 16.
According to the draft of the bill, the proposed Act will be named the Statistics Act 2026 and will come into force on a date to be determined by the Economy Minister through Gazette notification, and will be binding on the federal government and state governments.
The bill also proposes that the Department of Statistics will be known as the Statistics Department Malaysia, while the Chief Statistician will be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from among officers currently serving in the federal public service.
Candidates for the post must have a master’s degree or doctorate (PhD) in statistics, economics, data science, mathematics or a related field from a government recognized university, with at least 20 years of experience in the field of statistics.
Candidates should have knowledge, technical skills and expertise in preparing and disseminating statistics relating to social, economic or other relevant areas, as well as knowledge, skills and experience in conducting national or state-level population, economic, agricultural and household censuses.
“There shall be appointed the necessary number of Deputy Chief Statisticians and other officers of the Statistics Department of Malaysia for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act.
According to the bill, “Every Deputy Chief Statistician and officer of the Statistics Department of Malaysia shall be subject to the control and direction of the Chief Statistician.”
The functions of the department include acting as a central repository for data and statistics, collecting, organizing, analyzing and interpreting data for the purpose of furnishing information necessary for the formulation or implementation of government policies and otherwise necessary for government purposes.
According to the bill, the department is also responsible for the dissemination of data and statistics, developing and establishing statistical standards and procedures, ensuring the quality, integrity and reliability of official government statistics, and advising and coordinating statistical activities for government entities and other parties.
In addition, the Department provides training related to statistics and performs other data and statistics related functions necessary for the implementation of the Act.
With regard to the National Statistical Council, the Bill states that the Council will be chaired by the Prime Minister and will consist of the Minister for the Economy, not more than eight federal ministers appointed by the Prime Minister, the Chief Secretary to the Government, the Director General of Public Services and the Secretary General of the ministry responsible for matters relating to statistics, while the Chief Statistician acts as the Secretary.
The Council will act as the main advisory body in providing guidance and direction on matters relating to statistics, in addition to evaluating and supporting statistical standards and processes in Malaysia and carrying out other matters arising from or incidental to the Council’s functions under the Act.
The Bill also provides that the Chief Statistician may, through a written notice, direct any party to furnish the data which is to his knowledge or can reasonably be obtained within a specified period.
The data submitted must be true, accurate and complete, while failure to comply can result in a fine of up to RM50,000 and an additional fine of up to RM2,000 per day if the offense continues after conviction.
