Session 5: Advocacy for Statistics

1. Session 5: Advocacy for Statistics Country : Malaysia

2. DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS, MALAYSIA (DOSM)Strategic Planning Process • Setting of new vision, mission and objectives • VISION : TO BECOME A LEADING STATISTICAL ORGANIZATION • INTERNATIONALLY • MISSION : WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED OFFICIAL STATISTICAL INFORMATION AND STATISTICAL SERVICES OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD, FOR NATIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH: • WELL-TRAINED AND COMPETENT PERSONNEL • USE OF SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY AND METHODOLOGY • ADOPTION OF BEST PRACTICES IN ALL STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES • ENHANCED RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

3. Points to be considered in planningprocess • DOSM – agency under the Prime Minister’s Department • Authority and alignment to regulation to undertake statistical activities – Statistics Act 1965 (Revised 1989) and Census Act 1960 • High level committee to determine guidelines, policy and priorities for statistical activities - Statistics Steering Committee (SSC) and Main User Committees • Standards for providing data to stakeholders and users – Client’s Charter (user- oriented and timely, safeguard confidentiality, courteous and professional service)

4. Points to be considered in planningprocess • Have medium and short term plans – Corporate Plan (five years), Annual Work Plan, Annual Targets and ICT Strategic Plans (ISP)– incorporate users’ requirements, in line with national planning process • Benchmarking against best practices of other statistical agencies • Maintenance of data quality - adherence to international standards in statistical activities

5. CORPORATE PLAN STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES • TO BE HIGHLY RESPONSIVE TO CUSTOMER NEEDS IN A DYNAMIC AND CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT • TO HAVE STRONG RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL CAPABILITIES • TO ENSURE MAXIMUM USE OF SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY AND STATISTICAL METHODOLOGY • TO INCULCATE A CULTURE OF INNOVATION IN PRODUCING AND DELIVERING STATISTICAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES • TO HAVE COMPETENT WORKFORCE WITH HIGH LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM • TO ENSURE INCREASED USE OF STATISTICS AMONG USERS AND THE PUBLIC • TO BE HIGHLY REPUTED AS A LEADING STATISTICAL ORGANIZATION, LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY

6. ICT Strategic Plan (2006 -2010) • The Plan outlines a comprehensive framework in creating an environment for usage and development of ICT in organized and coordinated manner. • The ICT Master Plan supports business strategy of the Department as well as the public service’s ICT vision. • The Plan incorporates results based management in achieving the corporate plan objectives via Balanced Scorecard. Projects in ISP include: Intergrated Statistical Systems Framework; Develop data bases; Performance Management; Geographical Information System enhancement; Office Automation Enhancement; Knowledge Management; Generic Office Environment;

7. Points to be considered in planningprocess • Ethics and values – Department’s Code of Ethics (professionalism, excellence, integrity, accountability, esprit de corps, credibility, customer satisfaction) • Statistical capacity building – training, technical advisory services to other agencies, usage of technology to improve statistical activities, participation in international forums

8. Issues • Ad-hoc requirements by main stakeholders • Manpower – needed more in terms of numbers and more experts in data analysis • Requirements of micro-data for micro-planning eg. state GDP • Quality of secondary/administrative sources of data • Timeliness/estimation/forecasting for economic data

9. Current and future strategies • To re-prioritize statistical activities • National Statistical System is being reviewed • Proposed Restructuring of the Department • Train personnel in key areas • Efforts undertaken to develop micro-data required • Have frequent discussions with the relevant agencies • Strengthen R&D/ innovative products

11. Thank you