DOSM Embarks On Environmental Statistics

By Mohd Khairi Idham Amran KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has embarked on environmental statistics to address concerns over environmental issues. Deputy chief statistician Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said this was in line with the country's commitment to reduce carbon emission intensity by 40 per cent by 2020 to help tackle climate change and global warming. "We emphasise not only on economic growth but also on sustainable growth," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Malaysia Statistics Conference (MyStats) 2016 here Tuesday. He said the DOSM was also studying the possibilities of introducing statistical data at the state and district levels in an effort to expand the usefulness from just the national level at present. "This is something that we want people to have -- being tangible with the locality where they are living," he said. Besides that, he said the initiative was also aimed at fostering the inclusiveness of the country's economic growth benefits to the people. "We don't want only certain places getting the benefit. We want everyone to get a slice of the economic cake," he said. Nevertheless, he said Malaysia was in a good position to achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020. As the official provider of the country's statistical information, he said the DOSM had contributed to the growth of the economy by providing crucial statistical data such as poverty, unemployment, as well as industry-related data such as the consumer price index and industrial price index. "Statistics provide the evidence and guidance for the policymaker to take charge in handling problems. Based on statistics, the government formulates what have to be done to overcome any problem (at hand)," he added. The one-day conference is jointly organised by the DOSM, Bank Negara Malaysia (Malaysia's Central Bank) and the Malaysia Institute of Statistics. Themed 'Strengthening Statistical Usage for Decisions and Innovation', the fourth edition of MyStats provides a platform for participants to discuss and promote greater use of statistics in decision making and innovation. -- BERNAMA