He has been the face behind some of the most important data announcements for 36 years, sharing with the media statistics on GDP, employment, economy, birth rate, and healthcare. Chief Statistician Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin term has finally come to an end, and he will be retiring.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia is paying tribute to the Chief Statistician as he retires after 36 years of service, describing his tenure as one that transformed the department into a strategic national data institution driven by digital innovation, data integration and artificial intelligence.
One of Mohd Uzir’s key legacies was strengthening Malaysia’s National Statistical System through the National Statistical System Strengthening (PSSN) agenda, which enhanced coordination and the quality of official statistics across ministries and government agencies.
The initiative also led to several major reforms, including the establishment of the National Statistics and Data Council (MSDN) at federal, state and district levels, the modernisation of the Statistics Act 1965 to reflect the digital era, and the expansion of capabilities in artificial intelligence and data science.
DOSM said these reforms laid the foundation for a more integrated, modern and responsive national data ecosystem.
Mohd Uzir also championed the democratisation of data through the OpenDOSM NextGen platform, making official statistics more accessible and user-friendly while encouraging greater data literacy among Malaysians.
Digital initiatives introduced during his tenure included MyPAKW and MyLabourHub, alongside the continued enhancement of OpenDOSM NextGen to meet evolving user needs.
During his leadership, DOSM also implemented several strategic data-driven initiatives, including the Central Database Hub (PADU), MyLabourHub, MyPAKW, the Life Expectancy Calculator and TaniStats.
His push towards digital transformation was further reinforced through the establishment of the National Big Data Analytics Centre (NBDAC), which expanded the use of alternative data sources within Malaysia’s statistical ecosystem.
Mohd Uzir also oversaw three of the country’s largest statistical operations, serving as Census Commissioner for the 2020 Population and Housing Census, leading the 2024 Agricultural Census and the ongoing 2026 Economic Census.
DOSM described the successful implementation of the 2020 Population and Housing Census during the COVID-19 pandemic using digital technologies as one of the department’s most significant achievements.
Internationally, Mohd Uzir played a prominent role in elevating Malaysia’s profile in official statistics.
Since 2017, he represented Malaysia at the United Nations Statistical Commission and held several leadership positions, including Chairman of the ASEAN Community Statistical System (ACSS) and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP)
Mohd Uzir officially retires on July 8, 2026.
