The surge of unverified data on social media and the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) are among the key challenges facing the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) in maintaining the credibility of official statistics, said Chief Statistician Siti Asiah Ahmad.
She said both developments required DOSM to remain agile and adapt to rapid technological changes, particularly as digital platforms make it easier for unverified figures to circulate.
Siti Asiah noted that anyone could publish figures online, with the public potentially accepting them without checking their source, validity or context. The concern is heightened when figures are attributed to DOSM despite not being published by the department.
To address the issue, DOSM will continue providing clarification and strengthening statistical literacy through various platforms, including the media, to ensure accurate information is properly understood and not misinterpreted.
Meanwhile, Siti Asiah said AI had the potential to transform the employment landscape, including in statistics and data analytics, while enabling DOSM to produce statistics more quickly and in greater detail.
However, she stressed that the technology must be supported by strong statistical knowledge and expertise, allowing information generated by AI to be properly assessed and verified before use.
As technology continues to reshape the way data is collected and analysed, DOSM will also need to reassess its workforce structure and future job requirements, particularly in data collection, analytics and statistics production.
Siti Asiah said continuous capacity building among DOSM personnel was therefore essential to ensure they could adapt to technological changes, including AI, without compromising integrity and professionalism.
At the same time, she said improving statistical literacy among the public remained important, with DOSM personnel needing to explain statistics in language that is easier for the public and media to understand as the department shifts from conventional publications towards digital platforms.
She stressed that statistics should not be viewed merely as numbers, with their source, context and production process also important to understanding the figures.
The passing of the Statistics Bill 2026 in Parliament further strengthens DOSM’s role in the national data and statistics ecosystem, she said.
The stronger legal framework will allow DOSM to expand data sharing among ministries, agencies and the private sector, while supporting a whole-of-government approach to producing statistics that are faster, integrated and responsive to national needs.
