By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Dec 5 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has expressed support for the establishment of a state statistics bureau to enhance data collection and analysis for improved policymaking and economic planning.
He said a state-owned statistics bureau — distinct from the federally managed state-level Statistics Department — could offer detailed insights via granular data on sectoral economic performances.
This is in contrast to the federal counterpart, which focuses on macro-level data.
“Ideally, as research becomes more in-depth and comprehensive, data should become more detailed.
“At the national level, data tends to be macro in nature, but at the state level, it needs to be more granular and tailored, collected independently by state institutions.
“I believe there must be significant transformation in national data management, including state-level institutions, that can collect more detailed data without relying solely on an overly centralised system,” he told reporters after attending the Dialog Shah Alam programme at Universiti Selangor here today.
Amirudin said data collected by the state would provide a clearer, more tailored view of Selangor's needs and trends, contrasting to federal initiatives which tend to focus on broader perspectives and may be less effective or slower to implement.
He was responding to proposals made by former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim during his lecture at today’s event.
[caption id="attachment_382297" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Bank Negara Malaysia ex-governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim delivers a lecture during the Dialog Shah Alam event, held at Universiti Selangor’s Shah Alam campus, on December 5, 2024. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Among others, Muhammad had suggested the state establish its own statistics bureau, sovereign fund and economic advisory council.
Amirudin welcomed all three suggestions, stating they are progressive in nature and represent valid added value to the state.
He added that establishing a state statistics bureau is not an “impossibility” as Selangor has the necessary framework and tools, drawing on lessons from crisis management during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This involves costs and regulations, but it is not impossible. For instance, with the command centre we developed in 2020, we already have tools to rapidly analyse data.
“Perhaps with the use of artificial intelligence, research processes can be further automated, as the infrastructure is already in place. What is required now is a social and administrative structure that aligns with these proposals.”
The second edition of Dialog Shah Alam was held today, with the first edition having been held in 2019. It was halted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Amirudin expressed hope the dialogue would become an annual event, bringing in experts to address critical and contemporary issues affecting the state and nation.
This year, the dialogue featured Muhammad, who delivered a lecture on national and global economic challenges.
