Ismail, who chaired the council’s first meeting in Putrajaya today, said among the decisions made was to empower the statistics department as the central agency by strengthening the organisation and the modernisation of statistical services.

“A chief data officer will be appointed through the reassignment of existing officers in each ministry/department/federal and state agency in stages,” he said in a statement here.

Ismail said data was a national asset that must be managed well to provide returns to the country. Such information could provide guidelines towards achieving the country’s goals and visions.

He added that the diversity of information at the national level made it critical for it to be well-coordinated.

“The health crisis and natural disasters that have hit the country demand a more comprehensive, concise and integrated data availability.

“It will spearhead efforts to coordinate the country’s highest information level (government and private), channel the latest data and harmonise statistical work processes.”

It was reported previously that the Cabinet had on Sept 9, 2020, approved the creation of a National Statistics and Data Council as the highest advisory body to provide guidance for the national statistical system and to coordinate information.

The council comprises relevant ministers, academics, representatives from industries, the public and private sectors, as well as the statistics department, which acts as the secretariat.

According to the prime minister, an executive committee chaired by the chief secretary to the government was set up to drive collaboration between ministries, agencies and the private sector.

“State/regional statistics and data councils will also be established in each state and federal territory to strengthen the governance of state and district statistical systems.”