Page 105 - 60 Years Generating National Statistics

ECONOMIC PLANNING UNIT (EPU)

The 60-year celebration of the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) is much more
than an anniversary. It is a celebration of a time-honoured commitment to produce
and publish Malaysia’s statistics in various socio-economic dimensions. On behalf of
the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), I would like to offer our heartiest congratulations
to DOSM.

It is also a celebration of co-operation of a truly remarkable and 38 year-long standing
partnership between the DOSM and the EPU. EPU has reaped many benefits in terms
of getting data for formulating development policies and strategies.

Today as we honour this anniversary, it serves us well to remember that DOSM’s effort
and contributions should not be easily be taken for granted. DOSM is stronger than

before and in fact has matured to face many complex challenges.

In the efforts to make Malaysia a fully-developed country, the Government needs
more diversified data and information to assist national development planning.
In this regard, DOSM must play its pivotal role in reviewing previous and present
directions, policies and approaches to enhance efficiency and effectiveness so that
stakeholders’ expectations are met. DOSM should also play a dynamic and proactive
role in enhancing its human capital and expertise.

In delivering data and information to more people, the staffs have to be trained on
the fundamentals of research in various critical areas. By providing more opportunities
and optimising existing resources - the goldmine of statistics in various socio-economic
dimensions for Masters and PhD programs, DOSM helps more in-house k-workers to be
trained.

EPU is confident that the next 60 years of progress in the statistical services will

present countless challenges to DOSM and its stakeholders. If DOSM addresses these
challenges and opportunities with strategic collaboration, EPU strongly believes that
DOSM will continue to be a major driver of the nation’s statistical capability and data
depository of all types of statistics relating to the nation’s development and economic
growth.

Let me again congratulate DOSM for your 60 successful years.

Tan Sri Dr. Sulaiman Mahbob
Director General
Economic Planning Unit
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