Page 37 - 60 Years Generating National Statistics

History on the Utilisation of ICT Chronology
In the early stages of its establishment, data collection
and processing were done manually. External trade and
agriculture data were transcribed directly from the daily
transaction records of imports and exports. This approach
was known as the hand-pick system. Between 1954-1958,
the technique of data processing of external trade statistics
underwent changes through the usage of ICT tabulator and
Key Punch Machine. This machine used a 65 column card
to expedite the tabulation and publication of statistics.
In 1962, this technology was improved by using the ICL
machine with 80 column card.
In line with computerisation, the main frame was used
for data processing in 1967. At that time, this multi-
dimensional system was not only capable of expediting
data processing but also able to process a large volume
of data. It is noted in history that the Department of
Statistics was the first government agency to use this
system. Since then, this system had been continuously
upgraded and up to mid 1980’s, a few generations of
main frame systems were installed to cope with the increasing
usage and users’ demand for timely data.
With the advancement of ICT, DOS became the focal
point for system development by other government
agencies. Besides being able to produce experts in
system development, the existing ICT infrastructure was also
used by other government agencies.
Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul
Rahman Putra Al-Haj launched
the Electronics Computer
Systems at the Department of
Statistics, Kuala Lumpur on 13
February 1967.
History in ICT Development:
1945 Hand-pick system was introduced in the
collection and production of trade statistics.
1954 Collection and processing of data using ICT
tabulator and the Key Punch Machine (65
column).
1957 Processing of data using Card Reader, Sorter
and Tabulator.
1962 Utilisation of ICL machine (80 column) for
data processing.
1967 The Department migrated from mechanical
to electronic data processing following
the installation of ICL 1902 computer in the
Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur.
Main frame was used for data capture and
processing, while error reports were edited
manually in hardcopies.
1969 ICL 1902 computer in the Headquarters
was replaced by ICL 1904A model with the
capacity of 96K word store.
1980 ICL 1904A computer was later replaced with
two units of ICL 2956 computers having a
memory of 1.5 MB each.
1982 ICL ME 29 computer with 512KB memory
was installed in Sabah and Sarawak Branch
Offices.
1987 ICL 2956 computer in the Headquarters was
replaced with IBM 4381-P12 which had a
memory of 16 MB.
Micro computers were introduced for
statistical work in the Department.
1988 ICL ME 29 computer at Sabah and Sarawak
Branch Offices were replaced with FUJITSU
FACOM M730/6 with memory of 9 MB.
1989 The Geographical Information System (GIS)
was introduced for the Population and
Housing Census.
1990 IBM 4381-P12 computer in the Headquarters
was replaced with IBM 9121-190 with memory
of 64 MB.
1993 Dbase IV software was used in processing of
external trade data using the stand alone
system.
An integrated system for the updating
of the census/survey frame of economic
establishments was implemented through the
Central Registry System (SIDAP) in the main
frame. This system is operated simultaneously
with the Common Directory System.
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