PETALING JAYA: A chief data officer (CDO) will be appointed in government departments, ministries and agencies as part of an effort to strengthen the gathering and management of data, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       The Prime Minister said the CDO would be appointed through the reassignment of existing officers in each federal and state governmental agencies, ministries or departments in stages from this year.

       “The National Statistics and Data Council (MSDN) has held its inaugural meeting in Putrajaya and its main aim is to provide guidance and strengthen the governance of the national statistical system.

       “In addition, the DOSM (Department of Statistics Malaysia) has been empowered as a central agency through the strengthening and modernising of statistical services,” he said in a statement.

       Ismail Sabri said the meeting yesterday also agreed to implement an action plan for strengthening the national statistics system.

       “Data is a national asset that needs to be managed well in order to provide vital information and formulate guidelines towards the achievement of policy goals and national vision.

       “The diversity of information at the national level is critical to coordinate.

       “The health crisis and natural disasters that hit the country also demand the need for a more comprehensive, concise and integrated data,” he said.

       The MSDN meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, also saw the attendance of several Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers, the Chief Secretary to the Government, Chief Statistician, as well as technocrats, academicians and representatives of the private sector.

       DOSM will also serve as the secretariat to the council.

       The ministries involved are International Trade and Industry, Defence, Finance, Works, Education, Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, and Economy), Agriculture and Food Industries, Health and Women, Family and Community Development.

       “An executive committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, was established to drive collaboration between ministries and agencies, as well as the private sector in realising the agendas of the MSDN,” he said.

       Ismail Sabri also said to support the MSDN at the federal level, the State and Regional Statistics and Data Council would be set up.

       “It is hoped that the establishment of the MSDN will be able to provide a positive impact, including ensuring the availability of more holistic data in formulating short-term and long-term national policies for the well-being of the Malaysian Family,” he said.