KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 — The Economic Census 2026 (BE2026), currently in its first phase, focuses on the informal sector, including small- and micro-scale enterprises and the rapidly growing online businesses, said the Malaysian Statistics Department (DOSM).
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the informal sector includes online business activities and conventional business activities, such as mobile traders without a permanent structure.
BE2026 for the informal sector will be conducted in detail to ensure comprehensive coverage of economic activities at the small, unstructured level.
“Large enterprises have proper records and the like. For the informal sector, we need to sit down with them to understand the pattern of their activities and what they produce.
"This allows the data we obtain to be turned into national statistical data that can help them, as well as assist agencies in determining how to empower this sector based on complete and holistic data,” he said as a guest on the 'Malaysia Petang Ini' programme on BernamaTV today.
Uzir added that the census approach is used to ensure DOSM obtains full coverage across areas when collecting detailed economic data.
“We go down to the ground and also use close relationships with local communities, including hawker associations, traders, as well as village heads or community leaders, which enables us to obtain good cooperation,” he said.
BE2026 is being implemented in three phases: the first phase from January 5 to February 28, involving the informal and micro sectors; the second phase from March 1 to June 30 (micro, small, and medium enterprises); and the third phase from June 1 to October 31, involving medium and large enterprises.
Approximately 1.34 million business entities nationwide, covering informal enterprises, micro businesses, small and medium enterprises, as well as large companies, will be involved in BE2026.
Uzir stressed that the census is the best opportunity for the government to reassess national economic data in planning assistance for micro and small traders, including those in the informal sector. The data collected will subsequently serve as a reference for ministries and relevant agencies in assisting these groups.
“My message is for everyone to have a sense of responsibility to jointly ensure the success of this census by providing the best possible information, so that the planning and findings of this census will ultimately have a positive impact on all parties, including traders and anyone involved in our country’s economic activities,” he said.
