PUTRAJAYA, July 31 — Malaysians should become more statistically literate and develop the ability to critically assess information using reliable data rather than accept claims at face value, said former chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin.
Rather, the country should aspire to emulate countries such as the Netherlands, whose citizens are equipped with critical thinking skills and can engage in public discussions based on facts and figures.
He said that building such a society requires stronger emphasis on critical thinking in higher education, as well as wider access to official statistics to help Malaysians better understand and evaluate issues ranging from inflation, food security and agriculture, to imports and economic performance.
“What is most important is we need to have more citizens who are capable of critical thinking.
“Critical thinking does not (develop) overnight; it is linked to the level of education, especially tertiary education,” he said in a recent interview with Media Selangor.
Uzir, who retired from public service earlier this month, said access to more granular and reliable data would allow people to make meaningful comparisons between regions, communities, and economic conditions, rather than relying on assumptions or unverified claims.
Statistics should not only serve policymakers but also empower the public to participate in discussions on issues affecting their daily lives.
“When people have facts and numbers, they can ask questions such as why we import certain goods, why we do not produce them ourselves, or why the ringgit moves in a certain direction.
“This allows public discussions to be constructive, with differing views (grounded) based on facts and figures,” he said.
A statistically informed society would enable Malaysians to better understand complex national issues and evaluate government policies more critically.
Continue contributing to society
Uzir added that advanced statistical systems are not only about producing data but also about developing expertise to generate insights that benefit society.
“In developed countries like the Netherlands, statisticians are not only involved in collecting primary data. They develop models, become experts in specific fields such as demography, economics, and the environment, and provide insights to the country,” he said.
In this respect, Malaysia still has room to strengthen its statistical capabilities especially by developing more specialised experts who can analyse data and generate forward-looking insights.
When asked about his retirement plan and his hopes among the civil servants, Uzir encouraged academics, professionals, and retirees to continue sharing their expertise to improve public understanding of statistics.
Experienced individuals should remain engaged in society, especially by using available platforms to explain issues through data and evidence rather than withdrawing from public life after retirement.
“I have spoken with academics, former senior officials, and others who have passed their prime age, encouraging them to continue participating actively and sharing their views.
“After 60, it should not mean that you stop contributing. We need people who can explain certain philosophies and what is happening,” he said.
Uzir noted that he intends to continue contributing after retirement by sharing knowledge and helping ensure public discussions remain evidence-based.
He officially retired on July 8 after completing 36 years of public service, including nearly nine years leading the Malaysian Statistics Department (DOSM) as its head.
Uzir was succeeded by Siti Asiah Ahmad, the department’s 10th Chief Statistician, who has nearly 28 years of experience with DOSM.
