FAQs

Agriculture

1.	Who should I contact to obtain agricultural statistics for a specific commodity? You can get the information at DOSM website in http://www.statistics.gov.my/directory/headquarters/Agriculture and Environment Statistics Division
2.	What type of agriculture statistics is available from DOSM? What form(s) is it available in? DOSM issues statistics information on Rubber, Crops, Fisheries and Livestock. This information is distributed in the form of report. The reports are available in Adobe Acrobat PDF files. The data are at the State and establishment level.
3.	How often, and why, is the Census of Agriculture Establishment undertaken? The Census of Agriculture Establishment is conducted every 2 years. A census aims to collect information from agricultural establishments in sub-sector of Crops, Fisheries and Livestock. The Census of Agriculture Establishment is to publish principal statistics pertaining to the agriculture sector by agricultural establishments. Among the statistics presented are value of gross output, cost of input, employment and salaries & wages as well as values of assets owned.

Charges and Payments

	What are the charges incurred for data request and what are the methods of payment?
	a.	Requests for data will be charged on cost recovery basis, depending on the amount of resources used to process and compile the data.
	b.	Payment for publications or data can be made by cash/ bank draft / money order / postal order payable to CHIEF ACCOUNTANT, PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT. (No payment should be made by credit cards or EFT).

Data Request

	How can I forward my request for publications or data?
	You can purchase publications or detailed unpublished data from DOSM. For such requests or for any statistical enquiry you could contact DOSM in the following ways :
		Form : Online Order E-mail : jpbkkp@stats.gov.my Phone : 603-88857000 Fax : 603-88889248
	For written requests please include your name, organisation, designation and purpose of obtaining the data and should be addressed to the following:
		Director, Corporate and User Services Division, Department Of Statistics, Malaysia, Level 7, Block C6, Complex C, Federal Government Administrative Centre, 62514 Putrajaya, Malaysia
	If you wish to make the request in person you may visit The Department Of Statistics, Malaysia ( DOSM ) at the head office in Putrajaya or any of the state offices : Contact Us

Demography

1.	What is the demography? Demography is the study of population, especially fertility (births), mortality (death), marriage & divorce and migration. It involves the scientific study of the size, distribution and composition of spaces and how these three components vary over time.
2.	Is the population data available to the small area? Population data is provided at the national level to the small area that is Malaysia, state, strata (urban/rural), administrative district, mukim, Local Authority Area (LAA), Parliament and State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
3.	Does the Department of Statistics, Malaysia (DOSM) provides statistics on cause of death? Department of Statistics is responsible for compilation of statistics including statistics on causes of death. Death records were obtained from the National Registration Department. Causes of death is coded based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10).

Establishment Survey

1.	ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY - Why is there a need to conduct establishment surveys? The Department of Statistics, Malaysia (DOSM) compiles a wide range of economic and labour statistics through conducting establishment surveys. The survey data are used by both the Government and the private sector in formulating policies and making decisions for economic development.
2.	ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY - Why can't DOSM retrieve the required information from the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM)? DOSM cannot exchange information with any other government departments, agencies including IRBM or to other persons for whatever purpose. All information relating to individual establishments will be kept in strict confidence.
3.	ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY - My audited accounts are not yet available. Can I be excused from the survey? Even though figures from audited accounts are preferred, figures based on preliminary accounts or best estimates available are also acceptable.
4.	ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY - I have been responding for a long period of time. Can I be replaced by another establishment? The survey samples are selected by scientific and probability-based statistical methods. We cannot purposely add or remove any establishment to/from the sample, as this will affect the representativeness of the survey results.
5.	ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY - Will the information that I supply be disclosed to the public or other government departments? No. In accordance with the provisions of the Statistics Act 1965 (Revised -1989) all information relating to individual establishments will be kept in strict confidence and not be released to any unauthorised parties including government departments and agencies. The collected information will be used for statistical purposes only. Only aggregate data, which do not reveal details of individual establishments, will be released.
6.	ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY - Why is my establishment selected in more than one survey? Surveys are conducted on various topics of interest that are useful to policy makers and the business community. As the surveys may have different reference periods, levels of details and timeliness requirements, they cannot be integrated. For some establishments, because of their economic significance to the community, they have a higher chance of being selected in more than one establishment surveys.
7.	ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY - Is it mandatory to participate in the survey? Yes it is. The surveys are conducted in accordance to the Statistics Act 1965 ( Revised -1989 )
8.	ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY - Can I reply after the deadline? Timely statistics is of great importance especially to policy makers, whether the Government or private sector. We would like to seek your cooperation in responding to our survey before the deadline.
9.	ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY - Can I complete and return the questionnaire electronically? Yes. Electronic questionnaire templates are available for surveys conducted by DOSM. Upon your request, such templates will be delivered to you via email or visit to your establishment. You can return the completed templates to us by email or give them to our officer during his/her visit. In returning the completed template by email, you are advised to add electronic signature and encrypt with the use of a digital certificate so as to protect the confidentiality of your supplied data: E -Survey.

External Sector

1.	What is the definition of imports? Goods are regarded as imports when they are brought into the country either directly or into bonded warehouses, irrespective of whether such goods are for consumption, to be processed, use in manufacturing or subsequent re-exports to other countries. It is also termed as `general imports'.
2.	What is the definition of exports? Goods (locally produced or manufactured or imported for subsequent re-exports) are regarded as exports when they are taken out of the country. It is also termed as `general exports'.
3.	What is the definition of Re-exports? Goods are regarded as re-exports when they are taken out of the country in the same form as they were imported without any transformation. Re-packing, sorting or grading processes are not considered as part of the transformation process.
4.	What is the valuation of imports? Imports are valued on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance and freight) basis, that is, the value of the goods in the market at the statistical/customs frontier of the importing country, including all charges for transport and insurance whilst in transit but excluding the cost of unloading from the carrier unless it is borne by the carrier.
5.	What is the valuation of export? Exports are valued on a f.o.b. (free on board) basis, that is, the value of the goods in the market at the statistical/customs frontier of the exporting country, including all costs of transporting the goods to the statistical/customs frontier, export and other duties payable as well as the cost of loading the goods onto the carrier unless the latter cost is borne by the carrier.
6.	What is balance of trade? The balance of trade is the difference between the value of exports and imports. When exports exceed imports it is recorded as a surplus while a deficit is registered when imports exceed exports.
7.	What is balance of payments? The balance of payments covers all economic transactions between Malaysian residents and non-residents (residents of the rest of the world) in two accounts, the current account and the capital & financial account. The current account covers transactions in goods, services, income and current transfers, while the financial account record changes in the country's foreign financial assets and liabilities.
8.	Where can I find the latest figures on balance of payments? Report on Quarterly Balance of Payments (BOP) provides quarterly estimates of BOP and its components which can be found in DOSM website and it's free download.
9.	Who are considered as residents and non-residents? A resident is any individual, enterprise or other organisation ordinarily domiciled in Malaysia for a period of at least one year. Branches and/or incorporated subsidiaries of foreign enterprises operating in Malaysia are regarded as residents. A non-resident is any individual, enterprise or other organisation ordinarily domiciled in a country other than Malaysia. Branches and/or subsidiaries of Malaysian companies operating abroad are regarded as non-residents.
10.	What the difference is between flows and positions data? Flows data refer to transactions of an economy with the rest of the world over a period of time (i.e. quarter). Positions are stock-oriented measures that provide a balance sheet statement (financial assets and liabilities) of the Malaysian economy vis-à-vis the rest of the world at a point in time (usually at the end of the year).
11.	What is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Direct Investment Abroad (DIA)? FDI refers to investment in the form of financial instruments namely equity capital, reinvested earnings and other capital (inter-company loans, trade credit, advances, etc.) by foreign direct investors in their direct investment enterprises in Malaysia. A direct investor is a foreign entity (individual or company) that owned, either directly or indirectly, at least 10 per cent of equity capital (in the form of ordinary shares or voting power) of an enterprise in Malaysia. Conversely, Direct Investment Abroad (DIA) refers to investment (namely: equity capital, reinvested earnings and other capital) made by Malaysian-based companies (direct investors) in their overseas affiliates where they own at least 10 per cent of equity capital.
12.	Where can I find statistics on FDI and DIA? Net FDI and DIA statistics are available in the Quarterly Balance of Payments Report, which can be downloaded from DOSM website. Detailed statistics on FDI & DIA by country and sector are available in Monthly Statistical Bulletin of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), which are available in BNM website (www.bnm.gov.my). Data sources are from Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) and BNM.

Household Survey

1.	HOUSEHOLD SURVEY - Why is there a need to conduct the Household Surveys? The purpose of conducting the household survey is to collect data in respect of the socio-economic characteristics of the population. These data are very important to the Government and the private sector in formulating policies and making decisions.
2.	HOUSEHOLD SURVEY - My family members come home very late. Can I answer the questions for them? As the questions of the survey relate to information of a more personal nature, it would be better to ask the household member concerned in person. Your family members can contact us by phone to fix a suitable time for interview.
3.	HOUSEHOLD SURVEY - I was selected for this survey a few months ago. Why am I selected again this time? It is the design of the sampling method in this survey to include certain households enumerated again in the current round. This design allows comparison to be made on the data supplied by the same households during different periods. In this way, changes in the socio-economic conditions of the population could be more precisely measured.
4.	HOUSEHOLD SURVEY - Could you send me the questionnaire by mail and I send it back to you after I have completed it? Although the time required for this interview is not very long, the questionnaire is fairly complicated and the concepts involved are by no means simple. Our trained interviewers could assist the respondents in furnishing the required statistical data in a convenient and accurate manner. All our interviewers are bound by regulations to keep your information in strict confidence and will not disclose data collected in the survey to any third party. Please feel comfortable to answer the questions raised by our interviewers.
5.	HOUSEHOLD SURVEY - Can you find another household to replace me? We are sorry that this cannot be done. The sample is selected in accordance with scientific and probability-based statistical methods. We cannot purposely add or remove any households to/from the sample, as this will affect the representativeness of the survey results.

Industrial Production Index

What is Industrial Production Index (IPI)?
Industrial Production Index (IPI) is a measure of the rate of change in the production of industrial commodities in real terms over time for Manufacturing, Mining and Electricity Sectors. It is measured based on volume changes in production. IPI are the overall index from the Index of Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity. IPI give the overview of the current trend of industrial activities and used for economic analysis.

Labour Force and Social Statistics

1.	Where can I find information on statistical concepts, data methodology and definitions and related statistical information on Labour Force? You may visit the metadata section under labour force survey to find out more about statistical classifications, concepts, definitions and methods adopted by Department of Statistics, Malaysia.
2.	What is the definition of employment and unemployment? Employed All persons who, at any time during the reference week worked at least one hour for pay, profit or family gain (as an employer, employee, own-account worker or unpaid family worker). Also considered as employed are persons who did not work during the reference week because of illness, injury, disability, bad weather, leave, labour dispute and social or religious reasons but had a job, farm, enterprise or other family enterprise to return to. Also included are those on temporary lay-off with pay who would definitely be called back to work. Employed persons at work and who had worked less than 30 hours during the reference week because of the nature of their work or due to insufficient work and are able and willing to accept additional hours of work are considered underemployed but are nevertheless included in the "employed" category.
	Unemployed The unemployed are classified into two that is the actively unemployed and inactively unemployed. The actively unemployed include all persons who did not work during the reference week but were available for work and actively looking for work during the reference week. Inactively unemployed persons include the following categories:
	(a)	persons who did not look for work because they believed no work was available or that they were not qualified;
	(b)	persons who would have looked for work if they had not been temporarily ill or had it not been for bad weather;
	(c)	persons who were waiting for result of job applications; and
	(d)	persons who had looked for work prior to the reference week.
3.	How is the unemployment rate is calculated? Unemployment rate, KU is computed by using the formula below:-

	where PU is the number of person unemployed in the specified category. PL is the number of persons in the labour force in the specified category.

National Accounts

1.	What is GDP? GDP is a measure of the total value of production of all resident producing units of a country in a specified period, before deducting allowances for consumption of fixed capital. A producing unit is considered as resident in a country if it maintains a centre of economic interest in the economic territory of that country. The economic territory of a country consists of the geographic territory administered by a government within which persons, goods and capital circulate freely. GDP can be measured in three but equivalent ways, namely, the sum of value added, the sum of final expenditures and the sum of incomes. In Malaysia, DOSM compiles annual GDP estimates using the sum of value added and sum of final expenditure approaches.
2.	How is GDP measured? There are three ways of measuring GDP:
	i.	The sum of value added (or production) based GDP is the sum of the differences between the values of the gross output of resident producing units measured in producers' values and the values of their intermediate consumption measured in purchasers' values plus import duties. The difference between gross output and intermediate consumption is value added. This approach shows the contribution of individual economic activities to the total GDP.
	ii.	Income based estimates – summing up the incomes generated (i.e salaries and wages, gross operating surplus of enterprises and mixed income generated by households that engage in production)
	iii.	The sum of final expenditures (expenditure) approach is to sum up the expenditure values of the final users of goods and services measured in purchasers' values, less the c.i.f. values of the import of goods and services. It is calculated by estimating the values of private consumption expenditure, government consumption expenditure, gross fixed capital formation, change in stocks and exports of goods and services, less imports of goods and services. These are termed `final demand' or 'final expenditure' categories.
3.	What is GDP by State? GDP by State is a compilation of GDP which covers 13 states and 2 Federal territories in Malaysia. The compilation is based on production approach and is measured at 2000 constant price.
4.	What Key Standards are used in compiling the National Accounts? System of National Accounts The United Nations System of National Accounts (often abbreviated as "SNA" ) is an international standard system of national accounts, the first international standard being published in 1953 . Handbooks have been released for the 1968 revision, the 1993 revision, and the 2008 revision.

Population and Housing Census

What is the definition of urban areas used by the Department?
The definition of urban is:

"Gazetted areas with their adjoining built-up areas, which had a combined population of 10,000 or more at the time of the Census 2010 or the special development area that can be identified, which at least had a population of 10,000 with at least 60 % of population (aged 15 years and above) were involved in non-agricultural activities."

Built-up areas were contiguous to a gazetted area and had at least 60% of their population (aged 15 years and above) engaged in non-agricultural activities.

Special development areas are areas of development that can be identified and separated from any gazetted area or built- up area more than 5 km and the area had a population of at least 10,000 with 60% of the population (aged 15 years and above) were involved in non-agricultural.

Prices

What is the Consumer Price Index?
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the percentage change through time in the cost of purchasing a constant "basket" of goods and services representing the average pattern of purchases made by a particular population group in a specified time period. The "basket" is of an unchanging or equivalent quantity and quality of goods and services, consisting of items for which there are continually measurable market prices over time. Changes in the costs of items in the basket are therefore due only to "pure" price movements, i.e. price movements that are not associated with changes in the quality and / or quantity of the set of consumer goods and services in the basket.

Services

Besides handling data requests what other services are provided by DOSM?
DOSM also provides consultancy services on statistical methods in conducting surveys which include frame and sampling design, questionnaire, field operation, processing and data analysis: Services Offered.

Training

Besides handling data requests what other services are provided by DOSM?
At the moment DOSM only provides industrial or practical training to students of higher learning institutions. Industrial Training