Residents welcome online approach for Census 2020

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Members of the public have expressed their readiness to take part in the Population and Housing Census 2020 (Census 2020) via the e-Census digital platform at https://ecensus.mycensus.gov.my which started yesterday until Sept 30.

Through observations in housing areas in the city, Bernama discovered that the general local population is of the opinion that the digital platform developed by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) is in line with the current COVID-19 pandemic as well as Industrial Revolution 4.0.

Stationery shop manager, Chia Mui Gee, 33, said the digital initiative for Census 2020 is necessary for she considers the health and safety of her family as a serious matter.

“This initiative is appropriate for the new normal, I would opt for it and would be comfortable to give the data online even though I have never done it before. I think the platform facilitates the chore for all parties and reduces COVID-19 infection risk,” she said, adding that the government should spread information on Census 2020 and its link https://ecensus.mycensus.gov.my via short messaging service (SMS).

Echoing her sentiment, Tremkumar Krishnan, 43, said he would take the survey online since his job requires odd hours.

“I work from Monday to Saturday. Sometimes I have to get to my workplace early (in the morning) and return late at night. To me, taking the survey online is most convenient because I can do it anytime within the timeline,” he said.

Tremkumar who works in the private sector clarified that the online platform is suitable for urban areas which have widespread internet access and hoped there would not be problems such as long wait, buffering or inability to access the link.

Besides that, he said census enumerators scheduled to conduct face-to-face interviews with residents should wear uniform, carry identification and observe social distancing for respondents to feel safe and comfortable.

This was also to avoid confusion and prevent them from being taken advantage of by scammers or criminals, he said.

Meanwhile, a pensioner, Azman Badiuzzaman, 64, said due to his age, he had trouble using smartphones that would make it difficult for him to send information via e-Census.

“I am not skilled to use a smartphone and worried that problems will arise such as the data is not recorded although I have hit the send button many times. In the old days, enumerators would come to the house, and after the session they would paste a sticker on the gate,” he said.

Trader Siti Salwana Abu Bakar, 35, said many are still not aware of the importance in taking the Census 2020 survey, which is critical for the government to update population data for the country’s development and that the government should publicise the exercise extensively due to the 10-year gap.

For Agnes Saw, 41, who works as a quantity surveyor, the e-Census platform has made the exercise more convenient and time-saving.

“All these years I have been living with my parents, so normally DOSM officers will come to conduct data collection from house to house.

“Throughout the Movement Control Order following the COVID-19 pandemic, I hope the officers can contact us via telephone call even though they are required to conduct face-to-face interview in the second phase,” she added.

Census 2020 is the sixth exercise conducted every decade, since 1963 and this year it will cover nine million residences in order to obtain comprehensive census data which include inputs for the monitoring of Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.

According to mycensus.gov.my website, the exercise will be implemented in all housing areas and residences all over Malaysia in two phases, the first, via the online platform e-Census starting from July 7 until Sept 30 while the second phase will be conducted by face-to-face interview from October 7 to October 24.

— BERNAMA