It's census time again and here's what you need to know

• UPDATED | Added new details on new timeframe on the census project following statement from the Statistics Department.

KINIGUIDE | The government's decennial census project returns this year with the introduction of an e-census alongside the traditional face-to-face interviews with selected members of the public.

This is being done in line with technological advancements which have proven to be timely in view of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Carried out since 1970, the Malaysia Population and Housing Census has been conducted five times with the last exercise taking place in 2010.

To put it into context, the Malaysian population in 2010 was 27.5 million. The 2020 statistics show that the population is now 32.7 million.

According to the Statistics Department, as of Oct 4, only 3.25 million respondents, equivalent to 10 percent of the population, have taken part in the census.

What's the time frame for the project?

The census is divided into two phases.

First phase:

The first phase comprises computer-assisted telephone interviews and the e-census exercise which began on July 7.

For the e-census, the Statistics Department sent postcards with an invitation code for selected participants to access and fill up an online questionnaire on its website. 

What if I didn't receive an invitation postcard?

If you did not receive the postcard but would like to join the e-census, you can request an invitation code via the same website.

The pre-registration, which originally ended on Sept 30, has been extended. The pre-registration is now reopened from Oct 7 until Nov 30.

Initially, the final date to complete the questionnaire was Oct 6. However, in the latest update, the exercise in this phase would be pushed back until Dec 21.

Second phase:

The second phase, initially to be run from Oct 7 until Oct 24, has also been rescheduled.

It will begin on Jan 20 where enumerators will visit the homes of members of the public for face-to-face interviews.

The enumerators will conduct the interview using either a laptop, the traditional paper and pen or the "drop off and pick up" method where the questionnaire is collected later. 

The second phase will be completed on Feb 6, 2021.

What happens if I registered for e-census but missed the Dec 21 deadline?

If you missed the deadline, then an enumerator will conduct a face-to-face interview with you as per the second phase.

What are the questions about?

The comprehensive 108 multi-dimensional questionnaire includes details of the household such as jobs, education background, salaries and health status of household members.

Other questions include the availability of certain infrastructure in your residential area, distance from your home to your workplace, do you prefer furnished or unfurnished units when renting a house, Internet accessibility, the last time you spoke to your neighbour and how many times have you had breakfast and dinner at home.

Why is this information important?

The information collected from the public will be used to make plans and decisions regarding public services required for each locality such as hospitals, schools, roads and public transport.

Local authorities will also use information from the census to help meet the core needs of their areas.

Apart from that, the information will be utilised to get a comprehensive input to monitor the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The census is crucial as it will determine how government funding worth billions of ringgit will be spent across the country.

According to the Census 2020 commissioner Mohd Uzir Mahidin, the data will also be used to gauge a happiness index.

Can I choose not to participate?

Based on the Census Act 1960 (Revised 1969), it is compulsory for all public members to participate and answer all questions of the census.

Section 9(2) makes it mandatory for members of the public to answer all questions in the census form and Section 17(1) states that failure to comply may result in a fine of not exceeding RM100 or a prison term of not more than six months or both.

Will my information be safe?

Section 15(2) of the Census Act 1960 guarantees the confidentiality of information collected from all individuals.

Are foreigners included as well?

Yes. Foreign workers and their families, as well as foreign students, will be surveyed as well. Foreign military and diplomatic personnel as well as their families staying in Malaysia, will also be counted.

However, foreigners such as tourists, business people and the likes who are in Malaysia for less than six months are excluded from the census.

Who else will be covered?

According to the MyCensus website, babies born on or before Census Day (July 7) and are still alive on Census Day, those who passed away on or after July 7 and Malaysians commuting across the border for work or study but maintain a usual residence within Malaysia, will also be a part of the census. 

Who is excluded from the census?

The MyCensus website states babies born after Census Day (July 7), those who passed away before Census Day, and military and diplomatic personnel as well as their families who are staying outside of Malaysia, are exempted from the census exercise.

Malaysians and permanent residents who are away or intend to be away from the country for six months or more in the year 2020 because of work or study are also excluded.

How do I identify the enumerator?

You can identify them by their identification pass containing their photo, name, and identification number. They also need to carry a department-issued "census" sling bag.

This instalment of KiniGuide was compiled by FAISAL ASYRAF.

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