KUCHING: Public response towards the first phase of the National Census 2010 in the state missed the set target.
PLEASE COOPERATE: Ose (second right) and state Statistics Department director Lee Ting Siing (second left) showing the census worker’s kit. Also seen are state Statistics Department deputy director Mohd Yazid Kasim (left) and his assistant principal director Sabariah Salim.
During phase one, which started on July 6 and ended on July 21, the census workers visited a total of 184,564 houses throughout the state, but they only managed to get census data from 133,035 of them.
No one was at home in the remaining 51,529 houses.
State deputy census commissioner Datu Ose Murang told a press conference yesterday that the target set for phase one was 33 per cent but the actual result averaged out to be 23.7 per cent only.
The National Census is divided into three phases.
The second phase started on July 22 and will end on August 6. The final phase will be from August 7 till 21.
“The response we received from urban areas for phase one has not been very encouraging. Kuching city, for example, only recorded 23 per cent,” he said.
In the urban areas, the percentage recorded in Song was only 18 per cent, Sarikei (16 per cent), Julau (14 per cent) and Marudi (13 per cent).
Areas with good responses (above 30 per cent) were Matu with 42 per cent, Lawas (40 per cent), Samarahan (37 per cent) and Pakan (33 per cent).
“The census workers will go over the unoccupied homes again during the second phase,” Ose said.
Ose, who is also Deputy State Secretary, urged the people to cooperate with the census workers because the government needed the data to develop the country further.
“The demographic data collected is very important for the government to plan development policies.
It would also serve as a guideline for the government to provide appropriate infrastructure to the people.
“The data would also reflect the socio-economy status of the people,” he said, stressing that all data collected would be kept confidential.
Ose also urged local councils to cooperate and educate the people on the importance of the census.
“I would also like to urge Kuching South City Council (MBKS) to give us a helping hand,” he added.
For those who really cannot be at home, Ose advised them to fill up the e-census online form at www.statistics.gov.my.
Alternatively, they can call the Census Operation Room at 082-442751/442723/441957 or fax 082-442761, or call the toll free number 1800-88-7828.