Yang di-Pertuan Agong is first respondent in Census 2020

PUTRAJAYA: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah consented to be the first respondent in the Malaysian Population and Housing Census 2020 (Census 2020).

In a short video clip shown at the launch of the Census 2020 by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday, His Majesty called on all Malaysians to play their part in the census.

“Today, I have filled in the e-Census form. Together, let’s take responsibility to ensure the well-being of the people and development of the country,” said the King.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, when met after the launch, expressed the National Statistics Department’s thanks and appreciation to Sultan Abdullah for the support given to Census 2020.

“This is the first time ever we received such strong support from a Head of State,” he said.

Mustapa said despite the many challenges faced by the country of late, it was still vital for the census to be conducted and for the people to give their full cooperation.

He said the 108 questions in the Census 2020 had taken into account the feedback from all quarters, including those in rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak as well as the Orang Asli.

Mustapa said accurate data from the census was important for the government in making plans for the country, be it for the preparation of the annual budget, the 12th Malaysia Plan, or the formulation of policies for education, housing, health and infrastructure sectors.