Kuala lumpur: Department of Statistics Malaysia's deputy chief statistician (economic programme) Siti Asiah Ahmad has been named chief statistician, effective immediately. In a statement today, the Economy Ministry announced that Siti Asiah, aged 51, brings almost 28 years of experience in economic and social statistics, digital transformation, and evidence-based policy development to her new role.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Siti Asiah succeeds Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, who retired after a 36-year tenure. In her new capacity, she will oversee the preparation of Malaysia's key statistics, including gross domestic product, foreign trade, and industry and services statistics. Her extensive involvement in national strategic initiatives encompasses the development of the main database, cost of living statistics, and the enhancement of the national statistical system. Her expertise has been acknowledged through participation in statistical working groups of the United Nations, ASEAN, and other international organizations.
Siti Asiah holds a Master of Science in Economics from Universiti Putra Malaysia and a Bachelor of Information Technology degree from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, in the same statement, emphasized that Siti Asiah's appointment reflects the government's trust in her experience, expertise, and service record. He highlighted the need for official statistics to be timely, accurate, and reliable in an increasingly complex economic landscape, enabling the government to initiate earlier actions and implement targeted interventions.
Additionally, the ministry announced the appointments of Norhayati Jantan as deputy chief statistician (social and technical development) and Wan Mohd Shahrulnizam Wan Mohd Najuri as deputy chief statistician (economy). "The ministry congratulates them and is confident that this leadership will continue to strengthen the credibility of official statistics and support more accurate, transparent, and evidence-based national development planning," the statement concluded.