SARIKEI: The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Sarawak is still continuing Phase 1 fieldwork for the 2026 Economic Census (BE 2026), when officers from the Sarikei Statistics Office carried out survey at the Tanjung Manis Night Market on 20 January 2026.
Economic Census, conducted once in every five years, is one of the most extensive statistical undertakings done by the country. It gathers detailed data on companies in all industries and carries critical information to gauge how the economy is doing and what industrial development policies should be.
DOSM officers, who were involved in the fieldwork, interacted with traders and business operators from the night market while interviewing them about their source of work, employment and financial activities. The census will provide a true picture of grassroots enterprises’ sustainability, quality and the structure of employment and offer real nudges that policymakers need to see.
The census will run from January to October 2026 and include sectors that go from retail and services to manufacturing and agriculture, authorities said. The results will help in drawing attention to the contributions of sectors to Malaysia’s GDP as well as opportunities for growth and challenges that may warrant government intervention.
The activity demonstrates DOSM’s commitment to enhanced data-driven governance. In doing fieldwork at community centres, such as the Tanjung Manis Night Market, DOSM guarantees inclusivity, ensuring that perspectives are gathered from both small traders and larger enterprises.
Individuals in the community welcomed the census, stressing that accurate data is essential to help develop policies that enhance local businesses and turn around people’s lives for the better. In its statement, DOSM continued to emphasise that “Data is people’s economic pulse,” highlighting how statistics help support sustainable and inclusive growth.
The Sarikei fieldwork is another move forward in DOSM Sarawak’s effort to collect economic data statewide as it will also be conducted in other districts. The department said it is important for businesses to support BE 2026 and urged all operators to be actively involved.
With the digital and knowledge-driven economy increasingly taking centre stage in Malaysia’s economic transformation, the census is anticipated to inform innovation, competitiveness and resilience strategies going forward. The findings will set a blueprint for sustainable development, making sure that Sarawak and the country continue to stay its course on long-term growth.
