A/HRC/44/40/Add.3
Paragraph 26
Available statistics are carefully managed and presented in a way that often obscures crucial
details. Existing data on poverty and inequality is not presented in a way that disaggregates
by gender or that distinguishes between Malay and non-Malay Bumiputeras, thus obscuring
the situation of indigenous peoples.
Comments from the Government of Malaysia:
•
Based on HIES Report 2016, poverty statistics that disaggregates by ethnic group,
strata, state, sex, age group and household size are available to the public. Whereas inequality
statistics (Gini coefficient) that disaggregates by ethnic group, strata and state are available.
In the case where additional statistics are required, users can always submit their requests for
unpublished statistics, subject to data limitations and data availability. As above, Malaysia
welcomes feedback to improve data collection, as well as capacity building assistance to seek
alternative sources.
•
The eKasih database captured data on household size and per capita which
disaggregate by gender and ethnics, as well as distinguishes by state, urban or rural.
Regardless of their background as long as their household income is below the PLI, they will
be registered in eKasih as poor or extreme poor.
Paragraph 27
Income and poverty statistics are often presented by household rather than the more common
and helpful unit of household income per capita or per adult, obscuring smaller incomes per
person in larger households. This also skews ethnicity figures because the categorization is
based entirely on the ethnicity of the head of household, and does not adequately capture
multi-ethnic households.
Comments from the Government of Malaysia:
•
Income statistics are available by household income per capita. In the case where
additional statistics are required, users can always submit their requests for unpublished
statistics, subject to data limitations and data availability. As above, Malaysia welcomes
feedback to improve data collection, as well as capacity building assistance to seek alternative
sources.
Paragraph 28
In 2018, the government committed to “embrace transparency.” If this commitment is to be
honoured, it should make available online micro-data from key national surveys, such as the
Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey, as well as analytical reports. It should also
produce definitive estimates for vulnerable populations for which no data exists, and consider
incorporating a right to information in the Freedom of Information bill currently under
consideration. It should use the 2020 Census as an opportunity to collect and publish adequate
data on vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities, for whom current data is
especially inadequate.
Comments from the Government of Malaysia:
•
On micro-data, see comment of Paragraph 11 and Paragraph 18.
•
On 2020 Census, there have been a question designed on disabilities based on
Washington Group Short Set of Disability Questions. The Census 2020 is expected to be
conducted this year with reference day 7 July 2020.
IV. Incomes and Cost of Living
Paragraph 29
Malaysia introduced a minimum wage in 2013, applicable to both Malaysian and foreign
workers, which increased the wages of an estimated 3.2 million private sector workers, 30
percent of the total workforce. But enforcement has been uneven—particularly for
12
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