3.9mil in Sabah, more than 1mil non-citizens

Kota Kinabalu: Some 503,000 residents in the State or 12.9 per cent of the estimated population had been counted, as of Monday (March 8).

Sabah Statistics Director Zainol Jamil said it is estimated that the State’s population in 2020 will be 3.91 million, including more than one million non-citizens.

“This time, the census was carried out in various modes with eCensus (online) contributing 59.1 per cent of the total counted population,” he said in a statement, Monday.

“Another 40.9 per cent of the information would be obtained through face-to-face method or telephone.”

Kota Kinabalu, he said, recorded the largest counted population of 100,862 representing 18 per cent of its population, followed by Tawau with 16.5 per cent (76,342) and Sandakan 14.3 per cent (71,533).

“The increase in new Covid019 cases had affected the implementation of the scheduled phase two (face-to-face) census,” he said.

To this end, he said, the census phase has been re-scheduled and the face-to-face census will be carried out based on targets and districts.

“For this, the enumerator will interview respondents in their homes throughout Sabah starting Feb 18-May 16.

“Each enumerator is provided with a personal identification card and census equipment while practising the set standard operating procedures (SOPs).”

He added, the information gathered is in accordance to the provisions under the Census Act 1960 (Revised 1969) that explains the received data is confidential and cannot be disclosed to anyone or party.

“The census data collection process is not intended for the Covid-19 vaccination programme or anything similar.

“As such, the public are requested to cooperate with the census staff,” he said.

For more information, contact the Sabah Malaysian Statistics Department (DOSM) at 088-307600 or visit www.dosm.gov.my or the official Facebook page of DOSM Sabah www.facebook/DOSM Sabah.