Here's What Happens If You Do Not Complete Your e-Census For Banci 2020 In Time
If you've pre-registered, you have less than a week to fill it up.
By Jeremy Ng — 01 Oct 2020, 05:38 PM
The first phase of Banci 2020 started on 7 July.
Yesterday, 30 September, was the last day to pre-register for the e-Census.
If you pre-registered for the e-Census, or were one of the households who received the e-Census postcard, you have until 6 October 2020, 11.59pm, to fill it out and complete the e-Census.
It will take you some time to finish all the questions in the e-Census, so please don't wait until the last minute. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through it.
So what if you didn't get the e-Census postcard and invitation code, or didn't manage to fill up the online form on time?
First of all, don't panic.
If you miss out on the e-Census online submission period, a pembanci will visit your home for a face-to-face interview using a tablet, smartphone, or questionnaire. This will be the second phase of Banci 2020, which will happen from 7 to 24 October.
One of the reasons why the Statistics Department encourages more people to participate in the e-Census online is to maintain physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, if you pre-registered, make sure you do it online!
Whether you're filling the e-Census or taking part in a face-to-face interview in the coming weeks, make sure to answer honestly
Since 1970, Banci has been conducted in Malaysia once every 10 years. It's important to answer truthfully when going through the questionnaire, because how you answer could affect how your local community develops in the coming years.
To put things in perspective, the census will help determine how we spend government funding worth billions of ringgit across the country, including for development of public services like hospitals, schools, roads, and public transport. While the impact may not be immediate, you are providing data that will allow the next generation to have a better standard of living.
The Census Act 1960, Section 9(2) requires residents to answer all the questions in the census form and Section 17(1) states that failure to comply may result in a fine of no more than RM100 or imprisonment of no more than six months.
Only around 1 in 10 Malaysians have completed the e-Census so far
On 27 September, chief statistician and Census 2020 commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said that only 10% of Malaysians had filled their information through the e-Census form. Nevertheless, he was hopeful that the number would increase as the deadline draws near.
"Our investigations revealed that the public awareness of the Census 2020 is very high, it is just that we have the habit of doing things at the last minute," he said.
