Some remarks about open government data - observation and consideration

Generally speaking, I agree with the notion that the government should be more open, transparent and accountable for the information and data which are of public interest, so that individuals and groups in the society could be informed about government policies implementation and performance.

It is also true that the data openness of a government should be guided by certain frameworks and guidelines. It is impossible and not practical nor logical to have the government to be releasing every piece of information they collect even if they are non-private/personal, non-proprietary or non-national security type of sensitive information. 

As a policy researcher and data user myself since 2014, when it comes to government data, these are the factors I consider important:

i) input/source -. what kind of data the authorities routinely, periodically or incidentally collect, or are to be collected (analogue or digital),

ii) data persons - one's mandate to collect, upkeep, process, and work with the data 

iii) custodian - usually the top management who decides what to/could be released automatically periodically, or upon request or not at all. 

iv) output - should be tied to the core departmental function, public interest and social meaning, it has to be well-thought, meaningful and organised data to be released, not mindless data junk. 

I see a need for the government to stratify the data openness: some information might be suitable for direct release under the defined website portals, while some information might need users to register an account for tracking purpose. Lastly some data categories would require the researcher/applicant to pass the ethics clearance, put forward a research/project proposal to justify the data request for 'correct, responsible and fair use' . 

Besides what has appeared in the data.gov.my, over the years I observe that the federal government in general is gradually improving on publishing a greater variety of data, and more frequently, with more in-depth/breakdown, ease of use, especially on the socioeconomic type of data. For example, they tend to release data more in excel/csv sheet format, DOSM has done so, even the notorious NAPIC did too. 

Recently I saw the MyLocalStats 2019 released by DOSM, where they made a compilation of socioeconomic statistics down to district level across the nation. I see efforts from the government to consolidate data and make them more user friendly in timeline (see https://mysidc.statistics.gov.my/ ) and even allow users to choose ('mix and match') sets of trade data in timeline and categories (https://metsonline.stats.gov.my/).

We should perhaps begin the statement in recognising and appreciating the improvements made by the relevant departments, give them credit where they are due.

I would suggest that we should send the statement in a memo to MAMPU, DOSM and MCMC, request for a meeting to engage with them in a dialogue to see what is the government's latest planning and then we could identify the gaps. It may not be the case that the civil servants are against data openness, if we go approach them as policy research institutions/ think tanks, they might be more convinced and take our suggestions/recommendations seriously. I suggest to build trust and working relationship with them first, their buy-in for our cause would be a big breakthrough as we will always have allies within the system.

Tactically, we should propose to the government for every department to come out with their list of data categories ('data warehouse’), like the case in MOH: https://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/129?mid=52) , so that researchers would be aware of what information is available or not. It is because we often don't know what we don't know, and assume the government might have the answer already. It is also often the case where government data is simply not organised due to lack of capacity.

Secondly, we could urge the government for each department to set up a channel for the public and researchers to request for data/information (which are not published periodically) and give feedback/suggestions. There needs to be some mechanisms to regulate and make data access happen. We should also advocate for a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act as a tool to compel the government to release information which is vital for public interest.