Shaari Abdul Rahman, the country’s fourth chief statistician, held the position from 1995 to 2004. (Perangkaan pic)
PUTRAJAYA: Shaari Abdul Rahman, the country’s fourth chief statistician, died yesterday, according to the statistics department.
It said Shaari, who held the position from 1995 to 2004, would be buried at Sungai Buloh Gajah 11 Muslim Cemetery, Selangor.
“Chief statistician Mohd Uzir Mahidin expressed his sadness over the passing of Shaari, who began his career as a statistician on May 1, 1971,” it said in a statement today.
The statistics department said during his tenure, Shaari pioneered various initiatives aimed at bolstering the department’s role and services at the state level, positioning it as a “frontline” in data collection.
Shaari also introduced the use of information and communication technology in data processing and transmission, notably through the file transfer protocol from the state statistics department to the headquarters.
According to the department, Shaari also improved the use of the organisation registration system and its implementation at state statistics departments in 1995.
“In 2000, under the late Shaari’s leadership, the statistics department was awarded the MS ISO 9002:1994 for quality services in collecting, processing, interpreting, and disseminating the consumer price index and other consumer price statistics,” said the statistics department.
Even after retiring on Sept 19, 2004, the department said Shaari continued to serve as an adviser to a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department on statistical matters. He also held board positions in four Felcra subsidiaries.
“The statistics department will always remember Shaari’s contributions and dedicated service, especially in strengthening the statistical system to support the country’s socio-economic policy and planning,” it said.
