RAW data on Covid-19 has to be analysed and tabulated before it can be shared with departments in other states, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. 

The director-general of health said raw data collected is confidential and is only shared once it has been analysed.

“Selangor wanted raw data from us. But, the raw data is confidential. 

“Only after we analyse, tabulate and rectify (the data) can we then share it,” he told a press conference in Putrajaya today. 

Noor Hisham was responding to Selangor’s Covid-19 task force, which claimed it did not receive detailed information from the Health Ministry.

He said the ministry will usually collect data from the states, tabulate and send back to the health directors. 

“We will look into our central data. Only then we can present it and see how best we can educate the public in the respective states. 

“So, the information – data that have already been analysed – is given to them. The issue now is raw data that has not been analysed.”

He said it not feasible to get raw data and draw a conclusion. 

“Even then, I do not know what conclusion was made. 

“Is it right to make a conclusion on data that I have not yet seen? 

“That is where we need to standardise the data,” he said, adding that the data are channelled from federal to states

Noor Hisham said the worst thing that can happen is an announcement being made using their raw data. 

He added that there must be federal-state coordination on data that can be shared. – October 19, 2020.