MCA Youth has called on the government to disclose how much public money was spent developing the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s (DOSM) Causes of Death Calculator, questioning whether the project delivers meaningful benefits to Malaysians.
Its secretary-general, Saw Yee Fung, said Economy Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir should explain the cost of developing the platform, whether a feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis were conducted, and who approved the project.
“The public deserves to know whether this project genuinely serves the national interest or whether it is another initiative that attracts attention without addressing the country’s more pressing challenges,” she said.
Saw stressed that public funds should be spent transparently, prudently and responsibly, particularly at a time when Malaysia’s healthcare system continues to face mounting pressures.
She questioned whether resources allocated to the calculator could have been better directed towards improving public healthcare services.
“Before telling Malaysians how long they are expected to live, shouldn’t the government first ensure they have access to better healthcare and can enjoy healthier, longer and better-quality lives?” she asked.
Saw pointed to long waiting times at public hospitals, delays in specialist appointments, overcrowded facilities and persistent shortages of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals as issues requiring more urgent attention.
While acknowledging that DOSM said the calculator was intended to assist researchers, students, policymakers and the media, she questioned what additional value it offered given that mortality statistics and causes of death have long been available through official reports and academic publications.
“Can the minister explain what problem this calculator actually solves? Will it improve healthcare services, reduce waiting times or help patients receive treatment more quickly?” she said.
“If not, how does it justify the expenditure of public funds?”
Saw said any additional government funding should instead be channelled towards expanding hospital capacity, shortening waiting times for specialist treatment, upgrading primary healthcare facilities, improving rural healthcare services and retaining medical professionals.
She added that Malaysians were more concerned about having timely access to affordable, quality healthcare than new digital platforms.
“At a time when public healthcare remains under pressure and the cost of living continues to rise, the government’s priority should be solving real problems that directly improve people’s lives,” she said. ‒ July 9, 2026
Main image: The Star
