16/09/2026

WEDNESDAY | SEPT 16, 2026

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COMMENT by Dr Azizi Abu Bakar

Making an impact with open data M ALAYSIA has much to be proud of. In the 2024/2025 Open Data Inventory (Odin) by rooted in outdated assumptions about how open science works. reproducibility. Methodological notes, data collection protocols, version histories, definitions of variables and limitations are not always clearly explained. Without such contextual openness becoming symbolic rather than transformative. Malaysia’s open data must now focus on people, investing in public education and engagement not just infrastructure. Regular training sessions,

credible contributor to research and policy. A local airline once declared, “Now everyone can fly”. The same philosophy can guide our data future: not only can everyone fly, everyone can participate and contribute in science. Industry also has a role to play. Companies that responsibly share selected operational, environmental or process data stand to benefit from improved efficiency, innovation and future collaboration. Open data need not be a liability; it can be a strategic asset that informs better operations, supports evidence based regulation and strengthens long-term competitiveness. To support this cultural shift, institutions that adopt open data practices should be recognised through targeted government accreditation or incentives. Malaysia has shown that it can lead globally in opening data. The more difficult task now is human and institutional rather than technical – turning open data into better understanding, better judgement and better policy. Data alone won’t save us. Better policy shaped by people who understand, trust and use data will. Dr Azizi Abu Bakar is a data steward for UM Open Science and a research officer at the Universiti Malaya Sustainable Development Centre. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Langley said: “Given how beneficial reading for pleasure is at a young age, we should be doing everything we can to introduce children and young people to reading. “The important thing is to find something they’d really enjoy reading about – it may be a TV programme or a game – and use this as a way in. “Reading comics and graphic novels could also be helpful as they may be seen as less intimidating and less boring than novels.” Overall, the study found that reading at any age improves the brain and mental health, leads to better cognitive performance and reduces the risk of mental decline. “Survey data in adults suggested that reading was associated with reduced stress, greater empathy, enhanced well-being and decreased loneliness.” “Studies further indicate that cognitively stimulating activities, particularly reading, are associated with a lower risk of dementia and slower cognitive decline, even among individuals with lower educational attainment…. “Neuroimaging findings suggest that reading is associated with structural and functional differences When data is shared through structured institutional platforms, ownership is not surrendered; it is formalised. Datasets are published with clear metadata, licensing conditions and persistent reference links. Any reuse must cite the original source, just as journal articles do. In this model, data sharing is not about giving away hard-earned work; it is about enabling collaboration while protecting credit. Far from weakening research, responsible data sharing strengthens it. When data is discoverable and reusable, it attracts interdisciplinary interest, encourages replication and opens pathways into policy discussions. Visibility increases, not diminishes. Open data does not dilute contribution; it extends its influence and collaboration. At the national level, the Odin assessment also offers an important reminder: openness alone is not enough. While Malaysia performed exceptionally overall, gaps remain in areas central to public policy and social well-being. These include limitations in the availability and disaggregation of data related to health outcomes, gender based violence, crime and justice, community-level vulnerability, as well as energy supply and consumption patterns and greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond data gaps, there is another issue that deserves attention:

READING for pleasure offers significant health benefits no matter the material chosen, according to scientists from the University of Cambridge. In a newly published review, researchers outline how reading enhances mental well-being, improves educational outcomes, fosters empathy and reduces the likelihood of developing dementia. The findings, authored by Prof Barbara Sahakian and Dr Christelle Langley from Cambridge’s department of psychiatry, were featured in the journal Psychological Medicine . Their work aligns with the National Year of Reading, with the academics partnering with The Queen’s Reading Room, a charity established by the Queen to promote the advantages of literature. The study, involving over 10,000 young people, found that children who took up recreational reading early displayed enhanced memory, concentration and executive functioning, such as problem solving. Furthermore, these young readers achieved higher marks, suffered from fewer mental health difficulties and maintained healthier habits, enjoying increased sleep and reduced screen time. Open Data Watch, Malaysia ranked first globally, outperforming 198 countries with an overall score of 90 and an openness score of 99, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. This dramatic rise from 67th place just two years ago reflects strong institutional leadership, sustained investment and a clear national commitment to open data. Yet, rankings, while important, are only a starting point. The more pressing question is not how open our data is but how effectively it is shaping better policy, better decisions and better outcomes for people. Because data alone does not save societies; better policy does. This reality is keenly felt within the research community. Many Malaysian researchers remain cautious about sharing the data they have painstakingly collected using allocations from various funders, often over years of fieldwork, navigating budget constraints and managing complex ethical and methodological processes. The concern is familiar: once data is shared openly, will it be taken out of context, misused or reused without proper recognition? These concerns are understandable. Research data represents intellectual labour, professional credibility and scholarly identity. However, this is becoming COMMENT

information, data may be accessible but not fully reproducible or interpretable. For policymakers, researchers and analysts, this weakens confidence and limits the ability to validate findings or build upon existing work. In policy terms, reproducibility is not a technical luxury; it is a safeguard. Policies grounded in data must also be grounded in transparent methods. When platforms do not provide adequate information about how data was generated, cleaned, updated or revised, decision-making risks being built on incomplete understanding. These gaps matter. They shape what policymakers can see, measure and prioritise. When data on social risks, energy use or emissions lacks granularity, timeliness or methodological clarity, policies risk being blunt, reactive or poorly targeted. Another challenge lies beyond government and academia. While Malaysia’s open data ecosystem is strong within institutional and research settings, public engagement remains limited. Many datasets are technically accessible yet difficult for non experts to interpret or apply. Without sufficient data and policy literacy,

simplified dashboards and user friendly applications can help citizens interact meaningfully with data. More importantly, citizen science initiatives, where members of the public contribute to real research, can bridge the gap between data producers and data users. Environmental monitoring such as energy efficiency tracking and emissions observation, community based health and communication monitoring – such as mosquito breeding site observations, water quality monitoring, mental well being indicators, diet patterns and local sustainability challenges – offer natural entry points. School-based and community outreach programmes can ensure that young Malaysians grow up seeing data as something they can question, use and contribute to; not something reserved for experts. However, meaningful participation requires preparation. Structured training and accessible online platforms must equip citizens with basic research ethics, data accuracy standards and reporting guidelines before they contribute. With proper guidance and quality controls, citizen science can move beyond enthusiasm and become a

Reading for pleasure comes with many health benefits

A study has found that children who took up recreational reading early displayed enhanced memory, concentration and executive functioning, such as problem solving. – SUNPIC

review, one study of almost 5,500 adults aged 55 and older found those engaged in reading were significantly less likely to develop cognitive impairment over a five-year follow-up. Another study found that reading newspapers, magazines and books was linked to a 33% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Previous research from the Queen’s Reading Room also found that five minutes of fiction can reduce stress by up to 20% as well as boost concentration, problem-solving skills and helping readers feel less lonely. Vicki Perrin, chief executive of the Queen’s Reading Room, said: “Books truly do make life better and we’re excited to do our bit to help everyone, everywhere, and make more room for reading.” – The Independent

something most people can enjoy.” Sahakian added that “it’s never too late to start” reading and “it can bring benefits throughout our lives and into old age”. Data suggests that reading among children and teenagers is at its lowest levels since records began, particularly among those from disadvantaged backgrounds. A recent study from the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development on 760,000 students in 91 countries found 15-year-olds have worse reading skills than at any point this century, and maths and science is being pulled down with it. It found that the average student is reading at a level once expected of someone a year younger. In the new

in brain regions supporting executive control, emotional regulation and social cognition. Importantly, these benefits appear independent of socioeconomic background.” Book clubs also help promote social connection, it said. Sahakian said: “Shared reading groups and book clubs appear to provide additional benefits through social interaction. “They can help people feel less isolated and more connected to others, which has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia. “While these clubs can be fun and beneficial at any age, they’re perfect for older people who may be not so mobile. They may not be able to go out as an exercise group or a cycling group but a reading group is