Frustration Grows in Malaysia Over Government's Slow Flood Response Estimates were as high as 30 percent of the workforce. The law classifies some types of workplace sexual harassment as criminal offenses (see section 7.d.). Therefore, we have compiled a list of the biggest social issues of 2021 in this blog. The camp, called the Mukhayyam Program, was a government initiative designed to change the lifestyle and sexual orientation of LGBTQI+ individuals. In May 1998, the ringgit's exchange rate fell to a low 4.90 against the US dollar. While authorities generally recorded votes accurately, there were irregularities perpetrated by the former Barisan Nasional coalition government that affected the fairness of elections. According to Abdul Rahman Hamid (2015), drug abuse issues in Malaysia is still trouble matter even though it is . Civil law gives non-Muslim mothers and fathers equal parental rights, while sharia favors fathers. Read summaries of the latest scientific research pertaining to a range of social issues. There were four non-Muslim judges serving on the Federal Court. SUHAKAM may not investigate court cases in progress and must cease its inquiries if a case becomes the subject of judicial action. According to an investigation published by local media in 2018, there are no standard procedures for the practice and in some cases box cutters and stationery store blades are used. Government officials defended the practice during a UN review in 2018, when a Ministry of Health official stated that the practice was performed only by medical professionals and compared it to immunization programs for female babies. Cultural barriers and government policies impeded access to sexual and reproductive health services. The government placed some restrictions on academic freedom, particularly the expression of unapproved political views, and enforced restrictions on teachers and students who expressed dissenting views. Authorities provide defendants free interpretation in Mandarin, Tamil, and some other commonly used dialects from the moment charged through all appeals. In August, Malaysia refused to renew the visas of two Al Jazeera journalists based in the country. Arbitrary Arrest: Authorities sometimes used their powers to intimidate and punish opponents of the government. Officers found responsible for deaths in custody did not generally face punishment. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process, Section 4. As a result, many NGOs registered as companies, which created legal and bureaucratic obstacles to raising money to support their activities. Close to nine in 10 (87%) HR executives in Malaysia believe the function plays a leading role in responding to COVID-19, KPMG's recent 2020 HR Pulse Survey has found. Rape is punishable by a maximum 20 years imprisonment and caning. Police abuse of suspects in custody and a lack of accountability for such offenses remained a serious problem. However, it should be acknowledged that mental health issues do not discriminate just like adults, the young have been significantly impacted mentally and emotionally by the pandemic. According to the Malaysian Bar Council, defendants generally had adequate time and facilities to prepare a defense if they had the means to engage private counsel. The Social Problems In Malaysia - 906 Words | Studymode Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights, Section 6. Don't sweat over picking a decent topic dealing with social problems. A consortium of NGOs released a formal report in 2018 detailing irregularities in the election, including vote buying, the use of public funds for partisan activity, and allegations of biased behavior by public officials. Abiding by the governments restrictions did not protect some protesters from harassment or arrest. On June 3, Umar Faruq Abdullah, a truck driver, died at the Southern Klang District police headquarters in Selangor State, a day after police arrested him for stealing a gas cylinder. and 7.e.). Child labor in urban areas was common in the informal economy, including family food businesses and night markets, and in small-scale industry. Many scholars have identified fundamental differences between the causes and consequences of issues experienced the rural and urban sectors. Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy. I appreciated the structure and the various pcs of information, Student ID:0303558T. Published by Statista Research Department , Oct 5, 2022. Observers noted that authorities took claims seriously, but victims were often reluctant to report sexual harassment because of the difficulty of proving the offense and the lengthy trial process. UNHCR deemed this a widespread problem. Most concerning environmental issues in Malaysia 2019. Prior to the 2018 elections, opposition political parties were disadvantaged due to the Barisan Nasional governments control over traditional media outlets and malapportionment of constituencies, among other matters. Social Issues News -- ScienceDaily The Malaysian Bar Council claimed these restrictions were excessive. Malaysia's Home Ministry reported that, as of October 26, 2020, 756 children were being held in immigration detention facilities nationwide, including 326 from Myanmar who are detained without . Police reportedly questioned Suaram staff to assess whether the film violated sedition or communications legislation but made no determination. Administration: The law allows for investigations into allegations of mistreatment; however, this provision did not always function. NGOs reported a police practice of releasing suspects and then quickly rearresting them to continue investigative custody without seeking judicial authorization. The government did not effectively enforce laws prohibiting employers from seeking retribution for legal union activities and requiring reinstatement of workers fired for trade union activity. Employers are obligated to inquire into most sexual harassment complaints in a prescribed manner. Nevertheless, four states Johor, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, and Pahang extend equal parental rights to Muslim mothers. Current Issues in Social Work 2021 - Yeshiva They subsequently charged her with defamation of Islam, punishable by a fine, up to three years imprisonment, or both, and released her on bail. Corruption: Corruption and abuse-of-power criminal trials were ongoing for former prime minister and sitting member of parliament Najib Razak, United Malays National Organization (UMNO) political party president Zahid Hamidi, and opposition Democratic Action Party head Lim Guan Eng, among others. Among these detainees, 45 were pending trial while 2,836 were convicted prisoners. COVID-19, Education, and Literacy in Malaysia: Social Contexts of As there is no legal framework for dealing with refugees and asylum seekers in the country, UNHCR conducted all activities related to protection, including registration and status determination. Each of these groups has its own set of traditions, religions, and challenges. Opposition members of parliament, media, lawyers, and civil society activists called the ordinance draconian and prone to abuse because fake news was not clearly defined. Sexual Harassment: The law prohibits a person in authority from using his or her position to intimidate a subordinate by any conduct that is sexual in nature. Online media outlets were more independent but were often the target of legal action and harassment. Some employers and migrant workers reported that workers sometimes requested employers keep their passports, since replacing lost or stolen passports could cost several months wages and leave foreign workers open to questions about their legal status. The four largest groups in Malaysia are the ethnic Malay, Chinese Malaysians, Indian Malaysians, and Malaysians from tribal backgrounds. FEBRUARY 18 With the current four-digit infection cases and no sign that the situation will abate anytime soon, it would seem that Malaysia's macroeconomic conditions will worsen rather than improve for 2021. Acryl Sani was reported to have commented that the classmates rape threat was possibly a joke. In February the government introduced the Workers Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act as an emergency ordinance during the state of emergency compelling employers and centralized accommodation providers to provide lodging with sufficient living space and amenities for migrant workers to effectively control the spread of COVID-19. Continue reading and get to learn about the 10 common social issues around the world. In September Selangor State Criminal Investigation Department chief Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal told media that police would investigate the reported sudden death in custody of Vinaiyagar Thinpathy for foul play and noncompliance with standard operating procedures. Employers were unilaterally able to terminate work permits, subjecting migrant workers to immediate deportation. World Report 2021: Malaysia | Human Rights Watch The government censored films for certain political and religious content, not allowing, for example, screening of films in Hebrew or Yiddish, or from Israel. Supporting the essential social work workforce. In May the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia, the Centre for Independent Journalism, and Gerakan Media Merdeka issued a statement in response to five incidents where authorities questioned and investigated journalists early in the year. Commercial sexual exploitation of children existed, and a local NGO estimated in 2015, the last year with reported data, that 5,000 children were involved in sex work in Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas. One of the largest issues in Malaysia is tension between these people groups. Displacement. Migrants and refugees who lost their jobs due to the pandemic were excluded from government aid programs, and many were left unable to feed their families. Hartalega finished its reimbursements process of 41 million ringgit ($9.8 million) to existing workers who joined the firm prior to April 2019. What does a boil look like after it pops? 5 Social Issues In Malaysia. Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. The NGO Womens Aid Organization reported that from January through September, it received 1,662 complaints involving domestic violence, and the number of survivors seeking shelter increased one and a half times during the same period. Defendants may present witnesses and evidence on their behalf. The Judges Ethics Committee suspended Court of Appeal judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer from February through August because of an affidavit he filed in 2019 as part of a lawsuit against then chief justice Richard Malanjum. Many companies hired foreign workers using recruiting or outsourcing companies, creating uncertainty about the legal relationship between the worker, the outsourcing company, and the owner of the workplace, making workers more vulnerable to exploitation and complicating dispute resolution. Freedom of the press has also come under attack. They exercised many of the responsibilities of national-level labor unions, although they could not bargain on behalf of local unions. Government Human Rights Bodies: The official human rights commission SUHAKAM is headed by a chairperson and commissioners appointed by the king on the recommendation of the prime minister. During the week preceding a July 31 Lawan (Fight) protest in Kuala Lumpur to demand the resumption of parliamentary sessions, a moratorium on the repayment of all loans, and the resignation of Prime Minister Muhyiddin for his handling of the pandemic, authorities reportedly summoned at least 20 activists, including youth activist Sarah Irdina, who was detained for 10 hours and charged with sedition for her tweet about the upcoming event (see section 1.d., Arbitrary Arrest). In the paper, Economic Cost of Youth Suicide Malaysia, Relate Malaysia found that, for every youth suicide in 2019, the Malaysian economy lost RM676,165. The authorities ultimately conducted multiple raids, ensnaring thousands of migrants and detaining them in overcrowded and unsanitary immigration detention centers to await deportation. Only then, the country and society will be much safer and prosperous. Teens go through a vulnerable period at this stage in their lives. Religious department officers allegedly beat and slapped her while in custody. Refugees did not have access to the public education system. A March 2021 ASEAN Today article revealed that Malaysia is experiencing an increase in mental health problems, which the existence of COVID-19 may be exacerbating. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Students returning to Malaysia will have to undergo a COVID-19 swab test and quarantine procedures. The constitution provides for freedom of internal movement, emigration, and repatriation, but these rights were often restricted by federal and state government officials, particularly in eastern Sabah and Sarawak states. In July, the minister in charge of religious affairs gave full licence to the religious authorities to take action against transgender people, both through arrests and religious education to return them to the right path. In August, after activist Nicole Fong responded to his statement by posting a series of infographics online critical of the official mukhayyam programwhich aims in part to influence LGBT people to renounce their non-normative gender identity or sexual orientationreligious authorities lodged a police report against her. Malaysia has since experienced other economic fallouts, such as the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, but its effects were comparatively small, with only a drop of 1.5 per cent in GDP. According to the Director of Enforcement of the Immigration Department met by the mission, there are reportedly 1,9 million foreign workers in Malaysia and 5 to 600 000 people would be there illegally. Authorities often charged transgender persons with indecent behavior and importuning for immoral purposes in public. Migrant workers often worked in sectors where violations were common. In May families of 10 inmates filed police reports after their incarcerated relatives claimed to have been abused while under quarantine at Jelebu Prison in Negeri Sembilan. By law the minimum age for consensual, noncommercial sex is 16 for both boys and girls. Malaysia permits the death penalty for various crimes and makes the sentence mandatory for 11 offenses. The constitution provides for the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak but does not refer specifically to the Orang Asli. Malaysia: PBM's 'Great Reset' Narrative Needs Deeper Scrutiny Those found contravening child labor laws faced penalties that were not commensurate with those for other analogous serious crimes, such as kidnapping. Discrimination and Societal Abuses, Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination, Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, a. Parents must register a child within 14 days of birth. Some workers organizations were independent of government, political parties, and employers, but employer-dominated or yellow unions were reportedly a concern. On April 17, A. Ganapathy died of severe injuries at Selayang Hospital in Gombak District, Selangor State, following 12 days in custody at Gombak District police headquarters, according to media reports. The number of labor enforcement officers was insufficient to enforce compliance. Police sometimes did not allow detainees prompt access to family members or other visitors. According to the NGO Suaram, however, 16 persons died in police lockups and prison through September, while more than 40 individuals died in immigration detention centers. Such groups also sometimes attempted to intimidate opposition groups through demonstrations. In June the Malaysia Stock Exchange removed Top Glove from its responsible investment indexes based on allegations of forced labor. The Striking Mental Health Statistics in Malaysia In July the Court of Appeal acquitted UMNO parliamentarian and former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor of two million ringgit ($480,000) in corruption charges and overturned a 12-month jail sentence imposed by the High Court in December 2020. They were released on bail but ordered to report to the nearest District Islamic Religious Department and barred from uploading on social media. Occupational Safety and Health: Occupational health and safety laws cover all sectors of the economy except the maritime sector and the armed forces. PM: Racial tension still a major issue in Malaysia The director general of trade unions and the minister of human resources may refuse to register or withdraw registration from some unions without judicial oversight. 8. In 2021, the UN's planned Food Systems Summit during the General Assembly will be an important moment, as well as a yearlong focusing mechanism, to help move the world toward a more sustainable model that addresses all these issues and more. In June the government expanded social security coverage to local and migrant domestic workers. Malaysia permits the death penalty for various crimes and makes the sentence mandatory for 11 offenses. Saddiq was released on bail, and the charges were transferred to a Kuala Lumpur court in September. 1 Liew Chin Tong, Middle Malaysia: Centre Ground Is Battle Ground (Kuala Lumpur: Genta Media . Some politicians and human rights activists claimed the government used the loyalty pledge to restrain political activity among these groups. Malaysia's RHB Investment Bank noted in a report this month that serious weaknesses to the economy due to concerns that sluggish expansion in the construction and retail sectors, coupled with . Of the total, 30 percent were physical and sexual abuse. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings, c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees, f. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence, a. Biggest Social Issues . Also in August, police barricaded the main route to parliament to prevent opposition members of parliament from entering the building after Speaker of the Lower House Azhar Harun suspended a special parliamentary session citing COVID-19 concerns. The director general may issue necessary directives to an employer to resolve allegations of discrimination in employment, although there were no penalties under the law for such discrimination and thus penalties were not commensurate with laws related to civil rights, such as election interference. Other buyers requested suppliers to reduce or exclude FGV and Sime Darby products for supplies entering numerous countries. Widespread school closures due to Covid-19 may also increase risks of child marriage, as research shows that leaving education is highly correlated with girls being married off. The law does not recognize marital rape as a crime. In August, NGOs reported that after activists cancelled a planned protest against the government, police went to many of the organizers homes and questioned them and their families. LGBTQI+ persons reported discrimination in employment, housing, and access to some government services because of their sexuality. I N KUALA LUMPUR, the chief city, as elsewhere in Malaysia, white flags hang from windowscries of help from . Trade unions in companies granted pioneer status may not negotiate terms and conditions that are more favorable than the provisions stipulated in labor law unless approved by the minister of human resources. Inspectors have the authority to conduct unannounced inspections and initiate sanctions. In some instances companies reportedly harassed leaders of unions that sought recognition. Such programs limited opportunities for non-bumiputra (primarily ethnic Chinese and Indians) in higher education and government employment. In June then deputy religious affairs minister Ahmad Marzuk Shaary proposed that social media postings that promote LGBTQ lifestyles and insult Islam be punishable offenses under sharia.