Ordinary Malaysians suffer from the machinations of their politicians. Self-censorship took place among academics at private institutions as well, spurred by fear the government might revoke the licenses of their institutions. Biggest Social Issues . Other one-word responses: "health", "unity", "equity", "prices", and "money". In May police reported an increase in cases involving child pornography during the movement control order period from March 2020 to April 2021, including child grooming without physical contact using words or showing obscene sexual acts to children. Responding to a request from the deputy public prosecutor, a judge ordered her release. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process, Section 4. The government, however, also acted against some human rights defenders and NGOs. Most private-sector workers have the right to bargain collectively, although these negotiations may not include matters of transfer, promotion, appointments, dismissal, or reinstatement. A social problem is a condition that at least some people in a community view as being undesirable and morally wrong. On May 1, hours after the easing of some restrictions, authorities raided one such area and rounded up hundreds of migrants. Healthcare. Persons granted bail usually must surrender their passports to the court. Share this via LinkedIn The cause of unemployed graduates nowadays is the incompatibility in the focus of higher education institutions and the needs of labor market. They should have proficiency in English. Some politicians and human rights activists claimed the government used the loyalty pledge to restrain political activity among these groups. The nongovernmental organization (NGO) Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together (EDICT) accused the government and police of not taking the issue seriously and called for a coroners inquest to determine the cause of death. 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. Censorship or Content Restrictions: The government maintained the ability to censor media. According to a survey on mental health and wellness conducted by Rakuten Insight in Malaysia in May 2022, 59 percent of the respondents . Anti-Semitism was a serious problem across the political spectrum and attracted wide support among segments of the population. 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. In 2018 parliamentary elections, the Pakatan Harapan coalition defeated the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, resulting in the first transfer of power between coalitions since independence in 1957. The Malaysian government has called for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to find effective solutions to the Rohingya crisis, declaring itself unable to take any more Rohingya refugees. As we continue to understand more clearly, issues such as conflict, hunger, and climate change are deeply interlinked. This ambiguity over the communitys status in the constitution led to selective interpretation by different public institutions. Disability-rights NGOs reported that employers were reluctant to hire persons with disabilities. A code of practice guides all government agencies, employers, employee associations, employees, and others with respect to placement of persons with disabilities in private-sector jobs. Penalties for violations were not commensurate with those for similar crimes. Workers may not strike in a broad range of industries deemed essential, nor may they hold strikes when a dispute is under consideration by the Industrial Court. Homelessness is a symptom of an array of social issues. The great floods. Recently, the statistics have shown an increase in abortion. On 20 February 2021, Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin announced that school pupils will be returning to school in stages between 1 March and 4 April. Malaysia permits the death penalty for various crimes and makes the sentence mandatory for 11 offenses. Activist Numan Afifi expressed concerns about the escalation and trend towards more prosecution against the LGBTQI+ community in Malaysia, including separate proposals in April to increase sentencing terms against LGBTQI+ offenses under sharia. What is qualitative research and why is it important? Defendants may not be compelled to testify or confess guilt. The Attorney Generals Chambers requested a fine of 200,000 ringgit ($47,500), but Yusuf fined Malaysiakini more than double that amount. Authorities arrested Yusrazif as part of a special operation conducted by MACC and the Immigration Department since 2020 at the countrys entry and exit points that saw the arrest of 65 individuals, including 39 immigration officers, 17 agents, and nine civilians. The government censored films for certain political and religious content, not allowing, for example, screening of films in Hebrew or Yiddish, or from Israel. Trials for all were delayed due to the state of emergency and movement control orders to combat COVID-19. Employers are obligated to inquire into most sexual harassment complaints in a prescribed manner. Family Frontiers president Suriani Kempe lamented a missed opportunity for the government to rectify this discrimination and make amends to its women who have been negatively impacted for over 60 years by their inability to obtain citizenship for their children on an equal basis as Malaysian men. After the Attorney Generals Chambers filed the appeal, NGO Lawyers for Liberty coordinator Zaid Malek termed the government position unacceptable and declared that mothers with foreign spouses and children born overseas live in fear that their children could be rendered stateless.. 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 . Sati was not deemed a social issue until Raja Ram Mohan Roy criticized the practice and a considerable number of people started supporting him (Ahuja 2014). Labor union representatives noted that recruiting agents in the countries of origin and locally sometimes imposed high fees, making migrant workers vulnerable to debt bondage. The government did not grant the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) access to detention facilities where migrant laborers and refugees were held. The government maintained and at times exerted control over news content, both in print and broadcast media. See the Department of States Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/. Significant human rights issues included: reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings by the government or its agents; reports of torture and cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary detention; problems with the independence . The Newcastle research found that 85 percent of workers reported paying recruitment fees and 43 percent reported taking out loans averaging more than $2,000 to cover the costs, which took nearly a year on average to repay. Women experienced some economic discrimination in access to employment. Vinaiyagars death in police custody was the tenth since January. Those suffering from problems can reach out to: Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or WhatsApp 019-261 5999); Jakim's Family, Social . The law protects foreign domestic workers only regarding wages and contract termination. It is never a dull day in Malaysian politics, but there seems to be a brief pause - for the time being. The judiciary frequently deferred to police or executive authority in cases those parties deemed as affecting their interests. Police may use certain preventive detention laws to detain persons suspected of terrorism, organized crime, gang activity, and trafficking in drugs or persons without a warrant or judicial review for two-year terms, renewable indefinitely. I panicked because I was made to believe that I had committed something wrong. In separate statements Batu Kawan member Kasthuri Patto and Petaling Jaya member Maria Chin Abdullah criticized Acryl Sani for his remarks about a police report made by a student, age 17, that a classmate had threatened to rape her after she called out her teacher for making jokes about rape. On November 1, Kelantans Sharia Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019 came into force, criminalizing 24 new offenses applying to Muslims. Malaysia has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention. In July police opened investigations into a protest by contract doctors demanding better job security. The social problems in Malaysia are getting worse to worst nowadays. Only then, the country and society will be much safer and prosperous. Sarawak maintained its ban on Zakir Naik, an Islamic preacher; Mandeep Karpal Singh, formerly of the fair-election NGO coalition Bersih; sitting Bersih chair Thomas Fann; former chair Ambiga Sreenevasan; Wong Chin Huat, an academic and Bersih resource chair; Jerald Joseph, a SUHAKAM commissioner; and activists Colin Nicholas and Jannie Lasimbang, among others. There are no specific regulations, laws, or guidelines to protect the welfare of gig workers, except for the provisions under the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 that require self-employed individuals to register and contribute. Covering a range of teaching and learning challenges impacting learners and teachers, the contributors highlight the pervasiveness of the pandemic on Malaysian society and how Malaysians have found ways to cope. State-level Islamic religious enforcement officers have authority to enforce some criminal aspects of sharia. In August 2020, the Federal Court upheld the constitutionality of the mandatory death penalty. Malaysia has a healthy, robust, and industrialised economy. The law requires internet and other network service providers to obtain a license and permits punishment of the owner of a website or blog for allowing offensive racial, religious, or political content. The law prohibits all of the worst forms of child labor. The government restricted access to the internet. The National Registration Department did not maintain records of stateless persons. 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. In Malaysia, over 6.6 million students enrolled in pre-school through to secondary school were impacted by school closures, according to UN estimates. Federal law punishes carnal knowledge against the order of nature with up to 20 years in prison and mandatory whipping. Published by Statista Research Department , Oct 5, 2022. Check our list and get an inspiration boost. The legal system is based on British common law, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. were hot-button topics in 2020, but mental health awareness seems to have found the most success with stickiness, with 77% voting 'mental health' as their top 5 concerns in 2021, compared to 67% in the previous year. Investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division within the Royal Malaysian Police into the use of deadly force by a police officer occurs only if the attorney general initiates the investigation or approves an application for an investigation by family members of the deceased. NGOs and members of the public criticized the law, noting it could cause self-censorship due to liability concerns. We understand that pulling together the top most common and popular issue prevailing in 2021 is not simple. They were released on bail but ordered to report to the nearest District Islamic Religious Department and barred from uploading on social media. Refugees employed in the informal sector were paid lower wages than comparable employees and were vulnerable to exploitation. Students remain prohibited from expressing support or sympathy for an unlawful society or organization. The government occasionally censored foreign magazines, newspapers, and news programming, most often due to sexual content. Back to Malaysia MALAYSIA 2021. Previously the federal government permitted stateless children to enroll in public school if parents were able to prove the childs father was a citizen, but in November 2020 the minister of education informed parliament that stateless children did not have access to public schools but could attend private schools. The affordability of health care is high on the public's list of the biggest problems in the country today, with 56% of adults describing this as "a very big problem" and an additional 30% rating it "a moderately big problem.". Criminal defendants have the right to confront witnesses. John Spacey, November 18, 2021. The plan outlined policies to increase access to education and attendance in schools, increase access to health education, address stigma and social norms on child marriage, and specify laws and guidelines on child marriages that are in line with government policies guarding the well-being of children. The Malaysian government has implemented deterrent and supportive strategies to reduce the issue by penalising polluters and providing tax . Conditions in prisons and detention centers could be harsh and life threatening. Advocates remained concerned that Rohingya refugee families were resorting to child marriage for their girls to cope with economic hardship. Public-sector workers have some collective bargaining rights, although some could only express opinions on wages and working conditions instead of actively negotiating. Based on 2017 data, Malaysia extracts 18.375 billion liters of raw water per day for treated water supply alone. In Malaysia, or at least in Kuala Lumpur, homeless people have somewhat blended into the backdrop of the city. Representatives of SUHAKAM asserted that the government was reluctant to engage with them, making implementation of reforms impossible. 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. Ensuring access to health, mental health and behavioral health services. They discovered that an international cartel for more than 40 years had smuggled noncertified meat into the country and falsely represented it as halal-certified by using national halal logos with the help of corrupt senior government officials from at least four agencies. A prominent human rights advocate stated, the amount is not punitive. UNHCR affirmed that authorities continued to disallow visits by its staff to detention centers to meet refugees and asylum seekers, determine those in need of international protection, and advocate for their release. For example, a government unit charged with tightening border controls posted an illustration on social media that showed armed naval vessels threatening a boat and captioned it, Rohingya migrants, your arrival is not welcome (section 2.f., Access to Asylum). Everyone would agree about . Nonetheless, the ships departed later that day despite the court ruling. Addressing economic inequality and promoting financial asset building. The government warned internet users to avoid offensive or indecent content and sensitive matters such as religion and race, and it aggressively pursued charges against those criticizing Islam, the countrys royalty, or its political leaders. Discrimination: The constitution prohibits discrimination against citizens based on gender and gives men and women equal property rights, although sharia, which deviates from these principles in some areas, was sometimes applied. The countrys Jewish population was estimated at 100-200 persons, consisting mostly of foreign residents. 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. The stay was issued pending appeal of a High Court ruling dismissing a challenge to the fatwa for lack of jurisdiction. There were restrictions on Israeli citizens entering the country. The constitution provides for a fair and public trial, and the judiciary generally enforced this right. 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. 8. In Kuala Lumpur as well as Selangor and Kelantan States, prisons exceeded capacity by 45 to 50 percent. The NGO Sisters in Islam declared that Kelantan first minister Ahmad Yakobs characterization of the code as restorative and retributive posed a grave concern and asked what this meant for actions deemed crimes under the code in the context of the looming tabling of legislation in federal parliament allowing sharia courts to mete out stiffer penalties. Many scholars have identified fundamental differences between the causes and consequences of issues experienced the rural and urban sectors. NGOs operated static and mobile clinics, but their number and access were limited. Like in much of the world, social isolation, economic insecurity and the loss of loved ones have become major drivers of anxiety, depression, stress and other challenges. In 2019 UNHCR estimated there were 450,000 stateless persons residing in the eastern state of Sabah. In April, news portal Malaysiakini submitted to the Ministry of Education a list of 15 schools that allegedly required female students to undergo intrusive physical examinations to prove that they were menstruating and hence exempted from prayers. Malaysia permits the death penalty for various crimes and makes the sentence mandatory for 11 offenses. These groups also expressed concern that some deportees might not have had their UN-issued cards with them when they were picked up and pointed out that others had applied for asylum but were awaiting assessment of their claims. terrific article. Separate education facilities also existed but were insufficient to meet the needs of all students with disabilities. UNHCR declared that the deportees included at least six individuals registered with the agency. Muslim women younger than 16 may marry with the approval of a sharia court. Refugees did not have access to the public education system. By April, Top Glove had reimbursed 150 million ringgit ($36 million) to approximately 13,000 existing and eligible former workers. I N KUALA LUMPUR, the chief city, as elsewhere in Malaysia, white flags hang from windowscries of help from . Defendants may present witnesses and evidence on their behalf. Each constituency elects one member of parliament. Ibu Yatis court date was set for January 25, 2022. Some workers alleged their employers subjected them to inhuman living conditions and physically assaulted them. The law requires workers to use safety equipment and cooperate with employers to create a safe, healthy workplace, but it does not specify a right to remove oneself from a hazardous or dangerous situation without penalty. According to the International Press Institute, the nationwide state of emergency declared in January to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, postponing parliamentary sittings and elections while banning interstate travel and imposing restrictions on media, posed a grave threat to press freedom and freedom of expression. In March the government enacted an emergency ordinance prohibiting the spread of fake news related to COVID-19 and the state of emergency declaration with heavy fines, three years in prison, or both for violations. Exercising the right to vote is one of the social justice issues prioritized by the National Association of Social Workers. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media, b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association, d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country, e. Status and Treatment of Internally Displaced Persons, Section 3. Informal Sector: As of 2019 more than one million workers were considered to be in the nonagricultural informal sector. In June human rights organizations protested an illustration posted on social media by the National Task Force, a government unit charged with tightening border controls, that showed armed security officials and navy ships surrounding a boat, captioned, Rohingya migrants, your arrival is not welcome. In response to complaints, Minister of Home Affairs Hamzah Zainudin declared he believed most Malaysians were concerned that the huge number of refugees who made Malaysia their destination of choice might lead to various social ills. In turn migrant rights activist Adrian Pereira of the NGO North South Initiative expressed fear of what the governments portrayal of the Rohingya could lead to, especially after the surge of online hate against that community in 2020.
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