social issues in malaysia 2021 social issues in malaysia 2021

Representatives of these groups argued that the lines between the executive, the judiciary, and the state were very blurred and that the judiciary needed to exert more independence and objectivity. Authorities deported some of these parents, leaving their children without guardians. The Court of Appeal ruled that if the Ahmadiyya were proven to have converted from Islam, then the religious authorities would have authority over them, and sent the case back to the High Court for a determination of the original faith of the 39 plaintiffs. The government reserved large quotas for the bumiputra majority for positions in the federal civil service as well as for vocational permits and licenses in a wide range of industries, which greatly reduced economic opportunity for minority groups (see section 6, Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination). In September the High Court ruled that mothers who are citizens have the right to confer citizenship to their children born overseas on an equal basis with men who are citizens, but the government appealed the decision. The government reported that 23 people, including two children, died while in immigration detention during the first six months of 2020. In January the Selangor Islamic Religious Department detained transgender social media influencer Nur Sajat for questioning regarding an online video of her saying Islamic prayers in womens clothing in 2018. A synchronous fiscal, monetary and financial policy response has helped cushion the economic impact. 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. Social problems can relate to governments, social behavior, social structure, environmental and economic problems. Coordinator for the Arctic Region, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Office of International Religious Freedom, Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of the Science and Technology Adviser, Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, Bureau of Information Resource Management, Office of Management Strategy and Solutions, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Lacking citizenship, access to schooling, or other government-provided support, these children often resorted to menial labor and criminal activities to survive; those living on the streets were vulnerable to sex trafficking and forced labor, including forced begging. Before and during that campaign, opposition politicians and civil society organizations alleged electoral irregularities and systemic disadvantages for opposition groups due to a lack of media access for the opposition and malapportioned districts favoring the then ruling coalition. Legal observers feared the February ruling by the Court of Appeal against Malaysiakini (see section 2.a., Freedom of Expression for Members of the Press and Other Media, Including Online Media) set a precedent that websites could be held responsible for reader comments posted in response to content. She faced up to a year in prison and a fine of 50,000 ringgit ($12,000). Often interesting subjects come up in the World of Online Article Authoring; this is where writers and authors write articles and put them onto the net for everyone to see or for selected Internet Companies to use as content. The same thing will happen all over the world in 2023. A childs testimony is acceptable only if there is corroborating evidence, which posed special problems for molestation cases in which the child victim was the only witness. Penalties included fines but were seldom assessed and were not commensurate with those under other laws involving denials of civil rights, such as discrimination. Each year, millions of people have to escape from their home countries because of wars, conflicts, persecution, or climate change (UNHCR, 2022). 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. In February media reported an accusation by the attorney for retail worker Leong Ann Ping that Leong was sexually harassed by male suspects while detained in the local jail at Mukah, Sarawak State, that she suffered from insomnia and headaches while incarcerated, and that police were not responsive to her request for morning headache medicine. Police released him on bail. The law requires a permit to own a printing press, and printers often were reluctant to print publications critical of the government due to fear of reprisal. Aug 5th 2021. Nine cabinet positions were held by women. Many government hospitals had crisis centers where victims of rape and domestic abuse could file reports without going to a police station. The erosion of support for Muhyiddin's government is tied to four issues. Opposition lawmakers slammed then minister of health Adham Baba for breaking his promise that no action would be taken against doctors who participated in the strike. Media outlets reported numerous cases of alleged official corruption during the year. Thank you for this excellent article. Police abuse of suspects in custody and a lack of accountability for such offenses remained a serious problem. True statements may be considered defamatory if they contravene the public good. The government and its supporters used these laws, along with provisions against sedition, to punish and suppress publication of material critical of government officials and policies. Human rights defenders, journalists, opposition leaders and others were investigated, arrested and prosecuted for criticizing the government. The government has the power to suspend publication for these reasons and retained effective control over the licensing process. Malaysia's Ministry of Health (KKM) reported that one in three of the country's adults are at risk of developing mental health condition for the last 5 years. On July 28, the Selangor State sharia high court charged Ibu Yati and two others with expounding religious doctrines contrary to Islamic law and spreading them through Facebook from December 2020 through February 1. Indigenous persons are governed by customary laws with no fixed minimum age for marriage. The nationwide January-August state of emergency restricted freedom of assembly and prohibited worker strikes and protests. The law requires equal pay for male and female workers for work of equal value. Malaysia deported him back to Bangladesh on August 21. 03 / Select Countries You can add more than one country or area. The Department of Labor of the Ministry of Human Resources enforces wage, working condition, and occupational safety and health standards. According to a survey on mental health and wellness conducted by Rakuten Insight in Malaysia in May 2022, 59 percent of the respondents . The Attorney Generals Chambers requested a fine of 200,000 ringgit ($47,500), but Yusuf fined Malaysiakini more than double that amount. Employment: Although the government does not authorize UNHCR-registered refugees to work, it typically did not interfere if they performed informal work. In February the High Court issued an interim stay on the deportation of 1,200 Burmese nationals after the deportees were already aboard Burmese naval ships. Public schools are open to some UNHCR-registered refugees, but not to the children of illegal immigrants. NGOs reported that the government did not take action in cases of domestic violence; victims must keep evidence, gather witness testimony, and ensure their own safety. Students returning to Malaysia will have to undergo a COVID-19 swab test and quarantine procedures. Media reported police told the family that Umar had fallen to his death while he attempted to escape. Umars familys lawyer told media, however, that something was definitely not right about the circumstances of his death and indicated he planned to file a suit against police and the government for causing Umar Faruqs death. UPDATED: Check out what Singaporeans cared about in 2021. The camp, called the Mukhayyam Program, was a government initiative designed to change the lifestyle and sexual orientation of LGBTQI+ individuals. 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. In August, Malaysia refused to renew the visas of two Al Jazeera journalists based in the country. Check our list and get an inspiration boost. 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. 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. While authorities generally treated attorney-client communications as privileged, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officials may question lawyers who accompanied their clients to nonjudicial commission hearings about their interaction with their clients and the content of their discussions. Malaysia has to identify which global issues are in its interest and engage the Americans actively in the bilateral relationship, as well as in multilateral forums. The NGO EDICT declared police violated the legal mandate that at least one female officer be assigned to take care of underage female inmates. Access to Asylum: The law does not provide for granting asylum or refugee status, and the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees. The government may revoke registrations for violations of the law governing societies. In June human rights organizations called for inquests into what media termed a recent spate of deaths in police custody. In July the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM), an independent entity established by parliament, stated it was launching investigations into four fatalities in May and June, including the case of a security guard, Sivabalan Subramaniam, who died less than an hour after his arrest and detention on May 20 at Gombak District police headquarters in Selangor State, allegedly from injuries sustained while in custody. He was arrested on July 24 and remanded for investigation. Freedom of the press has also come under attack. The BN lost to an opposition alliance . Although the codes five offenses infringing the rights of LGBTQI+ persons sodomy, homosexual activities involving women, changing gender, crossdressing as a female, and crossdressing as a male were not among the newly added crimes, observers expressed concern about the implications for the LGBTQI+ community. Forced migration and displacement are global social problems which currently affect more than 89 million people worldwide (UNHCR, 2022). In June the Royal Malaysian Police Sexual, Women, and Child Investigation Division reported an increase in the number of reports of child rape by older family members during the various movement control orders. Throughout the year there were numerous instances of police confiscating the cell phones of human rights defenders brought in for questioning. If they refuse to comply, employers face additional fines for each day that wages are not paid. Sharia also generally requires a husbands consent for divorce, but a small and steadily increasing number of women obtained divorces under sharia without their husbands consent. Police arrested Vinaiyagar on September 8 for alleged gangsterism, and he died five days later due to a ruptured stomach ulcer, per police reports. 2020 was an extremely happening year - well, Covid-19, and a General Election that took place amidst this pandemic. 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. However, drug abuse among the youth in Malaysia is becoming a grave concern. Based on 2017 data, Malaysia extracts 18.375 billion liters of raw water per day for treated water supply alone. Public-sector workers have some collective bargaining rights, although some could only express opinions on wages and working conditions instead of actively negotiating. No judicial review is permitted for these measures. NGOs reported that stateless children in Sabah State were especially vulnerable to labor exploitation in palm oil production, forced begging, and work in service industries, including restaurants. Religious department officers allegedly beat and slapped her while in custody. There is no minimum age for engaging in light work. 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. In July authorities charged Toh Han Boon for producing and promoting the movie Babi, which the government banned in 2020 over its portrayal of race relations in the country. After this incident, more than 300 former and sitting students issued anonymous statements, with the hashtag #MakeSchoolsASaferPlace, recounting sexual harassment and abuse they had experienced at school by teachers and fellow students. According to MACC, authorities arrested 337 public officials for corruption and bribery from January to August. Although the government allowed foreign films at local film festivals, it sometimes censored content by physically blocking screens until the objectionable scene was over. This verdict could potentially nullify some strict anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) legislation at the state level that uses the same rationale as the federal laws. 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. The law prohibits all of the worst forms of child labor. There was also a sexual investigations unit at each police headquarters to help victims of sexual crimes and abuse, and police sometimes assigned psychologists or counselors to provide emotional support. These are problems that are specific to a place such as a nation, city or neighborhood. In view of the absence of a direct employment relationship with owners of a workplace, subcontracted workers may not form a union and may not negotiate or benefit from collective bargaining agreements. Pretrial Detention: The International Center for Prison Studies reported that pretrial detainees comprised approximately 27 percent of the prison population in 2018. Employers routinely asked women their marital status during job interviews. 2021 has been a crazy year. In the election the Pakatan Harapan coalition unseated the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, marking the first federal transition of power between coalitions since independence in 1957. Some NGOs also reported the government monitored their activities to intimidate them. 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 . State religious authorities reportedly forced LGBTQI+ persons to participate in conversion therapy, treatment, or rehabilitation programs to cure them of their sexuality. Advocates remained concerned that Rohingya refugee families were resorting to child marriage for their girls to cope with economic hardship. Malaysia remained firmly in the grip of both the COVID-19 pandemic and economic turmoil in 2021. This study estimates the extent and distribution of jobs most vulnerable to COVID-19. There is a special court for sexual crimes against children, established to speed up trials that often took years to conclude. Police charged two business executives for using fake halal logos, and MACC arrested eight suspects including import agents and enforcement officers. 2. More than half of informal workers were male, and more than three-quarters were in the cities. Dr Chua Sook Ning - clinical psychologist and founder of Relate Malaysia - said the . The government arrested and prosecuted some officials engaged in corruption, malfeasance, and human rights abuses, although civil society groups alleged continued impunity. Malaysia did little to stop a vicious online hate speech campaign against Rohingya refugees in the country in April. Muslim women younger than 16 may marry with the approval of a sharia court. After the suspension, Hamid retired. Authorities provide defendants free interpretation in Mandarin, Tamil, and some other commonly used dialects from the moment charged through all appeals. Students with disabilities attended mainstream schools, but accessibility remained a serious problem. 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. Civilian authorities at times did not maintain effective control over security forces. Ahmad Marzuk also announced a special multiagency government task force, including the government multimedia agency and police, to monitor posts related to LGBTQI+ issues. In Malaysia, or at least in Kuala Lumpur, homeless people have somewhat blended into the backdrop of the city. The GDP per capita of the country in the same year was $11,193, which was higher than that in 2017 (Country Economy, 2021). The standard of care for those in detention is also problematic, with detainees dying of treatable illnesses. In June the government expanded social security coverage to local and migrant domestic workers. Police must inform detainees of their rights to contact family members and consult a lawyer of their choice. Independent Monitoring: Authorities generally did not permit NGOs and media to monitor prison conditions; the law allows judges to visit prisons to examine conditions and ask prisoners and prison officials about conditions. Youth suicide costs a staggering RM350 mil each year, according to Relate Malaysia's new study. National Security: Authorities often cited national security laws to restrict media distribution of material critical of government policies and public officials. Authorities do not register children born to illegal immigrants or asylum seekers. The proposed commission would not even be able to visit lock-ups without giving advance notice, and is precluded from even investigating any act covered by the standing orders issued by the police inspector general. By April, Top Glove had reimbursed 150 million ringgit ($36 million) to approximately 13,000 existing and eligible former workers. Some workers organizations were independent of government, political parties, and employers, but employer-dominated or yellow unions were reportedly a concern. Subtance abuse. Employers may immediately deport pregnant or ill workers. In May MACC arrested member of parliament Tajuddin Abdul Rahman on two charges of abuse of power for interfering with the operations and business dealings of Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, a government-owned public transport company under the Ministry of Finance. Other ways to share Activists and government critics were often subjected to late-night arrests, long hours of questioning, and lengthy remand periods, even if they were not ultimately charged with an offense. Although parliament annulled the emergency ordinance in October, Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa declared that any ongoing investigations of fake news would not be affected by the annulment. 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 report also alleged that one accredited election observer actively campaigned for the former Barisan Nasional government. The government and politicians often incited or condoned violence or abuse of members of racial or ethnic minorities. - STR/MIKAIL ONG. Noting that Malaysiakini, Astro Awani, Free Malaysia Today, and the China Press had been subjected to police investigations, the foregoing media groups declared that the press should not be summoned by the government or threatened with action based on articles they publish in their capacity as the media, and termed harassment of journalists for doing their jobs a tactic to stifle press freedom.. The constitution provides indigenous and nonindigenous persons with the same civil and political rights, but the government did not effectively protect these rights. NGOs and members of the public criticized the law, noting it could cause self-censorship due to liability concerns. Sexual Exploitation of Children: The law bans child pornography and states that a child is considered a victim of sexual abuse if he or she has taken part as a participant or an observer in any activity that is sexual in nature for the purposes of a photograph, recording, film, videotape, or performance. Among the allegations was that the inmates genitals and anuses were pepper-sprayed, rendering them unable to urinate or defecate. Pre-existing inequalities in education were exacerbated by students unequal access to the internet, with rural and indigenous communities particularly affected. Within seven days of the initial detention, however, police must present the case for detention to a public prosecutor. The lawyer representing the migrant workers submitted pay slips to the court showing some migrants worked up to 229 hours a month in overtime, exceeding the legal limit of 104 hours. Migrants, refugees, and stateless persons receive no government support. Freedom of Expression: The law prohibits sedition and public comment on issues defined as sensitive, including racial and religious matters or criticism of the king or ruling sultans. . On July 13, the Federal Court announced that it would be taking time to deliberate before issuing a decision. Three constitutional articles provide the basis for an independent judiciary; however, other constitutional provisions, legislation restricting judicial review, and executive influence over judicial appointments limited judicial independence and strengthened executive influence over the judiciary. The Malaysian Bar Council strongly criticized the immigration courts in detention centers as facilitating a legal process where migrant workers were not provided with a clear understanding of the charges against them in their own language and were effectively denied the right to legal counsel. 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. Some refugees holding UNHCR identification cards reported limited ability to move throughout the country because authorities sometimes did not recognize the UNHCR card. Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. In September a sessions court fined immigration officer Yusrazif Wan Yusoh 50,000 ringgit ($12,000) after he pleaded guilty to five counts of accepting kickbacks totaling 15,000 ringgit ($3,600) to free Filipino and Chinese nationals detained by the Immigration Department. Nongovernmental Impact: Groups sympathetic to the sitting government sought to limit freedom of expression through public criticisms of expression deemed dangerous or criminal complaints of allegedly seditious speech. The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic throughout the year 2020 and into 2021 has necessitated further rethinking on the question of poverty and inequality as new evidence has emerged. . On 12 January, Malaysia was put under a nationwide emergency under then premier Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's directive. Criminal defamation is punishable by a maximum two years imprisonment, a fine, or both. 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). Rape and Domestic Violence: Rape of women or men is a criminal offense, as are most forms of domestic violence. Physical Conditions: Overcrowding in prisons and immigration detention centers, particularly in facilities near major cities, remained a serious problem. SUHAKAM may not investigate court cases in progress and must cease its inquiries if a case becomes the subject of judicial action. Applicants had to provide their name and address for their vaccine status to be recorded, and some feared authorities could use the information later to raid their homes. In January a male inmate raped a 16-year-old girl, also an inmate, at a local police station in Miri, Sarawak State. In Malaysia, over 6.6 million students enrolled in pre-school through to secondary school were impacted by school closures, according to UN estimates. There were some restrictions on in-country movement by refugees and asylum seekers (see section 2.f., Freedom of Movement). Ministry of Health guidelines allow the practice in general but only at government health-care facilities, which was not always the case. The government does not recognize marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims and considers children born of such unions illegitimate. Department of Labor officials reported they sought to conduct labor inspections as frequently as possible. The countrys Jewish population was estimated at 100-200 persons, consisting mostly of foreign residents. Indigenous persons in peninsular Malaysia, known as Orang Asli, who number approximately 200,000, constituted the poorest group in the country and had very little ability to participate in decisions that affected them. These priority issues are: 1. Americans' views of the problems facing the nation. At least 17 migrants from Myanmar committed suicide between March and September. While authorities generally recorded votes accurately, there were irregularities perpetrated by the former Barisan Nasional coalition government that affected the fairness of elections. The government did not effectively enforce the law. AFP pic Another study in Hong Kong published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health also found that 25.4 per cent of 500 survey respondents reported that their mental health had deteriorated since the pandemic began. The government's national five-year roadmap for 2021-25 targets child marriage. What are the current issues in our society? The 12 police officers initially charged in the case were released in March 2017. Estimates of the street-child population ranged from a few thousand to 15,000, many of whom were born in the country to illegal immigrant parents. Rape is punishable by a maximum 20 years imprisonment and caning. Nur Sajat crossed into Thailand, and UNHCR granted her refugee status. A lack of resources and qualified teachers limited opportunities for the majority of school-age refugee children. Unless trends change this year, the annual total of newborns in the world's third-largest economy is on track to hit . They should have proficiency in English. 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. In August police investigated seven activists from youth coalition Sekratariat Solidariti Rakyat for sedition in relation to a planned street protest. Share this via LinkedIn The amount and availability of bail is at the judges discretion. The stay was issued pending appeal of a High Court ruling dismissing a challenge to the fatwa for lack of jurisdiction. Defendants may present witnesses and evidence on their behalf. A November 2 hearing was fixed for Ibu Yati. Healthcare. Anti social behavior /crime. The Malaysian Trades Union Congress is a registered society of trade unions in both the private and government sectors that does not have the right to bargain collectively or strike but may provide technical support to affiliated members.