CMI Notes - June 2021 (Latest)

Course Notes/MPU-3322.
MPU-3342
MPU-3322/ MPU-3342
CONTEMPORARY MALAYSIAN ISSUES
LECTURE NOTES
SOCIAL ISSUES
POLITICAL ISSUES
ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES
ECONOMIC ISSUES
INDUSTRIAL
REVOLUTION 4.0
Updated June 2021 1

Course Notes/MPU-3322.MPU-3342
CHAPTER 1: SOCIAL ISSUES -- DRUG TRAFFICKING AND DRUG ADDICTION
1. DRUG TRAFFICKING
What is drug trafficking?

 A global illicit trade.
 Involves the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are
subject to drug prohibition laws.
 The amount of the substance that needs to be involved in order to label it a trafficking
charge depends on the substance.
 Drugs are an easy and lucrative source of income, which becomes a continued attraction
to criminals.
 In 2019, drugs worth RM3.53 billion were seized, compared to RM0.58 billion in 2018.
Based on possibly the most complete death penalty statistics ever released to the public,
a majority of death row inmates in the country are in on drug trafficking convictions
with two-fifths of them being foreign nationals.
 Of the 1,281 people on death row as of Feb 2019, 73 percent (935 people) were
convicted of trafficking illicit substances under Section 39(b) of the Dangerous Drugs
Act 1952 (DDA).
 A quarter (320 people) are on death row for murder while the remaining 26 inmates
were convicted for crimes related to firearms, robbery and waging war against the
monarch.
International narcotics control strategy report on drug trafficking in Malaysia

 Malaysia is neither a significant source country nor a major transit point for U.S.-bound
illegal drugs. However, drug trafficking through the country to supply domestic and
regional markets remains a challenge, and transnational drug trafficking organizations
have been attempting to expand crystal methamphetamine production in the country.
 Transnational drug trafficking organizations continue to use Kuala Lumpur as a
trafficking hub, and Nigerian trafficking organizations have been known to use
commercial courier services to ship methamphetamine and heroin into and from
Malaysia.
 There is no notable cultivation of illicit drug crops in Malaysia. Demand for and the
consumption of drugs is limited on the local market.
Mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking

 Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Revised 1980) provides mandatory
death sentence for drug trafficking offences.
Updated June 2021 2

Reasons to justify the death penalty

a) Remove the offender from the midst of the society to protect public’s interest
 To deter the offender from repeating the offence.
 Without a mandatory death penalty  drug traffickers may still be able to repeat
their offense once they have completed the term of their imprisonment.
b) Serve as a deterrent to potential drug traffickers.
 Death penalty  severe penalty. Therefore, policymakers and legislatures
anticipated that there would be more deterrents of such crimes.
 Serves as an example to prevent others from committing similar offence.
 Keeping alive the constant threat of punishment by passing exemplary sentences,
particularly when the offence is deemed to be on the increase.
Reasons to abolish the death penalty

 In October 2009, ENCOD (European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies),
which is a European coalition of NGO’s and individuals concerned with the global drug
issue, wrote a letter of appeal to the Malaysian government, urging the government to
abolish death penalty for drug trafficking.
 The death penalty should be abolished because it:
a) Runs counter to the universal protection of human rights
 At odds with the international trend of doing away the use of this measure.
 According to Amnesty International, 140 countries have abolished the death
penalty.
b) Has not been effective in reducing the number of drug traffickers
 Between January 2014 and October 2017, police have detained 702,319 people
for drug trafficking and possession.
 Of this, 21,371 cases fell under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952
that used to carry the mandatory death sentence, and 10,878 people have
already been charged in court under that section.
 Drug addiction amongst youths is still rampant death penalty had not been a
very successful deterrence.
c) Does not deal with the root cause of drug trafficking
 Demand for drugs  still many people in Malaysia who want to take drugs.
 There would always be others who would step into the drug market to sell
drugs when the former traffickers had been executed.
d) The core business of globally organised criminal organisations
 Those arrested for drug trafficking relatively small amounts  “low-ranking
drug mules” who did not have major responsibilities in this business.
 Killing them will not scare the drugs gangs away, as the drug gangs will only
need to get replacements for the executed traffickers.
Updated June 2021 3

Causes of drug trafficking

a) Financial incentives
 Fuelled by the economic principle of supply and demand in a world  a high
demand for illicit substances that cannot be obtained through any legal means.
 Large amounts of money to be made.
b) The possibility of escaping the gallows
 Enhances their courage to break the law.
 Being charged under section 39B DDA does not guarantee that death penalty would
be imposed on the accused.
c) The practice of corruption
 Creates a breeding ground for drug trafficking as drug traffickers could buy their
way into the demand market.
 Low integrity level among some of the government officials  drug traffickers will
become bolder in their approach.
d) Demand for drugs creates a continuous need for the supply of drugs
 Night-life entertainments at pubs or discos  creates a demand for party drugs that
are purported to be able help the party-goers to unwind.
 Peer influence and the adventurous nature of the young people  easy target to
drug abuse.
2. DRUG ADDICTION
Statistics: number of drugs addicts from 2014 till February 2018
STATISTICS OF DRUG ADDICTS BY CASE STATUS, 2014 - 2018
PER CASE /
CATEGORY 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
PER HEAD
Per Case 13,605 20,289 22,923 18,440

17,474
New Case
Per Head
11,712 17,947 22,814 18,112 17,315
CASE
STATUS/ Per Case 8,172 6,379 7,921 7,482 7,793
YEAR Relapse Case
Per Head 9,863 7,643 4,648 3,242 2,908
Per Case 21,777 26,668 30,844 25,922 25,267

Total
Per Head 21,575 25,590 27,462 21,354 20,223
Notes:
New Case - Newly detected drug addicts to receive treatment/rehabilitation/ supervision with NADA
Relapse Cases - Drug addicts who formerly detected and received treatment/ rehabilitation program with
NADA
’Per Case’ data refers to those who have one or more offences in the current year. Whilst the ‘Per Head’
data refers to only once detected within five (5) years period
Updated June 2021 4

 In 2018, there were 130,788 drug addicts in Malaysia. Based on an estimated national
population of 32.4 million, that is 404 drug and substance abusers and addicts for every
100,000 people.
 Between January and June 2019, a total of 105,375 drug and substance abusers and
addicts were recorded, an increase of 23.2 per cent compared to the same period in
2018.
 Also worrying, was the increase in demand for synthetic drugs such as
methamphetamine and the emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in the
Asian market, with many new psychoactive substances worldwide.
National disaster and main threat to national security

 The close geographical propinquity to Myanmar, Laos and Thailand (Golden Triangle)
and other Southeast Asian countries that produces illicit drugs.
 On February 19, 1983, the government declared drug as national disaster and is a main
threat to national security due to the following reasons:
 Drug addiction could reach epidemic proportions.
 65 per cent of the addicts were young men between the ages of 20 to 29 (represented
the backbone and the hope of the nation’s future).
Steps taken to wage a war against drugs abuse

a) Cracking down on illegal immigrants in the country's struggle
 In need of more coordination among the Immigration Department, police, National
Registration Department, People's Volunteer Corps and the Civil Defence
Department.
 The government will continue to launch operations to nab illegal immigrants to
weed out problems such as drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
b) Setting up a special task force focusing on anti-drug trafficking at Malaysia-Thailand
border
 Malaysia’s border with Thailand  opens to two-way smuggling activities.
 Need to tighten up the country’s border security with competent policing and
efficient border patrolling.
c) The federal police launched its Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group
(STING) in 2014
 Through STING, the police have increased enforcement, and their intelligence
network is more efficient and collaboration with their foreign counterparts is better.
 Sting’s primary focus — drug-processing syndicates and drug kingpins.
d) The government and non-governmental organisations have set up prevention and
rehabilitation centres for drug addicts
 The facilities in Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centre (CCRC) and 1 Malaysian
Cure and Care Clinics (C & C) are more advanced than in some countries.
 Provide educational training to drug addicts  empower them to turn over a new
leaf once they are released from the centres.
Updated June 2021 5

e) Still using the punishment as a deterrent for drug trafficking

 Despite calls from human rights activists for Malaysia to abolish the death penalty
for the crime of drug trafficking.
 Sending out the message that drug trafficking is a crime not tolerated in the country.
Should drug use be legalized?

The approach taken:
 Using and carrying drugs (up to certain limits) were legal.
 Selling and making drugs remain illegal.
 Providing clean and free/affordable drugs at proper doses.
A case in Portugal
 1980s - One of the highest drug users in the world.
 Tough law enforcement had not been effective.
 Therefore, Portugal chose a radical approach: they decriminalize all drug use, the first
country to do so, in 2001.
 Results in 2011 (10 years later):
 Lower the drug use by youths aged 15-24 years old (this age group is considered
most susceptible to drug use initiation and prolonged drug use).
 Drug-related deaths fell sharply by about 75 per cent.
Legalizing drug use in other countries and Malaysia

 Increasingly more countries today are changing their approach to handle the drug
problem.
 Australia, Denmark, Canada, and Switzerland provide safe havens or drug clinics where
addicts can receive clean drugs for free and be intoxicated under supervised conditions.
 Netherlands has also legalized the sale of cannabis at sanctioned coffee shops. The
number of hard addicts in the Netherlands has stabilized and the average age of addicts
has risen to 38 years, an indication that their drug policy is working.
 Uruguay has recently legalized the growing and sale of marijuana. Even the US has
softened their fight against drugs.
 Malaysia too is beginning to treat drug addicts more as medical patients and less as
criminals.
 There has been calls by several parties in Malaysia to legalize several substances such
as Marijuana (or known as ‘Ganja’ in Malaysia) and kratom leaves, known locally as
‘ketum’ due to their medical properties.
Advantages of legalizing drug use

a) Direct focus on the treating drug users, instead of punishing them
 Remove the social stigma of drug users, causing addicts to voluntarily seek
treatment.
 Drug users are asked to reflect on why they might want to use drugs and the
possible repercussions from their decision.
Updated June 2021 6

b) The drugs provided by these clinics are purer, unadulterated, and clean from
contaminants
 Drug clinics cause deaths by drug overdose and HIV infections to cease
completely.
 Drugs provided by the drug cartels  without quality control  likely to lead to
drug overdose because the users do not know what they are taking.
c) Reduce drug-related crimes and HIV infection
 Drugs sold at the streets are higher due to interest in profit making  encourages
drug users to commit crimes to help pay for their addiction.
 Clean and free drugs through drugs clinic  lead to fewer drug-related crimes, like
vehicle thefts, muggings and burglaries committed by drug addicts as well as HIV
infection due to drug use
d) Addicts under this drug prescription treatment could function as normal
 Remove the social stigma of drug users  addicts under this drug prescription
treatment can remain lucid.
 Given drug substitution under proper supervision  better control of their lives,
most being able to secure permanent jobs.
 Most of the addicts under this would carry on with their addiction for no more than
3 years, with only 15 per cent of them continuing for longer periods.
e) Legalization would free up millions of Ringgits on government’s spending
 The government now spends millions on police, courts, and corrections to wage
war on drugs and would produce significant tax revenues.
 The money saved could then be spent on drug education, drug treatment, and law
enforcement initiatives directed at more serious crimes.
Disadvantages of legalizing drugs

a) Legalization would increase the number of casual user
 Allowing people to use drugs will encourage casual use of drugs.
 The increase in the number of casual user could potentially increase the number of
drug abuser.
b) More drug users could lead to more problems
 Can lead to more health problem in a long run.
 More social issues such as increase in crime rates and problematic behaviours.
c) Negative impacts towards the economy
 Legalization of drugs could save millions in law enforcement and criminal justice
however it could increase in the expenses in healthcare.
 It could also lessen productivity due to the dependency of the people towards drugs.
The concern of drug relapse

Definition of drug relapse  usage, intake or misuse of psychoactive substances after one
had received drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation, physically and psychologically.
Updated June 2021 7

Factors contributing to relapse among drug addicts in Malaysia

a) Encounter additional crisis
 Problems, stress, failed forecast.
 Coupled with pessimistic thinking and anxiety that all issues cannot be resolved 
lead to immature actions.
b) Suffering from low self-efficacy
 Self-efficacy  the degree to which an individual feels confident and capable of
performing a certain behaviour in a specific situational context.
 Low self-efficacy  lack of inner strength  relapsed addiction after their release
from getting treatment and rehabilitation.
c) Less support from family members and the community by large towards former
addicts
 Weak communication patterns and less effective interactions amongst former
addicts’ family.
 “Don’t care attitude” towards the former addicts  causes the former addicts to
relapse.
d) Peer pressure, especially from the former friends who still use drugs
 Influence from 50 per cent of old friends to pick up the habit again.
 Even assisting rehabilitated individuals to get the needed supply of drugs.
e) Unemployment issues among former drug addicts.
 Inability to get jobs amongst former addicts who were discharged from
rehabilitation centres coupled with lack of financial support.
 Being offered low salaries without taking into consideration their qualifications
and experience  causing dissatisfactions amongst the former addicts  quit their
jobs.
The ways to prevent drug relapse

a) Training of self-help character for the former drug addicts
 Trained to have strong determination as well as strong internal resilience to stay
away from drugs  help them to face difficulties and to be independent after they
re-enter the community.
 To build highly defensive spirits  to want improvements in their lives.
b) Integrated effort among family, employers and community
 To be ready to work hand in hand to take over the role played by drug counsellors
after the addicts are released.
 More sincere help to repentant former addicts  giving them undivided support
and encouragement so that they can be more self-assured to continue with their
lives  healthy and free from drugs.
c) Change the environment
 It is important to start fresh. You can probably move to a new area.
 You can also change your habits or break your habits and create a new one.
Updated June 2021 8

d) Eat healthy
 Eat a healthy and balanced meal. Watch what you eat because they can affect your
chances of staying clean.
 There are many different nutritional imbalances and nutrient deficiencies that can
lead to depression, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin B and
magnesium, and they can worsen your chances at staying clean after treatment.
e) Find meaningful activities
 Find activities that can replace your old activities that could lead to substances
abuse.
 It is better to do something that can give a sense of purpose like volunteering.
Updated June 2021 9

CHAPTER 2: SOCIAL ISSUES -- RISING CRIME AND CORRUPTION
1. RISING CRIME
Crime statistics
Seven states recorded crime index ratio below the national level in 2019
 The latest to date Crime index ratio per 100,000 population for Malaysia in 2019
improved to 256.6 as compared to 273.8 in 2018. The crime index ratio for all states
declined except for Pulau Pinang (3.7%), Sarawak (4.2%) and Terengganu (1.3%).
Seven states recorded crime index ratio below the national level in 2019 namely
Sarawak (214.6), Perlis (207.5), Perak (195.8), Pahang (195.7), Kelantan (188.2),
Terengganu (150.3), and Sabah (143.5).
 According to Federal Criminal Investigations Department Director Commissioner

Datuk Huzir Mohamed, Malaysia's crime index between 2009 and 2019 has shown a
downward trend, with an average of 11,000 fewer cases each consecutive year.
 Statistics revealed by Bukit Aman today showed that the number of serious crimes
nationwide dropped gradually from 212,678 cases in 2009, to 83,475 cases in 2019.
Updated June 2021 10

 Property crimes comprised the majority of serious crimes for the period, making up 1.2
million cases or 81 per cent of the national crime index.
 The significant decline in crime cases in the country is due to continuous hard and stern
action taken over the years, through various police deterrence and prevention initiatives
such as the use of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) and
Prevention of Crime Act (PoCA).
 Two ways to measure crime:
a) Official crime statistics (recorded crime) – which are based on the aggregate
records of offenders and offences processed by the police, courts and prison
agencies.
b) Unofficial crime statistics (dark figure) – which are produced from surveys outside
the criminal justice system. Not every crime is reported by the public and recorded
by the police. PEMANDU gathered that about 25% of the crimes experienced by
the public were not reported to the police  known as the “dark figure”.
The public’s perception on crimes

 The Crime Index may have gone down but the recent spate of vicious crimes had left
some Malaysians to doubt the report. Malaysians are alarmed with the numerous news
reports on crime daily -- armed robberies, snatch theft, shooting crimes – in the daily
newspapers as well as in Twitter, Facebook and blogs.
 Police are stepping up efforts to tackle street crime to reverse public perception that
crime is still high.
 According to Inspector General Police (IGP), Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun in 2018,
the crime rate showed a decline of 11.9 per cent last year compared to the previous year
nationwide. However, the public perception of crime did not improve.
 To overcome the issues, he said constant engagement with the public is key towards
lowering the crime rate nationwide especially through Volunteer Smartphone Patrol
(VSP) app.
 The VSP app allows smartphone users in the country to send real-time photos or videos
of criminal acts, accidents and natural disasters.
Factors on why the public has increased fear of crimes in recent years
a) Street crime stories can be traumatic
 The victim talks about the crime  the message spreads and scares people.
 Online sharing of the crime stories  can become viral and create fear in the
readers.
 Example: March 2015  the video clip showing an old lady being dragged on the
ground by the snatch thieves riding on a motorcycle after she held on to her
handbag went viral in the social media and created fear among the people.
 People now days are repeatedly reminded to be beware of thieves and to exercise
care over your wallets and personal belongings from the shopping mall and LRT
stations. Even car parks have put up signage cautioning you to alert of hidden

dangers that could leave you hurt by snatch thieves, maybe even kidnappers and
rapists. Now, even our radio stations see DJs belting out such warnings.
 It shows that the truth is Malaysian cities are gripped with fear by a rise in potential
and eventual crime.
b) Lack of building trust between the public and the police personnel
 Cases of corruption and the breach of ethics involving the police personnel.
 The public lacks of assurance  doubt that the police will come to their rescue in
the event that something untoward happens to them.
 Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) has make a statement to urged police
to be transparent with the public to address a widening trust deficit between them
and society.
 Recently the former IGP, Tan Sri Hamid Bador, exposed some cops in the police
force cops severing ties with the criminal elements. The latest infamous case when
a police crushed the notorious 'Geng Nicky' and exposed the gang's link with
corrupt policemen in the force.
c) Street crimes like snatch thefts and break-ins threaten the daily life of the ordinary
people
 Police said street crime, which includes snatch thefts, smash-and-grab incidents,
bump-and-rob cases involving vehicles and wayside robberies, was more visible to
the public and added to the feeling of insecurity.
 Crimes take place on the street or in the residential areas  the people feel the
threat of crime being very close to their daily living.
Effects of this increased fear of crimes among the public

a) People become emotionally uncomfortable
 Feel vulnerable and isolated even in their own environment.
 Outside of the house  feel anxious and afraid.
b) People begin to invest time and money in defensive measures
 Some buy extra locks for their house grilles; some, especially ladies, register in
self-defence classes.
 Self-employ a security guard to patrol at their neighbourhood.
c) Lash back at the authorities
 Their sense of insecurity  under the impression that the police authorities and the
local council have not been doing their part to create a safe living environment for
them.
 Cause them to lose faith in the local council, even the state government.
d) Impact of crime to the economic loss
 In some crimes, the pain, suffering and reduced quality of life suffered by the
victims of certain crimes far exceed any physical damage.
 Crimes also lead to other less obvious costs, such as time spent reporting the crime.
 Meera’s (1990) research revealed that crimes such as theft involving capital goods
can also increase costs to victims, because they can reduce future earnings.

Gangsterism
 The gangsterism issue in Malaysia is a hot topic as gangsterism has been reported
frequently by the media in Malaysia.
 Although it receives wide coverage in media, scientific studies related to gangsterism
in Malaysia is yet to be explored.
 Based on the view of experts, there are few elements found in the operation style of
these gangster groups. Most of the experts mentioned that the gangster groups in
Malaysia have been operating systematically and involved in many illegal activities.
 They have their own hierarchy and tend to change their modus operandi in order to
mislead the investigations. In addition, these gangster groups always change their
modus operandi to prevent detection by the police force.
 Recruitment into the gang usually starts in the middle school where the age group is
between 10 and 13. Most gangs target youth that are easily talked into doing work for
the gang. Current gang members will often use peer pressure or fear and intimidation
tactics to get others to join their gang. Providing cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs as
a lure is another method of recruitment. Some gangs are currently targeting girls for
recruitment.
 Gangs have evolved to play an organizing role in politics and illegal markets. Once
they are members of a gang, youngsters are taught the gang’s history and rules, are
encouraged to have the gang’s tattoos and adopt clothing styles unique to the gang.
 These gangster groups are operating behind certain registered private companies with
their own jurisdiction to run the illegal activities and operating based on demands. They
have been sustaining their activities through political backup and by regular thefts or
by being ‘taxed’ through bogus protection rackets.
 Most secondary school students linked to secret societies have yet to become initiated
gang members, investigations revealed.
 However, not amused by triads’ recruitment of teenagers, the federal police are calling
for all stakeholders to play their role to prevent gangsterism from corrupting Malaysian
youths.
 Federal police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh
said secret societies set their eyes on students to prepare the youngsters as their future
cadres: “What these triad gangs were doing was recruiting new members to fill the low
ranks, who would serve as their runners and who they can order around. They target
teenagers as these youths are vulnerable and can be easily influenced to join their
groups.”
 The criminal acts or illegal acts by gang member include: armed robbery, street fight,
gang fight, theft, vehicle theft, extortion, drugs related crimes, secret society dealings,
illegal security services, kidnapping, murder, brothel, hijacking, illegal money
laundering, and smuggling. Gangsterism can lead to some serious negative impacts (e.g
severe trauma, loss of lives, loss of property, and mugged many young people of an
opportunity to develop their talent) on young people, children, as well as on whole
communities which can erode the well-being of a nation.

 According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (2017), 49 gangs have been identified as
threatening public safety.
 Below are the List of Gazetted Organizations Disturbing Public Order by Ministry of
Home Affairs (2017): Geng 04, Geng 08, Double 7, Tiga Line, Geng 30, Geng 38, Geng
24, Geng 18, Geng 36, Geng 21, Ang Soon Thong, Wah Kee, Sio Sam Ong, PNEH,
Hong Hong San, Hai San, Sin Ang Bin, New Cell 20, Jit It Hai, Sio Koon Tong, Gee
Lam Kor, Gee Ah Heng, Loh Kuan, Tiang Yee Tong, Geng Leng Hor, Geng 35, Geng
303, Geng Satu Hati, ATAP, Hunh Ann, Sui Yuk, Otai, Borneo Red EMP, Ah Ngau,
Batu Tiga, Ah Feng, Batu 10, Sibu Ti, Ah Seng, Ah Chin, Lee Lung, Lo Han, Sg Merah,
Sg Badut, Ting Ching Lee, Tua Cak Lee, Teksi Station, Pintu Merah, and Krokop.
Causes of gangsterism among youths

a) Influenced by peer group
 Peer group plays an important role in moulding one’s character, either prompting
them to do good things or to do bad things.
 When a peer group challenges a youth to act in a delinquent manner, ie to commit
acts of gangsterism, the youth may feel challenged to prove his merits before his
peers and loses sight of moral discernment.
 Usually the young people tend to share their problems with their peers rather than
discussing it with their family. For them, only their peers will understand their
feelings better. Therefore, they may just follow the delinquent acts of their peers
even though deep down, they realize it is wrong to do so.
b) Lack of parental love
 Parents may be too busy to earn a living to support the family that they do not
realize that they have neglected their children’s emotional needs for good spiritual
and moral guidance.
 Due to their busyness, such parents also do not spend enough quality time with
their children, causing the children to feel lonely and in greater need of
companionship from their peers.
c) Surrounding environment
 Home environment  lacks of peace and harmony  youths may likely be drawn
to take part in acts of gangsterism to release stress and frustration.
 Neighbourhood  growing up in a neighbourhood marred by criminal activities 
higher tendency to be influenced to take part in gangsterism as a way of self-
protection as well.
d) Amount and immediacy of monetary gain
 Monetary gain from gang-related activities is high and immediate with minimal
effort. Monetary gain appears to be related to financial difficulties, rather than
greed.
 Most of get involved in gangs are individuals experiencing financial difficulties
due to circumstances and lack of better opportunities.

e) Benefits derived from illegal monetary gains

 Gangsters persist in their activities to gain illegal profits as they want to continue
their luxurious lifestyles.
 Certain gangs provide good offers to their members. They let their members
conduct businesses under their name, give them shares from extortion money, and
give salary, car, and motorcycle to their members.
 Based on such benefits, people are likely to continue being part of the gang, even
when they knew that being a member of a gang despite non-involvement in illegal
activities, is still considered as an offense in Malaysia. The benefits outweigh the
punishment – which may or may not happen later.
f) Influence from mass media
 Some films or dramas, even cartoons portray elements of gangsterism.
 May influence some young minds to see violence as a way to solve problems.
g) Acceptance and recognition
 Young people join criminal gangs because they believe they can find acceptance
and recognition through them, according to the Society for Community
Development and Continuous Learning, a non-governmental organisation that
works with youths coming from families in the B40 income group.
 The most vulnerable were youths coming from deprived environments and those
feeling rejected.
 Joining gangs could be lucrative for these youths and could give them the feeling
of being acknowledged and protected.
 Gang activities were more prevalent in low-cost flats that lacked adequate facilities
and social support systems than in other areas.
Snatch thefts
Purse snatching is the most frequently reported crime against expatriates and Malaysian
citizens. The usual modus operandi (MO) is one or two males on a motorbike approaching
the target from the rear and snatching a purse, handbag, or cell phone.
According to Country Security Report (2020) Kuala Lumpur as being a HIGH-threat

location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. This includes
around-the-clock street crime that occurs primarily in densely populated urban centres and
affects locals and foreigners alike. The most common crimes include petty theft
(particularly purse snatching and pickpocketing), smash-and-grab thefts from vehicles,
and residential burglaries. Violent and more serious crimes are considerably less common.
Most purse snatching incidents involve thieves on motorcycles who stalk victims from
behind before grabbing their purse, phone, or other valuables. Pedestrians distracted by
their children or mobile phones are also more vulnerable. These types of thefts can occur
at all hours, in front of large groups of witnesses, even in upscale neighbourhoods
expatriates frequent. Hotel driveways and valet areas have become favourite sites for
thieves, even in the early morning hours.

Reasons why snatch theft is the most frequent street crime

a) Easy targets
 The most common targets  women (especially old ladies) walking alone with
their handbags or purses.
 Youngsters with smartphones  youngsters tend to be too engrossed with their
smartphones, checking things out in the smartphones, to be aware of their
surroundings.
 Public's lack of sensitivity to their valuable items thus providing criminals the
opportunity to commit crime.
b) The convenience of the attack
 These types of robberies occur at all hours, in front of witnesses, and even in
upscale neighbourhoods.
 Snatch thieves normally ride on the motorcycle  can easily speed off after
snatching the desired items from the victims.
 Typically, a pair of thieves on a motorcycle identifies a lone passenger whose
valuables are in plain sight.
 The thieves smash the window of the car with a crowbar, grab the bag, and speed
off.
c) Lack of CCTV (close circuit television)
 Most streets in Malaysia have not been installed with CCTV  unlike certain
developed countries like South Korea.
 This lack emboldens the snatch thieves to strike on their victims  have the
confidence that they will be able to escape after the crime is committed.
Measures to curb snatch thefts

a) Enforcement of the law
 The attackers were not only criminals but were most inhuman  deserve the full
force of the law to be brought to bear upon them.
 More stringent punishment must be meted out to those convicted of snatch thefts
commensurate with the seriousness of the offence.
b) Street patrols
 More street patrols by the uniformed and plain clothes personnel are needed for in
hot spots areas  should operate 24 hours a day in crime hotspots.
 More frequent vehicle patrols in small lanes along major city roads which have
been used by snatch thieves as getaway routes.
c) Tackle the problem of drug addicts
 Most snatch thieves are drug addicts who need to support their habit.
 As long as this problem is not resolved, many drug-related crimes will continue to
occur.
 Drug addicts were the main perpetrators of street crime  at least 40 per cent of
the crimes since 2010.

d) Local authorities
 Should introduce initiatives and implement the guidelines under the safe city
concept to provide safety features such as constructing barriers to separate
pedestrian walkways and roads.
 The police have been working with KL City Hall on a “safer city” programme.
 Having more lighting in back alleys and secluded areas, as well as making
pedestrian walkways inaccessible to motorcycles.
e) Enhanced vigilance of the pedestrians
 Pedestrians must put into practice the guidelines provided by the MCPF and the
police.
 Walk against traffic, on the inside of the sidewalk, with handbags kept away from
the street side of the curb.
 Keep a close eye on any moving vehicles, particularly motorcycles with pillion
riders. Be cautious at busy intersections and when crossing.
 If possible, walk with a group of people and avoid poorly lit streets, shortcuts, and
narrow alleys.
f) Educational workshops
 Police should conduct more workshops to teach the public how to avoid being
victims of street crimes.
 These programmes are also to get people to be acquainted with their local police
officers.
g) Civic consciousness
 Malaysians need to practise civic consciousness in rendering help to victims,
especially if the victims have been injured due to the snatch theft.
 Where possible  nab the snatch thieves and hand them over to the authorities.
Since the movement control order (MCO) been implemented in March 2020 by the
government to control Covid-19 it shows that crime in the city has shown a 48 per cent
reduction. The Kuala Lumpur Police Chief said “there were zero snatch thefts in the city,
especially since there were not many tourists around.” This shows that the number of
motorcycle thefts also shows a sharp reduction. To sum up, there is an urgent need for all
parties  law enforcement agencies, including local authorities and NGOs  to work
with one mind and commitment to fight the snatch-thief scourge which is a bane in our
society.
Cybercrime
 While Malaysia’s crime index has reportedly dropped over the years, with an average
of 11,000 fewer cases each consecutive year, cybercrime remains rampant with cyber-
criminals taking advantage of new technologies and remote working platforms enforced
due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
 Cybercrimes had already been on an increasing trend as more people opted to conduct
their financial transactions through online and e-payment systems but, according to

international cybercrime organisations and cyber security companies, the numbers have
grown during the pandemic.
 Trend Micro, a global cyber-security company, concluded that the pandemic has been
marked by a significant rise in spam messages, malware attacks and phishing emails.
 According to the company, a study showed spam messages multiplying 220 times
between February and March 2020 while deceptive URLs increased by 260 per cent.
 The deceptive URLs lead to download of malware or phishing attacks, which cause
private data to be compromised.
 Cyber-crime is a major threat to those who are connected over the Internet. It involves
the use of technology to cheat, harass, disseminate false information.
 Malicious entities, often known as “cyber criminals” exploit information through the
Internet for financial gains or to damage targeted assets.
 For the past few decades, millions of user information were lost or stolen.
 Some of the more common types of cyber-crime include but are not limited to: DDOS
Attacks, Botnet, Identity Theft, Cyber stalking, Social Engineering, Potentially
Unwanted Programs, Ransomware, Phishing and Online Scams.
 These cyber-related risks have posed serious challenges to any government and in
particular to the law enforcement agency in keeping law and order.
 Rapid and in some cases, uncontrolled ICT development have created challenges in the
form of loopholes in current laws, economic development, political stability and social/
racial well-being.
 Cybercrime has surpassed drug trafficking as the most lucrative crime.
 Almost anybody who is an active computer/ online user would have been a cybercrime
victim, and in most cases too its perpetrators. The younger generation are the most
vulnerable.
 70 per cent of commercial crime cases now can be categorised as cybercrime cases.
 Police have recorded 21,862 reports related to commercial crimes nationwide, resulting
in losses of RM5.8 billion from January to October 2019.
 Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said the number of cases
increased by 4.3 per cent compared to 20,913 cases recorded in the same period in 2018.
 He added 47.2 percent of cases in 2019 comprise non-existent loan schemes, e-
purchases, and Macau and African scams with the Internet used as a medium to find
victims.
 Based on statistics by Malaysia Computer Emergency Response Team (MyCERT),
from January to September 2020 last year, there has already been 8, 366 reported
incidents of cybercrime.
 According to Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul
Abidin, 5,697 incidents of cyber fraud were reported to CyberSecurity Malaysia for the
period January to August last year as compared to 4,671 incidents for the same period
last year, an increase of 22 per cent.
 The reported cases involved cyberbullying, fraud, cyber intrusions, hacking attempts
and spam, most of which occurred in urban areas with a high-speed Internet connection.

The effects of cybercrime

 The impacts of a single, successful cyber-attack can have far-reaching implications
including financial losses, theft of intellectual property, and loss of consumer
confidence and trust.
 The overall monetary impact of cybercrime on society and government is estimated to
be billions of dollars a year.
 Criminals take advantage of technology in many different ways. The Internet, in
particular, is a great tool for scammers and other miscreants, since it allows them to ply
their trade while hiding behind a shield of digital anonymity.
 Cybercrime affects society in a number of different ways, both online and offline.
a) Identity theft
 Becoming the victim of cybercrime can have long-lasting effects on life.
 One common technique scammers employ is phishing, sending false emails
purporting to come from a bank or other financial institution requesting personal
information.
 If one hands over this information, it can allow the criminal to access one's bank
and credit accounts, as well as open new accounts and destroy credit rating.
b) Security costs
 Cyber criminals also focus their attacks on businesses, both large and small.
 Hackers may attempt to take over company servers to steal information or use
the machines for their own purposes, requiring companies to hire staff and
update software to keep intruders out.
c) Monetary losses
 The overall monetary losses from cybercrime can be immense.
 According to a report by Symantec, more than 1.5 million people fall victim to
some sort of cybercrime every day, ranging from simple password theft to
extensive monetary swindles.
 With an average loss of $197 per victim, this adds up to more than $110 billion
dollars lost to cybercrime worldwide every year.
 As consumers get wise to traditional avenues of attack, cyber criminals have
developed new techniques involving mobile devices and social networks to keep
their illicit gains flowing.
d) Piracy
 The cybercrime of piracy has had major effects on entertainment, music and
software industries. Claims of damages are hard to estimate and even harder to
verify, with estimates ranging widely from hundreds of millions to hundreds of
billions of dollars per year.
 In response, copyright holders have lobbied for stricter laws against intellectual
property theft, resulting in copyrights law.
 These laws allow copyright holders to target file sharers and sue them for large
sums of money to counteract the financial damage of their activities online.

e) Social impacts
 Cyber criminals take full advantage of anonymity, secrecy, and
interconnectedness provided by the Internet, therefore, attacking the very
foundations of our modern information society.
 Cybercrime can involve botnets, computer viruses, cyber bullying, cyber
stalking, cyber terrorism, cyber pornography, denial of service attacks,
hacktivism, identity theft, malware, and spam.
 Law enforcement officials have struggled to keep pace with cyber criminals,
who cost the global economy billions annually.
f) Emotional impact of cybercrime
 About 65 per cent of Internet users globally, have fallen victim to cybercrimes,
including computer viruses, online credit card fraud and identity theft.
 Study shows that victims' strongest reactions are feeling angry (58 per cent),
annoyed (51 per cent) and cheated (40 per cent), and in many cases, they blame
themselves for being attacked. Only 3 per cent don't think it will happen to them,
and nearly 80 per cent do not expect cyber criminals to be brought to justice
resulting in an ironic reluctance to take action and a sense of helplessness.
 Despite emotional burden, the universal threat and incidents of cybercrime,
people still aren't changing their behaviour - with only half (51 per cent) of
adults saying they would change their behaviour if they became a victim.
Steps to protect us from cybercrime

 Cybercrime might be a massive problem, but there are ways to protect yourself online.
 Many are simple and immediately effective. New security measures are being
developed all the time to keep pace with criminals, so it’s important to stay aware of
current trends.
 An excellent foundation includes the following precautions:
a. Use strong and unique passwords, combining letters, numbers, and special
characters. Don’t use easily-guessed words or numbers, such as a partner’s name
or birthdate.
b. Have an up-to-date Internet security suite for real-time protection against viruses
and malware. Keep your other programs updated, too: both security suites and
commonly-used programs update constantly as they implement safeguards against
new threats.
c. Control your social media by keeping personal information private. Cybercriminals
may only need a few bits of personal information - such as the name of your pet -
to clear security questions. Play it safe and share as little as possible.
d. Maintain a strong home network. A VPN encrypts all information as it leaves your
devices, meaning hackers will only be able to intercept nearly impossible to
decipher traffic.
e. Take note of major breaches in the news. If you’ve done business with an institution
that has suffered a data breach, determine what information may have been stolen,
and immediately change your password.

f. Remember to keep your security as portable as you are. Whether at a local café or
visiting another country, be sure to implement the same safeguards, such as a VPN,
even if it requires extra work.
g. Monitor the particularly vulnerable persons in your life, such as children and the
elderly. Not only are they easier targets, but these groups are not likely to be
checking their credit scores and other metrics that might raise red flags.
Initiative by the government

 Under the Ministry of Multimedia and Communications (MCMC), CyberSecurity
Malaysia is established as a cyber-security specialist agency to provide a broad range
of services and strengthen Malaysia’s self-reliance in cyberspace.
 The organization assists enforcement agencies in cyber forensics and analysis, such as
analyzing evidence and providing expert witnesses for relevant cybercrime cases.
 It also aims to establish a culture of security through awareness programmes and best
practices among children, teenagers, parents and organizations.
 Besides CyberSecurity Malaysia, there are also multiple sub-organizations and services
provided to cater to Malaysia’s growing need for online security.
2. CORRUPTION
Statistics
Transparency International's (TI) Corruption Perception Index
 Malaysia has moved up to 61st spot among the 180 countries in the latest Corruption
Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2018, one notch higher from the previous year.
 In 2019 the survey results indicate that Malaysia’s score has improved to 53 points on
a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupted) to 100 (perceived to be very clean) in
2019 compared to 47 points in 2018.
 Malaysia’s ranking in the CPI has improved from 61 in 2018 to 51 in 2019 among the
180 countries surveyed.
 This recovery by improving 10 steps in the global ranking for Malaysia is due to the swift action
taken by the government to address the scandals in 1 MDB, SRC, Felda and Tabung Haji. This
was followed by the arrest of several political figures who were later charged by MACC for
corruption and money laundering.
 However, the recent survey by Transparency International, which revealed the Corruption
Perception Index (CPI) for 2020, showed that Malaysia dropped six spots from 51 to 57, out of
180 countries.
 This indicated the extent of corruption among people, especially those in high places,
who abuse their position for personal gain without any fear for the laws of our country.
 The drop is worrisome, as the index shows a downward trajectory in areas such as
public procurement, illegal logging, and illegal sale of land to foreigners by leaders.
 The current and most infamous issues that was revealed by former Malaysia's Inspector-
General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador claim of long-standing corruption in the force,
involving even his predecessor or predecessors, sparked calls for open investigations.

 He also claimed that those senior officers who have retired from the force are still trying
to enforce their powers in seeking favours from the police.
 Abdul Hamid said there were officers who still practiced such culture, despite various
warnings and advice.
 While the police force has long been perceived as corruption-ridden, the allegations by
the standing police chief was explosive.
National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) 2019-2023

 One of the government's initiatives in realizing the government's manifesto towards a
nation with integrity and free from corruption.
 Themed 'Breaking the Corruption Chain', the NACP is a developed plan specifically
for implementation within five years.
 The implementation of this plan was developed by the Governance, Integrity and Anti-
Corruption Centre (GIACC), the Prime Minister's Department in collaboration with
other government agencies.
 This specific plan was developed to set a practical goal based on initiatives to be taken
by every government and private agency to address corruption, integrity and
governance issues for the next five years.
 Contextualising the NACP within the international arena, it speaks volume of
Malaysia’s commitment toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
agreed upon internationally to be undertaken by 2030. One of the goals, Goal 16: Peace,
Justice and Strong Institutions, emphasises the importance of addressing corruption in
order to achieve the SDGs. Goal 16 espouses the commitment to fight against
corruption, increase transparency, tackle illicit financial flows and improve access to
information. There exists a clear consensus among the UN member countries on the

fact that should there be no action to reduce corruption, there will be serious impediment
to achieving the other SDG’s goals.
 Based on the corruption trend in Malaysia over the last five years (2013- 2018), the
public sector has been the most vulnerable to corruption. Compared to the vulnerability
rate of 17.06 per cent in the private sector, the public sector showed a more alarming
rate of 63.30 per cent. It was discovered that such a high vulnerability to corruption in
the public sector stemmed from the weak governance in its procurement practices, legal
enforcement agencies and administration.
 MACC found that between 2015 and 2018, a total of 30 top civil servants had been
arrested for corruption charges.
Effects of corruption
a) Losses in the public funds
b) Affects the public sector’s integrity in ensuring the country’s security and prosperity
c) Malaysia has come under the spotlight for being coined a kleptocratic country thanks
to the greed of several individuals involved in mega scandals namely 1MDB, FELDA,
MARA, SRC International, Sabah Water Department and Tabung Haji. These
scandals have seen billions, even trillions, of ringgit being syphoned off from the
country.
d) The countries with high corruption level will have difficulties to move up from the
“middle income” bracket, and it will also retard the speed for businesses to move up
the value chain.
e) The living standard will remain depressed with growing inequality between the rich
and the poor and more so with the super-rich.
f) Corruption will lower the country’s competitiveness, which, in turn, results in
lowering economic growth, crowding out government spending, increasing income
inequality, as well as distorting the market mechanism and causing resources
misallocation and raising economic inefficiencies.
g) The black market, or the unregulated shadow economy, also thrives on corruption
partly.
h) Corruption undermines the fairness of institutions and processes and distorts policies
and priorities. As a result, corruption damages the legitimacy of regimes leading to a
loss of public support and trust for state and government institutions.
i) Corruption impacts on the ability of the State to protect and fulfil its human rights
obligations and to deliver relevant services, including a functioning judiciary, law
enforcement, health, education, and social services.
j) In countries where corruption pervades governments and legal systems, law
enforcement, legal reform and the fair administration of justice are impeded by corrupt
politicians, judges, lawyers, prosecutors, police officers, investigators and auditors.

Key issues faced by Malaysia in the battle against corruption as identified in

NACP2019-2023:
a) Interference of politicians in government administration and finance
 Politicians have mostly interfered in administrative (and financial) matters
whereby they see as potentially crucial in serving their own interests at the expense
of the rules and regulations  happen in decision-making processes especially
those involving procurement, job appointment and legal system.
 According to the MACC, from 2012 until 2014, the majority of such recorded cases
is from the construction sector’s procurement e.g., negotiations with the
middlemen.
b) Lack of leadership and political will
 This lack in the implementation of anti-corruption controls have affected the
sustainability and the effectiveness of the anti-corruption initiatives undertaken
thus far. Most, if not all, corruption-deterrent initiatives are either late, slow or
unpopular to be implemented.
 Several outstanding initiatives (announced during the last administration) that are
still pending for implementation are as follows:
1. Transparency in asset declarations and gift management policy by Members
of the Administration (including Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister);
2. The introduction of Misconduct of Public Office provision;
3. The setting up of an independent agency in managing seized and forfeited
assets;
4. The initiation of proper guidelines on lobbyists; and
5. Demarcation of power between Ministers and Secretary Generals.
c) Independence of legislation and enforcement bodies
 Legislative institution and enforcement agencies need to be strengthened and
eventually transformed into independent entities with full power to execute their
functions. The MACC, for instance, must be allowed to execute its functions
independently and effectively without any political interference.
 Political interference in the 1MDB and FELDA scandals had been among the
biggest obstacle to the MACC’s and AGC’s executing their functions between
2015 and 2016. It had also created administrative chaos which then led to high-
profile reshuffling of the MACC’s top management. The issue was captured by the
Bertelsmenn Foundation in its Bertelsmenn Stiftung Transformation Index (BTI)
for 2018 as well as by the CPI for 2017.
d) Light punishment to corruption offenders
 The general penalty for any corruption-related offence in the Malaysian Anti-
Corruption Commission Act 2009 (Act 694) is imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 20 years whereas the previous Anti-Corruption Act 1997 (Act 575)
provides for imprisonment for a term of not less than 14 days and not more than 20
years.
 As such, of the two, the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694) does not set a minimum number
of days for imprisonment. This can be interpreted as such that offenders do not

have to serve minimum jail time. Consequently, this makes the Act 694 insensible
hence is outdated and needs to be amended.
e) Lack of monitoring and enforcement
 Malaysia has adequate legislation but unfortunately, its enforcement is far below
expectation. The fact is monitoring and enforcement are essential to ensure that all
processes and procedures comply with the existing legal framework.
 Government agencies, in general, often lack the capacity to inspect, audit and
review the implementation of its activities. Among the reasons why monitoring and
enforcement efforts fail can be attributed to the lack of resources namely
manpower, skills, technology, methods and financial resources.
f) Limited adoption of technology in fighting corruption
 In fighting against corruption, technology changes must be taken into consideration
by the Government in order to ensure the role of technology is strategically
embedded within the efforts to increase Government’s integrity, accountability and
transparency.
 This is especially true in the areas of enforcement, procurement, licensing and
services. Technology adoption will bring a positive image to the Government
agencies in delivering its services. The digital integration inter- and intra-agencies
is currently limited. Therefore, the application of modern technology to curb
corruption.
g) Lack of public support and confidence
 Public trust is heavily dependent upon transparency and accountability in the
Government’s operations.
 Corruption diminishes public support, hence hamper the Government’s ability to
fulfil its duty in ensuring conducive services and development for the people.
Other important obstacles in battling against corruption in Malaysia

a) Institutional reforms have stalled
 Failure to table and pass the Political Funding Bill. As a result money politics is
still rampant during elections.
 IPCMC Bill was revised to a watered down, ineffective IPCC Bill.
 Acquittal or Discharge Not Amounting to Acquittal (DNAA) to high profile
personalities in several corruption cases.
 Limited access to information on matters of public interest. Should not hide under
the non-disclosure clause in agreements unless it directly impacts national security.
 Continued abuse of power and corruption by enforcement agencies. For example,
despite MACC’s crack down on petty corruption in the Immigration Department,
bribe taking and fraudulent issuance of visas remains a perennial problem.
 Lack of political will from various administrations in fighting institutional
corruption.
 Appointment of politicians without experience to head GLCs/GLICs.
 Corruption within the system appears to be embedded.
 Lack of progress on amendments to the Whistle Blower Protection Act 2010.

 Continued adverse findings and repeated governance failures observed in the

Auditor General’s annual report.
 Lack of action against public officials found to have abused their position.
 Limited update on the progress of the National Anti-Corruption Plan’s (NACP)
115 initiatives.
b) An effective and independent MACC
 First and foremost, the head of the MACC should be appointed through a process
that ensures their independence, impartiality, neutrality, integrity, apolitical stance,
and competence.
 Their appointment must be based on non-political and non-partisan criteria. The
degree to which the MACC can function truly independently hinges on its ability
to fight corruption effectively.
 The principle that these agencies should be independent is axiomatic. Being free
from undue influence is generally stated in the form of being free from politics.

CHAPTER 3: SOCIAL ISSUES -- RACIAL UNITY AND EDUCATION
1. RACIAL UNITY
Unity amidst diversity

 The Department of National Unity defines national unity as "a situation in which all
citizens from the various ethnic groups, religions, and states live in peace as one united
nationality, giving full commitment to national identity based upon the Federal
Constitution and the Rukunegara".
 Malaysia is one of the most plural and heterogeneous countries in the world, with three
major ethnic groups — Malay, Chinese, and Indian — plus several other indigenous
tribes. This ethnic and cultural diversity is reflected in the wide variety of languages
spoken and religions practiced in Malaysia; even within the same ethnic group, various
traditions prevail.
The importance of promoting unity amidst diversity in Malaysia

a) Promote the development of the country
 Each race, with their sets of dominant cultural beliefs and practices, has their
inborn and nurtured characteristics that can be of contributory value to the growth
of the nation.
 Racial unity  the strength of each race is brought together and produces a huge
positive impact on the development of the country.
b) Attracting foreign tourists and investors
 Diversity among races  a point of attraction to tourists as they can sample the
various cultural heritage of different races – promoting the tourism industry in the
country.
 Diversity in the country  provides attractive opportunities for foreign investors
to market their goods and services.
 If we allow our diversity to tear our social fabric apart  economic loss to our
country  no one would be interested to visit or invest in a country that is marred
by instability.
c) Promote the acceptance and appreciation of diversity
 Unity amidst diversity  an indicator that Malaysians adopt the attitude of being
broad in their acceptance of values of others.
 The acceptance of differing views and values  Malaysians are able to appreciate
the contribution of other races in the country.
d) Maintaining national and regional peace and harmony
 Racial tensions and conflicts are common in multiracial countries. When Malaysia
becomes a role model in maintaining unity amidst diversity, it brings forth a
positive influence to the neighbouring countries, especially in countries like
Myanmar which is in still in the midst of religious clashes.

 Therefore, the unity in Malaysia can become a stabilizing factor to the peace and
harmony in the region.
Challenges encountered in attaining racial unity in Malaysia

Modern Malaysia is increasingly forced to confront the tensions arising from this fount of
diversity, and the politics of race and religion. Malaysia has been free of ethnic bloodshed,
but as Malaysians enter into a new era of globalization, there have been some new
challenges that test the unity foundation of the country.
a) The rise of political and religious extremism

 Extremism or radicalism could never bring together the masses of different race,
culture and belief system into one common end.
 Extremism contradicts to a peaceful coexistence among races  an extremist
group will look down upon another group of different believers and perceived as
enemies.
b) Irresponsible use of the social media
 Some parties posted inflammatory and derogatory statements about other races.
 Such hate messages are could be incited by certain incidences that involve parties
of different ethnicity and religious backgrounds – e.g.: car accident – or could be
fanned by certain extremist view of certain parties about another ethnic or religion.
c) Repeated debates on the establishment of vernacular schools
 Vernacular schools are already enshrined in the Constitution and the law, even
included in the National (Education) Blueprint  but their establishment has been
a contentious issue among politicians and even academicians.
 New debates  vernacular schools are hotbeds for racism and anti-establishment
sentiments and therefore certain parties proposed that vernacular schools be
abolished. Dissatisfactions among the supporters of vernacular schools  seen as
an infringement of their right to learn their mother tongue.
d) Heavy politicking in recent years
 Since the General Election 2013  many Malaysians are becoming more
politically aware of their civic right to vote for a better government.
 Political parties have been aggressively putting forth their rationales on various
issues to win the heart and mind of the people, particularly the race that they are
representing, in preparation of gaining their vote of confidence for the next
election  no united solution to the issue  further dividing the people.
e) The failure of Malaysia governance systems and its link to our highly charged race-
based political landscape
 Many of the country’s race-based policies can be traced back to the New Economic
Policy (NEP), which was announced in 1970 as a means to eradicate poverty and
redesign society by eliminating the association of any one race with specific
economic functions.

 While undoubtedly successful in the early stages as it uplifted millions of poor

Malays who had been disenfranchised by colonial rule, the NEP is now failing to
fulfil its purpose, as any fair-minded observer can see.
 Today, a large segment of the Malay population continues to struggle
economically, while at the other end of the spectrum, an elite and privileged class
has been lulled into a culture of entitlement. The latter, in not speaking out against
a system that has become racist in practice, is guilty of tolerating and even
supporting it.
 Race-based policies that are discriminatory and used by the political and business
elites to enrich themselves at the expense of others are the reason we have become
a racially divided nation.
 It is also why the poor among the Malays are the most disenfranchised Malaysians
and regressing in more ways than one. They are the most affected victims of a
racist system which uses them to enrich elites.
 Institutional racism takes many forms in Malaysia and most would be
unacceptable in any progressive society. Racism is evident in rigid quotas for
Malays – regardless of need – in public education, access to jobs in the government
and government-linked companies, benefits of mortgage reduction and reserved
equity in listed companies.
 Recognising the power that elite Malays have in shaping the politics of the country
is by no means denying the adverse role that the elite of every other ethnic group
plays in entrenching this racist architecture in the political economy.
 Just as the government-linked companies are dominated by Malays, large Chinese
businesses are dominated by Chinese and Indian businesses by Indians, thereby
deepening the racial divide.
Several initiatives taken by the government
TN 50 Dialogue  TN50 dialogue was an initiative by Prime Minister Datuk

Seri Najib Tun Razak to gather the aspirations of some 1.5
million youth in the country for Malaysia’s 2050 National
Transformation roadmap.
 During the dialogue which was held at Tunku Abdul
Rahman University College on 17 April 2017, youngsters
wanted to be seen as Malaysians first. Datuk Seri Liow
Tiong Lai said that “We (the Government and the youth)
share core values such as respect, unity and harmony.”
Vision 2020  Targeting developed status for Malaysia by the year 2020.
 National unity is named as a key component of a developed
country.
“Bangsa Malaysia” Emphasises that the people are able to:
(Malaysian Nation) ✔ identify themselves with the country
policy ✔ speak Bahasa Malaysia (the Malay language)

✔ accept the Constitution.

National Service Aims to address racial polarisation and encourage national
programme unity by bringing youths from a variety of backgrounds
together in one setting.
1Malaysia  Emphasises ethnic harmony and national unity.
 Values of perseverance, a culture of excellence, acceptance,
loyalty, education, humility, integrity, and meritocracy.
2. EDUCATION
The issue of vernacular schools – to remain or to abolish?

There are about 1,200 Chinese primary schools and about 523 Tamil schools in Malaysia.
Over 650,000 children attend vernacular schools and these constitute about 95 per cent of
Chinese children and about 55 per cent of Indian children.
Reasons why vernacular ought to remain

a) Sustaining minority language to sustain minority culture and identity
 One of the key arguments for the persistence of vernacular schools is in sustaining
minorities’ culture, especially in the Malaysian case, the sustenance of Chinese and
Indian culture.
 The identity of minorities in terms of their mother tongue is very much dependent
or rooted in the medium of instruction of the vernacular school.
 Also certain subjects that create cultural awareness such as literature, history and
ethics are all embedded in this vernacular stream.
 Besides the cultural roots and needs thesis, mother tongue education is also
perceived as both an individual and social rights concerns.
 In short the survival of the minority culture and identity has been squarely placed
on the role of vernacular schools to impart cultural education and identity.
b) Perceived higher quality and market advantage in vernacular school education
 Some argue that the persistence of vernacular schools seen from the increasing
demand for vernacular schools as not for the reason of language alone but quality
issue.
 The vernacular school system imparts extra quality issues through discipline,
values and performance which are sought after by parents.
 The demand for these schools is getting higher because it is seen as an alternative
to the national schools.
 Abolishing vernacular schools will not solve the problem as it will only force a
higher demand for alternative private schools. Thus the issue of quality becomes
the concern of parents and stakeholders at large.
c) Lack of accommodation of minorities’ mother tongue education in the national school
 Critics argue that if the national schools have been more forthcoming in
accommodating the main minority languages, it would have been easier to form a

more inclusive education under one roof (i.e. national school) instead of a separate
roof (i.e. vernacular school).
 Suspicion and lack of faith in the State’s effort in incorporating multilingual and
multicultural education in the national school system has been a key factor for the
persistence of vernacular schools.
 This lack of faith was reflected by a headmaster from a primary school in Sarawak
who opined that the “Chinese society is against the idea of integration school like
the sekolah wawasan [vision school]. Why? Because they are scared that they’ll
lose the identity of Chinese schools. When under sekolah wawasan [vision school],
the Chinese school will become merged with other schools.”
d) Counterpoints to the role of vernacular schools in not promoting racial or national
integration
 Beyond school environment or other external factors, responses from the Chinese
school stakeholders argue that ethnic integration issue is externalized and not due
to vernacular schools per se.
 Besides school environment and government policy, some argue that educators,
community and media play a role in inculcating national integration.
 Others point out that segregated school environments exist in other social spaces
such as independent and private schools, religious schools, mono-ethnic residential
schools, mono-ethnic MARA junior colleges and even universities (such as UiTM).
 They question why there were no calls to abolish these institutions. They also
question whether there are more to national integration than social environment
alone.
Reasons why vernacular should be abolished

a) National identity through national schools and not vernacular schools
 The cause of national schools for nation building purposes is without doubt an
avenue for the State to shape the society with positive values and perspectives
celebrating the nation’s diverse community make up.
 As such, the national school can be a microcosm reflective of the Malaysian
society. This ideal if properly cultivated will provide a collective view of a sense
of belonging, trust and shared destiny.
 In the Malaysian case, the common and popular ideal is the promotion of the idea
of single language stream (monolingualism) with Bahasa Melayu (Malay
language) as the medium of instruction in the national school but there were also
options for bilingualism as in the case of teaching of Maths and Sciences in English.
b) Cross-cultural experience and communication in national cultural foundations
 The nation’s cultural foundations and values are reinforced in national schools and
this serves as a platform to grapple with the idea of a racially and culturally diverse
Malaysian society.
 Thus by creating a Malaysian fabric in the national school, it will facilitate cross-
cultural experience that will influence beliefs and behaviour of students and
eventually develop skills to engage in communication. Thus, the opportunity to

interact with wider sections of the community with different languages and
different ethnic groups are enlarged through the national school platform.
 Here the vernacular schools are perceived to be limited in view of the lack of a
common national language to play a facilitating role, besides lack of opportunity
for cross-cultural experience with a wider mix of ethnic groups.
 If there are a greater number of vernacular schools present, then there is also less
possibility for a greater mix of ethnic groups in national schools.
c) Vernacular school as segregative and divisive obstacle to unity
 From the idea of schools as a reinforcing agent of values and perspective,
vernacular school with its parochial mother tongue language as medium of
instruction and ethnically preference groups were perceived to be segregative in
nature as partial values of a minority group is projected and not the national
aspiration.
 Besides that, the lack of opportunities for students to interact with the wider mix of
people acts as an obstacle to unity.
 This is more so a problem if the students come from a segregated living
environment and end up in a segregated vernacular school which could be
counterproductive to the unity aspiration if these students were to continue until
the secondary level.
Recommendations to improve the quality and the function of vernacular schools in

the Malaysian context
a) Enhancing Bahasa Melayu
 More than 30 per cent of the students from vernacular schools fail to obtain a
minimum level of proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia after six years of primary
education.
 A need for comprehensive review of policy and implementation especially the
teaching methods to ensure that students from vernacular schools are provided with
the opportunities to acquire good command of Bahasa Melayu, both in oral and
written forms.
b) More autonomy for vernacular schools in running the schools including in the hiring
and firing of teachers
 Appointment of school heads  to be professionally done, not politically done.
 A decentralised educational system is recommended by giving more power to
school heads.
Unemployment among fresh graduates

 According to Economic Outlook 2019, many vacancies in the market are in low and
semi-skilled jobs which are less preferred and not suitable for fresh graduates.
 Moreover, job experience is an important indicator of employability. According to the
report, a survey conducted by the World Bank and Talent Corporation in 2014 found
that 90 per cent of companies believe that university graduates should have more
industrial training by the time they graduate.

 This study also indicates that “less than 10 per cent of companies had experience in
developing curricula or programmes with universities”.
 The issue seems to stem from both sides, and the government has implemented several
measures to encourage companies to assist graduates. Currently, more than 500
companies including the Maybank group, CIMB, Axiata, Celcom, Huawei and Intel are
working closely with the Education Ministry to improve graduate employability.
 Suggested measures by the government:
 identifying skills needed for the industries
 main streaming technical and vocational education and training
 reducing dependency on foreign workers
 cultivating an entrepreneurship culture in Malaysia
Reasons why Malaysian fresh graduates are unemployed

a) Unrealistic salary and remuneration expectation
 According to a survey by Jobstreet, certain fresh graduates are demanding as high
as RM6,500 as their starting salary.
 However, in reality, in order to earn more than RM5,000 in Malaysia, one need to
meet several job requirements where past working experience is an essential factor.
b) Clueless
 One of the most common interview questions is “Where do you see yourself in 5
years?” The reason why this is often asked is to gauge if the candidate understands
the advertised position and whether s/he has a future plan and knows what career
path is in place for the position.
 Employers enter each recruitment initiative in search of “the right person for the
right job” expectation. They care for your career goals of the job candidates to
ensure that they hire those who are always motivated, empowered and are likely to
stay in the company.
 When candidates are unable to clearly define what their future plan is, the outlook
is that they are not serious with their application and this might translate into an
unsuccessful job application.
c) Lack of critical thinking skills
 Our education system has been built in such way where the importance has been
given to be able to provide exact answers rather than allowing room for critical
thinking skills.
 Being relatively new to the workforce, one glaring short-fall in our workforce is
the ability to think not only analytically, but also critically.
 Candidates who are able to portray these during interviews are more likely to be
successful.
 These are the kind of candidates that would be regarded as “talents” in an
organization, people with high potentials would be an asset to the organization if
given the right guidance and grooming.

d) Communication skills
 One of the most sought after requirement for an employee, especially for a large
organization is communication skills.
 Some high potential candidates with excellent grades flop at interviews due to
failure to display the ability to communicate and articulate ideas clearly.
 Communication skills here is not singularly pointed at the ability to converse
fluently but also includes body language, and the ability to convey information
effectively and efficiently.
e) Poor character and self esteem
 If the job candidate is late for interviews, dressed inappropriately, and poorly
groomed, it not would be sending the best first impressions to the panel of
interviewers and effectively narrowing his/her chances of securing a job
placement.
 A survey finding shows that a majority of graduates register on online job sites and
wait for potential employers contact them. Some of them have only attended less
than 5 interviews in 2 years. The REAL problem is, most unemployed graduates
lack the desire and drive to succeed or change their lives.
f) Economic downturn due to Covid-19 pandemic
 In 2020, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) said 75,000 out of 300,000
fresh graduates are expected to be unemployed this year due to the economic
downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
 According to the statistics given by the Ministry of Higher Education, 41,161 out
of 330,557 graduates from last 2019 are still unemployed.
 With the addition of 75,000 from the year 2020, the total unemployment among
the group will add up to a whopping 116,161 people.
Digital Education
Fourth industrial revolution
 The fourth industrial revolution is upon us. With the rise of the digital economy in
Malaysia and worldwide, robots or intelligent computer systems could displace
traditional jobs and is expected to replace not just unskilled, but also semi-skilled and
skilled labour in the near future. With plans to embrace digital economy, the
government has to look at the cost to employment that may come with digitisation and
how it affects the economy and social economic system. Without concrete initiatives
taken, the country will be sitting on social economic time bomb that can explode when
people are out of work.
 Our education system is not fit for purpose of a digital economy. Therefore, the
government needs to take measures to educate the young and adults about the needs of
this economy.
Revamping the education system in Malaysia

 In line with advancing the Internet Economy, MDEC recently launched
#mydigitalmaker movement, an initiative to create a nation of digital makers. This

movement in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the support of
private sectors and academia, will expose Malaysian youth to the creative and
innovative aspects of digital technology through the integration of Computational
Thinking and Computer Science into formal school curriculum; as well as getting
industry and universities to help nurture and groom talented young digital makers
through extra co-curriculum activities.
 There are great plans to revamp the education system in Malaysia, as seen in
the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025, prepared by the Ministry of Education
Malaysia. The blueprint aims to equip our students holistically to get them ready for a
challenging future of Industry 4.0 and digitalization, and it serves as a guide to the way:
a. students learn
b. educators are trained
c. the ministry lays out a process for that transformation to happen
 According to The Microsoft Asia Digital Transformation Study, while most education
leaders (87 per cent) are aware of the urgent need to transform digitally, the actual
transformation journey with full digital strategy in place for most educational
institutions in Asia is still at its infancy.
Digital education in schools

The Ministry of Education Malaysia will continue promoting digital education in various
ways:
a) 1BestariNet
 Under 1BestariNet, schools are given access to the cloud-based learning platform
– the Frog Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) –with high-speed 4G Internet
connectivity.
b) Digital textbook
 In 2014, The Education Ministry introduced digital textbook, with flippable pages
of text and graphic, that can be accessed online as an alternative to the printed
version in a bid to take the national education system to greater heights. The
emphasis is on self-education where pupils and students can refer to the textbook
at any time and place based on their respective levels.
 The digitalisation of school textbook is being done in three phases as stipulated in
the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025:
First phase The ministry had uploaded 313 textbooks that could be accessed
(2013-2015) free of charge through the 1BestariNet portal using the ID provided
to all teachers and students.
Second phase The ministry is planning to produce interactive textbook for
(2016-2020) selected subjects, which will contain elements of text, graphic,
audio-visual and animation, to help students understand the subject
better.
Third phase The publication of digital textbook for all subjects, including for
(2021-2025) students with special needs

 When the time comes, schoolchildren would be allowed to bring their own
electronic devices, such as tablet and iPad, to access the digital textbook at school
to replace the printed version.
 If the system works, it will solve the problem of heavy school bags, which has been
raised repeatedly by parents. It is believed that digital textbooks will help students
become more active in class, as opposed to traditional textbooks.
c) Digital Education Transformation
 Partnering with Telekom Malaysia Bhd ™ to embark on a Digital Education
Transformation initiative to empower the Malaysian education system through
innovation and digitalisation.
 The long-term partnership would enable the ministry to boost and accelerate its
digital transformation journey through high-speed broadband connectivity,
interactive smartboard, smart devices, as well as teaching and learning the 21st
century way.
 The transformation will also digitise the students' tracking and attendance system
for their own safety, as parents and teachers will have real-time visibility of the
students' attendance.
Challenges in digital education in schools

a) The extra burden shouldered by the educators under the system
 The system is said to be frequently jammed. The system needs to be fixed and
upgraded to that the data keyed in the system will not get lost.
b) Incorporating the acquisition of problem-solving abilities in education
 Malaysia should encourage cognitive learning that involves the acquisition of
problem-solving abilities.
c) Equal access for all
 The Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) has reminded the education
ministry to ensure that all students have equal access if the ministry intends to
implement the digital textbook system. Good internet coverage is needed to access
the digital textbooks from wherever they are. Otherwise, some children will benefit
while others will not because of the logistics and any related internet infrastructure
problem in their area.
 There is also the possible shortage of devices made available at every school.
While every student is given one physical textbook that does not mean that each
student will then get one device. Some would probably have to share.
d) Durability of digital textbooks
 In the past, electronic gadgets, such as netbooks and e-books were distributed
before, but most of these devices broke down after a year. The problem is with the
maintenance of these gadgets. Books can be recycled but gadgets cannot be
recycled.
 It is not just about issuing devices but also maintaining them as well. These devices
cannot be replaced every year as then it would become expensive.

Digital education in public universities

 In 2015, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) today announced the launch of 60
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offered by 20 public universities in Malaysia.
All the courses are available for free, and are open for enrolment by students at these
universities and members of the public.
 The courses encompass a wide selection of topics ranging from Business, Engineering,
Entrepreneurship, Finance, Healthcare, Languages, Technology and many more. All
courses are available for free on OpenLearning,com, which is the official MOOC
platform for all public institutions of higher education in Malaysia. Courses are
delivered primarily in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Arabic, depending on the topic or
subject matter.
 The launch is a major milestone in the Government’s commitment in leveraging
technologies like MOOCs and innovations such as blended learning to ensure that
students have a transformative learning experience.
 A blended learning approach combines online and in-class activities, moving away
from passive lectures to more active learning, which results in better learning outcomes.
Shift 9 of the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint 2015-2025 speaks of ‘Globalised
Online Learning’ as a key focus for the Ministry in building and exporting Malaysia’s
global education brand.
 Malaysia is the first country in the world to implement a nationwide strategy that
integrates MOOCs with on-campus university classes. Public universities will develop
MOOCs on core modules and students from the 20 public universities will participate
in those courses through OpenLearning’s social learning platform. The OpenLearning
platform promotes student autonomy and helps to foster a community of students who
engage and motivate each other throughout the course.
Malaysia Higher Education Forum (MyHEF) 2017 (Nov 23 – 24, 2017)

During the forum, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Alibaba
Business School and Universiti Utara Malaysia. The MoU was for the nurturing and
training of IT, e-commerce, and big data, in public universities nationwide. Some of the
highlighted matters are as follows:
a) The need to redesign education for Industry 4.0

 Higher education cannot be too academic  must look at the kind of experiences
university students need so that they can be trained in multi-disciplinary fields.
 While the difference between us and robots are narrowing, critical thinking and
strong communication skills are our advantage. Although these are skills were in
demand 10 years ago, they are still what bosses want today. These skills will still
be important moving forward. Extra-curricular activities should be made an
integral part of learning so that students can become a well-rounded individual with
strong skillsets.

 Core skills like being a team player, and being analytical, are important, because
the challenge doesn’t end at Industry 4.0. The future will see many more industrial
revolutions.
 A decade from now, 65 per cent of current jobs will disappear but there will always
be a need for the “human touch”. Unity and patience will ensure that we rise above
the challenges ahead.
 The Internet will create many new opportunities but we must be self-critical, and
embrace life-long experiential learning. Varsities are here to serve the economy,
teaching students the skill to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
 To face global competition, Malaysia must produce holistic, entrepreneurial,
innovative and balanced graduates. The recent Higher Education Forum 2017 looks
at how we can create a sustainable, dynamic, and innovative, higher education
ecosystem.
b) Education that focuses on creating jobs
 In the new economy, it’s no longer about finding the right job - it’s about creating
it. For example, in China, 30 million jobs are created through the Alibaba platform,
giving many opportunities for the youth. The Alibaba Business School was
launched globally to share Alibaba’s experiences.
 Industry 4.0 needs individuals who are Internet-savvy and e-commerce enabled,
can write code, and design apps. Education is critical because it’s the graduates
who will push this initiative of digital economy forward.
c) Collaboration of various stakeholders
 The private sector, academic institutions, parents, and policy makers, have crucial
roles to play in the education ecosystem. Policy makers must guard our tech
generation by championing an open system, being bold in making unpopular
decisions, and putting education above politics. Academic institutions must serve
as incubators of tomorrow’s technopreneurs, while the private sector become
enablers by investing in research and development.
 The private sector is encouraged to help finance the universities. Collaboration
between the industry and academia  CEOs can be engaged to help shape the
curricular in higher education so that higher education provides what is needed by
the industry.
 When industry works with universities, future talents who are ready for the ‘real
world’, get created. Individuals who are proactive team players, with integrity,
curiosity and a progressive mind set are needed in the future job market. Besides
parents too have to play their part to inspire the tech generation.
d) On-demand learning through MOOCs
 There’s a need to rethink our education model and how to educate for the future.
Lauding the German system, the nation is renowned for its industrial training where
skilled workers are just as respected as professionals. A plumber can sit with a
lawyer or engineer and there’s mutual respect around the table because knowledge
is not synonymous with having a degree.

 Hailing cloud-based learning as an affordable, and content-rich platform with much

potential for learning, the open system allows fast access and adoption of the best
courses from anywhere in the world for anyone with a laptop or smartphone.
Learning becomes easy, with adaptability being the most important skill to have.
Emergence of international schools

Introduction
 An increasing number of multinational companies now based in Malaysia, including
Nestlé, Hewlett Packard and KPMG, bring in a huge number of expatriates to fill senior-
level positions, along with their families. With them come high expectations of
schooling, so demand for the best international schools is intense.
 According to figures from LEK Consulting Global Education Practice, Malaysia’s
Klang Valley, an area that covers Kuala Lumpur and its adjoining cities and towns,
accounts for almost half (45 per cent) of the private K-12 market and is expected to
grow marginally faster than the rest of Malaysia over the next five years. There are
more than 50,000 students enrolled in international curriculum schools in the region.
The international curriculum has been fuelling this growth, and has increased by around
eight per cent.
 However, the country has experienced some expatriate departures, mainly from within
the oil and gas industry. This has created availability of places at some premium
international schools, which offer excellent education opportunities for international
families.
 Increasing numbers of local Malaysian children are now attending the country’s
international schools. In 2012, Malaysia’s government removed a 40 per cent limit that
had restricted many local children. This change in policy, as well as other government
regulations (such as the requirement for Malaysian national schools to deliver
Mathematics and Science in Bahasa Melayu), has paved the way for a substantial
increase in demand from local students enrolling at international schools.
 These factors have resulted in a major change in the size and demographic of Malaysia’s
international-schools market. According to ISC Research's Market Intelligence Report
for Malaysia, the total number of English-medium international schools in the country
has increased by 75 per cent since 2012, and student enrolment has increased by 87 per
cent. A further 12 new international schools opened in the 2018/19 academic year,
according to figures outlined by ISC Research at their 2019 conference.
 The greatest influence on change has been from Malaysian students. Approximately 50
per cent of all international-school students in Malaysia are now locals. For this reason,
several schools are expanding their campuses to respond to the demand, and more
schools are opening.
 Experts are concerned as Malaysian students in international schools now significantly
outnumber their foreign counterparts:
 This has raised questions of whether international schools have deviated from its
original purpose of catering to children of foreign nationals such as expatriates and
diplomats.

 Local academics and education experts worry this may lead to an “identity crisis”
among local students ― that not being educated in a national school may lead to
them feeling (and being) less Malaysian.
 According to academics and education experts, this is an unhealthy trend as
separation between Malaysian students and the national education system will be
vast and could affect the students’ identity as Malaysians.
 Principal fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Ethnic Studies
Professor Teo Kok Seong agreed that the different curriculum in international
schools will affect national building aspirations.
 A fellow academic Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Arshad said the freedom of enrolment
among local students into international schools will affect nation building efforts.
“The competition between national schools and international schools is not levelled
as international schools have far more financial resources compared to national
schools,” he said.
 A member of the National Education Advisory Council Datin Noor Azimah Abdul
Rahim said there is nothing to worry about as the percentage of Malaysian students in
international schools only make up less than five per cent of the total number of
Malaysian students nationwide.
 While acknowledging that national school standards are trailing behind that at
international schools, Noor Azimah who is also Parents Action Group for Education
(Page) chairman, said all is not lost.
 “I sent my children to national schools. They turned out fine. Some parents are spoilt
but if they have the means, it's up to them,” she said when contacted by Malay Mail.
 That said, Noor Azimah suggested that the government look into how it can improve
and raise the standards of national schools to gain public confidence.
Why are international schools gaining popularity?

a) Well-rounded holistic education
 Malaysian public education has always had a strong academic focus, emphasising
on rote-learning and exam-based assessments. As such, students spend most of
their time listening to the lesson prepared by the teacher that does little to develop
their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
 International schools take on a more hands-on approach to learning with a focus on
personal development by encouraging students to “think outside the box”.
 These prove to be better tools in helping students develop into well-rounded adults
who can carry themselves well in real life situations.
b) Diverse and internationally recognised curriculum
 Public schools have a standardised curriculum where every student must take the
same core subjects and electives.
 While students can choose to go into arts or science streams in upper secondary
school, a larger emphasis is still placed on science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) subjects compared to the arts.

 On the other hand, international schools utilise curriculum from other countries,
which is therefore recognised worldwide and conducted fully in English.
 These curricula differ from local systems by offering a wider range of subjects for
the arts and humanities stream which are not available in most public schools.
These include fine arts, music, literature and drama.
c) Low student-to-teacher ratio
 It is always best if a teacher is able to help every single student in their class.
However, sometimes that is impossible, especially in public schools where the
average number of students in a class can go up to 40.
 Public school teachers also have to teach several classes in a day and therefore
cannot cater individually to each student. Hence, students will have to either figure
out the subjects by themselves or through private tuition after school.
 On the other hand, smaller class sizes in international schools allow teachers to
spend a significant amount of time to hone or go over any of their students’
strengths and weaknesses in any area or subject.
d) Exposure to new cultures
 Malaysia is racially and culturally diverse. However, for students who have grown
up in the country, these cultures have blended over the years and become familiar.
 International schools present the option of expanding one’s interaction beyond just
Malaysians to people from various countries, who may have vastly different
cultures than a purely Asian.
 This will expose children to different people and situations to cultivate their
understanding and acceptance for people of different backgrounds.
e) Extra opportunities for extracurricular activities
 Both public and international schools include extracurricular activities in their
curriculum. However, the number and variety of these activities are restricted in
public schools due to government standardising and shortage of school funding.
 International school fees include everything they have to offer to the students,
including a wider variety of extracurricular activities and a larger budget for out-
of-classroom opportunities.
 These activities can help children find and develop new skills in the area they are
interested in and gain confidence in their talents.

CHAPTER 4: SOCIAL ISSUES -- ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND HUMAN

TRAFFICKING
1. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Definition
 Illegal migration  a regular migration, undocumented migration or clandestine
migration.
 Illegal immigrant  a foreigner who either has illegally crossed an international
political border, or a foreigner who has entered a country legally but then overstays his
or her visa.
 Illegal immigration  immigration across national borders in a way that violates the
immigration law of the destination country.
 The Immigration Act describes undocumented migrants consist of a person who is
unlawfully enter or remain in Malaysia.
i. Refugees and asylum seekers are equally subject to the Immigration Act as other
undocumented migrants.
ii. However, refugees and asylum seekers who are registered under the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will permissible to stay in
Malaysia.
iii. Malaysian immigration law does not provide special protection or procedures for
asylum seekers refuges or trafficked persons nor does it make special provisions
for children or women, including pregnant women.
iv. He or she is liable to being imprisoned, whipped, detained and removed.
Statistics of illegal immigrants

 Malaysia has experienced a rise in foreign labour inflows in response to steady
economic expansion and demographic changes.
 Malaysia is arguably the second largest flow of illegal immigrants after the movements
across the U.S.-Mexico border.
 The foreign workforce has been hovering around 15 per cent of the total labour force
in recent years according to Labour Force Surveys by the Department of Statistics
Malaysia (DOSM).
 Foreign labour is concentrated in low-skilled occupations, and in Malaysia the term
“foreign worker” specifically implies a foreigner doing low-skilled work.
 These foreign workers come from neighbouring countries, predominantly Indonesia,
Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines.
 Foreign labour makes important contributions to the labour market and economic
growth. Immigrants address labour market imbalances by filling labour shortages in
low-skilled, labour-intensive sectors.

 As a result, low-skilled foreign workers complement the majority of Malaysian workers

and contribute to creating jobs for higher-skilled Malaysian natives, enabling
Malaysians to specialize and increase their wage premiums, as research has shown.
 At the aggregate level, foreign labour supports domestic consumption and fuels
economic growth as demonstrated through a computable general equilibrium model.
 Yet, concerns over illegal immigrants have been growing. Heated discussions have
taken place on the number of irregular foreign workers in Malaysia as there is no
definitive estimate of the number of illegal immigrants.
 To illustrate the magnitude, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) reported that four
out of ten foreign workers are illegals, based on its enforcement and amnesty program
operations, suggesting the number of illegal immigrants to be about 1.2 million in 2017
and the total foreign worker population of about 3 million. Unofficial data suggests as
many as 4 million illegal immigrants.
Factors of illegal immigration

Push factors
a) Political struggle in the source country
 Authoritarian regimes in the source countries are considered as the primary reason
for illegal immigration.
 Political struggles within ethnic movements, or other violent removals from power
 combined with interstate conflict in many large parts of the world gives a
significant motivation to illegal immigration.
b) The deterioration of stability and security generates a massive displacement of
population
 A large proportion try somewhat to get in the neighbouring countries illegally.

 Not deterred by reform and enforcement of the immigration policies in most

destination countries which have developed selective immigration and set new
rules for any kind of stay.
Pull factors
a) Prosperity, stability and population decline in the destination countries
 Before 21st century, Filipino and Indonesian (Kalimantan) had entered Sabah
because the stability in the state.
 The number of local people was not high.
b) Demand for low skill workers
 Many occupations (agricultural and construction) do not require high skilled
workers.
 Employers in host countries continue to hire them at wages highly superior to
wages in the source countries.
Impact from the illegal immigrants

a) Economy
 Positive impact: illegal immigrants are willing take up the jobs in agriculture and
construction sector that are refused by legal residents  help to develop the
country.
 Negative impact: caused financial burden to the country  to manage foreign
prisoners in prisons.
b) Social destabilization
 Confusion of identity because of the similarity of the faces among the illegal
immigrant and local people – e.g. General Election 2013, where a few Malaysian
Indians were mistaken to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
 The emergence illegal squatter’s settlement  a negative image of Malaysia.
c) National security
 Illegal immigrants have been involved and convicted for crimes ranging from petty
theft to rape and high profile robberies and murders.
 Malaysian security forces have also regularly uncovered supplies of weapons in
illegal immigrant squatters distributed throughout peninsular and East Malaysia.
 Conflicts from the source country may spill over to Malaysia, like in the case of
the clashes of the Myanmar immigrants.
d) Contagious diseases
 Close to half of foreign workers who underwent medical tests in 2014 are infected
with the contagious airborne disease tuberculosis (TB), the Malaysian Medical
Association (MMA) has said.
 Those who know they are ill and cannot come in through the legal channel will
choose to come in illegally.

Refugees in Malaysia
Statistics
 The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) defines refugees as
those who have “fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an
international border to find safety in another country”.
 As of end April 2019, there are about 170,460 refugees and asylum-seekers registered
with UNHCR in Malaysia, with the following breakdown:
Myanmar – 147,590
Pakistan – 6,150
Yemenis – 3,350
Somalis – 3,090
Syrians – 3,065
Afghans – 1,970
Sri Lanka – 1,720
Iraqis – 1,450
1951 Refugee Convention

 The 1951 Refugee Convention defines a refugee as “someone who is unable or
unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being
persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social
group, or political opinion”.
 Like many countries around the world, Malaysia has been opening its doors to refugees.
Nevertheless, the socio-economic well-being of refugees here has come under spotlight.

 Should a country’s attitude towards refugees be judged by how many of them it

welcomes into their borders, or how much it strives to integrate them into its society?
The answer should be the latter.
 The interesting case of Malaysia is that as much as it opens its doors to refugees, it is
actually not a party to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention, nor its 1967
protocol.
✔ This means that Malaysia lacks the legal infrastructure to manage refugees. It is not
obliged to provide for them in areas such as employment and education.
✔ In terms of documentation, refugees are issued a UNHCR card merely to signify that
they are under the protection of that programme  not an official document,
meaning it in no way reduces the risk of deportation. The psychological effects of
such documentation on refugees due to the resultant uncertainty is (and should be)
enough to galvanise support for providing these refugees with basic legal rights.
 In fact, in their manifesto leading to the 2018 general election, the newly-elected
Pakatan Harapan government specifically vowed to “ratify the 1951 International
Convention on Refugees so that refugees who escape from war-torn countries and arrive
in Malaysia are given proper assistance”. However, Malaysia has yet to ratify the
convention. Not ratifying it in effect means that refugees in Malaysia are technically
not seen as “refugees”. With just a UNHCR card, they are stuck in legal purgatory.
 On 15 February 2018, Klang MP Charles Santiago gave a reason for why refugees
should have access to basic healthcare, employment and education. If the refugees
cannot return to their home countries in the long term, they become the country’s
humanitarian responsibility. Since refugees have no legal status in Malaysia, not being
able to officially work, they often work in low-paying menial jobs where they are easily
exploited.
Measures to prevent and control illegal immigrants

The measures taken by the government
a) Formation of Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESCOM)
 To enhance the security of Eastern part of Sabah such as Lahad Datu, Kunak and
Semporna.
 To prevent foreigners like the Filipinos from entering Sabah easily through the road
sea.
b) Implementation of 6P Program, which is referred to as
✔ Pendaftaran (Registration)
✔ Pemutihan (Neutralise)
✔ Pengampunan (Amnesty)
✔ Pemantauan (Monitoring)
✔ Penguatkuasaan (Authorization)
✔ Pengusiran (Expulsion)
 Focuses on the settling the issue of illegal immigrants and foreign workers.
 Aims to help government to identify the number of illegal immigrants in Malaysia
for further action.

c) Launching operation from time to time

 “Ops Tegas” involved officer enforcement such as Immigration Department, police
and RELA (Malaysian People Volunteer Corps) was launched in March 2005 to
suppress illegal immigrants.
 “Ops Nyah” is launched to return the legal immigrants voluntarily back to their
own countries.
d) Arresting the illegal immigrants
 About 30,000 illegals had been arrested from January to October in 2014 year
nationwide.
 In addition, more than 50,000 illegals had voluntarily surrendered under the
amnesty programme from July until October 2014.
e) Heavier penalty
 On 10 November 2014, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had
called for heavier penalties to be imposed on those who brought in illegal
immigrants, including whipping.
The role of the society

 Common people should help the authorities to solve this issue.
 For example, by making a report to the authorities if they know of any company that
hires illegal migrants as workers.
The effectiveness of the ways to reduce illegal immigrants

It has not been an easy job to solve the issue of the illegal immigrants and the United States
itself is facing similar predicaments.
Efforts Effectiveness Ineffectiveness

6P Program The government has managed The dishonesty of the
to call the illegal immigrants appointed 6P agents  some
to get their permit in the right had cheated dozens of
manner. Bangladeshi workers. This
happened due to the lack of
monitoring of the agents.
Ops Tegas and Ops Many illegal immigrants were Some authorities received
Nyah arrested and sent back to their bribery money from the
country  has reduced the illegal immigrants who
number of illegal immigrants wanted to avoid being
in some ways. arrested.
Liaison with other Diplomatic relation The countries with huge
countries sometimes could help the population and high level of
government to solve the issue poverty  not easy to control
of illegal immigrant. the illegal immigration.

Corruption and illegal immigrants

 The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has revealed that corruption and
other wrongdoings by enforcement officers, including Immigration officers, at the
entry points were among the reasons for foreigners being able to enter this country
illegally.
 According to the MACC 2010 Report, there were Immigration officers who lived a
luxurious life on ill-gotten money for facilitating the entry and exit of illegals, as
uncovered at the Pulau Ketam passenger jetty.
 The bribes were for allowing the illegals to enter the country although their passports
had false stamping or they were without any valid travel document.
2. HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Definition of trafficking by the United Nation (UN)

 Trafficking refers to the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of
persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other form of coercion, of abduction,
of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the
giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having
over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation includes prostitution,
forced labour, slavery, or other forms of servitude.
 Malaysian law through the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Act 2010 defines
trafficking in persons as: “all actions involved in acquiring or maintaining the labour or
services of a person through coercion and includes the act of recruiting, conveying,
transferring, harbouring, providing and receiving a person.”
Where does human trafficking take place?

 Human trafficking exists across national borders, involving both developing and
developed countries.
 It has become an organized, trans-national crime and an increasing booming global
business.
 It could take place within the same state or country, taking victims from one part to
another against their will.
Methods of control by traffickers for prostitution

a) Taking away personal documents and travel documents
b) Demanding or taking a disproportionately large part of the proceeds of prostitution
c) Selling-or threatening to do so-the victim to another pimp
d) Withholding food
e) Isolation of the victim from friends, family and colleagues
f) Instilling fear of police and the justice system
g) Blackmail
h) Debt bondage

i) Mistreatment, beating, rape, intimidation, violence

j) Threat of violence against victim’s family
Global report on trafficking in persons

 It was launched in 2013 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
to conduct global assessment of the scope of human trafficking and what is being done
to fight it. It includes: an overview of trafficking patterns; legal steps taken in response;
and country-specific information on reported cases of trafficking in persons, victims,
and prosecutions.
 According to the report, human trafficking falls into three main categories:
a) The most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation. Main
victims of sexual exploitation  women and girls.
b) The second most common form of human trafficking is forced labour (18%).
Forced labour is less frequently detected and reported than trafficking for sexual
exploitation.
c) Worldwide, almost 20% of all trafficking victims are children. However, in some
parts of Africa and the Mekong region, children are the majority (up to 100% in
parts of West Africa).
The United Nations protocol against trafficking in persons

 The protocol, the foremost international agreement in this trafficking, entered into force
in 2003. In the past few years the number of Member States seriously implementing the
Protocol has more than doubled (from 54 to 125 out of the 155 States covered).
 However, there are still many countries that lack the necessary legal instruments or
political will.
Trafficking in Malaysia
 Malaysia is on the “Tier 2” Watchlist of the Trafficking in Persons Report. The report
was released by the US State Department on June 25, 2020. “Tier 2” refer to countries
and territories whose governments do not fully comply with the Act's minimum
standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with
those standards.
 The overwhelming majority of trafficking victims are among the two million
documented and 1.9 million undocumented foreign workers in Malaysia from various
countries including Indonesia, Nepal, India, Thailand, China, the Philippines, Burma,
Cambodia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam.
 In terms of geographical location, Malaysia has become an ideal transit point for
trafficking activities, especially to Australia, America and Japan.
a) Child trafficking - trafficked from neighbouring countries for sale to childless
couples in Malaysia. Malaysian children formed the majority of victims rescued
when police smashed 37 baby-trafficking syndicates in the country between 2009
and 2012.

b) Woman trafficking - trafficked for the prostitution purpose. A significant number

of young foreign women are recruited for work in Malaysian restaurants and hotels,
some of whom migrate through the use of “Guest Relations Officer” visas, but
subsequently are coerced into Malaysia’s commercial sex trade.
c) Trafficking of domestic workers - local NGOs estimate that for every domestic
servant legally employed in Malaysia there is one working in the country illegally
and many may be trafficked.
Internal trafficking: Statelessness

Factors of statelessness
a) Citizenship is derived from one's parents; however, many children are stateless
because the government refuses to register their birth due to inadequate proof of their
parents' marriage.
b) Interfaith marriages are also not recognized by the government which sometimes
results in undocumented, de facto stateless children.
Effects of being stateless

a) Without birth certificates, government officials deny stateless persons’ access to
education, health care, and the right to own property.
b) At risk of seeking unofficial employment opportunities.
c) Further causes them to be at risk of trafficking.
Laws and regulations which protect women and children from being trafficked
a) Article 6 of Federal Constitution
 Stipulates that all forms of forced labour are prohibited.
b) Section 371 of the Panel Code
 Provides much avenue for the prosecution of traffickers as well as perpetrators.
Running of prostitution is punishable.
 The intention to place someone, irrespective of their age in prostitution in another
country should also be stamped as trafficking.
 Repeat offences carry a liability of whipping of not more than 10 strokes and not
less than 6 but not more than 10 strokes.
c) The Child Act 2001 (Act 611)
 Set out harder penalty for gaining a child for purpose of prostitution or the purpose
of sexual intercourse with any other person either within or outside Malaysia.
 The penalty under the Act is RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding
15 years or both.
Protection for trafficked victims in Malaysia

Victim protection efforts remain inadequate in Malaysia because of the following reasons:
a) Forcible detention in “shelters
 Victims identified by Malaysian authorities are adjudicated under a “protective
order” that triggers their forcible detention in “shelters”.

 Some are isolated, unable to work or earn income, and have little or no access to
legal or psychological assistance provided by the government or NGOs.
b) Treated as illegal aliens
 Furthermore, the government treats victims of trafficking as illegal aliens and turns
them over to immigration authorities for deportation after they provide evidence to
prosecutors.
 The government does not make available any alternatives to repatriation for victims
who may face harm or retribution upon return to their home country.
c) No incentives for victim cooperation
 In fact, during trial proceedings, authorities often do not make adequate efforts to
separate victims from their traffickers.
 Results in threats to the victims and their families if they cooperate with police and
prosecutors.
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report for Malaysia and future direction

 Between 2006 and 2018, Malaysia was classified as Tier 2 Watch List nine times. The
report stated that Malaysia failed to fully meet minimum standards in curbing human
trafficking.
 Countries in Tier 1: fully meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA)
minimum standards.
 Countries in Tier 2: do not fully meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s
(TVPA) minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to meet them. The
Tier 2 Watch List is similar to Tier 2, but includes failure to provide evidence of
increasing efforts or increase in the number of victims.
 Countries in Tier 3: do not fully comply with the minimum standards and are not
making significant efforts to do so.
Future efforts in the planning

a) More preventive efforts, including better cooperation with NGOs and industry players
and increasing enforcement operations.
b) Make labour law improvements, including foreign workers’ levy on employers
starting from January (this year) and to the Private Employment Agency Act, enabling
penalty raises on agencies which fail to adhere to labour laws.
c) Consider amending the Anti-Human Trafficking Act and Anti-Smuggling Act 2007,
which will focus on protecting human trafficking victims by increasing sentences for
offenders.
d) Implementation of regulations allowing victims of human trafficking to roam free and
work.
e) Monitoring foreign worker management holistically to ensure the welfare and rights
of the workers.

Factors for human trafficking

Pull factors
a) Globalization
 Free markets, free trade, greater economic competition, and a decline in state
intervention in the economy.
 Trafficking in human beings has become the third important source of revenue for
criminal syndicates after narcotics and arms.
b) Higher wages
 This is one of the factors that attract people to be trafficked. Syndicates usually lure
people by promising jobs with high wages, and instead they end up as victims in
an illegal business in host countries such as in Malaysia or Thailand.
 This is also influenced by the fact that the Malaysian Ringgit or Thai Baht currency
are worth more when converted into Indonesian Rupiah or Myanmar Kyat.
c) Job opportunities
 Lack of job opportunities in the source countries, many trafficking victims look
forward to destination countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, where
there are many jobs available.
 Unfortunately, when they arrive they are not allowed to obtain legitimate jobs.
d) Better quality of life
 Destination countries are usually more developed than the source countries.
 Destination countries provide not only job opportunities but also promise other
benefits of higher quality of life.
e) Geography and culture
 Geographical location  the Indonesians preferred Malaysia because it is easy to
access through the sea road and low-cost.
 Similarity of culture  Malaysia has been swamped with Indonesian immigrants
due to the two countries having similar cultures and religions.
Push factors
a) Poverty
 Food insecurity has been defined as the major cause of human trafficking.
 Being poor, with insufficient food, make the victims exposed to the traffickers, and
makes engagement in criminal activities such as trafficking particularly tempting.
b) Lack of education
 Traffickers often recruit hill tribe people, especially from mountainous areas of
Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, China and Vietnam, who have little formal education or
exposure to the modern world, especially on matters about legitimate job
opportunities.
 Without knowledge and qualifications for legitimate jobs, they become easy prey
to traffickers who deceive them with false promises of jobs in other countries.
c) Economic law of supply and demand for trafficking
 In Southeast Asia, transnational organized crime, such as Chinese Triads, has been
identified as being mainly responsible for the trafficking business.

 Nevertheless, there are also other smaller local syndicates involved, and the
region’s overall rapid development has led to increasing demand to supply more
labour in the destination countries.
d) Easy money
 Young girls and women, with no specific training and skills, are easily attracted to
this illegal business because it produces 25 times more money than working in the
factory.
 The traffickers in turn can find it easy to lure female trafficking victims.
e) Insecure environment in the source countries
 In some countries, such as Myanmar, oppressive regimes have caused frustration
among the people in the country.
 Being trafficked is seen as the easiest way to get out of their country.
f) High price of a virgin girl
 Some families, especially in Vietnam, willingly allow their young daughters to be
trafficked to become prostitutes.
 This is because the price of a virgin prostitute is high and the money is used to
support the family.
Other than the supply and demand factors, gaps in law and policy as well as weak
law enforcement around human trafficking contribute to its prevalence. For
example:
a) Lack of clarity over the definition of human trafficking is common, which leads to
law enforcement focusing on aspects that do not help curb the criminal activities;
b) Lack of training for judges and public prosecutors in understanding the complexity of
human trafficking and the vulnerability of the trafficked victim results in low number
of prosecutions;
c) Corruption amongst law enforcement and border control personnel leads to loopholes
in the system;
d) Lack of international collaboration and coordination to combat trafficking allows
trafficking, which is a transnational crime, to continue to flourish;
e) Absence of or under-resourced special task forces to combat trafficking, weak law
enforcement and prosecution of offenders, and feeble economic penalties for
trafficking offences all enable human traffickers to continue with their activities
without real consequences; and
f) Inadequate support services and protection for trafficking survivors during
investigation and prosecution provides very little incentive to survivors to cooperate
in helping to convict their traffickers.
How to prevent and control human trafficking

a) The role of embassies
 Give advice to their nationals to ensure that their employment agencies are
registered and that they are aware of their rights to engage only in occupation for
which they have mutually agreed to before leaving their home countries.

 Reason: international trafficking frequently masquerades as migrant work.

b) Quicker, proactive and stringent actions by the enforcement authorities
 Plays a key role in shutting down trafficking syndicate.
 Traffickers must be prosecuted, convicted and punished.
c) Stop treating victims of trafficking as criminal
 Help in creating an environment that is less hostile and more transparent to those
victimized by the people trafficking industries.
 Victims of trafficking need to be identified and encouraged to come forward to
report traffickers and cooperate with enforcement agencies as available witnesses.
d) The role of tourism industry
 To be alert of situations where children and young women are trafficked for sexual
purpose.
 Must respect the rights of women and children, bearing in mind that hospitality
does not call for sexual exploitation of women and children.
e) The role of NGOs and community empowerment
 Coordination between NGOs and support ought to be given to the NGOs that have
developed programs to assist in the repatriation and reintegration of the trafficked
people.
 Local community members should be empowered to recognize their personal
responsibility to other community members and to value action over inaction, when
they witness any suspected trafficking cases in their community.
Recommendations to the public

a) Treat all workers with respect, and provide reasonable wages, benefits, and leave to
all employees, whether formal or informal.
b) Learn your responsibilities as an employer, whether it is of a domestic worker in your
home, or a local or foreign worker in your business.
c) Under no circumstances withhold the passport of an employee or worker against their
will.
d) Never withhold wages from an employee or worker.
e) Always practice fair employment practices, including executing a signed contract and
ensuring that the substance of the contract is translated into the language of
understanding of the employee or worker.
f) Be vigilant in identifying and assisting trafficking survivors—if you suspect someone
is a trafficking survivor or being subjected to forced labour, encourage them to get
help from the police or from an NGO like Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO).

CHAPTER 5: SOCIAL ISSUES -- NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
The differences between communicable and non-communicable diseases
Communicable diseases Non-communicable diseases

Contagious disease Non Contagious disease
Spreads from one person to another Does not spread from one person to the other
Generally involves the lower socio-economic Generally involves affluent class

group
Vehicles of transmission and the vectors play Dietary habits, environment and lifestyle play
a major role in the spread of disease a role in the causation of these diseases
Treatment of the etiological agent is the Changing the dietary habits, lifestyle and the
remedy environment is the permanent remedy
Acute diseases requiring active medical care Chronic diseases need long lasting chronic
treatment
Treated conservatively Treated conservatively and surgically
INCOMMUNICABLE / NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Definition
 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diseases which are not transmissible.
 Non-communicable diseases  a clear threat not only to human health, but also to
development and economic growth of the country.
 In 2016, it was estimated that 113,400 out of 154,000 deaths were NCD-related. The
National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) in 2015 revealed that the prevalence of
NCD risk factors continued to rise. NHMS estimated that there were 3.5 million (17.5%)
adult Malaysians living with diabetes, 6.1 million (30.3%) with hypertension, 9.6 million
(47.7%) with hypercholesterolaemia and 3.3 million (17.7%) with obesity.
(a) Cardiovascular diseases (CVD: heart disease and stroke)

 Definition: a group of diseases involving the heart, blood vessels, or the squeal of poor
blood supply due to a diseased vascular supply.
 Over the past decade, CVD has become the single largest cause of death worldwide,
representing nearly 30 per cent of all deaths and about 50 per cent of NCD deaths.

 In Malaysia, the number 1 killer in terms of diseases and health-related problems is

coronary heart disease. Heart disease is different from stroke which is the second top
killer in Malaysia. Coronary heart disease is often referred in short as CHD where it
happens when plaque is built up within the coronary arteries. Plaque is a waxy substance
which will then restrict the flow of blood to the heart muscle.
 The arteries that are blocked by the plague are those that are supposed to supply the
oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle which is the most important substance needed
for the heart to continue beating. Once there is restriction on these arteries, the heart
fails to function as efficiently as it is supposed to in order to keep the person alive.
 In worst case scenarios, the plaque builds up and it becomes atherosclerosis where this
substance grew after many years that will eventually cause damaging effects which will
lead to death. As mentioned, it is the single largest killer among Malaysians where the
main cause is due to the food intake. A lot of Malaysian food is cooked with too much
oil and cholesterol which are directly linked with blood pressure and coronary heart
diseases.
 The best way to overcome this problem is to ensure a lot of fibre intake which are richly
found in vegetables and fruits while minimizing food which are high in cholesterol like
meat and manufactured foods like burgers and fried chicken. This needs to be constantly
practiced as plaque is known to accumulate and stays in the body system for years.
 Coronary heart disease can be reduced through a proper diet programme. In worst case
scenarios, it would lead to heart attack that can happen suddenly and silently. In
Malaysia, a lot of people die in their sleep due to heart attacks as they are not aware of
the problems with their heart. In other cases, heart attacks can happen when the person
is exercising which is when the heart needs more blood to be channelled in but is
restricted by the presence of plaque.
Risk factors of CVD

Modifiable risk factors
Physical  The increasing urbanization and mechanization of the world has
inactivity reduced our levels of physical activity. The World Health
Organization believes that more than 60 per cent of the global
population is not sufficiently active.
 Being active is beneficial for your blood pressure, blood lipid levels,
blood glucose levels, blood clotting factors, the health of your blood
vessels and inflammation, which is powerful promoter of
cardiovascular disease.
 Studies show that doing more than 150 minutes (2 hours and 30
minutes) of moderate physical activity every week or an hour of
vigorous physical activity every day will reduce your risk of coronary
heart disease by about 30 per cent.
Smoking  Many people still do not link smoking to heart disease. For example,
only 4 per cent of Chinese know that smoking causes heart disease. In

the USA, the majority of smokers do not believe they have a greater
risk of heart disease than non-smokers.
 Smoking promotes cardiovascular disease through a number of
mechanisms. It damages the endothelium (the lining of the blood
vessels), increases fatty deposits in the arteries, increases clotting,
raises low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, reduces high-density
lipoprotein and promotes coronary artery spasm. Nicotine, the
addictive component of tobacco, accelerates the heart rate and raises
blood pressure.
Diet  The role of diet is crucial in the development and prevention of
cardiovascular disease. Diet is one of the key things you can change
that will impact all other cardiovascular risk factors.
 A diet high in saturated fat increases the risk of heart disease and
stroke. It is estimated to cause about 31 per cent of coronary heart
disease and 11 per cent of stroke worldwide.
 Comparisons between a diet low in saturated fats, with plenty of fresh
fruit and vegetables, and the typical diet of someone living in the high-
income countries show that in the former there is a 73 per cent
reduction in the risk of new major cardiac events.
Hypertension  Hypertension is the level of high or raised blood pressure for which
investigation and treatment has been shown to do more good than
harm. Generally hypertension is defined a systolic blood pressure
level of 140 and above. This is a risk factor for coronary heart disease
and the single most important risk factor for stroke. It causes about 50
per cent of ischaemic strokes and increases the risk of haemorrhagic
stroke.
 Hypertension stresses your body’s blood vessels, causing them to clog
or weaken. Hypertension can lead to atherosclerosis and narrowing of
the blood vessels making them more likely to block from blood clots
or bits of fatty material breaking off from the lining of the blood vessel
wall. Damage to the arteries can also create weak places that rupture
easily or thin spots that balloon out the artery wall resulting in an
aneurism.
 Raised blood pressure in someone less than 50 years old is associated
with an increased cardiovascular risk. As you get older, your systolic
blood pressure becomes a more important predictor of the risk of
cardiovascular disease.
 Dietary salt is a significant factor in raising blood pressure in people
with hypertension and in some people with normal blood pressure. If
you are already overweight then a high intake of salt increases your
risk of cardiovascular disease.

Non Modifiable Risk Factors

Family history  If a first-degree male relative (e.g. father, brother) has suffered a heart
attack before the age of 55, or if a first-degree female relative has
suffered one before the age of 65, you are at greater risk of developing
heart disease.
 If both parents have suffered from heart disease before the age of 55,
your risk of developing heart disease can rise to 50 per cent compared
to the general population.
Other risks  Age: Simply getting old is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease; risk
of stroke doubles every decade after age 55.
 Gender: Your gender is significant: as a man you are at greater risk
of heart disease than a pre-menopausal woman. But once past the
menopause, a woman’s risk is similar to a man’s. Risk of stroke is
similar for men and women.
 Ethnicity: Your ethnic origin plays a role. People with African or
Asian ancestry are at higher risks of developing cardiovascular disease
than other racial groups.
 Socioeconomic status: Being poor, no matter where in the globe,
increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. A chronically stressful
life, social isolation, anxiety and depression also increase the risk.
The silent danger of high cholesterol

 While death by heart attack has become something common in Malaysia, many
Malaysians remain ignorant to the threat of high cholesterol in our bodies that could
lead to the fatal disease. Some, even believe that only a certain group of individuals can
be affected.
 According to National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, four out of ten
people in Malaysia, or eight million adults, have high cholesterol (38.1% prevalence).
One out of four are not aware of their condition. This was a reduction from 2015
statistics that saw 47.7 per cent of the adult population, or 9.6 million people, with high
cholesterol. High cholesterol and its associated coronary disease are a silent killer,
which do not have any warning signs or symptoms until an adverse event happens.
The silent danger of hypertension

 Hypertension remains (high blood pressure) the most important cardiovascular risk
factor and it is the main cause for stroke.
 According to Dr Azani Mohammed Daud, who is the president of the Malaysian
Society of Hypertension, “for every person diagnosed with hypertension, there are six
who are not”
 Most patients with hypertension don’t know that they have it. Most people are unaware
that they have hypertension due to the absence of symptoms. Some people, however,
have persistent headaches and a check with their doctor usually reveals that they have
high blood pressure readings.

(b) Cancer
 Definition: the rapid growth and division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. These
cells outlive normal cells and have the ability to metastasize, or invade parts of the body
and spread to other organs.
 Cancer is the second largest cause of death worldwide. In Malaysia, cancer is the second
killer after heart disease among the Malaysians.
 Risk factors include genetic causes, behavioural causes (such as tobacco or alcohol use,
physical inactivity and dietary factors), infections, environmental and occupational
carcinogens and radiation.
 Different risk factors contribute to the development of cancers in different sites.
Smokeless tobacco is largely responsible for oral cancers, whereas bacteria play a role
in the development of stomach cancer.
 An estimated 60 per cent of cancer cases in the country are detected at late stages, either
Stage III or IV, said previous Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
 He said among the main factors for the late detection were lack of awareness on the
importance of screening and early detection among Malaysians.
 “We need to dispel myths, false information and misunderstanding among Malaysians
who are reluctant to undergo screening or those who choose to delay early treatment,
but believe in treatment which has yet to be proven effective.”
 According to him, the three most common cancers among men in Malaysia are
colorectal (16.4%), lung (15.8%), and nasopharynx (8.1%), while the most common
cancers among women are breast (32.1%), colorectal (10.7%) and cervix 7.7%).
 The number of cases is expected to increase in the near future, he said, and attributed it
to the high prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors and the ageing
population.
Cancer treatment
i) The prescribed course of treatment by oncologists - chemotherapy, surgery and
radiation therapy.
Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a
combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation
therapy.
Types of Methods Risks and side effects

cancer treatment
Surgery When used to treat cancer, Surgeons are highly trained
surgery is a procedure in and will do everything they
which a surgeon removes can to prevent problems
cancer from your body. during surgery. Even so,
Depending on your type of sometimes problems do
cancer and how advanced it occur. Common problems
is, surgery can be used to: are:

● Remove the entire ● Pain

tumour After surgery, most
Surgery removes cancer people will have pain in
that is contained in one the part of the body that
area. was operated on. How
● Debulk a tumour much pain you feel will
Surgery removes some, depend on the extent of
but not all, of a cancer the surgery, the part of
tumour. Debulking is your body where you had
used when removing an surgery, and how you feel
entire tumour might pain.
damage an organ or the ● Infection
body. Removing part of a Infection is another
tumour can help other problem that can happen
treatments work better. after surgery. To help
● Ease cancer symptoms prevent infection, follow
Surgery is used to remove your nurse’s instructions
tumours that are causing about caring for the area
pain or pressure. where you had surgery. If
you do develop an
infection, your doctor can
prescribe a medicine
(called an antibiotic) to
treat it.
● Other risks of surgery
include bleeding, damage
to nearby tissues, and
reactions to the
anaesthesia.
Radiation therapy Radiation therapy (also called Radiation not only kills or
radiotherapy) is a cancer slows the growth of cancer
treatment that uses cells, it can also affect nearby
high doses of radiation to kill healthy cells. Damage to
cancer cells and shrink healthy cells can cause side
tumours. At low doses, effects.
radiation is used in x-rays to
see inside your body, as with x- Many people who get radiation
rays of your teeth or broken therapy have fatigue. Fatigue
bones. is feeling exhausted and worn
out. It can happen all at once or
At high doses, radiation come on slowly. People feel
therapy kills cancer cells or fatigue in different ways
slows their growth by and you may feel more or less

damaging their DNA. Cancer fatigue than someone else who

cells whose DNA is damaged is getting the same amount of
beyond repair stop dividing or radiation therapy to the same
die. When the damaged cells part of the body.
die, they are broken down and
removed by the body.
Radiation therapy does not kill

cancer cells right away. It takes
days or weeks of treatment
before DNA is damaged
enough for cancer cells to die.
Then, cancer cells keep dying
for weeks or months after
radiation therapy ends.
Chemotherapy Chemotherapy (also called Chemotherapy not only kills
chemo) is a type of cancer fast-growing cancer cells, but
treatment that uses drugs to kill also kills or slows the growth
cancer cells. Chemotherapy of healthy cells that grow and
works by stopping or slowing divide quickly. Examples are
the growth of cancer cells, cells that line your mouth
which grow and divide and intestines and those that
quickly. Chemotherapy is used cause your hair to grow.
to: Damage to healthy cells may
● Treat cancer cause side effects, such as
Chemotherapy can be used mouth sores, nausea, and hair
to cure cancer, lessen the loss. Side effects often get
chance it will return, or better or go away after you
stop or slow its growth. have finished chemotherapy.
● Ease cancer symptoms The most common side effect
Chemotherapy can be used is fatigue, which is feeling
to shrink tumours that are exhausted and worn out.
causing pain and other
problems.
Hormone therapy Hormone therapy usually There is alarming evidence of
involves taking medications side effects of hormone
that prevent cancer cells from
therapy in women. Many
getting the hormones they need
women find that the side
to grow. effects are often worse at the
start of treatment.
When used with other ● Digestive system
treatments, hormone therapy problems
can: Patients might experience

 Lower the risk that cancer constipation or diarrhoea.

will come back after the This is usually mild and
main treatment. This is can be controlled with diet
called adjuvant therapy. or drugs.
 Destroy cancer cells that ● Mood swings and
have returned or spread to depression
other parts of your body. Some patients suffer from
 Make a tumour smaller mood swings and even
before surgery or radiation depression while having
therapy. This is called neo- treatment such as Zoladex
adjuvant therapy. (goserelin).
● Muscle and bone
changes
Some hormone therapies
can cause thinning of your
bones. Bone thinning can
lead to osteoporosis and
bone fractures if it
continues for a few years.
ii) Complementary and alternative treatment

 Complementary and alternative are terms used to describe many kinds of products,
practices, and systems that are not part of mainstream medicine  refer to methods
to help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life during cancer treatment.
Complementary treatment  used along with your medical treatment.
Alternative treatment  used instead of proven medical treatments.
 These treatments are normally not mentioned by doctors or the cancer team, but
others may talk about things like traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture,
hypnosis, or machines that are supposed to find or cure cancer. Some people may
recommend “body cleansing” with enemas or detoxification diets with special
foods and preparation methods.
 Some of these methods must be done by a person with formal education and
training, such as art or music therapy, and may be offered along with regular cancer
treatment. Others are given by people with informal or traditional training. They
can involve everything from colon therapy to entirely different systems that don’t
use any of the medical treatments your doctor uses. Still other types of treatment
may be recommended by the person who is selling a product in a store or TV
infomercial, such as herbal products or juice from exotic fruits or vegetables.
 People with cancer might think about using alternative or complementary methods
for a number of reasons:
 They’d like to relieve the side effects of mainstream cancer treatment
without having to take more medicine.

 They are seeking a less unpleasant treatment approach that might have
fewer side effects.
 They want to take an active role in improving their own health and wellness.
 They prefer alternative theories of health and disease, as well as alternative
treatments.
 Complementary and alternative methods are often appealing because they use your
own body, your own mind, or things found in nature. Some even promise wellness
using a way that sounds simple, wholesome, and without side effects of
conventional cancer treatment in hospitals.
 The decision to use alternative or complementary methods is an important one,
and it is the decision to be made by the cancer patients themselves.
(c) Diabetes
 Definition: a metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to appropriately regulate
the level of sugar, specifically glucose, in the blood, either by poor sensitivity to the
protein insulin, or due to inadequate production of insulin by the pancreas.
 Two types of diabetes could be found in Malaysia:
i. Type 1 diabetes  insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM, for short).
ii. Type 2 diabetes  non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM, for
short). Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 per cent of all diabetes cases.
 Effects of diabetes:
i. A major risk factor for other causes of death, like cardiovascular disease, kidney
disease.
ii. Diabetes has a high attributable burden of disability, i.e. diabetes can cause
blindness.
Diabetes in Malaysia
Problems
 The number of diabetic patients between the age of 18 and 35 has increased by 300 per
cent from 15 years ago, said previous Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
 The minister also said diabetes has become one of the prevalent diseases in the country,
affecting about 11 per cent of Malaysians.
 At present, about 3.6 million Malaysians are suffering from the disease, which is the
highest rate of incidence in Asia and one of the highest in the world.
 According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, the prevalence
rate of diabetes in adults has increased in Malaysia from 13.4 per cent in 2015 to 18.3
per cent in 2019, with diabetes defined as having sugar levels 7.0 mmol/L or above.
 Ministry of Health official who presented the findings said NHMS 2019 had used a
different blood sugar level to define diabetes compared to the NHMS 2015, which
found 17.5 per cent diabetes prevalence in adults, to follow international standards.
 An estimated 3.9 million adults in Malaysia aged 18 and above had diabetes as of last
year, higher than 3.5 million in 2015. The NHMS 2019 survey found that 49 per cent
of people with diabetes had never been examined or diagnosed with the chronic disease.

 Dr Dzulkefly said the number of diabetic patients is estimated to increase to seven

million or 31.3 per cent of the national population by 2025, or an estimated population
of seven million adults with diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed.
 Diabetes in Malaysia is expected to continue to climb at an increased rate due to our
unhealthy lifestyle. The unhealthy lifestyle of Malaysians is linked to high diabetes
prevalence in the following way:
High consumption  Our per capita consumption of meat is 48 kilograms compared

of meat to 35 kilograms in Japan and Korea and only 24 kilograms in
Thailand.
 According to researchers from Harvard School of Public
Health (HSPH) a daily serving of red meat no larger than a
deck of cards increased the risk of adult-onset diabetes by 19
per cent. Processed red meat proved much worse: a daily
serving half that size — one hot dog or two slices of bacon, for
example—was associated with a 51 per cent increase in risk.
High consumption  We consume 26 teaspoons of sugar daily, making us the eighth
of sugar highest sugar users in the world. The World Health
Organisation (WHO) in its campaign against obesity had
recommended a sugar consumption limit of 5 teaspoonful
daily.
 Results of a large epidemiological study suggest that sugar may
also have a direct link to diabetes. Researchers examined data
on sugar availability and diabetes rates from 175 countries over
the past decade. They found that increased sugar in a
population’s food supply was linked to higher diabetes rates,
independent of obesity rates.
Insufficient sleep  Malaysians are not getting enough sleep for good health.
According to a regional survey Malaysians get only 6.4 hours
of sleep on average. This leads to a sleep gap of 1.6 hours short
of the recommended 8 hours of sleep. Mobile devices and
spending time online is one of the leading causes of this sleep
deprivation.
 According to Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Centre in
Hennepin County the body’s reaction to sleep loss can
resemble insulin resistance which is a precursor to diabetes.
 We are also addicted to Internet which is a new threat to
healthy living. According to a survey, 81per cent of the
respondents surveyed say that online activities are preventing
them from getting enough sleep and physical activities.
Physical Inactivity  There has been alarming evidence of physical inactivity among
Malaysian adults and it is one of the leading factors of diabetes.

Moreover, it was reported that 54% of Malaysian adults with

diabetes were physically inactive.
 A study published in 2017 showed that the average step counts
of 3,787 Malaysian users was 3,963 steps/day, a PA level that
is quite low compared to the global average. This showed that
a huge percentage of Malaysian did not adopt a physically
active lifestyle
 There is evidence that physical activity is an important part of
the daily maintenance of glucose levels. Even in the short term,
reducing daily activity and ceasing regular exercise causes
acute changes in the body associated with diabetes that can
occur before weight gain and the development of obesity.
Challenges
 Every year on this date the Ministry of Health launches a campaign to create awareness
on the effect of diabetes. In spite of this, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Malaysia,
especially that of Type 2, has increased to epidemic proportions and continue to grow.
 The alarming increase in Malaysia’s prevalence of diabetes needs strong measures by
the Government to stem this epidemic.
Recommendation by the Consumers Association of Penang urges the Ministry of

Health to:
 Educate Malaysians on the dangers of obesity and diabetes
 Unhealthy foods that is high in fats, sugar, salt and additives should be discouraged
by the introduction of taxes on such foods
 Provide adequate recreational amenities in all residential areas
 Stop issuing 24 hours licences to eating outlets
 Stop night shifts in factories
 Ban vending machines in schools, hospitals and other public places
 Mandate clear labelling like traffic light system on sugar and fat content of all foods,
including fast foods
 Run education campaigns for parents and children on the dangers of obesity and
diabetes
 Stop entertainment outlets from operating after midnight
(d) Mental health disorder

 Definition: a set of medical conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood,
ability to relate to others and daily functioning. The patients normally suffer from
depression, Alzheimer, schizophrenia and alcohol or drug abuse disorders. Sometimes,
it refers to as mental disorders, mental health conditions or neuropsychiatric disorders,
these conditions affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
 Four out of every ten Malaysians will fall victim to some form of mental health issue
in the course of their lives and psychologists believe that the numbers will continue to

rise. International Medical University, consultant psychiatrist and addiction medicine

specialist, Dr Philip George said that numbers are often downplayed due to the stigma
that surrounds the condition. He added that the seriousness and the prevalence of issues
like depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health issues should be accepted and
acknowledged first in order to be treated.
 Mental health issue is not something that only attacks the poor, weak and lonely. It
happens to anyone and the World Bank had predicted that 340mil people will suffer
from depression by 2020. It is believed that at least 40 per cent of Malaysians suffer
from mental health issues.
 Unlike Caucasians, Asians do not have the words for emotions and that is a huge barrier
and many people who walk among us are at least facing mild depression. They consider
having an emotional problem to be a weakness, so instead they attribute it to a physical
problem and highlight things like their inability to sleep, back pain, headache and
constant fatigue.
 The National Institute of Health had found that depression to be a most disabling disease
as it is not tangible and people find it hard to empathise. It is not something one can
snap out of, just like how people cannot snap out of diabetes or a stroke. However, with
enough help and support, almost 90 per cent of the patients can be restored to normal.
Yes, they may have a relapse as their emotions are more sensitive, but they can be cured
with the right help.
 By 2030, depression is expected to be the most disabling disease as it will have the
highest number of days lost due to a disability. A study done in the United States found
that 30 to 40 per cent of absenteeism at work is due to unexplained somatic complaints
like body ache, lack of sleep, and lethargy. No studies have been done in Malaysia but
a primary care study in Thailand about five years ago showed up to 30 per cent were
psychosomatic complaints.
 While suicide is criminalised in Malaysia, depression is stigmatised, preventing many
sufferers from seeking professional help. Unlike a broken leg or a bleeding wound, it
is difficult to identify depression because people are unable to “see” it and help those
afflicted. For an individual battling chronic depression, simple tasks such as eating,
driving or even dressing up can seem impossible.
Challenges encountered by people with serious mental illness

a) Struggle with the symptoms and disabilities that result from the disease.
b) On the other, they are challenged by the stereotypes and prejudice that result from
misconceptions about mental illness.
c) Robbed of the opportunities that define a quality life: good jobs, safe housing,
satisfactory health care, and affiliation with a diverse group of people.
Public perception on mental illness

a) Fear and exclusion: persons with severe mental illness should be feared and,
therefore, be kept out of most communities;

b) Authoritarianism: persons with severe mental illness are irresponsible, so life

decisions should be made by others;
c) Benevolence: persons with severe mental illness are childlike and need to be cared
for.
Factors that contribute to the late treatment of mental health disorder

a) Lack of public awareness
 Records with the National Mental Health Registry (NMHR) have shown that public
awareness about mental health issues is far from satisfactory.
 One average it takes up to 28 months for an individual with mental health problems
to seek treatment  possibly already too late  the individual's thinking or
decision making capacities might have been impaired beyond the scope of
treatment.
b) Public prejudice towards mental health disorder
 Forces many persons to shy away from undergoing proper treatment or getting their
illness diagnosed.
 Many people are still unable to understand the difference between an all-
encompassing mental health term and a more specific mental problem term.
c) Fear of being labelled
 Persons with mental health issues also hesitate to seek psychiatric help out of a fear
that they might be labelled as a "mental patient."
 This deep rooted misconception has led to a rise in social prejudice against people
suffering from mental ailments.
 Many who are in fact depressed are unwilling and embarrassed to come forward
for treatment.
d) Misconceptions that stigmatize psychiatric medication
 Persons with mental health issues are unwilling to take psychiatric medication
because they are anxious that the medication might dramatically change their
personality and dull their senses.
 Many who are in fact depressed believe that taking medication means you are lazy
and haven’t tried to help yourself by exercising, eating healthily or trying
meditation.
 A common myth is that medication is a 'quick fix' for mental health issues. In
reality, finding the right medication is not always an easy process and it can take
time before the effects are felt. In many cases, your GP may advise talking therapies
or counselling alongside medication too.
The role of the families

Apart from society, a person's immediate family also plays an important role in helping
them maintain good mental health by getting their mental problems treated.
a) Monitor behavioural changes in family members
 The most common sign of a mental health problem  a sudden change in the
behaviour of a person -- a jovial person might turn into an introvert, become short-

tempered, start keeping or speaking to oneself, have a disrupted sleep pattern, lose
their appetite, and is unable to carry out daily activities or starts displaying suicidal
tendencies.
 In need of a proper diagnosis by an expert and the right therapy are a must.
b) Monitoring the treatment process of patient
 Families are the ones who will ensure that the person undergoing treatment
completes their course of the prescribed medication.
 It is also common that halfway through the treatment families start taking for
granted that the patient has recovered without realising that the patient can relapse
under duress.
c) Providing emotional support to family members
 Learn about the illness and its signs and symptoms. Also, learn more about how
treatments work so that you know what side effects and improvements you may
see.
 Families play an important role in helping someone who’s not feeling well feel less
alone and ashamed. Remind them that they are not to blame for their illness.
 Don’t assume you know what the person needs. Ask how you can help. Listen
carefully to the response.
d) Supporting a healthy lifestyle of patient
 Encourage them to exercise regularly, even just getting the body moving by taking
a brisk walk or doing active housework is a positive step.
 Accompany them to exercise as even short bouts of activity can provide an
immediate elevation of mood.
 Monitor their diet and help them to get rid of unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking
and alcoholic consumption.
Preventing and Controlling NCDs

 Malaysia established National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (NSP-NCD
2011-2015) in 2010  the framework for strengthening NCDs prevention and control
program in Malaysia.
 Aim  to achieve population-wide NCD risk factor screening to detect risk factors at their
earliest stage, and uses obesity as the main entry point for NCD risk factor intervention.
a) Planning and implementation
 NCDP-1M is a nation-wide programme.
 Each state has to determine the extent of their participation and submit formal
funding applications to support their selected projects.
 To increase accountability, District Officers of Health were made responsible for all
projects within the respective state.
b) Community participation and engagement
 The participation of the community has been crucial to the success of NCDP-1M.
 In need of the support of the community for communicable disease prevention
efforts.
 The willingness of the rural community, in particular, to work with clinic health staff.

c) Monitoring and evaluation of NCDP-1M

 Collecting data from each district through online templates.
 Online process  enables up-to-date monitoring of the various projects.
 Example: community-based weight loss programmes provide data on key
performance indicators like percentage of clients with weight loss after 6-month
follow-up.
d) Action with NGOs, professional bodies & other stakeholders
 Develop and implement an advocacy campaign that is consistent with and supportive
of the national action advocacy campaigns plan for NCD prevention and control.
 Intensify physical activity programmes in the community.
 Continue to collaborate with the food industries to increase choice food for the
production and promotion of low fat, low sugar foods.
Impacts of NCDs
a) Affecting the patient’s quality of life
 Discomfort / pain, like in the case of cancer patients.
 Immobility, as in the case of some stroke patients.
 Confinement, if the person is bedridden.
 Disability, if certain parts of the body is affected by NCDs. For example, a diabetic
patient may have one of his leg amputated or become blind at the advanced stage of the
illness.
 Abstinence from favourite food, like fried chicken, soda drinks etc.
b) Shorter life-span for those inflicted with NCDs
 Suffer from a shorter life-span if they were afflicted at a younger age.
 They do not get to live life to its ripe old age.
c) Socio-development of the country
 When NCDs become more prevalent in a country, the diseases will rob the nation of its
socio-development.
 In the terminal stage of their illness, the NCDs patient will not be able to contribute as
much as desired to the social welfare of the country.
d) Economic impact
 Positive impact
The increase in NCDs among Malaysians has boost up:
1. The health care industry, with the need for more hospitals and the healthcare
practitioners. Alternative health centres – Ayurvedic health centres or Traditional
Chinese Medical Centre – have also experienced an increase in their economic
gain.
2. The pharmaceutical industry, with the need for the consumption of medicine and
the creation of new drugs to combat the illness.
3. The multi-level marketing industry that focuses on health supplements.
4. The organic farming industry – farming and selling organic vegetables / fruits.
5. The insurance industry, as more and more people seek to be insured against the
critical illnesses due to high cost of treatment for NCDs.

 Negative impact
The increase in NCDs among Malaysians have affected the economic standing of the
patient and the family. NCDs treatment can be very costly. In Malaysia, it is not rare
to see the patient or the family appealing for donations through the mass media when
the cost of the treatment surpasses their financial ability.
e) Increased awareness of a healthy lifestyle
 Increase in NCDs  more people, especially those living in the urban areas, begin to
give heed to the practice a healthier lifestyle.
 Health-related seminars are often conducted by health practitioners to equip the public
with the necessary knowledge about preventive measures and treatment options for
NCDs.
 Health related information is also disseminated through the mass media.

CHAPTER 6: SOCIAL ISSUES -- INFECTIOUS / COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
 Definition: the word pandemic is derived from the Greek word, which is pan (all) and demos
(people). A global pandemic is an epidemic of some infectious disease that can and is
spreading at a rapid rate throughout the world, including Malaysia. Viruses, germs,
parasites, and other virulent disease agents can and do move much more easily than at any
time in recorded history.
 In the past 100 years ago, influenza, typhoid, and cholera were major killers. In recent years,
other infectious diseases have made front page news: HIV, Ebola virus, SARS, and most
recently, Covid-19.
 In Malaysia there are six main infectious diseases that refer to dengue fever, tuberculosis,
food poisoning, hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD), HIV/AIDS and Covid-19.
(a) Dengue fever

 Definition: dengue is one of the vector borne diseases and among this kind of diseases;
dengue is the highest percentage for it. Dengue fever is passed by infected female
AedesAegypti mosquitoes. It gets under the skin and into the blood. Dengue is caused
by flavi viruses.
 The cumulative number of reported dengue cases nationwide from 29 December 2019
to 15 May 2020 was 40,397, including 68 deaths. In 2019, 176 people died of dengue
in Malaysia, out of a total of 127,407 cases while in 2018, there were 80,615 and 147
deaths.
Factors on the alarming increase of dengue cases recently

a) The El Nino phenomenon/global warming
 The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has a history of worsening infectious
diseases including influenza epidemics, plague and Hantavirus, in addition to
mosquito borne infectious diseases.
 According to the Ministry of Health, El Nino is expected to cause dengue cases to
increase by 50 per cent.
b) Dengue virus may have changed in some ways
 In addition to the increased number of cases, doctors are seeing different/types of
symptoms, which raises the alarming possibility that the virus is becoming even
more deadly and difficult to control.
 Dr. Jeyaindran Sinnadurai, the former deputy director general of health at the
Ministry of Health, Malaysia, said that we are seeing people present with liver
failure and meningitis; things that have not been seen before with dengue.
c) There is no treatment for dengue
 Aside from saline drip to boost patients’ platelet count, there is no treatment for
dengue.

 To make things worse, there are four types of dengue virus; meaning, people can
get the disease more than once and this explains why symptoms are becoming more
severe and deaths are rising with repeated infections.
d) Increased air travel
 The ease and increased air travel brings the virus to areas that were previously
dengue-free when a mosquito bites and infected traveller and then spreads it to
others.
 Aedesaegypti have the potential to spread dengue in the tropics and subtropics
countries including in the Southern and South-eastern United States.
e) Rapid population growth
 Population growth in developing nations is pushing more people into substandard
housing in mosquito-infested areas.
 Inadequate basic urban infrastructure e.g. unreliable water supply leading
householders to store water in containers close to homes and increase in volume of
solid waste, such as discarded plastic containers and other abandoned items provide
larval habitats in urban areas.
Ways to control this disease

a) Penalty
 Heavy penalty imposed for creating breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes,
RM500 compound fine for the first offence.
 Facing a fine of up to RM10,000 in court for a repeated offence.
b) Chemical Control of Dengue Mosquitoes
 Chemical control can be effective in controlling mosquito populations.
 For instance, insecticides can be used to kill mosquito larvae or adult mosquitoes.
c) Biological Control of Dengue Mosquitoes
 Biological approaches are also being considered as alternatives to control mosquito
populations.
 For example, predatory crustaceans called copepods and many varieties of fish,
including fish and goldfish, eat mosquito larvae.
d) Personal Actions
 Reduce the risk of mosquitoes entering their homes.
 Using window and door screens.
 Keeping their doors and windows closed and using air conditioning to keep their
homes cool.
 Aedesaegypti typically bite people during the day, so wearing long pants and long-
sleeved shirts can reduce mosquito bites when spending time outdoors.
(b) Tuberculosis (TB)

 The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Malaysia as an intermediate TB-
burden country.
 It is one of six main infectious diseases in Malaysia.

 Between 20,000 and 25,000 new tuberculosis (TB) cases are recorded in Malaysia each
year.
 Head of TB/Leprosy Sector at the Health Ministry’s Disease Control Division Dr
Mohamed Naim Abdul Kadir stated that TB claims about 1,500 to 2,000 lives annually
in Malaysia, with an average of six deaths occurring every day.
 The death rate due to TB in 2018 is 6.6 per 100,000 people, an increase from 6.5 per
100,000 people in 2017. Sabah recorded the highest number of deaths in 2018 with 376
cases, followed by Selangor (375).
 The symptoms of TB are:
 Prolonged cough (more than two weeks)
 Loss of weight and loss of appetite
 Night sweats
 Coughing out blood (though not a common symptom)
The factors of increasing TB cases

a) The influx of illegal migrant workers
 The statistics over the past few years show that only about 10 to 15 per cent of the
total TB infection in Malaysia is due to immigrants.
 Besides, the increase in the number of AIDS patients also contributed to this case.
It is because when the body's immune system is low, TB could creep in easily.
b) Easy spread of disease through air
 TB is an airborne disease and it spreads via the air infected by the bacilli, just like
a common flu virus.
 For this reason, TB has to be diagnosed early and treated effectively.
 If the patient is not treated with TB drugs, the worse the lung damage and the
continuous coughing may spread the germs to others in his or her house or
workplace.
c) Poor knowledge among the public regarding this infection
 Do not take prolonged cough seriously as they do not know that it could be a
symptom of TB.
 Therefore, late treatment. Meanwhile, before getting treated, they have already
spread the illness to others.
d) Increasing environmental risk factors
 For centuries, TB has been linked with environmental risk factors such as indoor
air pollution, tobacco smoke, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions, as well
as excessive alcohol use.
 Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, chemical irritants, air pollutants, and
cold weather are also risk factors for the disease.
 Substance abuse like alcohol use disorder may eventually harm your immune
system to the point that symptoms of the infection surface.
Several ways had been taken by Malaysian government in dealing with TB

a) Health screening for migrant labourers before entering Malaysia

 Making it compulsory for them to declare their status of health before they are
allowed work in Malaysia.
 For the illegal immigrants - the government deport them back to their own
countries.
b) Giving beneficial information to the public
 The distribution of pamphlets and posters with health related information about TB
-- normally undertaken by the hospital.
 Visitors at the hospital - patients and their family members or friends – become the
recipients of this awareness.
c) The government also encourages NGOs to conduct activities and programs to educate
the public on TB disease
 Those who employ migrant workers have to be educated regarding the symptom
always on the alert about the health condition of their workers as their workers may
have contact with the illegal ones infected by the disease.
 Periodical health screening is necessary for migrant workers to treat any early onset
of TB infection among them to halt the spread of the disease.
d) Management of outbreaks
 Adequate surveillance systems should be in place to ensure early identification of
outbreaks.
 Additional interventions such as infection control measures may then be taken to
prevent further transmission.
 Identifying factors that may contribute to transmission from potentially infectious
cases and instituting adequate control measures are of primary importance.
(c) Food Poisoning

What causes foodborne diseases (FBD)?
 The ingestion of contaminated foods and food products include a broad group of
illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemical agents and toxins, which
contaminate food at different points along the farm to table continuum.
 Foods that are commonly contaminated include poultry, eggs, seafood and dairy
products. Involve many victims at once although this does not mean an individual or
two do not get food poisoning. The food in question is prepared by someone else or
somewhere else, always outside their homes.
Factors of food poisoning

a) Food operators
 The biggest culprits are food operators who pay no heed to the cleanliness of the
food prepared at their premises and whose main focus is to generate higher profits
for themselves. Food handlers and mass caterers who do not follow food hygiene
practices allow food to be contaminated and when consumed by their customers
results in food poisoning.
 Example:
 The food operator uses tap water from a nearby public toilet for making
flavoured drinks which he serves to his customers.

 The foot outlet is located beside a drain and rats are scurrying around the foul-
smelling drain.
 The foods are also prepared commercially and in large quantities, causing
negligence in food handling.
b) Convenience
 The mistake most Malaysians make is their tendency to take the easy way out when
it comes to food matters. Cleanliness is the last thing on their mind when they stop
at a food outlet to satisfy their hunger pangs or when they are given free food to
eat.
 The ones who take the “easy way out” are usually working people who are so busy
with their work that they stop to eat at any place deemed convenient to them.
Proactive measures to control food poisoning

a) Customers or the public
 Exercise more care when choosing a food outlet. Observe its level of cleanliness
and check if it has a business license. Observe the handling of the food and drinks
by the operator. Former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad advised
the public to “practise safety by choosing to buy food from premises that are clean,
and practise the concept of ‘see, smell and taste’ to avoid eating food that has gone
bad.”
 Report to the Health Ministry or Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) if they come
across premises that fail to meet the required specifications or don’t possess a valid
business license - can channel one's complaint to the authorities by visiting their
website to post your complaint there. The Health Ministry’s website is
http://moh.spab.gov.my, while DBKL is http://ispaaadbkl.dbkl.gov.my.
 The best possible way to avoid food poisoning is eating home-cooked food. Prepare
your meals at home and take some packed food with you when you go to the office
or go out somewhere and prepared in a clean environment, always safe to eat.
b) Operators of food premises
 Check with their moral conscience: are they out to serve the needs of their
customers or they merely want to reap quick profits at the expense of their
customers’ health.
 If they don’t possess a valid business license, then they should get one as soon as
possible to make themselves more accountable to the public and the authorities.
 Carry out routine checks to ensure that their premises are clean and the food is
prepared and cooked in a hygienic manner. It is also compulsory for both the
operator and his workers to practise a high standard of personal hygiene.
c) Enforcement agencies
 Carry out more frequent and structured checks on food premises, especially those
located at bazaars and marketplaces.
 The authorities could also team up with the Health Ministry and the relevant non-
governmental organisations to conduct courses on hygiene management for food
operators.

 The Health Ministry should strictly enforce the Food Act 1983 and Food
Regulations 1985, as well as the Food Safety Regulations 2009.
Milk contamination
Cases that have taken place:
 In 2012, a total of 212 students in Kuching Sarawak suffered from food poisoning after
drinking milk supplied under the free milk scheme in the school.
 Milk has been recalled due to contamination.
Nasi Lemak poisoning

 School pupils suffered food poisoning after having 'nasi lemak' under the
Supplementary Food Programme (SFP) at their school canteen.
 Suffered from bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting.
 Director-General of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 95.7 per cent of food
poisoning cases were due to food prepared in the school canteen or hostel kitchen. The
main causes are contaminated raw materials, cross contamination while handling food
and prepared food taken after more than four hours.
(d) AIDS / HIV

Statistics
 HIV in Malaysia was first recorded in 1986.
 In 2013, heterosexual HIV transmission accounted for half of the 3,393 new infections
in Malaysia, far ahead of other modes of transmission such as homo/bisexual contacts
and unsafe drug injections, both at 22 per cent respectively.
The public perception towards AIDS/HIV

a) The stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS
 Some cannot look past what causes HIV/AIDS to be transmitted: unprotected sex
and “dirty needles” - gives rise to the ugly spectre of stigma and discrimination that
further marginalises those in the high-risk groups including drug users and sex
workers.
 Shelters/foundations who are currently running programmes for people living with
HIV encounter challenges in raising sufficient funds to keep the programmes - the
public tends to be judgmental, thinking that those infected with HIV/AIDS do not
deserve their help.
b) Better understanding among the younger generation of healthcare professionals
 Nowadays, the younger generation has a better understanding of HIV/AIDS - led
to a crop of healthcare professionals who have no aversion to treating patients.
 There is still the issue of some providers being reluctant to treat people living with
HIV/AIDS, but this number has lessened.

The basic treatment for HIV/AIDS

 Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. People
on ART take a combination of HIV medicines (called an HIV regimen) every day.
 ART is recommended for everyone who has HIV. People with HIV should start ART
as soon as possible.
 ART can’t cure HIV, but HIV medicines help people with HIV live longer, healthier
lives. ART also reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
What are the risks of taking HIV medicines?

 According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2018), potential risks
of ART include side effects from HIV medicines and drug interactions between HIV
medicines or between HIV medicines and other medicines a person is taking.
 Poor adherence - not taking HIV medicines every day and exactly as prescribed will
increase the risk of drug resistance and treatment failure.
Side effects
 Side effects from HIV medicines can vary depending on the medicine and the person
taking the medicine.
 People taking the same HIV medicine can have very different side effects. Some side
effects, like headaches or occasional dizziness, may not be serious.
 Other side effects, such as swelling of the throat and tongue or liver damage, can be
life-threatening.
Drug interactions
 HIV medicines can interact with other HIV medicines in an HIV regimen. They can
also interact with other medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal
products.
 A drug interaction can reduce or increase a medicine's effect on the body. Drug
interactions can also cause unwanted side effects.
Drug resistance
 When HIV multiplies in the body, the virus sometimes mutates (changes form) and
makes variations of itself.
 Variations of HIV that develop while a person is taking HIV medicines can lead to
drug-resistant strains of HIV.
 HIV medicines that previously controlled a person’s HIV are not effective against the
new, drug-resistant HIV. In other words, the person’s HIV continues to multiply.
 Poor adherence to an HIV regimen increases the risk of drug resistance and treatment
failure.
Alternative therapies for HIV

 Many people living with HIV choose to explore non-conventional therapies to ease the
symptoms of HIV and side effects of the medications. Some alternative treatments can
complement a person's standard medical care, but others are not safe.

 While alternative treatments do not cure HIV, they may relieve symptoms and can
improve a person's quality of life. However, not all alternative medicines are safe. Some
alternative treatments may have side effects or interact with medications. HIV patients
should always talk to a doctor or healthcare provider before trying alternative medicine.
 Alternative treatments are not disease-specific. This means that an alternative therapy
treats the whole person, not just the illness. For example, meditation may help a person
with HIV relax and reduce stress. This can have a positive impact on the person's overall
health, but it does not specifically target HIV.
 Alternative treatments include:
a) Relaxation techniques
Meditation is a relaxation technique that can help to reduce a person's anxiety.
Many people living with HIV have higher anxiety and stress levels compared with
the general population. Meditation can help alleviate some of the anxiety associated
with HIV.
b) Physical therapies
 Physical therapies can help a person to relax, de-stress, and improve movement.
 According to one source, people living with HIV have higher rates of mental
health issues, such as anxiety and depression, than the general population. This
can significantly affect a person's quality of life. Physical therapies can help
boost people's mental and physical health.
 Physical therapies include:
 Sports or medical massage - may promote relaxation, which can help
alleviate anxiety and stress often associated with HIV.
 Yoga - might help to reduce depression and improve CD4 counts in people
with HIV who were also receiving antiretroviral therapy.
 Acupuncture - involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the
body. Practitioners believe that these needles release pressure points, which
may help a person's body produce chemicals to reduce pain.
c) Herbal medication and supplements
 Herbal medications and supplements are available to buy over the counter.
However, people living with HIV should exercise caution before purchasing
herbal supplements and medications as they can be dangerous. This may be
because of a person's pre-existing health complications or because they interact
with HIV medications.
 A study by Muhammad Musharraf Hussain (2018) reveals that the consumption
of honey with black seed oil shows promising health results for HIV patients.
Recent scientific research shows that this combination of honey and black seed
oil can effectively cure AIDS within six months without causing any harmful
side effects.
 Overall, black seed appears to be a very safe herb with no side effects or known
toxicity if taken at the right dosage.
 Since it is an herbal therapy, the effects may not be seen until after one month
or so, but it will have no adverse effects if one continues the therapy.

 It is inexpensive and free from side effects, and there is no harm in using it; and
the patient has nothing to lose.
(e) Covid-19
 Definition: coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is an infectious disease that can cause
respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more
severe cases, difficulty breathing and even death.
 It was first identified amid an outbreak of respiratory illness cases in Wuhan City, Hubei
Province, China.
 It was initially reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on December 31,
2019. On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared the Covid-19 outbreak a global health
emergency and on March 11, 2020, the WHO declared Covid-19 a global pandemic.
Statistics
 As of 23 May 2020, more than 5.3 million cases of Covid-19 have been reported in
more than 188 countries and territories, resulting in more than 340,000 deaths. More
than 2.1 million people have recovered from the virus.
 The Covid-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached Malaysia in January 2020,
when it was detected on travellers from China arriving via Singapore.
 From 25 January until 23 May 2020, a total of 7,185 cases were reported in Malaysia,
with 115 deaths and 5,912 patients recovered.
The symptoms of Covid-19

Mild symptoms Less common symptoms Serious symptoms
 fever  aches and pains  difficulty breathing or

 dry cough  sore throat shortness of breath
 tiredness  diarrhoea  chest pain or pressure
 headache  loss of speech or
 loss of taste or smell movement
 a rash on skin, or
discolouration of
fingers or toes
On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms
to show, however it can take up to 14 days after exposure.
Movement Control Order

 Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Prime Minister of Malaysia held a live nationwide telecast
on 16 March 2020 to announce the decision of the federal government in implementing
the Movement Control Order (MCO) after Malaysia saw a significant jump in active
cases.
 The government imposed six restrictions:

1. The public is prohibited to mass gather or attend massive events including religious,
sports, social and cultural activities.
2. Malaysians returning from abroad are required to undergo a health check and self-
quarantine for 14 days.
3. Tourists and foreign visitors are restricted from entering the country.
4. Closure of all kindergartens, government and private schools, including daily
schools, boarding schools, international schools, tahfiz centres and other primary,
secondary and pre-university institutions.
5. Closure of all public and private higher education institutions (IPTs) and skill
training institutes.
6. Closure of all government and private premises except for essential services (water,
electricity, energy, telecommunications, postal, transportation, irrigation, oil, gas,
fuel, lubricants, broadcasting, finance, banking, health, pharmacy, fire, prison, port,
airport, safety, defence, cleaning, retail and food supply).
Ways prevent the spread of Covid-19

a) Wash your hands frequently and carefully
 Use warm water and soap and rub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Work the
lather to your wrists, between your fingers, and under your fingernails.
 You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 70% alcohol).
 Rewash your hands several times a day, especially after touching anything
including your phone or laptop.
b) Avoid touching your face
 This virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 72 hours.
 Avoid touching any part of your face including your mouth, nose, and eyes. This
can give Covid-19 a chance to go from your hands into your body.
c) Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze
 Covid-19 is found in high amounts in the nose and mouth. This means it can be
carried by air droplets to other people when you cough or sneeze. It can also land
on hard surfaces and stay there for up to 3 days.
 Use a tissue or sneeze into your elbow to keep your hands as clean as possible.
Wash your hands after you sneeze or cough, regardless.
d) Wear a face mask
 Cover your face with a face mask in public spaces, such as the grocery store, where
it's difficult to avoid close contact with others.
 These masks can help prevent people who are asymptomatic or undiagnosed from
transmitting the virus when they breathe, talk, sneeze, or cough. This, in turn, slows
the spread of the virus.
e) Avoid large events and mass gatherings
 Being in a group or gathering makes it more likely that you will be in close contact
with someone.
 This includes avoiding all religious places of worship, as you may have to sit or
stand too close to another congregant. It also includes congregating at parks or
beaches.

f) Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.

 Stop shaking hands and hugging people. Similarly, avoid touching other people.
Skin to skin contact can pass the virus from one person to another.
 If you must go out for necessities, keep a distance of 6 feet or 2 meters from other
people.
g) Take social distancing seriously
 Social distancing means staying home and working remotely when possible.
 Stay home as much as possible and keep distance between yourself and others,
especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness. Some people may have
Covid-19 and spread it to others, even if they don't have symptoms or don't know
they have Covid-19.
 Stay home from work, school and public areas if you're sick, unless you're going
to get medical care. Avoid public transportation, taxis and ride-sharing if you're
sick.
h) Self-quarantine if sick
 Stay home until you recover. Call the nearest hospital if there’s serious symptoms.
 Avoid sitting, sleeping, or eating with your loved ones even if you live in the same
home.
The basic treatment for Covid-19

 To date, there are no specific vaccines or medicines for Covid-19. Treatments are under
investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials.
 Malaysians are advice to practice self-care:
 If you feel sick you should rest, drink plenty of fluid, and eat nutritious food.
 Stay in a separate room from other family members, and use a dedicated bathroom
if possible.
 Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
 Everyone should keep a healthy lifestyle at home. Maintain a healthy diet, sleep, stay
active, and make social contact with loved ones through the phone or internet.
 Keep to regular routines and schedules as much as possible.
Mental health during Covid-19

 The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) may be stressful for people.
 It is normal to feel sad, stressed, or confused during a crisis.
 Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in
adults and children.
Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:

 Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones.
 Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
 Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
 Worsening of chronic health problems.
 Worsening of mental health conditions.
 Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

Ways to cope with stress during lockdown

 Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social
media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
 Take care of your body - eat well-balanced meals, exercise regularly and get enough
sleep.
 Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
 Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
 Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are
feeling. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker or counsellor.
Impacts of infectious diseases

a) Impact on employment
 Reduced attendance of workers due to infection, fear of infection, or absenteeism of
workers caring for their families.
 Broader economic problems caused by reduced workforces may then initiate economic
downturn and further unemployment.
b) Impact on economy and global trade
 Disease outbreaks among livestock are a major risk for the farming sector.
 Sudden and drastic cuts in consumption of the affected products and reductions in its
price.
 Reduced animal value due to control measures such as compulsory emergency
vaccination, and business interruption costs.
c) Impact on transport, travel, tourism and social gathering
 Travellers/ vacationers may perceive a threat - cancel trips or immediately leave the
affected country.
 Social gatherings such as symposia or conventions may be cancelled for public health
reasons.
d) Impact on delivery health care
 In cases of serious epidemic - health care providers have to deal with unprecedented
numbers of patients in emergency rooms and hospitals, while coping with severe supply
constraints.
 The same workers must also bear the mental burden of the risk they may pose in
spreading the disease to their families.

CHAPTER 7: POLITICAL ISSUES
Introduction
Malaya became independent from colonization in 1957. In 1963, Malaysia was formed and
Tunku Abdul Rahman became the first Prime Minister of the country. Before and after
independence, political parties had played a vital role in reclaiming the sovereignty of the
country and in developing Malaysia to its height of success today.
The Political Scenario’s from 1957-2008

a) Formation of Barisan Nasional (BN) in 1973
 The natural evolution from Perikatan, United Malays National Organisation, Malaysia
Chinese Association, and Malaysia Indian Congress (UMNO, MCA and MIC).
 Expanded to include the People's Progressive Party (PPP), Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party
(PAS) and Parti Gerakan Rakyat (Gerakan) which until that point were opposition but
joined the broader Barisan Nasional after the May 13th 1969 events in the name of
national interest.
b) The political response to outbreak of violence in May 13th 1969 was:

1. Broaden governing coalition to form the bigger BN allies.
2. Adopt a far more assertively pro-Bumiputera economic policy under the banner of the
New Economic Policy (NEP).
● A two-prong objective:
(i) Restructure the Malaysian economy to remove the identification of a race
based on their economic activities
(ii) Increase the Bumiputera share of ownership in the economy to 30 per cent.
● The NEP programme has ensured that ethnicity has been the defining principle of
economic policy. As a result, it has also remained the key axis of political identity
and representation in Malaysia.
c) The leadership and governance under Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

 He was the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia (May 1981 till October 2003)
 His achievements:
 The principal architect of Malaysia's transformation to become a developed nation.
 Malaysia experienced rapid modernisation and economic growth, and his
government initiated a series of bold infrastructure projects.
 Managed to elevate Malaysia’s position as the 17th biggest trading nation in the
world.
 Turn Malaysia into the next Asian tiger as an industrialized economy.
 Transformed Malaysia from an agricultural nation to an industrialised nation.

d) The dismissal of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

 In 1998, the former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sacked by
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and then arrested on September 20, 1998.
 Six years of imprisonment for sexual misconduct charges.
 Reaction of the public  shocked and sympathy.
 Many considered that his dismissal had been carried out in an undemocratic manner.
e) The release of Anwar Ibrahim from prison

 The Reformasi movement  seeking to build the political/institutional foundations of
an alternative form of governance based on the principles of good governance and
liberal democratic norms.
 The emergence of a group of younger citizens that was attuned to the concept and birth
of a democratic and open society.
f) The formation of Barisan Alternatif in 1998 (BA, Alternative Front in Malay)  a

coalition of Malaysian opposition parties, formed as a counterweight to the ruling BN. BA
was formed by the four largest opposition parties
a. the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS)
b. the Democratic Action Party (DAP)
c. the National Justice Party (Keadilan)
d. the Malaysian People's Party - announced an electoral alliance and issued a joint
manifesto
Disbanded after the 2004 general elections, all 4 former component parties of BA (then 3,
after a merger of 2 of the parties) have since formed a new coalition, Pakatan Rakyat (PR),
following the 2008 general elections.
g) PAS as the former BN coalition and Democratic Action Party (DAP) as the opposition
play a vital role in shaping Malaysian politic and country as a whole
 PAS is an Islamic political organization registered with the Malaysia’s Organization
Registration Society, established in Butterworth, Penang on 24th November 1951.
 A strong support from northern rural and conservative area such as Kelantan and
Terengganu.
 Kelantan has been ruled by the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) since 1990, with re-
elections in 1995, 1999 and 2004, 2008 and 2013.
h) The DAP was founded on 18th March 1966 and had contested in 11 general elections from
1969 to 2013.
 DAP is one of the three main opposition parties in Malaysia, along with the PKR and
PAS, that are seen as electable alternatives to the Barisan Nasional coalition of parties.
 DAP secured over 70 per cent of the total number of parliamentary seats it contested in
the 13th general election, winning 38 of the 51 seats.

i) BN coalition from 1957 to 2004:

 1957-2004: the BN coalition has won every election with 2/3 majority in Parliament.
 10th Malaysian General Election in November 1999  BN gained 56 per cent, but still
maintained its two-third majority in parliament.
 11th Malaysian general election in March 2004  BN under Prime Minister Dato' Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, bounced back with an increased majority, gaining 63.9 per
cent of the votes. BN won 198 parliamentary seats and this is the largest majority and
the best ever performance that BN had won since the 1978 elections.
General Election 12, 2008

a) The stronger influence of politics
 Since 2008, politics has been creeping into almost every fibre of Malaysian society.
 The politicizing of every single issue  religion, race, economics, advertisement,
transportation, academic, school, mainstream media and etc.
 Purpose: gaining political support.
 Effect: possible divisive consequences among ethnic.
b) Political tsunami ~ huge change in political landscape

 The 12th General Election in March 8, 2008 (GE 12, 2008) has been characterised as a
“political tsunami”.
 The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition  unprecedented losses.
 The primary peninsular opposition – PKR, DAP and PAS  remarkable gains.
 Four additional state governments also fell to the opposition (Selangor, Penang, Kedah
and Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur).
Factors attributed to the decline in BN dominance

a) The educated middle class
 The rise of the educated middle class plays an essential role in the new political mosaic
with the seeding of young political figures and strong Non-Governmental Organisation
(NGO’s) to balance the democratic government authority.
 The government now has to brace itself against a big challenge coming from the
Opposition, which was called by the academic community as 3 vs. 1 (The Opposition
+ NGO’s + social media vs. BN).
b) The non-Malay voters
 Thomas Pepinsky, (2008) identifies one of the main causes of the ruling regime’s poor
showing as “non-Malay voters’ rejecting the incumbent coalition in favour of secular
opposition parties.” There certainly appears to have been a shift in the level of support
for the ruling BN coalition among the Chinese and Indian voters.
 In the 12 GE, the emergence of the opposition alliance (PKR-DAP-PAS) has provided
voters a political alternative at the polls.
c) The new media
 Shaping the emerging democratic space (political uprising) in Malaysia.

 The social media especially the internet is providing Malaysians with avenues for airing
their views on political, economic and social matters.
d) Street protests
 The major events happened in terms of contentious politics at the mass society level
were two major street protests that took place in November 2007, less than five months
prior to the 12 GE.
i. BERSIH rally
✔ On November 10 2007, an estimated 40,000 individuals, consisting of a
coalition of seventy civil society groups, joined by members of opposition
political parties and individuals, took to the streets of the nation’s capital, Kuala
Lumpur.
✔ Organized under the Coalition of Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH, which is
the Malay word for “clean”), this protest was to petition the king for reforms to
the electoral system.
✔ The subsequent rally, BERSIH 2.0 rally (also called The Walk for Democracy)
was a demonstration held on 9 July 2011 in Kuala Lumpur as a follow-up to the
2007 BERSIH rally.
✔ The 2011 rally's immediate demands were:
 Clean the electoral roll
 Reform postal voting
 Use of indelible ink during election
 A minimum campaign period of 21 days
 Free and fair access to mainstream media
 Strengthen public institutions
 Stop corruption
✔ The BERSIH 3.0 rally (also called Sit In rally or DudukBantah in Malay) was a
demonstration in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia held on 28 April 2012. Following the
rally in 2011, the government of Malaysia organised a Public Select Committee
(PSC) to look into electoral reforms in Malaysia, which released their proposals
in April 2012.
✔ In addition to the eight previous demands, it called for:
 The Election Commission must resign, as it has failed in its responsibility
and has lost the confidence of the public.
 The electoral process must be cleaned before the 13th General Elections.
 Invite international observers to observe the 13th General Elections.
ii. Hindraf
✔ An estimated 30,000 ethnic Indians organized as the Hindu Rights Action Force
(HINDRAF), an Indian nongovernmental organization, marched peacefully on
the streets of Kuala Lumpur in November 25th 2007 to protest the ruling BN
coalition’s neglect of the Tamil-speaking Hindu working class.
Measures taken by Barisan Nasional to remain relevant after GE12, 2008

The leadership and governance of Datuk Seri Najib
a) 1 Malaysia, People First, performance Now Aim

 Aim: to take this young nation of 27 million people to a new and greater height of
progress; to forge a new level of nationhood out of the various races in Malaysia.
 Endeavour to provide to the needs among lower and middle class Malaysians through
the following initiatives:
 Health care service such as Klinik 1 Malaysia.
 Affordable and quality housing project like Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia
(PR1MA), Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) and RumahMesra Rakyat 1Malaysia
(RMR1M).
 Ease the impact of inflation – Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BRIM), Kedai Rakyat I
Malaysia, Menu Rakyat 1 Malaysia, Baucer Buku 1 Malaysia (BB1M) and etc.
b) Government Transformation Programme (GTP)
 Endeavour to make Malaysian a developed nation, that is a high-income nation, by
2020.
 To fundamentally transform the Government into an efficient and people-centred
institution.
c) The Economic Transformation Programme (ETP)
 Aims to develop Malaysia into a high-income country by 2020 via increased
investment.
 To build a resilient, dynamic and innovative economy.
 To bring in investments  further infrastructure development, such as the expansion
of the North-South Expressway and a proposed Pan-Borneo Highway.

a) The results of GE13 showed BN winning with a majority seat in the national parliament.
With a record 84.5 per cent voter turnout, the final results gave the BN 133 and the
opposition PR coalition 89 out of 222 parliamentary seats, while at the state level, the BN
coalition won 275, and the opposition garnered 230 out of 505 seats. The BN retained
majority in the national parliament, and retook the state of Kedah from PAS. In the rest of
the states, the status quo was maintained. The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition under
the leadership of the Prime Minister Najib Razak, formed the government with a majority
of seats and 47.38% of the popular vote while the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition led by
Anwar Ibrahim formed the bulk of the opposition in Parliament after winning 50.87 per
cent of the popular vote.
b) The Aftermath of GE 13 - Street Protests

 Bersih 4.0 took place when a series of rallies in 2013 were carried out, in the aftermath
of the general elections in Malaysia in 2013 to protesting the results of the elections,
whereby the opposition garnered a plurality of the votes but still lost the election due to
the government gaining the most seats in the Westminster system of elections.
 Bersih has set forth the following main objectives for their rallies
 Free and Fair Elections (Pilihan Raya yang Bebas dan Adil)
 A Clean Government (Kerajaan yang Telus)
 The Right to Dissent (Hak untuk Membantah)

 Strengthening the Parliamentary Democracy (Memperkukuhkan Demokrasi

Berparlimen)
 Saving the Economy of Malaysia (Menyelamatkan Ekonomi Malaysia)
 Resignation of the Prime Minister, Najib Razak (Peletakan Jawatan Perdana
Menteri, Najib Razak)
c) BERSIH 5.0
 It took place on 19 November 2016. The rally was held calling for a new and cleaner
electoral system in Malaysia. A Bersih convoy was also launched and targeted all parts
of Malaysia to raise awareness of the current democratic problems nationwide
 The goals of Bersih 5.0:
 For a New Malaysia
 Free and Fair Elections
 A Clean Government
 The Right to Dissent
 Strengthening the Parliamentary Democracy
 Empowering Sabah and Sarawak
 Resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak
Pakatan Harapan
 The Pakatan Harapan, (PH) is a political coalition bringing together centre-left political
movements, organisations, parties and independent individuals in Malaysia.
 The coalition was formed on 22 September 2015, consisting the Democratic Action
Party, People's Justice Party, National Trust Party and after 14 March, Malaysian United
Indigenous Party.
 The movement has aimed to form a broad alliance of centre-left parties for the general
election due to be held before 24 August 2018.
Malaysia’s politics towards General Election 2018

 Malaysia is expected to be a developed nation in the near future. Malaysia is a very complex
society due to the existence of a diverse population – Malay and other Bumiputera, Chinese
and Indians – making Malaysia a plural society composed of different ethnics, cultures,
customs, and languages.
 Ethnic-politics, religious-politics, Malay and non-Malay politics, racism-politics appear to
be lingering around in arena of Malaysian politics today.
 Since the12th general election, Malaysia's political landscape has been changing. In fact,
political and social changes have already been taking place in the past decades in the age of
social media and amidst the instant-information society.
 Ethnic politics in Malaysia is moving toward a new plateau where cross-ethnic line voting
may be a more common trend. The young generation is expected to play a bigger role in the
Malaysian politics landscape for the coming 14th GE.

 ‘Alternative’ forms of media are also expected take centre-stage in the dissemination of
political information. Blogs, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter as well as a host of other
independent news portals are becoming increasingly popular.

The 14th Malaysian general election will elect members of the 14th Parliament of Malaysia on
9 May 2018. The 13th Parliament of Malaysia was dissolved on 7 April 2018.
Issues arising towards GE 14

a) Redelineation exercise
 The Dewan Rakyat passed the redelineation motion, the first such exercise by the
Election Commission (EC) in the last 15 years, which showed electoral changes in 98
out of 165 parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia. The new electoral boundaries
were used for the coming 14th General Election (GE14).
b) #UndiRosak Campaign
 There is a campaign calling for voters to boycott elections or deliberately spoil their
votes during the 14th General Election (GE14) called #UndiRosak. The hashtag
#UndiRosak emerged on social media and even trended on Twitter in January 2018, as
supporters of the campaign are voicing out their opinion on how boycotting or
deliberately making their votes spoilt is a sign of protest and discontent.
 For many, this sentiment seems to stem from the notion that that both ruling coalition
Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) deserve their
votes as they do not believe that any of these coalitions could bring systemic changes.
These people are mostly saying that they refuse to choose either one of the parties and
would rather turn up and spoil their votes on polling day.
General Election 14 Results

 General Election 14 was held on 9 May 2018 to elect members of the 14th Parliament
of Malaysia. Pakatan Harapan the main opposition coalition in the Malaysian Parliament,
won 113 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, Malaysia's lower house of parliament–just enough for
a majority. The Sabah Heritage Party, which won another 8 seats, informally aligned itself
with Pakatan Harapan, giving the opposition alliance a total of 121 seats in the new
Parliament, enough to form a government.
 This marked a historic defeat for the ruling Barisan Nasional, which had been the governing
party of Malaysia and its predecessor state Malaya, since the country’s independence in
1957. Mahathir Mohamad then becomes the 7th Prime Minister of the country. At 92 years
old, he became the oldest head of government in the world, although he has indicated he
would give way within a few years to Anwar Ibrahim.

How Malaysia’s Government (multi-ethnic coalition called Pakatan Harapan) Collapsed

in 2 Years
a) The rise of Ketuanan Islam Melayu
 UMNO initially wanted to use Islam as a political weapon against Parti Islam Malaysia
(PAS), its most direct political challenger.
 For decades, PAS’s message of turning Malaysia into an Islamic state gained ground
as the Malay Muslim population became increasingly conservative. UMNO, however,
was uncomfortable with pursuing an Islamic state agenda given that its founding
philosophy was firmly based on ketuanan Melayu, an ideology akin to ethnic
nationalism with a minor Islamic component.
 In September 2019, with Pakatan Harapan in power, the unthinkable happened. UMNO
and PAS came together in a political pact called Muakafat Nasional (“National
Consensus”).
 This pact was intended to combine Malay nationalists with the Islamic vote in a single
bloc to defeat Pakatan Harapan in the next general election. By extension, the
combination of the core ideology of PAS and UMNO resulted in ketuanan Islam
Melayu.
b) PH lost in by-elections
January 2019: in Cameron Highlands
March 2019: in Semenyih
Some of the factors for their loss could be:
 PH being defensive when confronted with issues pertaining to unfulfilled manifesto,
such as the increase in prices of goods, as well as the collection of toll. BN's victory
was a clear sign that the public has gotten tired of PH’s difficulty in delivering their
GE14 election manifesto. They (voters) do not want the blame game on Datuk Seri
Najib Razak and BN to continue, but rather concrete plans and action on how to address
these issues such as cost of living.
 The combination of UMNO and PAS in pushing for Malay-Muslim interests, which
gained traction in the previous Cameron Highlands by-election, has been subsequently
affirmed in the Malay-majority Semenyih state constituency that comprises 68 per cent
Malay voters.
c) Lack of experience and cohesion

 When the four Pakatan Harapan parties got into government, only one-quarter of the
ministers had any experience in government.
 Aside from that, they faced resistance from civil servants who were largely loyal to the
old regime.
 The four parties also did not really co-ordinate their policies. Each party had its own
political agenda and ministers contradicted each other in public.
 DAP, the Chinese-based party, was in political conflict with PPBM, the Malay party,
on many policies, especially in the economic arena and on pro-Malay affirmative action

policies. Although they tried to hide these conflicts, the tensions began to affect the
entire government.
d) Lack of real reforms
 When the voters rejected Barisan Nasional in May 2018, there was a high expectation
that the new government would finally bring real reform to the country. The PH
government was unable to carry out reforms:
 Malaysia need to change its electoral system. There is wide consensus that the
current system is unfair and does not give enough incentives for individuals or
parties to appeal beyond narrow ethno-religious nationalism.
 Second, wholesale reform of the Malaysia bureaucracy. At present, more than 80
percent of the civil servants in Malaysia are ethnic Malays. It needs to be more
diverse and one way to do this is by recruiting more non-Malays over a period of
time.
 Third, legislation dealing with hate speech. The lack of political will and fear led
directly to the Pakatan Harapan government backtracking on the ratification of the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
even after Mahathir announced that Malaysia would sign it at a UN speech.
UMNO/PAS organized massive rallies and said the convention would take away
Malay “special rights” and the powers of the Malay sultans. The government backed
down.
The collapse of Pakatan Harapan

 The events in which Pakatan Harapan collapsed due to the defecting of more than 30 MPs
to form an alliance with UMNO and PAS have been a shattering blow to the voters who
saw the 2018 election as a watershed, a new beginning for the country.
 The former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad then launched a no-confidence vote
against his replacement, Muhyiddin Yassin.
 During the Parliament’s one-day sitting on May 18, the first sitting since Muhyiddin and
his Perikatan Nasional alliance took power from the Pakatan Harapan coalition, Sultan
Abdullah delivered his royal address, saying:
“What is for sure is that every competition will have its ending. The country’s
political crisis cannot be left to continue for a prolonged period without an ending
in sight. Because of that, after going through all the mentioned processes, and in
line with the Federal Constitution, I found that the honourable Tan Sri Muhyiddin
Yassin commanded the majority support from the members of the Dewan Rakyat and
so qualified to be appointed as the eighth prime minister”
 Sultan Abdullah added he remained confident that the administration, led by
Muhyiddin, would steer the country to greater heights. “My advice is to exercise this
trust with honesty and responsibility and never ignore the wellbeing of the rakyat,” he
said.

Perikatan Nasional
 On 17 May 2020, the leaders of BERSATU, BN, PAS, GPS, PBS, and STAR issued a joint
statement saying that all their 111 MPs support formalising the Perikatan Nasional alliance.
 The parties' leaders also announced that they had been working on a memorandum of
understanding to facilitate cooperation within the PN alliance.
 Key provisions of the MOU include upholding the Malaysian Constitution, the sovereignty
of the Malay Rulers, the principles of Rukun Negara, and ensuring the welfare and interest
of Malaysians of all religions and race.
 Perikatan Nasional was registered on 7 August 2020 as Parti Perikatan Nasional (lit.
Perikatan Nasional Party).

CHAPTER 8: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES -- CLIMATE CHANGE,

DEFORESTATION AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
Environmental problems
 Our environment is constantly changing. There is no denying that. However, as our
environment changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the problems that
surround it. With a massive influx of natural disasters, warming and cooling periods,
different types of weather patterns and much more, people need to be aware of what types
of environmental problems our planet is facing.
 Global warming has become an undisputed fact about our current livelihoods; our planet is
warming up and we are definitely part of the problem. However, this isn’t the only
environmental problem that we should be concerned about. All across the world, people are
facing a wealth of new and challenging environmental problems every day. Some of them
are small and only affect a few ecosystems, but others are drastically changing the landscape
of what we already know.
 Our planet is poised at the brink of a severe environmental crisis. Current environmental
problems make us vulnerable to disasters and tragedies, now and in the future. We are in a
state of planetary emergency, with environmental problems piling up high around us. Unless
we address the various issues prudently and seriously we are surely doomed for disaster.
Current environmental problems require urgent attention.
 However, according to the Environment and Water Minister, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, the
Air Pollutant Index (API) levels dropped 14 per cent to record a “clean index” while 28 per
cent of 29 automatic water monitoring stations’ readings showed a real time improvement
in water quality during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period from March 18 to April
14 which was not possible before the pandemic.
Major current environmental problems

1. Pollution
 Pollution of air, water and soil require millions of years to recoup. Industry and motor
vehicle exhaust are the number one pollutants.
 Heavy metals, nitrates and plastic are toxins responsible for pollution. While water
pollution is caused by oil spill, acid rain, urban runoff. In September 2020, more than a
million households in Malaysia’s densely populated Klang Valley suffered extended
water cuts after illegal chemical dumping debilitated the region’s aging water
purification systems. Meanwhile, air pollution is caused by various gases and toxins
released by industries and factories and combustion of fossil fuels; soil pollution is
majorly caused by industrial waste that deprives soil from essential nutrients.
2. Global warming
 Climate changes like global warming is the result of human practices like emission of
Greenhouse gases.

 Global warming leads to rising temperatures of the oceans and the earth’ surface
causing melting of polar ice caps, rise in sea levels and also unnatural patterns of
precipitation such as flash floods, excessive snow or desertification.
3) Overpopulation
 The population of the planet is reaching unsustainable levels as it faces shortage of
resources like water, fuel and food.
 Population explosion in less developed and developing countries is straining the already
scarce resources.
 Intensive agriculture practiced to produce food damages the environment through use
of chemical fertilizer, pesticides and insecticides. Overpopulation is one of the crucial
current environmental problem.
4) Natural resource depletion
 Natural resource depletion is another crucial current environmental problem. Fossil fuel
consumption results in emission of Greenhouse gases, which is responsible for global
warming and climate change.
 The United Nations Environment Programme has revealed that 60 per cent of natural
resources that provide food, water, energy and clean air have been seriously degraded.
 Globally, people are taking efforts to shift to renewable sources such as solar and wind
technologies, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, public transportation and smart grids.
The cost of installing the infrastructure and maintaining these sources has plummeted
in the recent years.
5) Waste disposal
 The over consumption of resources and creation of plastics are creating a global crisis
of waste disposal. Developed countries are notorious for producing an excessive
amount of waste or garbage and dumping their waste in the oceans and, less developed
countries.
 Nuclear waste disposal has tremendous health hazards associated with it. Plastic, fast
food, packaging and cheap electronic wastes threaten the well beings of humans. Waste
disposal is one of urgent current environmental problem.
6) Climate change
 Climate change is yet another environmental problem that has surfaced in last couple
of decades. It occurs due to rise in global warming which occurs due to increase in
temperature of atmosphere by burning of fossil fuels and release of harmful gases by
industries.
 Climate change has various harmful effects but not limited to melting of polar ice,
change in seasons, occurrence of new diseases, frequent occurrence of floods and
change in overall weather scenario.
7) Loss of biodiversity
 Human activity is leading to the extinction of species and habitats and loss of bio-
diversity. Eco systems, which took millions of years to perfect, are in danger when any
species population is decimating.

 Balance of natural processes like pollination is crucial to the survival of the eco-system
and human activity threatens the same. Another example is the destruction of coral reefs
in the various oceans, which support the rich marine life.
8) Deforestation
 Our forests are natural sinks of carbon dioxide and produce fresh oxygen as well as
helps in regulating temperature and rainfall. At present forests cover 30 per cent of the
land but every year tree cover is lost amounting to the country of Panama due to
growing population demand for more food, shelter and cloth.
 Deforestation simply means clearing of green cover and make that land available for
residential, industrial or commercial purpose.
9) Ocean acidification
 It is a direct impact of excessive production of CO2. 25 per cent of CO2 produced by
humans.
 The ocean acidity has increased by the last 250 years but by 2100, it may shoot up by
150 per cent. The main impact is on shellfish and plankton in the same way as human
osteoporosis.
10) Ozone layer depletion
 The ozone layer is an invisible layer of protection around the planet that protects us
from the sun’s harmful rays. Depletion of the crucial Ozone layer of the atmosphere is
attributed to pollution caused by Chlorine and Bromide found in Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFC).
 Once these toxic gases reach the upper atmosphere, they cause a hole in the ozone layer,
the biggest of which is above the Antarctic.
 The CFC’s are banned in many industries and consumer products. Ozone layer is
valuable because it prevents harmful UV radiation from reaching the earth. This is one
of the most important current environmental problem.
11) Acid rain
 Acid rain occurs due to the presence of certain pollutants in the atmosphere. Acid rain
can be caused due to combustion of fossil fuels or erupting volcanoes or rotting
vegetation which release sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.
 Acid rain is a known environmental problem that can have serious effect on human
health, wildlife and aquatic species.
12) Water pollution
 Clean drinking water is becoming a rare commodity. Water is becoming an economic
and political issue as the human population fights for this resource.
 Water pollution was listed as one of the top ten environmental health concerns in the
Health Ministry's recent National Environmental Health Action Plan.
 One of the options suggested is using the process of desalinization. Industrial
development is filling our rivers seas and oceans with toxic pollutants which are a major
threat to human health.
13) Urban sprawl
 Urban sprawl refers to migration of population from high density urban areas to low
density rural areas which results in spreading of city over more and more rural land.

 Urban sprawl results in land degradation, increased traffic, environmental issues and
health issues. The ever growing demand of land displaces natural environment
consisting of flora and fauna instead of being replaced.
14) Public health issues
 The current environmental problems pose a lot of risk to health of humans, and animals.
Dirty water is the biggest health risk of the world and poses threat to the quality of life
and public health.
 Run-off to rivers carries along toxins, chemicals and disease carrying organisms.
Pollutants cause respiratory diseases like asthma and cardiac-vascular problems. High
temperatures encourage the spread of infectious diseases like dengue.
15) Genetic engineering
 Genetic modification of food using biotechnology is called genetic engineering.
Genetic modification of food results in increased toxins and diseases as genes from an
allergic plant can transfer to target plant.
 Genetically modified crops can cause serious environmental problems as an engineered
gene may prove toxic to wildlife. Another drawback is that increased use of toxins to
make insect resistant plant can cause resultant organisms to become resistant to
antibiotics.
The need for change in our daily lives and the movements of our government is growing.
Because so many different factors come into play - voting, governmental issues, the desire to
stick to routine - many people don’t consider that what they do will affect future generations.
If humans continue moving forward in such a harmful way towards the future, then there will
be no future to consider. Although it’s true that we cannot physically stop our ozone layer from
thinning (and scientists are still having trouble figuring out what is causing it exactly), there
are still so many things we can do to try and put a dent in what we already know. By raising
awareness in our local community and within our families about these issues, we can help
contribute to a more environmentally conscious and friendly place for all to live.
1. CLIMATE CHANGE
Factors of climate change

a) Natural causes
 Due to changes in volcanic activity and changes in solar radiation.
 Volcanic eruptions  episodic and have relatively short-term effects on climate.
 Changes in solar irradiance  have contributed to climate trends over the past
century.
b) Human causes
Climate change can also be caused by human activities spurred by the Industrial
Revolution, such as:
 The burning of fossil fuels
 Human’s endless hunger for energy  ongoing burning of unlimited quantities
of fossil fuels.

 When fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas - are burnt they release CO2 (carbon
dioxide) into the atmosphere.
 Results in the layer of greenhouse gas gets thicker, which is in turn making the
Earth warmer.
 The conversion of land for forestry and agriculture
 These activities change the land surface.
 Oil palm displacing rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia.
 Results in: a) influence both the amount of incoming energy and the amount of
outgoing energy; and b) causing both warming and cooling effects on the
climate.
 Plantations are mostly governed by the 1984 Forestry Act, which revolves
around the various licenses and permits pertaining to protected and unprotected
forest areas. Malaysia’s forestry governance requires those with licenses to write
a management and reforestation plan, but there are little to no recommendations
or enforcement for sustainable forest use or ways to mitigate pollution or other
environmental impacts on the area.
 The increased consumption of meat
 A worldwide trend for American-style diets leads to a large increase in meat and
dairy consumption.
 More meat consumption, more arable cultivation is turned over to producing
feedstock for animals that provide meat for humans.
 The losses at each stage are large, and as humans globally eat more and more
meat, conversion from plants to food becomes less and less efficient, driving
agricultural expansion and releasing more greenhouse gases.
 Energy wastage
 Cheap and abundant fossil fuels have cemented bad energy habits, especially in
rich countries.
 Example: electrical appliances are left on a standby mode.
 The energy waste could easily be reduced if we use our energy more efficiently.
Effects of climate change in Malaysia

a) Agriculture production
 Changes in climate factors could decrease yields of rice, the main staple food in
Malaysia, from 13 per cent to 80 per cent and decrease the production of industrial
crops, particularly oil palm, rubber and cocoa from 10-30 per cent.
 On the contrary, population of the country is expected to increase in the next few
decades  increased domestic demand of food.
 As a result  food crises and consequently threaten food security in the country.
b) Water supply
 According to Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (PEKA), Malaysia is expected to
face critical water issues in the next 10 to 15 years if aggressive steps are not taken by
the government and other relevant parties to protect the environment.

 According to National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (Nahrim)  there

would be water supply issues in the future, especially in areas with higher risk or
vulnerability, such as in the Muda watershed in Kedah and small basins like Linggi.
c) Flood
 Part of Malaysia, especially the east coast states, are hit annually by heavy monsoon
rain causing floods that have severely affected the environment and people.
Thousands evacuated to flood relief centres and others lost their daily income.
 Recent cases: According to the Federal government’s “Infobanjir” flood
information system, throughout 2020, floods have been reported across
Terengganu, Kelantan, Melaka, Penang, Pahang, Perlis, Perak, Kedah, Negeri
Sembilan, Johor, Selangor as well as the East Malaysian states of Sabah and
Sarawak.
 In 2019, over 15, 000 people across the country were forced to leave their homes
and evacuate affected flood areas.
d) Heat wave
 In 2016, the Malaysian Meteorological Department declared a heatwave in the
northern part of the peninsula after five straight days of above normal temperatures.
It also announced that the recent hot spell is caused by the Equinox phenomenon.
 States that were hit the worst were Kedah, Perlis and Penang, with Chuping, Perlis,
recording 38 degrees Celsius yesterday, and the highest in Malaysia.
 Temperatures in Malaysia soared above 37 celcius, prompting more than 250
schools to close in order to protect the health of around 100,000 pupils.
 Recent cases: heatwave conditions can result in physiological strain, which could
even result in death. A male trainee policeman at the Segamat Police Training
Centre (Pulapol) became the first victim to die of heatstroke in 2016.
e) Socio-political stability
 Long dry spell  water rationing exercise  causing many to be dissatisfied with
the local authorities due to the inconvenience and the stress.
 Severe flood  many towns and villages in Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu and
Perak to be submerged in flood water  high tensions due to loss of lives, the
damage of properties and goods and the temporary loss of the source of their
livelihood.
 The extreme climate change  led to political debates  affected the socio-
political fabric of the Malaysian society.
What we can do to counter climate change?

Some of the measures include:
a) Reduce energy use
 Adopt energy-saving habits. Make it a habit to turn off the lights as you leave a
room.
 Replace standard light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
 Turn off your computer and unplug electronics when they are not in use.
b) High efficiency appliances

 When replacing appliances, look for high efficiency units.

 Appliances with ENERGY STAR ratings, an international standard for energy-
efficient consumer products, typically utilize a minimum of 20 per cent less
energy.
c) Recycle and repurpose
 Recycling: make recycling part of your daily routine  recycle all packaging and
consumer goods that you can.
 Repurpose: give used items, e.g. clothing and household goods, a chance at a
second life by donating them to charity or selling them at a garage sale.
d) Limiting the consumption of meat
 In the industrialized world, consumers eat as much as 90 kilograms of meat per
year.
 According to the study, however, reducing global meat consumption to just 90
grams a day could help cut the methane and nitrous oxide emissions released from
cows  will slow the rate of climate change.
2. DEFORESTATION
 Clearance or clearing is the removal of a forest or stand of trees.
 The land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use.
 Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban
use.
Effects of deforestation
a) Affects land sustainability
 Trees provide habitats for many species in this world.
 When the habitat for plants and animals is cut down or burned, species that may
not be present anywhere else on Earth disappear.
 Without them, much of our lands would be barren or lack diversity, which is not
good for the land sustainability.
b) Release of carbon dioxide
 Every tree that is cut down releases its stored carbon dioxide that it accumulates
over its years of growth.
 Older trees  the more carbon dioxide released  damaging to the atmosphere.
 Deforestation is responsible for approximately 20 per cent of all greenhouse gas
emissions.
c) Global warming
 Trees also provide an escape from the urban heat island effect.
 Urban heat island effect: the temperature of cities and buildings are hotter than the
surrounding forestry and natural splendour.

Rampant deforestation in Malaysia

a) Report by Global Forest Watch
 The primary forest loss in Malaysia in 2019 is 120,000 hectares.
 Out of this, 70,000 hectares of primary forest loss occurred in Malaysia’s Borneo
states while 50,000 hectares of primary forest loss occurred in Peninsular Malaysia.
 The primary driver of deforestation across the tropics is the expansion of
agriculture.
b) Study by the Netherlands-based Wetlands International
 Malaysia is uprooting an average 2 per cent of the rain forest a year on Sarawak,
or nearly 10 per cent over the last five years.
 Most of it is being converted to palm oil plantations.
c) Expansion of palm oil plantations
 Malaysia and Indonesia produce about 85 per cent of the world's palm oil.
 Uses of palm oil  cooking oil, cosmetics, soaps, bread, chocolate, industrial
lubricant, even was once considered an ideal biofuel alternative to fossil fuel.
 Under heavy criticism  due to widespread rainforest destruction for the
expansion of the plantations.
The importance of forests

a) Preserve biological diversity
 Forests cover 30 per cent of the Earth's surface.
 Contain much of the biological diversity found on land.
 Harbour over two-thirds of known terrestrial species, many of which are
threatened.
b) Ensuring our continued existence.
 Forests provide critical environmental services.
 Regulating water flow into our streams/ rivers and moderating climatic change.
c) Supply us with many essential items
 Timber for all kinds of uses.
 Non-timber forest products such as rattan and bamboo, wild fruits such as the petai
(Parkia spp.), durian (Durio spp.) and medicinal plants.
d) Many of the animals found in forests are of great importance to us
 Example: bats help to pollinate fruit plants and keep the number of insect pests
down.
 Without bats  have to depend on insecticides, most of which are harmful to the
environment.
e) The importance of tropical rainforests
 Tropical rainforests  as one of the most productive type of forests in the world.
 There are only three areas in the world where tropical rainforests are found –
tropical South America, Central Africa and Southeast Asia.
 The rainforests of Southeast Asia are believed to be the oldest and among the most
biologically diverse in the world.

3. ENDANGERED SPECIES
 In Malaysia, just like elsewhere the modern world, many species of wildlife are
disappearing fast, and conservation measures are needed to prevent animals and plants
from vanishing for good.
 The World Conservation Union has stated that 14 per cent of mammals in Malaysia are
facing extinction unless something is done fast to halt their decline in numbers.
 Three large mammal species that fall within this category are the Sumatran Rhinoceros
(Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), the Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) and the
Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus).
Why do animals become endangered?

Humans are largely responsible when animals become extinct, endangered or threatened.
Here are some reasons why animals become endangered:
a) Destruction of habitat due to man’s self interest
 Humans destroy precious habitat  the natural environment of a living thing when
they fill swamps, marshes, dam and rivers and cut down trees to build homes, roads
and other developments. Example, the Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) a
critically endangered species native to peninsular Malaysia, has been squeezed out
by habitat fragmentation.
 For many people  conservation takes second place to the welfare of human
beings  do not realise that all animal and plants species have vital roles to play
in the ecosystem.
b) Pollution
 Oil spills, acid rain and water pollution have been devastating for many species of
fish and birds.
 Chemical pollutants may interfere with metabolic functions, causing functional
impairment or death of organisms.
 Reduction in the number of any species within a given food chain  affects other
members of the ecosystem.
c) Illegal and over-hunting
 Many animals are over-hunted because their meat, fur and other parts are very
valuable.
 One of the saddest and sickest reasons that animals are hunted is because of the
crazy supernatural belief that parts of their bodies, such as rhino horn, have magic
properties.
 Some have resorted to online illegal wildlife trade  the entire trade is mostly
carried out via their mobile phone.
d) Exotic or alien species
 When animals or plants arrive into a new habitat from a foreign place they
sometimes introduce diseases that the native species can't fight.
 These "exotic" species can also prey on the native species.

 The introduction of these alien species to a new environment can have major
dissociative effects to an entire ecosystem and be a key driver in species
extinctions.
Measures that have been taken in wildlife conservation

a) Operasi Taring
 Recently this operation was carried out by the Department of Wildlife and National
Parks (Perhilitan) to combat online illegal wildlife trade.
 As of March 2015  managed to arrest several “important players” in the illegal
wildlife trade syndicate and to seize several protected wildlife species.
b) Educational awareness on the practice of responsible environmental stewardship
 The public have to be taught that all living things have important roles to play in
the natural world.
 Education on environmental conservation has been included in the syllabus taught
in schools and higher institutions of learning.
 NGOs like the Malaysian Nature Society  pioneer conservation through habitat
conservation and environmental education.
c) Wildlife conservation projects
 Many individuals and organisations have been stepping forward with ideas and
projects to help conserve the environment and the flora and fauna that depend on
it.
 Example  awareness on the conservation of Malayan Tigers  the World
Wildlife Fund (WWF) staged a public event in Kuala Lumpur in which protesters
pretended to drop dead, and in so doing, called attention to the threat to the tigers.
d) Collaborative efforts
 Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah initiative has been in the news recently for winning
an award at the 5th Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards for successfully
arresting 140 wildlife criminals and making seizures worth RM1.85mil as well as
destroying 672 snares in 2020.
 In addition, the government has allocated RM20 million to Perhilitan under
National Budget 2021 to hire 500 retired army personnel and Orang Asli to patrol
the largest forest complexes in Peninsular Malaysia.
e) Promoting eco-tourism
 The mountains, jungles and beaches of Malaysia have made this area of the world
the most popular destination for tourists in Southern Asia.
 On a financial level  important for Malaysia to look after its natural habitats or
the eco-tourists will have no reason to visit eco-tourism spots.

CHAPTER 9: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES -- POLLUTION, NATURAL DISASTERS

AND SUSTAINABILITY
Most concerning environmental issues in Malaysia 2019

According to a survey conducted by Ipsos on the most concerning environmental issues in
Malaysia as of March 2019, 45 per cent of respondents stated that global warming or climate
change was the leading environmental concern. There is a relatively high awareness of the
topic in the country and some people have adjusted their lifestyles to mitigate the effect of
climate change.
Climate change awareness in Malaysia

 Malaysia is among many other countries worldwide that believe in the existence and threat
of climate change.
 As a peninsular country, the impact of climate change could also pose a serious threat to
those living in coastal communities due to the rise of sea level and tidal inundation, among
others.
 A recent survey on climate change revealed that 82 per cent of the population in the country
believed that the average global temperature would increase in 2020.
 In addition, another survey reported that some Malaysians found that climate change was
one of the most worrying issues in their country.
Mitigation and adaptation 

 Apart from government policies to combat climate change, Malaysian consumers seemed
to be well informed about how to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
 A recent survey on climate change and consumer behaviour conducted in Malaysia revealed
that most people have made changes to their consumer behaviour out of concern about
climate change.
 The adaptations made by Malaysian consumers due to climate change included changes to
their water usage and getting into the habit of recycling.
1. POLLUTION
 Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause
adverse change.
 Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or
light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies
or naturally occurring contaminants.
 Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution.
Factors of air pollution

a) Industrial activities
Many industrial zones have been set up in mostly forestland and uninhabited areas.
Effects:

1. Trees have been cut down to accommodate towards the building of large industrial
factories.
2. Oxygen supply is decreased.
3. The factories are spewing out poisonous gases in the course of its production.
b) Increasing vehicles on the road
 In Malaysia, pollutants from the combustion of fossil fuels emitted by vehicles is
one of the main cause for air pollution in Malaysia.
 Personal ownership of cars  due to the competitive prices of locally made cars
and their affordable financing scheme.
 Effect: an increasing amount of cars on the road, especially in the city areas
congested with human population  excess poisonous gases and heat are emitted
daily.
c) Indiscriminate open air burning to get rid of excess rubbish
 Although open air burning is banned by law, the ban has not been heeded by the
people of Malaysia.
 Smoke and heat is released.
 Example: open air burning in plantations in Indonesia has caused haze in its
neighbouring countries, including Malaysia since 2005 till now and it became an
annual disaster to the nation.
d) Large scale of mining
 Hundreds of tons of rock are unearthed, moved, and crushed in mining operations
significantly increasing the amount of dust and particulates in the air.
 In addition, mine tailings, which may contain finely ground and even toxic waste,
can become airborne. This air pollution can directly affect human health.
 Adding to that, bauxite mining has been a growing concern in Malaysia. Parts of
the state of Pahang are covered with layers of red dust.
 This bauxite sediment also pollutes the sea along the coast of Kuantan sadly
because beaches along it like Teluk Cempedak is a famous tourist attraction.
Factors of water pollution

a) Industrial activities
 Malaysia is fast becoming an industrial country  many of her rivers have become
polluted due to the many wastes that have been poured out into her rivers.
 Example: the paper making industry  requires chemicals, often poisonous in its
production.
 The rivers are used as an outlet for the chemicals to drain away, in turn harming
the waters and the lives that revolve around them.
 The Kim-Kim River in Pasir Gudang, Johore was severely polluted with toxic
waste from nearby industrial areas affecting nearly 6,000 residents in March 2019.
 In September 2020, more than a million households in Malaysia’s densely
populated Klang Valley suffered extended water cuts after illegal chemical
dumping debilitated the region’s aging water purification systems.

 In the midst of the pandemic, residents donned masks and lined up to fill buckets
with water.
 A month later, before courts could identify and charge the culprits responsible for
the September incident, a similar chemical dumping solvent-like odour was
detected in Sungai Selangor that left more than a million homes without water for
days.
 It kept on happening, leading a groundswell of citizens calling for stronger
enforcement against industrial polluters, and for reforms that could prevent water
cuts from becoming the new normal.
b) Tourism near the river sites
 Has prompted the construction of hotels and resorts around the area  the forests
surrounding the river areas have been chopped down.
 The surrounding soil has no roots to hold on to and soon erode when the rains come.
 The soil runs into the rivers and soon the rivers become murky and shut out all the
sunlight from reaching the aquatic life in the rivers and streams.
c) Chemical fertilizers
 Fertilizer used by farmers also add nutrients to the soil, which drain into rivers and
seas and add to the fertilizing effect of the sewage.
 Similar case also when a farmer used pesticide to reduce insects can contaminate
waters, such waters become harmful to living organisms that consume or come in
contact with them.
 Together, sewage and fertilizers can cause a massive increase in the growth of algae
or plankton that overwhelms huge areas of oceans, lakes, or rivers.
 This is known as a harmful algal bloom. It is harmful because it removes oxygen
from the water that kills other forms of life, leading to what is known as a dead
zone.
d) Plastics
 Plastic is one of the most common materials, used for making virtually every kind
of manufactured object from clothing to automobile parts; plastic is light and floats
easily so it can travel enormous distances.
 Most plastics are not biodegradable (they do not break down naturally in the
environment), which means that things like plastic bottle tops can survive in the
marine environment for a long time.
 While plastics are not toxic in quite the same way as poisonous chemicals, they
nevertheless present a major hazard to seabirds, fish, and other marine creatures.
For example, plastic fishing lines and other debris can strangle or choke fish.
Factors of land pollution

a) Large scale farming
 Has caused thousands of acres of forest land to be ploughed up and the habitat of
thousands, maybe even millions of wildlife has been destroyed.
 Many wildlife flees or migrate to escape the dangers and activities of man.

 Cause an imbalance in their ecosystem, making some areas too densely populated
with predators and not enough food to go around.
b) Pesticides used in agriculture
 Many of these pesticides contain non biological ingredients and can cause
abnormal changes/ mutation in any wildlife that comes across it.
 Affecting insects to which the pesticides are aimed as well as the animals or human
who feed on the plants.
 Pesticides pollute the earth, making it useless as well as poisonous after all the
nutrients have been sapped out from it.
c) Illegal dumping and burning of plastic waste
 The illegal dumping and burning of plastic waste has led to dangerous levels of
hazardous substances and chemicals in Malaysia’s soil and water, according to a
Greenpeace report in 2020.
 Malaysia  a dumping site to the millions of tons of rubbish thrown every week
due to the sharp increase in the population.
 Rapid development, population increase and changes in consumption pattern
directly (and indirectly) resulted in the generation of enormous amount of waste,
ranging from biodegradable to synthetic waste.
 This situation has been and will be reducing our environmental capacity to sustain
life.
Bauxite mining issue

The case:
 Malaysia has imposed a three-month ban on bauxite mining beginning 15 January 2016
due to worries over its environmental impact.
 Flimsy regulation and a lack of environmental safeguards on bauxite mining 
environmentalists and residents blamed waste from the extraction process of bauxite
for polluting the waters off eastern Malaysia, in the state of Pahang.
The side effects of bauxite mining

a) Air pollution and acid rain
 Dust is a primarily environmental problem caused by Bauxite mining.
 The “red” dust covers very large surrounding areas that affect the habitats,
including residential and agricultural neighbourhoods of the Bauxite exploitation
site  very harmful to the growth of the agricultural products and reduces the
productivity of these trees.
b) Water pollution
 It requires an estimated area equivalent to the bauxite site to dump the red sludge.
 When the toxic red sludge is dumped on the ground:
1. The toxic chemicals will be percolated to the underground water table along
with rainwater.
2. Contaminate the main water source of the area.

c) Fishery pollution
 The fishing industry will also be damaged due to the poisonous chemicals from the
red sludge.
 The red sludge can cause the genetic distortion of fish in the ocean  affecting the
health and lives of the people consuming the fish.
d) Toxicity affecting human lives
 The red sludge puts health and human lives at risk of being lost or harmed due to
air, water and fish pollution.
 The medical statistics prove that prolonged toxicity may cause encephalopathy,
osteoporosis, anaemia, and possibly Parkinson diseases.
2. NATURAL DISASTER
 A major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth.
 Examples include floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other geologic
processes.
Effects of natural disasters

 Climate-related natural disasters in Malaysia such as floods, storms, droughts, and other
extreme weather events are already apparent.
 Loss of life.
 Property damage  economic damage.
Examples of natural disasters in Malaysia

a) Landslides in Malaysia are regular natural disasters in Malaysia which happen at the
hillsides.
b) Flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas. It may be caused by
heavy rain associated with a severe thunderstorm, hurricane or tropical storm followed
by poor drainage systems.
 Most of the carnage in Malaysia has been caused by floods, making up 38 out of
the total 51 natural disasters in that period, or roughly three-quarters 
considerably more than the global average of over 43 per cent.
 When compared to the total damage over the period, floods have contributed to
around 70 per cent of the damage to Malaysia.
 In 2015, the National Security Council (NSC) also declared the floods which
mostly affected Kelantan and several places in the east coast of Malaysia, the worst,
superseding the 1967 flood.
c) Earthquake in Sabah (2015)
 Struck Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia with a moment magnitude of 6.0 on 5 June
2015, which lasted for 30 seconds. The earthquake was the strongest to affect
Malaysia since 1976.
 18 people died on Mount Kinabalu.

Multiple causes of flooding in Malaysia

a) Climate change
 Climate change is affecting the whole world. Malaysia is no exception.
 Global climate change has increased rainfall and floods were partly due to heavy
and continuous rain.
 When rain falls incessantly for weeks, the soils are saturated and the rivers’
capacity to drain away the water is overtaxed.
b) Low-lying urban areas
 The porous nature of the forest floor allows rainwater to penetrate into the ground.
 In contrast, the impermeable surface of concrete jungles do not allow rainwater to
penetrate to the ground, thus causing huge volumes of water to enter drains and
rivers very quickly.
 This leads to flash floods, which happen very quickly but do not last long.
c) Urbanization
 Due to urbanization and the change from natural land use such as forest (natural
jungle) to towns and cities (concrete jungle), it is not surprising that urban areas
suffer higher frequencies and magnitudes of flash floods.
 Hence, it is unwise to dismiss development and hillslope cutting as not the cause
of flash floods.
 Converting green areas into concrete jungles reduces the amount of permeable
surfaces.
 Cutting hillslopes weakens the soil, exposing it to erosion.
 Sediments from soil erosion are swept into rivers, reducing their capacity for
drainage.
d) River encroachment
 River encroachment is another reason behind the flooding. Development is very
close to rivers, leaving no room to manoeuvre.
 Floodplains are also densely developed. Housing areas lack green spaces and
permeable surfaces, resulting in very high rates of surface runoff.
 People are also still throwing garbage into drains and rivers.
 For example, when they throw rubbish into drains, the villagers staying in the low
lying areas will suffer because these areas will be the ones hit by floods.
e) Deforestation
 According to the President of the Ecotourism and Conservation Society Malaysia,
deforestation and land clearing were two of the main causes of flooding specifically
in the states of Kelantan and Penang.
 Deforestation plays many roles in the flooding equation because trees prevent
sediment runoffs and forests hold more water than farms or grasslands.
 The release of sediment due to deforestation has a bigger impact on floods.
 The eroded sediment will not only choke rivers but will also cause mudflow that is
much more destructive than normal flood water.

The effects of severe floods

a) Financial loss incurred to individuals and businesses
 Household items, furniture, vehicles and other properties are damaged by the flood
water.
 Businesses are affected, therefore bringing in financial loss to businesses.
b) Lessons in classes are disrupted in some badly affected flood areas
 Educational materials, tables and chairs are damaged after being soaked in flood
water.
 Students would not be able to catch up on their studies according to schedule if
schools have to be closed for a certain period.
c) Victims are easily exposed to various diseases
 Floods has the potential to increase the transmission of diseases, particularly water-
borne illnesses like typhoid fever, cholera, and hepatitis A and the increase of
mosquito-borne diseases like malaria.
 The most common reason humans and animals get sick during floods is because if
they are stranded, they can quickly lose access to clean drinking water.
d) Vicious cycle of poverty
 Depending on the severity of the flood, some victims suffer heavy damage and loss
of property and items and would need to loan money from friends, relatives or even
the bank to recover from their loss.
 The debts will bring them in the vicious cycle of poverty as on top of financial loss
suffered, flood victims have to be burdened with the payment of debts.
 Hence, there is a link between flood and poverty, one that can lead the poor to
become trapped in a cycle of poverty and exposure to flood shocks.
e) Deterioration of work
 There are many reasons why workers are not present for work in the event of a
flood. For example, they may be ill, disconnected from the workplace or do not
have a place to live as their homes have been damaged.
 In certain situations, workers can still turn up for work during a flood, but they are
unable to carry out their duties because the particular businesses are affected.
 Employers are likely to take two unwelcome actions: cutting wages or not pay the
workers during the periods of inability to work. Contract workers with daily-basis
payments are likely to be affected the most.
3. SUSTAINABILITY
 Sustainable development means inculcating the process of maintaining human needs
while preserving the environment for future generations.
 It also means we must use the available resources efficiently so that they will be
available for many years to come.

 Brundtland Comission that coined the term defined sustainable development as meeting
“the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs” (United Nations 1987).
 Malaysia’s position is unique in the global map of sustainable development. We always
find ourselves at the centre of attention on sustainability because of the country’s rich
natural endowments which is located in the tropical belt.
 Malaysia hosts a portion of the important tropical rainforest belt. It has a uniquely rich
diversity of flora and fauna with more than 25,000 plant species. Malaysia’s rainforests
are a source of timber and other products — such as rattan and medicinal plants — that
support the livelihoods of numerous communities. They are a reservoir of biodiversity
and they increasingly attract tourists.
 Exceptional species diversity and richness  Malaysia is recognised as one of the
world’s 12 mega-diverse countries where special attention is needed to arrest habitat
loss.
 According to Earth.Org Global Sustainability Index 2020, Malaysia Ranked 132nd in
the Global Sustainability Index.
 Malaysia’s emissions amounted to 250.3 million tons in 2018, up from 241.6 million
tons in 2017. The main sources of the emissions were energy, mobility and waste ending
up in landfills.
 The government is working to establish carbon cities with the help of Malaysian green
technology corporation GreenTech Malaysia.
 The company is developing a framework to guide the development and transformation
of cities under its jurisdiction into low carbon cities.
Challenges encountered in the Malaysia in the implementation of sustainable

development
a) Malaysia continues to be bedevilled by the problem of federalism
 Environmental policy is mainly a federal jurisdiction, but land encompassing
agriculture, forestry, mining and water is a state jurisdiction.
 The power of the states over land has constrained national policy-making.
b) The general apathy among our public about the environment and sustainability.
Malaysians generally lack understanding of the underlying causes of environmental
problems
 In a survey of 6, 090 Malaysians, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia (2009:
83–4) found that only 43 per cent of respondents were aware of the causes of annual
events such as flash flooding and haze.
 The survey also found that awareness of environmental problems did not
necessarily translate directly into positive environmental behaviour.
 Continuous environmental education is necessary and should be targeting the
schools in more concrete ways.
c) The fragmentation in the delivery system of the public service
 Example: the power over planning permission lies with the local authority as
provided by the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.

 There have been instances where some of the decisions made by local authorities
were not in sync with federal policies.
d) Illegal logging
 Malaysia has also come under scrutiny for its handling of illegal logging, both
domestically and abroad.
 While logging is a huge source of revenue for the country, the network of illegal
logging firms is large and complex, and major enforcement efforts are required to
tackle it.
 Because legal logging is highly profitable, it is also highly susceptible to corrupt
activities.
 Ostensibly legal logging has been dogged by corruption and lack of transparency
in the granting of logging concessions and the enforcement of regulations.
 According to Transparency International Malaysia, Malaysia loses RM800 to 900
million in timber every year to illegal logging and corruption.
e) Palm oil production
 Forest clearance for palm oil production has been an important engine of
Malaysia’s economic growth.
 According to The Wall Street Journal, Malaysia exports around $12 billion of palm
oil per year, 40 per cent of the world’s supply. But the palm oil industry is notorious
for dangerous conditions and abusive labor practices that exploit a largely migrant
workforce.
 Many are exposed to toxic herbicides and perform physically dangerous jobs with
no safety equipment. Reforming the palm oil industry to comply with human rights
standards is a challenge Malaysia will need to meet to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs.)
 Palm oil production has had another environmental cost: haze.
 In 2013, the Air Pollutant Index (API) in several Malaysian states reached
hazardous levels due to airborne haze. API readings in the state of Johor reached
746, among the worst in Malaysia’s history.
 Other states such as Penang, Perak, and Malacca also saw readings spike.
 The haze, which was caused by harmful slash and burn land clearance, was initially
attributed to Indonesia, but Malaysian companies are also complicit.
 Roughly 25 per cent of the palm oil companies that clear land in Indonesia are
Malaysian.
 Malaysia’s extensive investment in Indonesia stems from a 1997 investment treaty,
in which Indonesia allocated 1.5 million hectares of land for palm oil development.
Measures taken to achieve sustainability by the government

a) Formulation of a national policy statement on green technology
 The central role of green technology was emphasised by the release of a National
Green Technology Policy.
 Overseeing greening in four sectors — energy, buildings, water and waste
management and transportation.

b) Registration of a green building association

 Malaysia Green Building Confederation (MGBC) was established in 2009 to
support the government’s objective of promoting sustainably built environments.
 The Green Building Index (GBI) had also been launched to enable green grading
and certification of Malaysian buildings.
c) Initiation of a green financing scheme
 In 2010, a soft loan incentive, the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS),
was launched to create a policy environment that will attract innovators and users
of green technology.
 Granting soft loan to companies (both technology developers and technology users)
in which the government would subsidise 2 per cent of the interest rate.
d) Launching of the Green Townships Framework
 Outline comprehensive guidelines for new and existing townships in the country to
‘go green’ by incorporating environmentally friendly technologies.
 Putrajaya and Cyberjaya have been chosen to spearhead the project and to become
models of green townships in the country.
e) Commitment towards Green Economy
 The National Green Technology Policy (2009) (“NGTP”) represented a significant
milestone in the country’s pursuit of green economic development. It encompasses
short, medium and long term objectives under the respective Malaysia Plans:
10th MP - In the short term (2011 – 2015), to:

 Increase public awareness and commitment
 Greater availability and recognition for green technology
 Increased FDI in green technology
 Expanding R&D on green technology towards commercialization
11th MP - In the medium term (2016 – 2020), to:

 Increase local production of green technology products
 Proliferation of green technology applications
 Expansion of green technology businesses into the global market
 Increased R&D on green technology
12th MP - In the longer term (2021 – 2025 and beyond), to:

 Inculcation of green technology in Malaysian culture
 Widespread adoption of green technology
 Significant reduction in national energy consumption
 Improvement of Malaysia’s ranking in environment ratings
 Malaysia becomes a major producer of green technology globally

The National Policy on Biological Diversity 2015-2025

The National Policy on Biological Diversity seeks to conserve Malaysia's biological
diversity and to ensure that its components are utilised in a sustainable manner for the
continued progress and socio-economic development of the nation.
Goal 1  The Federal and State governments will play the

To empower and harness the leading role, at the same time engaging all other
commitment of all stakeholders agencies, including the academia, will also be
to join hands to conserve our engaged in this mission.
biodiversity  Civil society is expected to play an even greater
role in biodiversity conservation in the future.
Goal 2  Future national and state development policies
To significantly reduce pressure and programmes to have biodiversity
on biodiversity conservation embedded in them.
 The need to embrace sustainable consumption
and production.
Goal 3  Threatened plant and animal species, especially
To safeguard our key those that are in immediate danger of extinction,
ecosystems, species and genetic require species management plans as the basis
diversity for their conservation.
 To conserve viable, representative examples of
all of its natural habitats.
Goal 4  The goal is to work towards institutionalising a
To ensure that benefits arising national regulatory framework.
from the utilisation of biological  To work with relevant stakeholders to protect
diversity are shared in a fair and the knowledge, innovations and practices of
equitable manner indigenous peoples and local communities.
Goal 5  Biodiversity is our shared heritage - it is also our
To improve the capacity, shared responsibility.
knowledge and skills of all  All stakeholders should have the appropriate
stakeholders to conserve level of knowledge about biodiversity so that
biodiversity everyone can better understand the threats, as
well as being able to better plan and design
environmental interventions.

CHAPTER 10: ECONOMIC ISSUES -- INCOME INEQUALITY
Introduction
 Income inequality metrics or income distribution metrics are used by social scientists to
measure the distribution of income, and economic inequality among the participants in a
particular economy, such as that of a specific country or of the world in general.
 Income distribution has always been a central concern of economic theory and economic
policy. Modern economists have also addressed this issue, but have been more concerned
with the distribution of income across individuals and households.
 The Gini coefficient (also known as the Gini index or Gini ratio) is a measure of statistical
dispersion intended to represent the income distribution of a nation's residents. Gini
coefficient is commonly used as a measure of inequality of income or wealth. The range of
the Gini index is between 0 and 1 (0% and 100%), where 0 indicates perfect equality and 1
(100%) indicates maximum inequality.

The positive effects of income inequality

a) Growing opportunity
 The lower income earner group would be more driven to advance themselves, to
improve their standard of living, through education or other types of skills learning.
 Income inequality provides growing opportunities to entrepreneurs as it encourages
them to take risks and set up new business.
 Without the prospect of substantial rewards  little incentive to take risks and invest
in new business opportunities.
b) Improved standard of living in less developed areas
 When the productivity level of businesses or any other industries is higher due to
positively driven workers, businesses or any other industries will grow.
 To accommodate the growth of the business, some companies may set up new branches
in less developed areas and thereby provide job opportunities to the people there.
 When there is increased economic activities in the less developed areas, this in turn will
encourage the growth of other small-medium enterprises (SME), e.g. grocery shops,
book stores etc.
c) Rewarding the deserving ones
 Someone works harder or has better skills or talents  receives a higher wage.
 The promise of a higher wage is essential to encourage extra effort or exemplary
performance at work so that the rewarded ones are continually motivated to pursue
excellence in service and productivity.
 Rewarding hard work and excellent performance  a driving factor to other workers
to avoid passivity or poor work ethics at work.
d) Trickle-down effect to others
 If an entrepreneur successfully sets up a business  create jobs and provide incomes
for other workers.
 Income inequality promotes professionalism, innovation and creativity at work.
 There will then be a boost to productivity leading to a higher national output – so in the
end, everyone can benefit.
The negative effects of income inequality

a) Economic growth
 There is evidence from a broad panel of recent academic studies shows that there is a
nonlinear relation between income inequality and the rate of growth and investment.
 Very high inequality slows growth.
 Moderate inequality encourages growth.
b) Education
 Greater income inequality and greater poverty inhibit access to schooling and
investment in human capital.
 High income inequality  the poor would live in a vicious cycle of poverty as the
poverty stricken parents would be too hard pressed financially to invest in the education
of their children.

 Moreover, some parents may have to use up the time meant for study revision, by asking
their children to help out in adult job tasks (eg helping to man the stall, plantation work
etc.). Therefore, the children may end up neglecting their studies.
c) Health and life-span
 Richer, better-educated people live longer than poorer, less-educated people  more
able to understand and use health information and have better access to healthier food
and better healthcare system.
 The poorer, less-educated people suffer from malnutrition, poorer living conditions that
expose them to more diseases.
d) Political instability
 High inequality threatens a country’s political stability because more people are
dissatisfied with their economic status.
 Harder to reach political consensus among population groups with higher and lower
incomes. Effects of political instability:
1. increases the risks of investing in a country and so significantly undermines its
development potential
2. failure to build national consensus
3. may result in violent conflicts
e) Social ills
 Example: mental illness, violence, imprisonment, lack of trust, teenage births, obesity,
drug abuse, and poor educational performance of schoolchildren.
 High inequality reverberates through societies on multiple levels, correlating with, if
not causing, more crime, less happiness, poorer mental and physical health, less racial
harmony, and less civic and political participation.
f) Sustainable development
 High inequality limits the use of important market instruments such as changes in prices
and fines.
 Example: higher rates for electricity and hot water might promote energy efficiency,
but in the face of serious inequality, governments introducing even slightly higher rates
risk causing extreme deprivation among the poorest citizens.
g) Ethnic relations
 High income inequality can lead to ethnic tensions that may lead to larger issues of
racial conflicts and eruption of riots between/among ethnics in the country.
 Strained ethnic relations that eventually led to a national crisis have taken place in
Germany, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Income inequality in Malaysia

1957-1970
a) After independence in 1957, the ruling Alliance government continued the laissez-faire
economy policy of the colonial government. The laissez-faire approach resulted in rapid
economic growth.

b) From 1957 to 1970, income inequality became worse among the people. The rich appeared
to benefit the most from the rapid economic growth at the expense of the poor (middle and
lower-income groups):
 About half the population was living under poverty; the poor amongst the Indian
population fared the worst.
 Active government intervention in the economy to help the Malay was not implemented
 the majority of Malay still in poverty.
 Significant imbalance in terms of wealth (equity) ownership between the Malays and
the Chinese. By 1970 the Malays owned only about 2.4 per cent of the ownership of
share capital, while the Chinese owned 27.2 per cent.
 Inter-ethnic inequality in terms of employment and occupation, which reflected the
differences in skills, education and experiences of each ethnic group.
1. By 1970, about 2/3 of those employed in primary sector were Malays. Three-quarter
of the Malays were agricultural workers mostly involved in small, subsistence
farming and fishing activities.
2. The non-Malays on the other hand, were largely employed in the secondary and
tertiary sectors. On the other hand, the non-Malays were associated with mining,
manufacturing and construction, a high productivity sector. The professional,
technical, sales and managerial jobs were predominantly held by Chinese.
In the 1970 till 1990’s

a) The overall inequality rose between 1970 and 1976 and then fell at the end of the NEP
period.
b) Before the 1990s, the inequality improved tremendously due to commendable government
policies that include the promotion of export-oriented industrialisation, education, and
training, and the restructuring of equity ownership and assistance in asset accumulation.
c) However, post-1990s, there is little change in inequality due to the difference in the growth
rates of incomes of the rural and urban areas, inflows of migrant workers, and impediments
to the process of internal migration.
Entering the new millennium

Median Monthly Household
 The median monthly household income for Malaysians in 2016 increased by 6.6 per cent
annually to RM5,228 from RM4,585 in 2014. For the mean monthly household income for
Malaysians, it increased 6.2 per cent per annum to RM6,958 in 2016 from RM6, 141 in
2014 (Department of Statistics Malaysia, 2019).
 Median monthly household income in the urban area increased 6.4 per cent per annum from
RM5,156 in 2014 to RM5, 860 in 2016. Simultaneously, the median monthly household
income in rural area also increased at 5.3 per cent per annum from RM3,123 (2014) to RM3,
471 (2016).
 Furthermore, the report from Department of Statistics Malaysia: Report of Household
Income and Basic Amenities Survey 2016 also stated that Malaysia’s Gini Coefficient (an
index that measures the degree of inequality in income distribution) decreased from 0.401

in 2014 to 0.399 in 2016. Despite the improvement, Malaysia's Gini index has remained
stagnant since the late 1980s.
Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) under Pakatan Harapan:
Priority areas and Strategies to reduce income inequality
 The purpose: to raise the income and purchasing power of B40 households as well as reduce
overall income inequalities.
 Income generating programmes as well as the provision of basic needs will continue to be
given to the poor and low-income households.
 Efforts also will be intensified to enhance the capacity and capability of B40 households for
better employability and productivity as well as to promote entrepreneurship.
 The key initiatives include:
✔ enhancing access to quality education and skills training at all levels,
✔ providing comprehensive and integrated entrepreneurial development programmes,
and
✔ promoting the adoption of modern technology and best practices.
 Key measures include:
✔ enhancing the employability of the bumiputra in high-paying jobs,
✔ raising bumiputra effective control and sustainable corporate ownership, and
✔ developing resilient SMEs (small and medium enterprises) that are capable of
penetrating the global market.
 Meanwhile, special programmes will be implemented for the Orang Asli, Anak Negeri
Sabah and Bumiputra Sarawak in the rural and remote areas as well as selected groups of
the Indian and Chinese communities to develop their economic potential and eradicate
poverty.
 The wellbeing of the community will be improved by addressing the needs of specific target
groups, namely children, youth, women, elderly, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and
family. Greater focus will be given to uphold the needs and interest as well as nurture the
potential of children.
 Accessibility to leadership and skills training, as well as employment and entrepreneurship
opportunities for the youth will also be enhanced.
 The provision of integrated support systems and development of a conducive environment
will be improved in increasing participation of women, elderly and PWDs (People with
disabilities in economic and community activities as well as ensuring the wellbeing and
resilience of the family.
 Efforts will be focused to increase purchasing power, provide quality and affordable
housing, enhance the healthcare delivery system, make the nation safer and secure as well
as promote noble values and an active lifestyle.
 Enforcement to curb supply and price manipulations will be intensified, while more avenues
offering goods and services at affordable prices will be provided.

CHAPTER 11: ECONOMIC ISSUES -- POVERTY ERADICATION
Introduction
 The Poverty Line Income (PLI) measures the capacity of households to meet the minimum
requirement for food and non-food consumption.
 Poverty alleviation has always been a concern in Malaysia's development strategies.
Malaysia has been applauded by international organizations for its success stories in poverty
eradication. The incident of poverty had decreased from 1950 till 2012:
1970 = 49.3 per cent
2012 = 1.7 per cent
 The unique socio cultural of Malaysia has led to the dimensions of poverty being
investigated based on ethnic groups and strata.
 Bumiputeras, were the group with the highest poverty incidence, with 64.8 per cent in 1970
but down to 2.2 per cent in 2012 (EPU, 2013). The other two major ethnic groups, the
Chinese and Indians had a low and moderate poverty incidence with 26 and 39.2 per cent in
1970 to 0.3 and 1.8 per cent in 2012 (EPU, 2013).
 Poverty incidence was also higher in the rural area as compared to the urban area with 58.7
and 21.3 per cent in 1970 to 3.4 and 1.0 per cent in 2012. Despite the remarkable dropped
in poverty incidence there were still some pockets of poverty and many of them were
elderly.
Challenges for poverty reduction in Malaysia

The following are important issues which need attention as the country faces a new category
of new poor:
a) Migrants workers’ issues
 Contraction in employment opportunities drastically affects the urban poor, the near
poor, migrant workers.
 A high prevalence of unemployment and retrenchment are also acknowledged by
relevant authorities.
 Huge demand for knowledgeable and skilled human resources in capital intensive and
high value added activities.
b) Ethnic issues
 The educational achievements of Bumiputera and rural students in disciplines which
are very much fundamental to the economy was considerably lower than the urban and
non Bumiputera students.
 If the policy makers do not create promising arrangements  lead to fragmentations,
factions  worsen the turmoil between ethnic groups.
 Therefore, the National Economic Plan 2010 (NEP) poverty eradication mainly
focussed on Malay rural population, and the policies and initiatives turned ethnically
motivated.
c) Rural and urban poor
 Poverty has constantly been identified as a problem confined to rural.

 Rural and urban migration  leads to a vast proportion of new poor family units settling
in urban settings.
 Innovative policies and strategies should be implemented with strong commitment in
programs planning and inner city development.
d) Poverty line income issues
 Poverty Line Income Issues are constantly discussed by absolute and relative terms
 Views on relative poverty have been changing over time.
 An ambiguity in the redefinition of relative poverty  makes comparisons difficult
between different periods of time.
Urban poverty
Although urban poverty in Malaysia is not a serious phenomenon, it is far harsher and extreme
than rural poverty. What could be the factors causing urban poverty?
a) Low levels of education or skills
 The migration of low-income groups who are less educated and lacking in skills from
rural into urban areas to seek for greener pasture.
 Higher wages  but higher cost of living in urban areas  causing their purchasing
power to decrease.
 A monthly salary of RM1,200 to RM1,500, which is about average for this category of
workers, is not sufficient, given that house rentals alone cost about half of these amounts
in the cities.
b) Lack of employment opportunities
 For jobs that require low skills such as in the service, manufacturing or construction
industries, employers prefer to hire foreign workers due to lower wages.
 Therefore, some migrated rural people may end up with without any fixed job or fixed
income if they struggle to make ends meet by doing odd jobs.
c) Low wages but large family size
 Those that migrated from rural areas may not have been educated about proper family
planning  the family to have quite a number of children.
 Most of the time, the father is the sole breadwinner as the mother needs to be at home
to take care of the children, especially when the children are still young.
 Therefore, the family become more hard-pressed financially due to the increased needs
in the family, yet there is only one source of income.
d) The neglected elderly
 Without labour income after retirement, the elderly ones are more susceptible to living
in poverty compared to the non-elderly.
 Some of the elderly ones do not have any family support during their golden years.
 Elderly ones with children  some are neglected because their children may be too
preoccupied with their own materialistic needs.

Children living in poverty

 A new study released on 26 February 2018 by UNICEF reveals higher levels of poverty and
malnutrition among children living in low-cost housing in Kuala Lumpur, compared to the
national average.
 The reports, Children Without: A study of urban child poverty and deprivation in low-cost
flats in Kuala Lumpur highlights how poverty impairs the opportunities of children living
in low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur to early education and makes them more vulnerable to
malnourishment, with potentially damaging impact on their cognitive development.
 While the national poverty rate is less than 1per cent, and almost eradicated in Kuala
Lumpur, the report indicates a 100per cent rate of relative poverty amongst children living
in low-cost flats in the nation’s capital.
 Some of the main findings of this study include:
 Almost all children (99.7%) in low-cost flats live in relative poverty and 7 per cent in
absolute poverty.
 About 15 per cent of children below the age of five are underweight, almost two times
higher compared to the KL average (8%).
 About 22 per cent of the children are stunted, two times higher than the KL average.
 About 23 per cent of the children are either overweight or obese, six times higher
compared to the KL average (4%).
 While almost all of the children aged 7 to 17 are in school, only 50 per cent of 5 to 6
year olds attend pre-school compared to 92 per cent of national enrolment in 2015.
 About 1 in 3 households surveyed has no reading materials, for children aged below 18.
 About 4 in 10 households have no toys for the children aged below 5.
 “Children in low-cost flats live in Kuala Lumpur, within easy proximity to amenities; yet,
have less access to nutritious food, don’t go to pre-school, live in perceived unsafe areas and
have less opportunity to learn and play than most other children in Malaysia. The reality is:
poor children are among us but they often remain unseen. It’s clearly a data blind spot,”
added Marianne Clark-Hattingh, UNICEF representative in Malaysia.
 The study is the result of a survey of almost 1,000 households who have children below 18
years of age in their care and are residing in Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) low-cost
housing.
 The study sheds light on the living conditions of over 2,000 children residing in low-cost
housing in the capital and the impact on their well-being.
 To accelerate efforts to address child poverty in urban areas, the report recommends:
1. Revisiting poverty indicators, namely the Poverty Line Income (PLI) and using
multidimensional indicators that include the nutritional status of children and relative
income poverty.
2. Providing universal child care grants.
3. Promoting exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months.
4. Implementing policies that facilitate access to nutritious food, such as taxes on sugar-
sweetened beverages (SSB), regulation of food sold in and around schools.
 These recommendations support and contributed to Malaysia’s aspiration to become a top
20 nation as expressed under the 2050 National Transformation (TN50) and Agenda 2030,

which is the roadmap for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
in Malaysia.
 In line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) that Malaysia ratified in 1995,
the implementation of these measures will also help Malaysia uphold its commitment to the
protection and welfare of all children.
 The purpose: to ensure that every child in Malaysia has an equal start in life is by providing
a comprehensive social protection floor, so that no child will be left behind.
Measures taken by the government to eradicate poverty

 Since 1971 the government has implemented various policies to eradicate poverty and
restructure society.
 Focus 
✔ Affirmative actions based on ethnicity.
✔ Assessment of the efficiency of government on rural development.
✔ Education and employment.
 For rural development, the government's measures encompass two components:
✔ Integrated agricultural development programmes (IADPs).
✔ Regional development encompassing new land development and land consolidation
and rehabilitation.
Economic policies
Two main economic policies initiated by the government are:
a) New Economic Policy (NEP)

 It is the government initiated project to alleviate poverty among the various ethnic
groups through numerous strategies and programmes.
 The period of British rule left behind some remnant effects on our society and economy.
The economic system and the geographical location of where we lived and worked were
divided along racial lines.
Malays  In the traditional agricultural sector where per capita income was the lowest
and poverty was the highest.
Chinese  In mining, manufacturing and construction where per capita income was
recorded as much higher.
Indians  Labourers in estates and mining.
 The rationale of introducing NEP in June 1970
✔ Racial riots in 1969  due to socio economic imbalance.
✔ Problem of poverty and the economic differences along racial lines were
detrimental to social stability and national unity and had to be addressed
immediately.
✔ The NEP was formulated as a concerted effort to reduce poverty and restructure
the economy.
 The NEP was introduced to attain national unity via the dual aims of:
✔ Eradicating poverty among all Malaysians.

✔ Restructuring Malaysian society so that the identification of race with economic

functions and geographical location is reduced and eventually eliminated.
b) (LIH) NKRA (2010-2015)

The Raising Living Standards of Low-Income Households National Key Results Area
(LIH NKRA) has been a core part of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP)
since 2010.
The LIH NKRA initiatives in GTP 1.0 (2010-2012)

 Focus: implementing initiatives that drove straight into the heart of poverty. One of the
key programmes that led to this achievement was the 1Azam.
 The implementation of 1 Azam
 Objective: Strike a balance between providing direct aid and economic
opportunities to its participants to ensure that they become financially self-
sustaining.
 Strategies: Provide economic activity programmes to guide the poor and extreme
poor on ways to increase their income and break away from the vicious cycle of
poverty.
 Four areas of assistance:
✔ Job placements (Azam Kerja)
✔ Creating small business enterprises (Azam Niaga)
✔ Creating small service providers (Azam Khidmat)
✔ Creating opportunities in agriculture (Azam Tani)
 Achievement: Extreme poverty has reduced to 1.7 per cent in 2012. Pockets of
extreme poor that continue to exist are made up of indigenous communities and
specific target groups.
The LIH NKRA initiatives in GTP 2.0 (2013-2015)

 Target group: The LIH NKRA initiatives in GTP 2.0 (2013-2015) are designed to reach
out to these groups (indigenous communities and specific target groups), in particular
those who have yet to receive assistance from the government.
 Objective: economic empowerment of individuals and communities through basic
facilities and the right environment.
 Strategies: greater cooperation from NGOs and corporations to leverage on the
expertise of these groups in delivering services and aid. Corporations who intend to
give back to society can do so through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
programmes.
The rural development strategies

Among some of the strategies are as follow:
a) Agriculture development
 Implemented as IADP's (Integrated Agricultural Development Programmes) to
improve productivity and incomes of farmers.

 Involves a package of physical and economic infrastructures, social amenities,

technology, inputs and agricultural support services.
b) Regional and land development
 Land scale regional and land development projects involving resettlement of landless
or marginal farmers into land schemes.
 Involves a package of physical, economic and social infrastructures and amenities.
c) Land consolidation and rehabilitation
 Involves consolidation and rehabilitation of uneconomic holdings in existing
agricultural and rural areas.
 Aim: to improve the productivity and income of farmers.
d) Agricultural support services and subsidies
 The provision of institutional and agricultural support services such as extension,
training, input and price subsidies, research, marketing, etc.
 Aim: to reduce real costs of production and increase efficiency in production.
e) Rural industrialisation
 Involves the expansion of agricultural resources-based industries as well as rural
handicrafts.
 Aim: to create employment and supplement rural incomes.
Establishment of government agencies to assist rural farmers and planters

a) RISDA (Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority)
 To overcome problems and to eradicate poverty among rubber smallholders
 Aids rubber replanting, provides seedlings and fertilizer to the smallholders.
 A programme under RISDA is called as SEPENTAS (Skim Penggalak Tanam Semula)
 provided interest free loans to households with less than two hectares of rubber.
b) FELDA
 To overcome the problem of landlessness and to reduce chronic rural poverty.
 FELDA also provides technical, processing, marketing and other forms of support.
 FELDA schemes were equipped with roads, water supply, irrigation and drainage
works, transportation, clinics, schools and other basic amenities.
c) Padi and Rice Marketing Board (PRMB), National Rice Board (LPN), Federal Agriculture
Marketing Authority (FAMA) and Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA)
 To serve and assist rice farmers in the country.
 Among the assistance are to provide irrigation scheme, training, introduce new
technologies.
 Also provides guaranteed minimum price for the purchase price of the paddy, subsidy
scheme like fertilizer, seeds, credits, and pesticides.
Education and employment

The objective of educational programmes are:
a) Develop appropriate education and training programmes to raise the supply of trained
manpower and direct incentives as well as administrative measures to boost their
participation in the modern sector.

b) Create more Bumiputera professionals.

c) Increase educated rural labour into higher income occupations in the urban industrial and
service sectors  by implementing university enrolment quotas, scholarships and other
educational subsidies.
Impact of Covid-19 on Malaysia’s economy and the impact on poverty eradication efforts
 Covid-19 has shocked the world economic structure which is now in a state of uncertainty.
Recently, the International Monetary Fund announced that the pandemic will cause a global
recession this year which could be worse than the one triggered by the subprime mortgage
crisis of 2008. The latter was caused by the contraction of liquidity in the banking system
in the United States after its real estate bubble burst.
 The economic crisis ensuing from Covid-19 involves practically all the countries of the
world and recovery is expected to take a long time. As long as new positive cases of
infection are reported, the economic ecosystem will continue to be disrupted.
 The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and numerous ratings houses such as
Fitch Ratings have warned of challenging times ahead. The impact of the pandemic on the
global economy could last for the next two years.
 Malaysia, which is a small country dependent on other nations such as the USA and China,
is also expected to feel the pinch. The Malaysian economy had shrunk 8.3 per cent in the
first half of 2020 owing to the Covid-19, with a decline of 17.1 per cent for the second
quarter.
 Department of Statistics Malaysia chief Uzir Mahidin said that Malaysia’s fourth quarter
GDP fell by 3.4 per cent - bigger than the 2.7 per cent decline in the third quarter. Overall
GDP shrank by 5.6 per cent, the biggest contraction since the 1998 Asian Financial Crisis.
 The construction, mining and services sectors posted the biggest declines in 2020,
contracting by 19.4 per cent, 10 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively.
 The governor of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the central bank, Nor Shamsiah Mohd
Yunus said that the labour market was expected to remain weak in the first half of 2021
before improving.
 In the face of Covid-19, the government must focus on two objectives:
1. Focus on the necessary protective and safety precautions to break the chain of infection
2. Reduce the negative economic effects by implementing recovery policies involving
active fiscal and monetary policy targets.
 Fiscal policy targets are related to government spending and taxation while the
monetary policies are related to interest rates, liquidity and control of money supply.
 In terms of fiscal policy, the government has announced a series of economic
stimulus packages to help individuals and companies affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
 On March 19, the RM20 billion economic stimulus package (Pre 2020) was launched
to help industries that were directly hit by the first wave of the Covid-19 outbreak,
such as hotels and transport companies.
 After the outbreak entered the second wave and the MCO was imposed, more
individuals and businesses were impacted. The supply chain is disrupted because
almost the entire sector has stopped working. Some production firms have also

stopped operations and worse still, laid-off workers as they are unable to bear the
costs.
 On March 27, the government announced the second RM250 billion economic
stimulus package PRIHATIN, which includes the RM20 billion from PRE 2020. Out
of RM230 billion, RM22 billion would come from a direct fiscal injection; RM100
billion (moratorium in loan repayments); RM55 billion (guarantees); RM40 billion
(withdrawal from Employees Provident Fund); and RM13 billion (various sources).
 PRIHATIN’s main objective is to protect the welfare of the people, support
businesses and strengthen the economy.
 In terms of monetary policy, Bank Negara Malaysia has cut the Overnight Policy
Rate or OPR by 25 basis points to 2.5 per cent and reduced the statutory reserve
requirement ratio or SRR by 100 basis points to two per cent. These cuts will reduce
loan costs, improve liquidity and stimulate economic activities.
 Apart from that, the restructuring and rescheduling of the six-month moratorium will
ensure that the capital and financial market returns to stability. It will also help
individuals and businesses facing financial problems and liquidity constraints.
 A discount scheme on monthly electricity bills has been implemented for six months,
commencing April 1, 2020. The rate of discount is 15 per cent for hotels, travel
agencies, domestic airlines, shopping malls, convention centres and theme parks, 2
per cent for the industrial, commercial, and specified agricultural sectors, and ranges
from 2 per cent to 50 per cent for households.
 To increase employees’ disposable income, the statutory contribution rate by
employees to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) has been revised from 11 per
cent to 7 per cent for wages commencing April 2020 to December 2020.
 On January 18, 2021, Malaysia’s government launched the Malaysian Economic and
Rakyat’s Protection Assistance Package (PERMAI), a stimulus package valued at
15 billion Ringgit (US$3.6 billion) aimed at providing vital support to businesses
through various incentives in addition to strengthening the country’s welfare
programs.
 To continue support for businesses in generating income through e-commerce
platforms, the government has allocated 300 million Ringgit (US$73 million) to
provide micro-entrepreneurs with training with the digitalization of their business as
well as on-boarding to e-commerce platforms.
 PENJANA also provided individual income tax relief of up to 2,500 Ringgit
(US$616) for the purchase of cell phones, computers, and tablets made from June 1,
2020, to December 31, 2020. This has been extended until December 31, 2021.
 It is difficult to predict when the economy will fully recover as long as Covid-19 positive
cases continue to rise and no vaccines are discovered to treat the disease.
 Nevertheless, the government’s fiscal and monetary policies complement one another and
will help to revive the economy by increasing aggregate demand such as public and private
consumption and investment. This will help to stimulate economic growth through the
multiplier effect and reduce the hike in the unemployment rate.

 According to Prof Richard Vietor from the Harvard Business School said Malaysia has been
managing its economy quite well compared with its neighbours despite the slowdown in
global economy.
 However, Vietor pointed out that although Malaysia is a trading powerhouse, trade is likely
to be a little slow until the United States, Europe and China economies recovers post-Covid-
19.

CHAPTER 12: ECONOMIC ISSUES -- RISING COST OF LIVING AND RAISING

THE LIVING STANDARD
1. RISING COST OF LIVING

 Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia have gone through a roller coaster ride in
economic. In terms of growth, median income in Malaysia grew by 3.9 per cent per
year in 2019 as compared to 6.6 per cent in 2016.
 In 2021, inflation is expected to be higher between 2.5 per cent and 4.0 per cent,
primarily due to the cost-push factor of higher global oil prices.
 In 2019, mean household income in Malaysia was RM7,901 while Malaysia’s median
income recorded at RM5,873.
 Income threshold:
 Income threshold for the B40 group in 2019 comprising 2.91 million households was
RM4,849.
 The M40 group’s income threshold involving 2.91 million households was between
RM4,850 to RM10,959.
 In addition, there were 1.46 million households in T20 group with income more than
RM10,960.
 In the year 2020, Malaysian economy registered a smaller decline of 0.5 per cent in the
first quarter.
 The growth performance was supported mainly by the improvement in domestic
demand and robust exports performance, particularly for electric and electronic
products. Growth was also supported by the continued policy measures.
 The imposition of the Second Movement Control Order (MCO 2.0) and the continued
closure of international borders and restrictions on inter-state travel, however, weighed
on economic activity.
Factors that have contributed to the rising cost of living

Increases in the cost of living have been a subject of ongoing debate and discussion, despite
the country’s current period of low and stable inflation. As such, concerns about the rising
cost of living are influenced by several factors.
a) Large differences in living costs across different parts of the country

 Housing prices have the most notable difference across states and urban/rural areas,
but large price differences for food, clothing, services, and other necessities also
exist across geographical locations.
 Johor, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are the most high-cost states, with lower living
costs in Kedah, Kelantan and Perlis.
b) Income growth not keeping up with Malaysians’ expectations
 Younger workers face stagnant growth in employment income despite rising
education qualifications. Wage growth is also sluggish for those without higher
education, regardless of age.

 Widening absolute income gaps between the bottom 40 percent and the top 20
percent of the income distribution have also furthered the sentiment of being left
behind.
c) Low savings and heavy debt burdens
 A majority of households do not have adequate financial savings, and financial
pressures are felt by most working adults regardless of age group and location.
 Debt among lower-income borrowers is mostly used to support consumption, either
for motor vehicle or personal financing loans, rather than longer-term investments
to accumulate wealth.
d) Deteriorating housing affordability in Klang Valley
 The supply of affordable housing does not meet demand in key urban areas such
as Kuala Lumpur and Petaling District.
 The shortage of affordable housing is most severe for households earning between
RM3,000 - RM5,000 per month.
e) Higher cost of businesses which then transmitted to the end consumers
 Raw material, wages, maintenance, and other overhead costs contributed to
higher costs of businesses.
 Whatever price level set by the businesses will be most accepted by the buyers.
This will allow prices to go up.
f) Climate change, unpredictable weather conditions
 Droughts and floods: bad crops and shortage of essential produce such as wheat and
sugar. Example: countries like Russia, Canada, and Australia, major exporters of
wheat, had less to export, which drives up the global price of the commodity.
 Effect: When these exporting countries announce their lower production levels, and
consequently lower exports, it also causes panic buying in the market, forcing the
prices up further.
g) The volatility of fuel prices
 The current volatility in global crude oil prices is due to a misunderstanding among
the world's leading crude oil producers, as well as the Covid-19 outbreak which is
impacting global economy.
 The Malaysian ringgit fell by the most among emerging Asian peers on fears that
sliding oil prices may hurt the country's current account surplus and widen the
fiscal deficit as it is a net oil exporter.
h) Subsidy rationalisation measures
 In its bid to reduce its debts, the previous Barisan Nasional government has taken
aggressive subsidy rationalisation measures, including the slashing of fuel and
sugar subsidies.
 Effect: price hike across many household items as fuel and sugar are essential
commodities used in most household items.
 Due to huge debt left by previous BN government, Pakatan Harapan has scaled
down subsidies for petrol and electricity and made more targeted.
 In fact, it is planning to spend a total of RM22.27 billion on subsidies and social
assistance in 2019, down 20.6% from RM28.13 billion this year. Standard

Chartered Global Research pointed out that this had been the lowest absolute
amount of subsidies in almost a decade (see chart).
i) Saddled by loans
 In recent years, the prices of houses have increased.
 With no public transport in many towns, 93 per cent of households own cars mostly
purchased through easy credit schemes.
 Also saddled with loans for purchasing durable consumer goods, and paying utility
bills and internet bills.
j) GST and concerns of further price hike
 A major concern about the implementation of the GST is the resulting price effects
on consumers.
 The prices of other categories of goods and services in the CPI basket such as
education, health, recreation and culture, food and non-alcoholic beverages and
food away from home are expected to increase slightly between 0.67 to 2.21 per
cent.
 Most Malaysians believe that the goods and services tax (GST) correlates with the
rise in the cost of living, according to surveys conducted by think tank Institut Darul
Ehsan (IDE).
 In a series of surveys called “Survey Malaysia 2017: Mood of the Nation,” a total
of 4,468 respondents were asked if they agreed with this statement: “GST is the
reason for the rise in the cost of living.” Of the total, 82 per cent of the respondents
agreed while eight percent disagreed.
k) The price of real estate
 A rapid increase in property prices over the past four to five years with the
excessive speculation in the property market driving property prices to an
artificially high level.

 Preponderance towards luxury properties like terrace houses, semi-detached homes

and bungalows. Housing developers from the private sector focus more on bigger
and comfortable homes, using better quality construction materials.
 Information from the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia
showed that the price of construction materials had increased with the
implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Also, the steel price
increased by 60 per cent from RM1, 700 per tonne to RM2,800 per tonne after the
introduction of a new levy.
l) Excessive profiteering of some merchants
 Some merchants have chosen to put personal gains above the suffering of their own
kinsmen by committing the sin of opportunistic profiteering.
 Although there has an increase in the price of petrol and sugar due to the removal
of subsidies and although GST has been implemented since April 2015, the price
hike has been above the estimated percentage of increase due to some merchants
resorting to excessive profiteering (increasing prices of goods and services to gain
extra profit).
m) Low wage
 According to Bank Negara Malaysia Annual Report 2017, Malaysia risks being
trapped in a low-wage, low-skill conundrum.
 Current wages in Malaysia may be too low to attract local workers especially in the
3D jobs.
2. WEAKENING OF RINGGIT
 Malaysia’s ringgit has slid past 4.0 against US dollar in the worst currency crash seen
for the first time in 17 years.
 Heightened by worsening global outlook, devaluation of China’s yuan, political
scandals linked to the Prime Minister, plus the falling crude oil prices, the four
horsemen of the apocalypse have assembled for the ringgit’s troubled days ahead.
 The main culprit however, is the decreasing oil prices which destabilises the oil-
exporting economy. The continuous ringgit slide is alarmingly disquieting.
 Current state shows that the Ringgit depreciated by 3.5 per cent against the US dollar
in the first quarter of 2021.
Negative effects of weakening Ringgit

a) Increased price of goods and services
 If you have mixed feelings about Goods and Service Tax (GST) imposed on the
things you love, a weak ringgit will worsen your buying mood.
 Prepare to tighten your belt as the increased cost of imported goods will be reflected
on the price tags.
 The cost of imported components utilised by domestic producers will also
contribute to the impact. This results in us expressing great disdain over the price
hike of imported fresh goods (vegetables, fruits, etc.)

b) Inflation
 When the ringgit experiences depreciation, the cost of imported goods will increase
as mentioned earlier.
 The use of raw materials from foreign markets will also contribute to inflation
caused by imported goods.
 As a result, domestic producers are forced to sell their goods on a higher price to
sustain the increased cost of operation.
 For instance, automobile companies which utilise imported components in their
vehicles would feel the impact of weak ringgit and market the finished vehicles on
a higher price to the end consumers.
c) Costly oversea travel
 The poor exchange rate for ringgit equates to a lesser value it carries when you
convert it to foreign currencies.
 You should revise your plans to study or travel abroad as the expenses in your
budget is expected to increase on a consequential proportion. Until the Malaysia’s
ringgit has fully recovered, join the Cuti-cuti Malaysia bandwagon for cheaper
travel.
d) Reduced purchasing power
 When the price of goods and services increase, but your income is not, what do you
have left? Answer: A diminished purchasing power.
 You have likely felt the pinch after the implementation of GST. With the
weakening of the ringgit, the prices of goods and services are expected to increase
further.
 The increased cost of goods does not permit you to spend freely like you used to.
As a result, there are lesser things you can buy with your money as your purchasing
power is reduced.
e) Prolonged difficult times ahead
 The ringgit’s depreciation is mostly caused by external factors. Followed by the
strengthening of US dollar, ringgit is unlikely to fare well against greenback in the
present.
 The falling crude oil prices are beyond the control of the Malaysian government as
well. If the plummeting value of ringgit persists and threaten the economy, we may
expect the government to impose capital controls to protect the economy.
Positive effects of weakening Ringgit

a) Exports growth
 A weak ringgit can act as a stimulus to the Malaysian businesses as it has now
become more affordable for foreign markets to purchase Malaysian-made goods.
 The increment of demand for the domestic products will likely generate more
profits for the certain businesses such as the manufacturing sector.
 Export-oriented businesses which market its goods to international markets will
find the weak ringgit beneficial as they enjoy higher sales volume.
 As a whole, the increment in exports for some economic sectors will be observed.

b) Tourism boost
 Foreign tourists will benefit from a weaker ringgit as it grants them a higher
purchasing power to splurge like a shopaholic.
 Singaporeans who enjoy a quick getaway to Malaysia would likely be the prime
benefiters as ringgit falls to an all-time new low trading around 2.90 to the Sing
dollar. If you are a foreigner reading this, there is no better time to visit Malaysia
as the weak ringgit gives you more value for your money.
c) Increased foreign investment
 The falling ringgit makes investment in Malaysia more welcoming. As such,
investors will take advantage of this and strike while the iron is hot.
 A weak ringgit will encourage foreigners to invest through foreign direct
investment (FDI) and foreign investment portfolio as it is cheaper to operate and
buy stocks and bonds in Malaysia respectively.
 While the effects of capital flow generated by foreign investment portfolio is not
immediately felt by the citizens, FDI can generate employment opportunities in the
market as multinational companies build new facilities to conduct businesses in the
country.
The depreciation of ringgit is boon and bane for the country. Currency fluctuation is a
naturally occurring process of the economy. In a state of perpetual flux, the economy is
not immune to global trends triggered by a chain of events elsewhere in the world. Our
country is not immune to this phenomenon; however, this is a challenge we can overcome.
While surely things will get better in time, it may be wise to assess your current financial
security
3. RAISING THE LIVING STANDARD
Affordable Internet through Jaringan Prihatin

 Jaringan Prihatin programme will assist 8.5 million Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR)
recipients to gain access to either internet data services or mobile device purchases,
said, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
 During the current Covid-19 pandemic, internet usage increased by 70 per cent with the
use of virtual collaboration tools soaring to 600 per cent, adding that a similar trend can
also be seen in Malaysia.
 The increase in internet usage clearly shows that it is time for internet access to be
treated as a basic need such as water and electricity for all walks of life.
Financial Aid
 The government has allocated RM6.8 billion for 2018 BRIM which will benefit 7.2
million recipients.
 Single individuals with an income of less than RM2,000 are entitled to RM450 as
welfare support money. Households with an income of RM3,001 to RM4,000 are

entitled to RM900 in financial aid. RM1,200 aid will be given to families with a
household income of less than RM3,000.
 The 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) programme, which was introduced during the
Barisan Nasional administration, is replaced by the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) in
January 2019, aimed at easing the burden of the Bottom 40 (B40) household income
group.
 It is estimated that 4.1 million households will continue to receive financial assistance
from the government with an allocation of RM5 billion.
 Based on the BSH tabled by Finance Minister, Mr Lim Guan Eng in Budget 2019,
households with monthly income of RM2,000 and below will receive a grant of
RM1,000, households with monthly income from RM2,001 to RM3,000 and below will
receive a total of RM750 while households with monthly income from RM3,001 to
RM4,000 will receive a total of RM500.
 The government also introduces an additional BSH of RM120 for each child aged 18
years and below to be limited to four people, except those with disabilities or
handicapped, are not limited to their age.
 According to Mr Lim Guan Eng, the government can provide better assistance to the
B40 group under BSH as opposed to the BR1M programme.
 Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, has on 27 March 2020 unveiled the Prihatin
Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package 2020 (“PRIHATIN Package”) worth RM250
billion.
 Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) which later replaces Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) is a
one-off cash assistance with an allocation of RM10 billion and for the first time were
also be channelled to the M40 group. This includes the employees in the private sector,
FELDA settlers, farmers, fishermen, small traders and those categorised in the M40
group and below.
 The PRIHATIN Package aims to protect the welfare of the people, support businesses
including Small and Medium Enterprises as well as strengthen the country’s economy
to weather the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
 The payments includes:
 One-off RM1,600 financial assistance for four million households earning RM4,000
per month and below
 One-off RM1,000 financial assistance for 1.1 million households earning between
RM4,000 and RM8,000 per month
 One-off RM800 financial assistance for unmarried individuals earning RM2,000 per
month and below
 One-off RM500 financial assistance for 400,000 unmarried individuals earning
between RM2,001 and RM4,000 per month

Government aid for eligible school students and students at institutions of higher
learning
 Beginning January 2019, the government will provide preliminary school aid of RM100
each to Year One to Form Five students from households with income of RM3,000 and
below.
 Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the financial aid was intended to help parents and
guardians with their new year expenses.
 This special allocation of RM328 million would be channelled to the Education
Ministry to be distributed to schools from January 2019,
 Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) also announced aid of RM100 each for
Malaysian students at institutions of higher learning (IPT).
 The aid, to be disbursed end of next month using existing mechanism, namely the Bank
Rakyat debit card, is expected to benefit 1.2 million students and involve an allocation
of RM120 million.
 Under the Prihatin Rakyat economic stimulus package, announced by Prime Minister
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on April 6, 2020, higher education students will receive
one-off financial assistance of RM200 in May 2020.
Healthcare
 Since 2010, Malaysians are able to enjoy medical treatments at just RM1 per visit. The
clinics, with over 50 outlets nationwide, are strategically located in various housing
areas.
 This initiative provides immediate healthcare to all Malaysians who are in need of basic
medical services.
 With qualified nurses and medical assistants with at least five years of experience, the
clinics are able to carry out minor surgeries, stitching, wound cleaning and dressing as
well as treating illnesses like cough, flu, fever, diabetes and hypertension.
 Senior citizens are exempted from any payment.
 K1M, which operates from 10:00am to 10:00pm daily, including on public holidays
and weekends, with citizens charged RM1 for each visit and free for senior citizens,
provides convenience to the people, especially the less fortunate and those staying far
from the city.
 However, the Health Ministry has decided to close 34 out of 347 1Malaysia Clinics
(K1M) after taking into account that it will have a minimal impact on the local
communities concerned.
 On 15 December 2018, Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that
the government was very concerned about the welfare of the lower income group (B40),
and therefore, K1Ms established at public housing projects (PPR) were not closed
despite having fewer than 40 patients a day.
 Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the average number of patients was among
the criteria used to decide on the closure of a K1M, as well as taking into account the
presence of other government health facilities within 5km of the said clinic.

 He added that although the ministry had set the criteria, each K1M selected for closure
will also be exclusively evaluated to ensure it is the right decision.
 Under the additional stimulus package measures announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri
Muhyiddin Yassin on April 6, 2020, Covid-19 patients can claim RM50 per day under
MySalam for a maximum of 14 days and deferment of insurance premium payment for
those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
Government implemented the Raising Living Standards of Low Income Households

NKRA (LIH NKRA), which aims to help the needy segment of Malaysian society.
 The goals of the LIH NKRA are twofold: first, to provide immediate help for those
most in need, and second, to ensure that the poor and extreme poor develop are given
the right support to become financially self-sufficient.
 The NKRA also looks to address specific ethnic groups, which are caught in the cycle
of poverty, thereby suffering from consequences such as malnutrition and inadequate
education.
 The flagship initiative of the GTP 1.0, the 1AZAM (Akhiri Zaman Miskin) programme,
has seen significant results, but also yielded important lessons on the delivery of aid
that will be incorporated in the GTP 2.0.
Minimum wage of RM1200 per month

 Minimum Wages Order 2020 (‘2020 Order’) was gazette on 10 January 2020 and came
into operation on 1 February 2020.
 The increase in the minimum monthly wage under the 2020 Order to RM1,200 per
month in major cities in Malaysia was announced during the 2020 Malaysian Budget.
In addition, the 2020 Order increases the minimum monthly wage for the other parts of
the country by RM50 to RM1,100.
 Though it may appear to be insignificant for now, the gradual hike will and benefit
some 700,000 employees and translate into greater consumer spending.
 Those who do not pay the basic salary amount to their employees as stipulated in the
Minimum Wages Order (Amendment) 2018 would be committing an offence and if
found guilty, could be fined not more than RM10,000 for each employee.

CHAPTER 13: ECONOMIC ISSUES -- BRAIN DRAIN
Definition
 It is also called as human capital flight.
 Brain drain is a situation where talented and highly skilled human capital moves to another
place to look for jobs or for career goals' continuity.
 More practically, brain drain simply refers to the migration of highly-skilled workers as
measured by their level of educational attainment, typically at the level of Bachelor’s degree
or higher.
Brain drain in Malaysia

 It is a global phenomenon. A study in Southeast Asia by Boston Consulting Group, The
Network, Jobstreet.com and jobsDB shows that the percentage of the loss of human capital
was reduced from 63.8 per cent in 2014 to 57.1 per cent in 2018. The study also shows the
desire of talent to move to another country, which was 67 per cent in 2014 and 65 per cent
in 2018.
 The countries of choice are Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Despite the
reduced percentage, it is still considered high compared with the investment made for the
development of the human capital as issued by a country. Even more worrying, those
involved in this brain drain happen to be in the most critical jobs, such as engineers, doctors,
IT experts, architects, astronomers, academicians and so on.
 Brain drain is a big loss to a country. Malaysia has lost the talent and expertise that can
increase the economic progress, life development and people's wellbeing. This needs to be
stopped on the premise that the country has invested a sum of money and facilities in an
individual's career development. Thus, the country has the right to claim it back and obtain
some reward or return in the form of their contribution to the country's development.
 Simply put, one in every ten skilled Malaysians born in Malaysia choose to leave the
country, which is twice the world average. While the numbers are similar to Singapore and
Hong Kong, they are actually incomparable to Malaysia because that is a typical situation
for small and open economies. Malaysia is suffering the loss of skilled brain drain,
especially for technology-based jobs.
The main factors of the Malaysian brain drain

The World Bank identified in their Monitor Report the factors of the Malaysian brain drain.
a) The main cause is attributed to the less attractive salary and benefits offered in the country
 This difference is especially noticeable in the high-skill technology sector.
 In a survey conducted by JobStreet’s survey, among the top reasons for the brain drain
was the large gap between expected and offered salaries.
b) A sensitive, yet substantial cause of the Malaysian Brain Drain is the perceived social
injustice in the country
 Some Malaysian emigrants in the brain-drain issue were dissatisfied with the extra
assistance determined by Article 153 of the Constitution.

 Foreign observers recognize this as a major cause of brain drain.

c) The limited access to high-quality education also remains to be a significant cause of brain
drain
 Enrolment into affordable public tertiary education institutions is very limited and
based on racial quotas while private universities are costly and is not anywhere near the
standards of universities in developed countries.
 Primary and secondary education, although free, is of substandard quality 
uncommonly supported by long hours of outside tutoring for those who can afford it.
d) The close proximity of Singapore and its substantially more developed environment also
encourages the Malaysian diaspora to migrate there
 The proximity allows them to keep in touch with family left behind in Malaysia.
 The extensive network of Malaysians already living there make it easier for them to
make the move.
Effects of brain drain in Malaysia

a) May trap a country into an undesirable equilibrium
 The World Bank states that brain drain could cause a vicious circle that may trap a
country into an undesirable equilibrium with low levels of human capital and large
technology gap.
 Could contribute to rich countries becoming richer and poor countries becoming poorer
(World Bank, April 2011).
b) A large diaspora of skilled workers who have graduated from institutions of higher
education
 The economy has witnessed a large diaspora of skilled workers in comparison to the
overall population, and receives a sizeable number of immigrants from neighbouring
countries.
 Causes the erosion of an economy’s skill base and dampens innovation.
c) Affecting firm productivity due to the tight labour-market for skills
 Could potentially affect economic growth in the long-run.
 According to the World Bank Report in 2011, Malaysia's growth fell to an average 4.6
per cent in the past decade (2000-2010), from 7.2 per cent the previous period.
d) Touches the core of Malaysia's aspiration to become a high-income nation.
 With human capital the bedrock of any high-income economy, Malaysia will need to
develop, attract and retain talent.
 Malaysia needs talent, but talent seems to be leaving.
e) Affecting SMEs (Small-Medium Enterprises) in attracting local talents to work in the
country
 Due to the budget constraints faced by SMEs.
 Some SMEs do not have the financial capabilities to host talent fairs themselves,
without any financial aid from the government.

Measures to solve brain drain

a) Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation
Programme (ETP)
 The Malaysian government has identified productivity and inclusiveness as the key
factors to solve emigration and have established the Government Transformation
Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) to tackle the issue
from these perspectives.
 Under the GTP, the government is hoping to address the issue of non-inclusiveness for
non-Bumiputeras.
 Through it, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has launched the 1Malaysia
campaign, which encourages Malaysians to no longer identify their culture by race but
by nationality.
b) Talent corporation
 The government is also currently working with Talent Corporation to attract, nurture
and retain talent required for a high-income economy.
 Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) was set up to strengthen public -
private sector collaboration in widening and deepening the talent pool in Malaysia.
 It has introduced the Returning Expert Program (REP) to encourage Malaysians
currently working abroad to return home by providing incentives like a flat tax rate of
15 per cent, tax exemption for all personal effects brought home and permanent resident
status for spouse and children.
c) The Otak-Otak Program
 The Otak-Otak Program (Otak-Otak) was established by four young professionals who
returned from abroad to pursue a career in Malaysia.
 Otak-Otak is an internship programme that focuses on bridging the gap between
industry professionals and students.
 Otak-Otak builds a community of students and established professionals working
together to give back to each other and to the nation, much like an alumni network.
d) Feedback from the current diaspora
 Essential in determining policies to reduce brain drain.
 Some of the most popular responses from the respondents were their wish that there
would be a paradigm shift away from raced-based towards need-based affirmative
action and evidence of fundamental and positive change in the government.

CHAPTER 14: THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Adapted from World Economic Forum
https://www.weforum.org/about/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-by-klaus-schwab
Introduction
Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum,
defines the Fourth Industrial Revolution as a digital revolution. This Fourth Industrial
Revolution is characterized by a range of new technologies that are fusing the physical, digital
and biological worlds, impacting all disciplines, economies and industries, and even
challenging ideas about what it means to be human. Professor Klaus Schwab is convinced that
humans are at the beginning of a revolution that is fundamentally changing the way we live,
work and relate to one another.
Opportunities and challenges

a) Fusing technologies
 The Fourth Industrial Revolution builds from a fusion of technologies. Nearly every
new development in any field now leverages digital capability. For example, advanced
robots would not exist without new approaches made to artificial intelligence dependent
on digital systems and processing power.
 The digital and physical worlds also collide in fields such as autonomous vehicles and
3D printing. Advances in sensors are enabling robots and autonomous systems to
understand and respond better to their environments, and to engage in a broader variety
of tasks beyond the factory floors where they have been most prevalent historically.
These systems can now access information remotely and connect with one another to
exchange information and learn collectively. As the next generation of robots emerges
as an element of the Internet of Things, there will be an increasing emphasis on human-
machine collaboration.
 The physical and biological worlds are merging partly thanks to the creation of new
materials that are designed to emulate the biological world. The discovery of new
classes of recyclable, thermosetting polymers called polyhexahydrotriazines is a major
step towards a more sustainable economy, for example.
 New materials are now routinely being used in medical implants, for tissue engineering,
and for the creation of artificial organs, and 3D printing is increasingly being used to
create customized structures. The biological and digital worlds overlap most
controversially in the world of genetic engineering. Widely-accessible and affordable
gene sequencing and editing systems, such as CRISPR/Cas9, make it possible to
reliably and precisely remove or replace sequences in the genome of plants and animals.
The biological and digital worlds are also overlapping in the form of sensors used to
monitor personal health and behaviour, and to understand and influence brain activity.
 Advances that might have once been confined to digital systems, like the application of
cryptography to blockchain technology to create programmable, secure, and distributed
records, are now having widespread impact in the real world.

b) Innovation and productivity

 The impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on productivity has not yet become fully
apparent because it is increasing efficiency in ways that cannot be accurately measured
by traditional means.
 Many new goods and services are non-rival, meaning that they can be repeated again
and again without generating more costs; they may also have zero marginal cost to
begin with, or they may use digital platforms to lower prices in highly competitive
markets. Under these conditions, traditional productivity statistics may fail to capture
real increases in value, given that any related price benefit for consumers is not well
reflected in corporate sales and profit figures.
 The world has yet to fully experience the productivity explosion being created by the
new technologies at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This revolution has
not yet reached many of the two billion people still disconnected from the global
economy, who may ultimately benefit the most from it.
 Many of the technologies and processes being created to help better manage negative
forces like the environmental impact of climate change have not yet been widely
implemented. After all, we are still at the beginning of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,
and few organizations have so far reorganized themselves to take full advantage of it.
c) Agile technology governance

 Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies can be harnessed by governments to govern
better, become more accessible, and increase transparency and trust. Examples include
the use of technologies like the Internet of Things in Barcelona to better monitor waste
collection and conserve the electricity used for lamp posts, and the Estonian
government’s use of block chain to secure national data and online services.
 However, technology can also create governance challenges, as advances in some cases
threaten the social contract between government and the citizenry. The increased use of
online social media, for example, has created situations where electorates are being
manipulated and misinformed (new industries have been spawned specifically to deploy
this sort of persuasion, exemplified by Cambridge Analytica).
 Governments will be forced to change their approach when it comes to the creation and
enforcement of regulation, and to create new instruments to cope with the spread of
new technologies.
 Becoming agile enables regulatory and legislative environments to face the uncertainty
of social, economic, and technological shifts. The key will be to make deliberation more
productive than it is now, and to create the maximum amount of space possible for
future innovation.
 Putting agile governance into practice will involve understanding existing models and
how they operate in specific social and political contexts, and looking for opportunities
to harness new technologies and processes that can remove the bottlenecks in those
models. Increased efficiency and effectiveness of consultation, improved transparency,
and more flexibility on the part of regulators will be required.

d) Disruption
 As business models are disrupted, employment is being profoundly impacted. The
result will be significant job creation and job displacement, in addition to both
heightened labour productivity and widening gaps between the skills that employers
need, and those that potential employees have.
 The World Economic Forum’s 2016 Future of Jobs report suggests that mismatches
may emerge not just between the current supplies of, and demand for, contemporary
skills but also between those contemporary skills and those that will be required in the
future. Closing these gaps will require a solid understanding of the existing skills bases
in particular countries and industries, and of how disruptive change will dictate new
skills requirements in every case.
 Mismatches and gaps in education systems are hindering the effective redeployment of
underutilized, latent talent. Workers need to be repurposed, across industries and with
an eye to the skills required for the fastest-growing fields.
 According to the Forum’s Human Capital Report 2017, the number of people in the
world with skills developed at a university or school is rising, but our understanding of
how formal qualifications are distributed across industries and locations remains
limited.
 Detailed skills information is critical for employers and employees, to better grasp what
may be most transferable across industries. For example, an employer in the financial
services industry facing a shortage of data analysts could reasonably expect to be able
to consider applicants from a different industry - if there are identifiable, overlapping
skills. Employers will need to increasingly think about how to tap this skills
“adjacency,” in order to uncover hidden talent pools.
e) Business disruption
 In some ways, COVID-19 may have accelerated changes as part of the Fourth Industrial
Revolution. During the early part of the global outbreak, for example, the share price
of video conferencing service Zoom more than doubled, as its number of users
increased from 10 million to more than 200 million.
 Places where connectivity has lagged are catching up; an estimated 4.1 billion people
around the world were using the internet as of the end of 2019, or more than double the
number reported just a decade earlier, according to the International
Telecommunication Union.
 Businesses must also develop new ways to serve customers digitally that go beyond
communication; Tesla, for example, has deployed over-the-air software updates that
help maintain the value of its electric cars long after they have been purchased.
Meanwhile physical assets like an elevator can be priced solely based on their digitally-
recorded performance over a given period, excluding the downtime required for
maintenance.
 Covid-19 will likely force businesses to reorganize in ways that go well beyond having
their employees work from home. While job losses and revenue declines have been

severe, some companies are likely to be able to respond in innovative ways. Apple and
Google, for example, announced an effort to enable the use of Bluetooth technology to
help governments and health agencies curb the spread by alerting people about their
possible exposure to someone who has subsequently been diagnosed as having the
virus.
 Businesses considering new partnerships will continue to pivot to open operating
models that can capitalize on network effects. This “platform” strategy, designed to
broaden influence by encouraging peers to build on top of a company’s established tools
and infrastructure, is a proven model. According to a report published by Accenture in
2016, the top 15 public platform companies at that time already represented $2.6 trillion
in market capitalization worldwide.
f) Inequality
 Worsening inequality and negative impacts on social stability are the greatest potential
risks of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. While new technologies improve employment
and entrepreneurial opportunities, the new global technology platforms could cause
inequality and social fragmentation.
 According to the 2017 edition of the Global Wealth Report published by Credit Suisse,
total global wealth increased 27 per cent over the course of the prior decade, and slightly
more than half of all of the household wealth in the world was owned by just 1 per cent
of the global population (when the current millennium had begun, 45.5% of total global
wealth was owned by the top 1%, according to the report). Inequality within most
countries is getting worse, even in places that have enjoyed rapid economic growth
across income groups and corresponding declines in poverty.
 Rising inequality is an economic and a social concern. The World Economic Forum’s
Global Risks Report 2018 showed strong interconnections between rising income
disparity, unemployment or underemployment, and profound social instability. A more
digitally-connected world has created higher expectations, which can generate
significant social risk if people feel they have no chance to attain the prosperity they
see others enjoying. This could further motivate extremist movements, and augment
their recruitment efforts.
g) Ethics and identity

 Covid-19 has magnified existing challenges related to inequality, dysfunctional
leadership and healthcare systems, and the dangers of spreading disinformation online.
In addition, some efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus have involved digital
tracking tools, like contact-tracing apps meant to alert users when they have been in
contact with people who are infected.
 As knowledge progresses and new discoveries are made, related moral and ethical
considerations are critical if people are to be able to adequately respond to phenomena
like life extension, so-called designer babies, and memory extraction.
 As the Fourth Industrial Revolution deepens our individual and collective relationships
with technology, it may negatively affect social skills - like the ability to empathize.

While a 2010 study by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research
identified a nearly 40 per cent decline in empathy among college students compared
with counterparts 20 or 30 years earlier, a study published by Nielsen in 2017 showed
that millennials were already spending about six hours per week on social media, while
members of Generation X (age 35 to 49) were spending nearly seven hours. As face-to-
face conversation is now replaced by online interaction, people might struggle to listen,
make eye contact, or accurately read body language.
h) Security and conflict

 New technologies are making the battlefield both local and global. Groups such as the
Islamic State may physically operate in defined areas, but can recruit fighters from
hundreds of different countries, largely through social media. Modern conflict is
increasingly hybrid in nature, combining traditional battlefield techniques with
elements previously associated with armed, non-state actors; the internet is becoming
as much a theatre of engagement as land, sea, and air.
 Future conflict might include an online dimension, as combatants disrupt, confuse, and
destroy communications and decision-making capabilities. Autonomous warfare
involving the deployment of military robots and artificial intelligence-powered
weaponry will play a transformative role.
 Criminal gangs are already using off-the-shelf drones to spy on and attack rivals.
Autonomous weapons that are capable of identifying targets and deciding to open fire
without human intervention will become increasingly feasible; while neurotechnologies
that can interact with a human brain are currently being employed to solve medical
problems, in the future they could have military uses.
 A computer system attached to brain tissue could enable a paralysed patient to control
a robotic limb, and it could also be used to direct a bionic soldier. Another possible
scenario: brain devices for treating Alzheimer’s could be strategically implanted in
soldiers in order to erase memories, or create new ones.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) and what it means for students
https://www.studymalaysia.com/education/top-stories/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-ir-4.0-
and-what-it-means-for-students-like-you
 The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is expected to change how we live, work, and
communicate; it is also likely to change the things we value and the way we value them in
the future. Presently, we can already see changing business models and employment trends.
 According to The World Economic Forum, an estimated 65 per cent of kids enrolling in
primary education today will end up working in jobs that haven’t been created yet.
 Automation and artificial intelligence are change agents in 4IR that will make certain groups
of employees redundant, replacing them with new workers with the needed skills or with
machines that do the job cheaper. Gone are the days where students go to college or
university to study for a degree that will set them up with a job for life.
 With technological advances, jobs with these three qualities are most likely to be automated:

 repetitive
 based on rules
 involve limited or well-defined physicality
 2013 research by Oxford University lists these occupations as the least likely to be
computerised based on current technology:
Recreational therapists Occupational therapists Physicians and surgeons

First-line supervisors of First-line supervisors of Mental health and substance
mechanics, installers, and fire-fighting and prevention abuse social workers
repairers workers
Emergency management Oral and maxillofacial Elementary school teachers,
directors surgeons except special education
Psychologists Lodging managers General dentists
Audiologists Dietitians and nutritionists First-line supervisors of
police and detectives
Occupational therapists Choreographers Instructional coordinators
Orthotists and prosthetists Sales engineers Healthcare social workers
 The same research by Oxford University showed that out of around 700 occupations, 12
were found to have a 99 per cent chance of being automated in the future:
Data entry keyers Tax preparers Mathematical technicians

Library technicians Cargo and freight agents Sewers, hand
New accounts clerks Watch repairers Telemarketers
Photographic process Insurance underwriters Title examiners, abstractors,
workers and processing and searchers
machine operators
 In a nutshell, 46.4 per cent of jobs in manufacturing, 32.3 per cent in finance and 44 per cent
in wholesale and retail are forecast to be lost by the early 2030s. Less affected will be human
health and social work, which are expected to affect less than a fifth of jobs.
 According to Graham Brown-Martin, there are three key areas where humans beat machines
that are key to future job creation:
 Creative endeavours—everything from scientific discovery to creative writing and
entrepreneurship.
 Social interaction—robots just don’t have the kind of emotional intelligence that
humans do.
 Physical dexterity and mobility—millennia of hiking mountains, swimming lakes and
dancing practice gives humans extraordinary agility and physical dexterity.
 So what does this mean for students today? In the World Economic Forum report
(2016), there are 10 skills a student will need for the Fourth Industrial Revolution:
1. Complex problem solving
2. Critical thinking
3. Creativity

4. People management
5. Coordinating with others
6. Emotional intelligence
7. Judgement and decision making
8. Service orientation
9. Negotiation
10. Cognitive flexibility

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Course Notes/MPU-3322.

Updated June 2021 1

CHAPTER 1: SOCIAL ISSUES -- DRUG TRAFFICKING AND DRUG ADDICTION

What is drug trafficking?

International narcotics control strategy report on drug trafficking in Malaysia

Mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking

Updated June 2021 2

Reasons to justify the death penalty

Reasons to abolish the death penalty

Updated June 2021 3

Causes of drug trafficking

Statistics: number of drugs addicts from 2014 till February 2018

STATISTICS OF DRUG ADDICTS BY CASE STATUS, 2014 - 2018

Per Case 13,605 20,289 22,923 18,440

Per Case 21,777 26,668 30,844 25,922 25,267

Updated June 2021 4

National disaster and main threat to national security

Steps taken to wage a war against drugs abuse

Updated June 2021 5

e) Still using the punishment as a deterrent for drug trafficking

Should drug use be legalized?

Legalizing drug use in other countries and Malaysia

Advantages of legalizing drug use

Updated June 2021 6

Disadvantages of legalizing drugs

The concern of drug relapse

Updated June 2021 7

Factors contributing to relapse among drug addicts in Malaysia

The ways to prevent drug relapse

Updated June 2021 8

Updated June 2021 9

CHAPTER 2: SOCIAL ISSUES -- RISING CRIME AND CORRUPTION

 According to Federal Criminal Investigations Department Director Commissioner

Updated June 2021 10

The public’s perception on crimes

Updated June 2021 11

Effects of this increased fear of crimes among the public

Updated June 2021 12

Updated June 2021 13

Causes of gangsterism among youths

Updated June 2021 14

e) Benefits derived from illegal monetary gains

According to Country Security Report (2020) Kuala Lumpur as being a HIGH-threat

Updated June 2021 15

Reasons why snatch theft is the most frequent street crime

Measures to curb snatch thefts

Updated June 2021 16

Updated June 2021 17

Updated June 2021 18

The effects of cybercrime

Updated June 2021 19

Steps to protect us from cybercrime

Updated June 2021 20

Initiative by the government

Updated June 2021 21

National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) 2019-2023

Updated June 2021 22

Updated June 2021 23

Key issues faced by Malaysia in the battle against corruption as identified in

Updated June 2021 24

Other important obstacles in battling against corruption in Malaysia

Updated June 2021 25

 Continued adverse findings and repeated governance failures observed in the

Updated June 2021 26