8. Ongoing political instability led to an emergency proclamation that suspended Parliament for the first time since 1969, followed by an unprecedented public rebuke of political leaders by the Malaysian king, and the third new government in as many years. The constitution allows restrictions on the freedom of expression in the interest of the security of the Federation[or] public order. The government regularly restricted freedom of expression for members of the public, media, and civil society, citing reasons such as upholding Islam and the special status of ethnic Malays, protecting national security, maintaining public order, and preserving friendly relations with other countries. Employers of domestic workers sometimes failed to honor the terms of employment and subjected workers to abuse. SUHAKAM urged the government to reconsider its decision to impose heavier punishments for offenses associated with the LGBTQI+ community. 16 Aug 2021. 2020 was an extremely happening year - well, Covid-19, and a General Election that took place amidst this pandemic. The government curbed freedom of expression, particularly freedom of the press. Defendants also may apply for a public defender in certain other cases. 03 / Select Countries You can add more than one country or area. Saddiq pleaded not guilty in a lower court in Johor State to two counts of money laundering, involving 100,000 ringgit ($24,000). The National Occupational Safety and Health Council composed of workers, employers, and government representatives creates and coordinates implementation of occupational health and safety measures. The law requires a permit to own a printing press, and printers often were reluctant to print publications critical of the government due to fear of reprisal. Criminal defendants have the right to confront witnesses. The plan outlined policies to increase access to education and attendance in schools, increase access to health education, address stigma and social norms on child marriage, and specify laws and guidelines on child marriages that are in line with government . The Malaysian Trades Union Congress reported that 12-, 14-, and 18-hour days were common in food and other service industries. The law does not prohibit discrimination with respect to race, religion, national origin, color, sex, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, HIV or AIDS status, or refugee status in employment and hiring; the director general of labor may investigate discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment for both foreign and local employees. Bail is usually available for persons accused of crimes not punishable by life imprisonment or death. In August, the government withdrew a bill submitted by the prior administration to create an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission because the police objected to it. The government instead introduced a bill to create a toothless Independent Police Conduct Commission that lacks both key investigative powers and the authority to punish wrongdoing. The plan outlined policies to increase access to education and attendance in schools, increase access to health education, address stigma and social norms on child marriage, and specify laws and guidelines on child marriages that are in line with government policies guarding the well-being of children. Healthcare. In February the High Court sentenced former federal minister and Negeri Sembilan States longest serving chief minister, Isa Samad, to six years imprisonment and a 15.4 million ringgit ($3.7 million) fine on nine counts of corruption and bribery for accepting three million ringgit ($720,000) in bribes in connection with luxury hotel purchase transactions. Teens go through a vulnerable period at this stage in their lives. They were released on bail but ordered to report to the nearest District Islamic Religious Department and barred from uploading on social media. The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism urged the Kelantan government to review its recently enforced law, including punishments against homosexual activities and a slew of other offenses. There were no reports of the revised code being used to prosecute LGBTQI+ individuals at years end. Often interesting subjects come up in the World of Online Article Authoring; this is where writers and authors write articles and put them onto the net for everyone to see or for selected Internet Companies to use as content. Acryl Sani was reported to have commented that the classmates rape threat was possibly a joke. The proposed commission would not even be able to visit lock-ups without giving advance notice, and is precluded from even investigating any act covered by the standing orders issued by the police inspector general. Access to education was limited to schools run by NGOs and ethnic communities, and UNHCR estimated no more than 40 percent of refugee children attended school. Each constituency elects one member of parliament. Although the government and NGOs maintained shelters and offered other assistance to victims of domestic violence, activists asserted that support mechanisms remained inadequate. Rape and Domestic Violence: Rape of women or men is a criminal offense, as are most forms of domestic violence. The law also restricts the formation of unions of workers in similar trades, occupations, or industries. Outside the political and human rights fields, the government generally allowed NGOs to function independently, met with representatives from some NGOs, and responded to some NGO requests. While authorities generally recorded votes accurately, there were irregularities perpetrated by the former Barisan Nasional coalition government that affected the fairness of elections. Administration: The law allows for investigations into allegations of mistreatment; however, this provision did not always function. State religious authorities reportedly forced LGBTQI+ persons to participate in conversion therapy, treatment, or rehabilitation programs to cure them of their sexuality. Leong had been arrested three times since November 2020 in connection with a break-in, under a statute designed to combat organized crime and terrorism. Trials for all were delayed due to the state of emergency and movement control orders to combat COVID-19. In May police reported an increase in cases involving child pornography during the movement control order period from March 2020 to April 2021, including child grooming without physical contact using words or showing obscene sexual acts to children. Islamic authorities may enter private premises without a warrant to apprehend Muslims suspected of engaging in offenses such as gambling, consumption of alcohol, and sexual relations outside marriage. In August police investigated seven activists from youth coalition Sekratariat Solidariti Rakyat for sedition in relation to a planned street protest. The Immigration Department announced that it had revoked the work permit of Mohammed Rayhan Kabir, a migrant worker from Bangladesh who featured in the documentary. Some of the root causes and co-occurring issues that are addressed in teen-specific drug rehab include: Abortion means termination of pregnancy, it can either be spontaneous or induced. The book contains a collection of writings about the 2018 general election and subsequent events compiled by editor Kean Wong. Nonpayment of wages remained a concern. Police arrested Vinaiyagar on September 8 for alleged gangsterism, and he died five days later due to a ruptured stomach ulcer, per police reports. The director general of the Ministry of Labor may grant exceptions if there are special circumstances making the extra hours necessary. International Child Abductions: The country is not a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Noting that Malaysiakini, Astro Awani, Free Malaysia Today, and the China Press had been subjected to police investigations, the foregoing media groups declared that the press should not be summoned by the government or threatened with action based on articles they publish in their capacity as the media, and termed harassment of journalists for doing their jobs a tactic to stifle press freedom.. In May the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia, the Centre for Independent Journalism, and Gerakan Media Merdeka issued a statement in response to five incidents where authorities questioned and investigated journalists early in the year. Police justified this practice as necessary to prevent interference in investigations in progress, and the courts generally upheld the practice. The divisions principal assistant director, Siti Kamsiah Hassan, told media that police received an average of 15 incest cases every month during the year. Malaysia's economy has been adversely affected by COVID-19 and the subsequent mobility restrictions implemented to flatten the curve of the pandemic. The government on several occasions forcibly expelled boats with refugees and asylum seekers who had come from a country where their lives or freedom could be threatened due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. In April the High Court upheld a 2019 ban on the comic book Belt and Road Initiative for Win Winism by Superman Hew. In July NGO Refuge for the Refugees founder Heidy Quah was charged under communications legislation over a 2020 social media post regarding conditions at an immigration detention center. Among these detainees, 45 were pending trial while 2,836 were convicted prisoners. The cause of unemployed graduates nowadays is the incompatibility in the focus of higher education institutions and the needs of labor market. They were released on bail the next day. During the same period, three people died while in police lock-ups, and 188 prison inmates died. Government-run family planning clinics often would not provide contraceptive services to unmarried young persons. The law protects foreign domestic workers only regarding wages and contract termination. Over 175,000 refugees and asylum seekers, most of whom come from Myanmar, are registered with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) office but have no legal status and remain unable to work or enroll in government schools. Close to nine in 10 (87%) HR executives in Malaysia believe the function plays a leading role in responding to COVID-19, KPMG's recent 2020 HR Pulse Survey has found. Speaking to local media, the former Court of Appeal judge declared it should not be acceptable to discriminate against the community or to treat its members as criminals. When mothers did not have valid proof of citizenship, authorities entered the childs citizenship as unknown on the birth certificate. 05:27 AM (GMT) Embattled Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to resign on Monday after a tumultuous 17 months in power marked by his government's poor response to . The government did not effectively enforce laws prohibiting employers from seeking retribution for legal union activities and requiring reinstatement of workers fired for trade union activity. UNHCR noted that because most schooling was virtual during the year, some populations, such as Rohingya, allowed girls to participate in schooling virtually when they would have been prohibited from attending in person. However, drug abuse among the youth in Malaysia is becoming a grave concern. Addressing economic inequality and promoting financial asset building. Abuse of Migrants and Refugees: UNHCR reported that as of December 31, there were 180,440 refugees and asylum seekers in the country who were registered with the agency, of whom 155,400 were from Burma: 103,380 Rohingyas, 22,570 Chins, and 29,450 of other ethnic groups coming from conflict-affected areas or fleeing persecution in Burma. Moreover, it does not require equal populations in electoral constituencies in any given state. In October the minister of home affairs reported that 374 individuals were detained under security legislation from January 1 through September 30. Mental health is generally related to depression, anxiety and stress. Laws prohibit such actions; nevertheless, authorities sometimes infringed on citizens privacy. Health care costs is the only issue of the 15 asked on . - STR/MIKAIL ONG. Among the allegations was that the inmates genitals and anuses were pepper-sprayed, rendering them unable to urinate or defecate. Education: Education is free, compulsory, and universal through primary school (six years of school) for citizens and permanent residents, although there was no mechanism to enforce attendance. Union officials claimed legal requirements for strikes were almost impossible to meet; the last major strike occurred in 1962. Employers reportedly restricted workers movement and use of mobile telephones; provided substandard food; did not provide sufficient time off; sexually assaulted workers; and harassed and threatened workers, including with deportation. Among lots of social issues in Malaysia, i choose 5 social issues that i felt is the worst in Malaysia. The law imposes limitations on student associations and on student and faculty political activity. The government maintained and at times exerted control over news content, both in print and broadcast media. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin highlighted one of the concerns during the closing session of the 74th World Health Assembly held virtually tonight was on how the pandemic had impacted mental health and social well-being. Women experienced some economic discrimination in access to employment. Even children have been detained in shelters and threatened with prosecution. There is no minimum age for engaging in light work. UNHCR declared that the deportees included at least six individuals registered with the agency. Malaysia continues to detain individuals without trial under restrictive laws. In July, the home minister banned Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance and Hope in New Malaysia under the Printing Presses and Publications Act after claims that the books cover resembled the countrys coat of arms. Persons granted bail usually must surrender their passports to the court. Teenagers who abuse alcohol increase their risk of negative health effects because their organs, brain and mental capabilities are still growing. Displacement. In August 2020, the Federal Court upheld the constitutionality of the mandatory death penalty. A July study by Newcastle University of 1,500 mainly migrant workers found that the following forced labor indicators in the country had worsened during the pandemic: restrictions on movement, isolation, abusive working and living conditions, and excessive overtime. On June 3, Umar Faruq Abdullah, a truck driver, died at the Southern Klang District police headquarters in Selangor State, a day after police arrested him for stealing a gas cylinder. In April the Selangor State government issued an eviction notice to the Mah Meri Orang Asli for illegally infringing upon government land, nine days after the state governments investment arm, Permodalan Negri Selangor Bhd, had awarded a 99-year lease for 101.62 acres of land in Mukim Sepang, Selangor, to a private ecotourism development company. It also affects how people react to certain situations. The measures included school officials forcing girls to show their blood-soaked sanitary pads; doing swabs of their vaginas with cotton buds, tissues, or fingers; or patting them down to feel if they were wearing a sanitary pad. Depression is an example of an adolescent issue that has always been around but has fortunately gained more public attention in more recent years. Malaysia entered the pandemic from a robust economic position but has nonetheless been significantly affected. NGOs continued to criticize the lack of resources dedicated to enforcement of the law. The list of social problems goes on and on. No law specifically prohibits torture; however, laws that prohibit committing grievous hurt encompass torture. Migrants and refugees who lost their jobs due to the pandemic were excluded from government aid programs, and many were left unable to feed their families. Authorities do not register children born to illegal immigrants or asylum seekers. NGOs and international organizations involved with these populations made credible allegations of overcrowding, inadequate food and clothing, lack of regular access to clean water, poor medical care, improper sanitation, and lack of bedding in the immigration detention centers. If they refuse to comply, employers face additional fines for each day that wages are not paid. Those that have been permitted to land have been detained as illegal migrants, with some prosecuted for immigration violations. UNHCR reported the government brought charges in a few cases against employers for hiring refugees. The violations included failure to comply with building capacity, operating without permission, failure to provide entry and exit route and nonadherence to social distancing.. Sexual Harassment: The law prohibits a person in authority from using his or her position to intimidate a subordinate by any conduct that is sexual in nature. Of the total, 30 percent were physical and sexual abuse. Investigations revealed Yusrazif received a list of names and passport details of the detained foreigners from two agents and facilitated the release and return of detainees to their countries of origin in exchange for bribes. Some politicians and human rights activists claimed the government used the loyalty pledge to restrain political activity among these groups. The new government, headed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, aggressively cracked down on critical speech and protest, backed away from creating a truly independent police complaints commission, and took a hard line on the treatment of refugees and undocumented migrants. Ministry of Health guidelines allow the practice in general but only at government health-care facilities, which was not always the case. The government used Covid-19 measures to restrict the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. There were restrictions on Israeli citizens entering the country. However, drug abuse among the youth in Malaysia is becoming a grave concern. No matter how small or big their problems, their troubles may feel unbearable or overwhelming. In modern times, people often migrate for security, work and even for education opportunities. In May families of 10 inmates filed police reports after their incarcerated relatives claimed to have been abused while under quarantine at Jelebu Prison in Negeri Sembilan. Department of Labor officials reported they sought to conduct labor inspections as frequently as possible. 2. Police detained Reza after he compiled two Spotify playlists of songs that referenced either the queen, Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, or her Instagram question to followers if they were jealous of her and her servants for receiving early COVID-19 vaccinations. Public-sector workers have some collective bargaining rights, although some could only express opinions on wages and working conditions instead of actively negotiating. Although observers reported that no Department of Immigration officers were seen at vaccination centers, there were isolated reports of police roadblocks or intimidation of refugees by police on their way to vaccination centers, including an instance when police tore up an expired UNHCR card.