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5 Organizations Tackling Food Insecurity In Malaysia

5 Organizations That Tackle Food Insecurity In Malaysia More than 333 million people worldwide faced food insecurity in 2023, according to estimates by the World Food Programme. When it comes to global poverty, food insecurity is one of the most pressing issues. It disproportionately affects women and children, particularly those from low-income nations. The burden of severe food insecurity in Malaysia is 16% and malnutrition is 20.9%.

The most vulnerable communities to the crisis are residents of Kelantan and Sabah, since agriculture is the main driving factor of their economies, the disruption of which exacerbates food insecurity and poverty among the regional population. The pandemic also thrust a lot of Malaysian residents already facing food insecurity even further into the crisis.

5 Organizations Fighting Food Insecurity in Malaysia

Fortunately, several regional and national programs tackle food insecurity in Malaysia. They aim to help alleviate the crisis among low-income families, marginalized communities and during natural disasters. Below is a list of five nonprofits and NGOs that are doing substantial work:

  1. Sincere Charity Association. Established in 2020 following the outbreak of the pandemic, the Sincere Charity Association provides financial, nutritional and welfare assistance to Malaysian families in need, single mothers, disabled people, orphans and students. In 2023, it held a New Year charity activity that monetarily helped 100 families. Participants also received free meals.
  2. Rizq-Ar-Rahman. This organization tackles food insecurity in Malaysia by providing weekly home-cooked meals to more than 300 families in need in Kuala Lumpur. It has implemented long-form solutions like installing water tanks in Malaysian villages to provide families with access to clean water.
  3. INSAN. Under its Food Security project, INSAN distributed food baskets to more than 500 people in 2016 and more than 1125 in 2018 in and near Kuala Lumpur and Selangor state. INSAN’s annual Qurbani program, which helps vulnerable Muslim communities in Malaysia by providing Qurbani meat, benefited 2025 people in 2019.
  4. Kechara Soup Kitchen. Since 2008, the Kechara Soup Kitchen has provided meals to 1,324,072 people in urban communities throughout the country. Its food bank program, which gathers surplus food and produce from markets, hotels and businesses and distributes it to those in need, has helped 21,698 families tackle food insecurity in Malaysia.
  5. Food For The Hungry International Malaysia. Launched in 2006, FHI Malaysia focuses on providing food to children in the rural areas of Sabah and conducting community development through agriculture. In September 2022, it converted a wetland along Sabah into a plot to implement a System of Rice Intensification, an ecological strategy meant to increase the productivity of rice and other crops.

Looking Ahead

In the face of mounting food insecurity challenges, Malaysia is witnessing the unwavering dedication of various organizations committed to making a difference. With innovative approaches and grassroots initiatives, these groups are providing essential support to those most vulnerable, from rural communities in Sabah and Kelantan to urban families in Kuala Lumpur.

As these organizations continue to expand their reach and impact, they embody collective resilience, demonstrating that through collaboration and compassion, overcoming food insecurity is within grasp. The road ahead, while challenging, is brightened by the promise of sustained support and community empowerment, guiding Malaysia toward greater food security and prosperity.

– Jay Kosumi
Photo: Unsplash

How Does Higher Education Affect Poverty in Malaysia?

Higher Education in MalaysiaLocated in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is one of the founding partners of the ASEAN trade bloc, with a population of 34 million. The island nation is a developing economic power within the region, with an expected steady 3.9% economic growth rate as of the first three quarters of 2023. The commonwealth country now has one of the most diverse population demographics in the world. However, access to higher education in Malaysia is a limiting factor for further economic development and significantly affects upward mobility. Education is key to lowering poverty rates.

As a low to middle-income country, Malaysia has seen an increase in poverty rates, growing from 5.6% in 2019 to 6.2% in 2022. This increase can be credited to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an increase in global unemployment and a prominent decrease in international trade. New research papers from UNESCO display how global poverty rates would be reduced if all adults completed secondary education. Education allows the underprivileged to obtain higher-paying jobs, allowing many to break the poverty cycle. The following are key facts about higher education in Malaysia and how it may affect the poverty rates in the country.

Talent Drain & Race Based Admission in Malaysia

In the past two decades, Malaysia has experienced a significant talent drain, and this trend is often attributed to the racial quota system in the country’s public university admissions. This policy has led to the rejection of high-achieving students from Malaysia’s pre-university programs, even as some of them secure places in prestigious international universities like Harvard and UCLA. Consequently, many Malaysians choose to pursue higher education abroad, resulting in a brain drain that can negatively impact the country.

The exodus of talent has the potential to reduce Malaysia’s attractiveness to foreign direct investments (FDIs), as a skilled workforce is a crucial factor for foreign companies when deciding where to invest. This, in turn, could limit the creation of job opportunities within the country, making it more challenging for individuals to escape poverty in Malaysia.

The race-based admission restricts many locals’ access to higher education, with a racial quota for 90% of places to be reserved for Malays. This quota is disproportionate to the country’s demography. It is divided into three main groups: 62% Malays, 21% Chinese and 6% Indian as of 2015. As a result, many cannot access public universities, which affects their ability to achieve social mobility and lift themselves out of poverty in Malaysia.

Lack of Maturity in the Higher Education System in Malaysia

The Malaysian education system is still relatively new compared to other education systems, such as the U.K. and the U.S.. The Malaysian education system has seen significant change throughout the past century due to colonialism, shaped to promote their colonial goals by implementing British and Japanese ideals and culture. Due to the history of change, the new education system in Malaysia still lacks maturity and experience, which may harm the hireability of Malaysia’s domestic university students, affecting their ability to obtain higher-paying jobs and thus making them unable to alleviate poverty in Malaysia.

Affordability & Inequality in Higher Education System in Malaysia

There has been a notable increase in the number of undergraduate students discontinuing their studies at Malaysian universities for various reasons, with a significant proportion citing financial challenges, including high tuition fees and costly accommodation. This emerging pattern exacerbates existing societal inequalities in Malaysia by impeding social mobility due to the reduced affordability of higher education. Consequently, this trend hampers their educational attainment and career prospects, thereby limiting their ability to escape poverty in the country.

Looking Ahead

There has been an increase in effort to limit the talent drain away from Malaysia, with more grants given to fully sponsor talented students in their domestic and overseas studies while guaranteeing that they will work in Malaysia after graduation. This policy also contributes to the government’s plan to improve the affordability of higher education. Furthermore, there have been significant efforts to get rid of race-based admission within Malaysia’s education system, with increased commentary about moving away from reserving 90% of places in pre-university programs for Malays. This change could decrease poverty in Malaysia as access to higher education increases for ethnic minorities.

While it is evident that there is a lack of maturity within the Malaysian education system, the government has established the “Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint,” which is due for completion in 2025. This program is part of their aspiration to rank the Malaysian education system among the highest quality. The blueprint consists of 10 planned changes that will be executed to improve outcomes for graduates through schemes such as partnerships with firms through internships to improve the hireability of domestic graduates. This plan can potentially lower poverty rates in Malaysia in the long run by increasing job opportunities within the country.

– Matthew Fung
Photo: Flickr

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MAB Improves Visual Health in Malaysia

MAB Improves Visual Health in MalaysiaThe Malaysian National Eye Survey in 1996 estimated that 54,000 Malaysians experienced bilateral blindness. The most recent survey in 2018 reports that 86.3% of blindness causation was preventable with timely treatment. The Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) is a nonprofit organization working on the issue. By providing health services and employment opportunities, MAB improves visual health in Malaysia and supports those with visual impairment. Founded in 1951, MAB’s mission statement explicitly focuses on blindness prevention and empowering those with visual impairment through services and opportunities that include them in society.

The Gurney Training Center for the Blind

The Gurney Training Center for the Blind is MAB’s vocational training school for those with visual impairment. This center provides both vocational training and rehabilitation services. The center’s vocational courses allow people with visual impairment to receive proper training in a field. Some of the vocational training courses include skills such as woodworking, massage therapy, telephony, industrial work and computer programming. The center also offers rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, counseling, casework, mobility training, communication and social skills, and recreational activities.

Taman Harapan Agricultural Training Center

The Taman Harapan Agricultural Training Center teaches skills for various farming and breeding methods. Other related courses offered include ones such as horticulture and craft making. Like Gurney’s, the center also provides rehabilitation services such as techniques for daily living.

Information Technology

MAB also provides training in how to use assistive devices and software. Additional services include the repair and replacement of this adaptive equipment. The organization also advocates for those with visual impairment by prompting employers and policymakers to provide Information and Communication Technologies facilities (computer labs, laptops, tablets, etc.) in the workplace.

Job Placement

MAB provides a job placement program to help its clients find stable work and improve the economic mobility of Malaysian people with visual impairment. MAB provides work placement by offering different resources, such as placing trained individuals into appropriate employment opportunities, helping with loans for assistive equipment needed for jobs, and working with the Department of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Human Resources to address employment matters.

Assistance to Blind Children Centers (ABC)

ABC Centers are several early intervention programs that provide essential services to children with visual impairment. These children are provided with physical training, basic living skills, preschool activities, recreational activities and counseling services. This center also aids parents by providing services such as education and counseling on visual impairment.

Public Transportation

Safety while riding public transportation is a recurring issue for people with visual impairment. In a broad collaboration with several government ministries, Nongovernmental Organizations and MAB, the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation in Malaysia installed directional tactile tiles on the Putrajaya MRT Line. These tiles give tactile feedback to commuters along the most efficient path from the entry point to the rail platform. The tiles also help indicate where an elevator or escalator is.

MAB improves visual health in Malaysia by promoting such inclusive designs and providing various services. With more efforts like MAB’s, people with visual impairment in Malaysia can integrate into a more inclusive society with improved opportunities for economic mobility.

– Max Cole
Photo: Flickr

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Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Malaysia

Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in MalaysiaMalaysia saw its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on January 24, 2020. The Malaysian government implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO or PKP) around two months later in response. This mandate restricted travel, work, assembly and established quarantine measures jeopardizing the financial integrity of Malaysian households. Here is some information about the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Malaysia as well as the country as a whole.

The World on Pause

For fully vaccinated individuals, the MCO ended in November 2021. However, under the mandate, conditional and variable ordinances ultimately played a part in the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Malaysia.

Working in multiple phases, the MCO developed into the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO/PKPB), Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO/PKPP) and the National Recovery Plan (NRP/PPN). These restrictions prevented movement between states, travel to and from Malaysia and mass gatherings in addition to the closure of schools, government and private premises except those considered essential. Those who violated the MCO were at risk of receiving fines or facing jail time.

Hurting Those Already Struggling the Most

Three-quarters of the Malaysian population live in urban areas, with the majority of individuals falling into the 15-64 age group. A four-part research study that UNICEF and UNFPA conducted titled “Families on the Edge” found that a typical Malaysian household has an average of 5.5 members.

The head of these households are mostly married Malay males around 46 years old with low educational attainment. These workers face a high risk of unemployment, pay cuts or other stresses to household income as they were in jeopardy before the pandemic.

Reports have indicated that a 5% increase in employment occurred between March 2020 and June 2021. Despite the rise, a third of those employed before the crisis experienced work disruptions and 27% faced income reduction.

The World Bank found that around 65% of jobs in Malaysia cannot occur remotely even after modifying them so that they were in an online format. This is because approximately 51% of jobs require close physical proximity. With the MCO restrictions, these jobs were most vulnerable with one-fourth of heads of households experiencing unemployment during this time.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Food and Education

The impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Malaysia consequently affected access to food and quality of education. With little to no income, households spent around 84% less on education and 4% less on food between December 2019 and June 2020. While expenditure on food reduced, approximately 30% reduced food intake itself to cope with financial difficulties.

While employees adjusted to remote working, children needed to transition to online learning. Two-fifths of children do not have access to the required equipment (such as a computer) or internet connection to resume their education.

Closures have also prevented children from impoverished families from accessing meals provided at school-distributed supplemental food programs. This food insecurity pushed households to adopt cheaper and less healthy diets, further threatening the country’s child malnutrition crisis.

A Citizen’s Surrender

Some low-income residents resorted to waving white flags from their flats during the government-mandated lockdown to express the financial stress they were experiencing. This Bendera Putih, or “White Flag” movement emerged to help families ask for assistance. The white cloth outside their homes would encourage others to donate food.

In response, three computer science students from Multimedia University Cyberjaya urgently developed and released the “Sambal SOS” app within the same month the White Flag Movement gained traction. More than 7,000 users registered on the site just two days after its launch.

Here, users could digitally and anonymously report that they needed help. They then could connect with other users ready and able to provide aid.

An Economic Recovery Plan

Prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the Pelan Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara (PENJANA), also known as the Economic Recovery Plan, in June of 2020. This stimulus package totaled RM35 billion (more than $7 billion) allocated to 40 initiatives organized into “three key thrusts:”

  • Empower People
  • Propel Businesses
  • Stimulate the Economy

Some initiatives to empower people included a wage subsidy program, social protection for the gig economy workforce and the internet for education and productivity. PENJANA funded entrepreneurship financing to propel businesses while supporting small enterprises through e-commerce and tourism financing. Initiatives to stimulate the economy included a campaign to buy Malaysian products and financial relief for those working in the agriculture/food sector.

Although poverty rates are still higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty levels have decreased by 16% between May 2020 and March 2021. Government assistance increased overall average household income since 2019, including disabled-headed households.

Households rely on savings, government and Zakat assistance for financial support as the labor market recovers. While PENJANA has proven to help boost the economy temporarily, many families still do not receive registered business-related aid and do not have social protection or insurance. The impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Malaysia emphasized that social protection assistance still needs to improve its scope of coverage to help the urban poor rebuild post-crisis.

– Aishah French
Photo: Flickr

Poverty in Malaysia: Understanding the Root Causes

Is Malaysia Poor

Malaysia is located on the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia and is home to more than 30 million people. It has a Gross domestic product (GDP) of $407 million (2022 estimate). Furthermore, improvements in health care have led to a significant increase in life expectancy, from less than 60 years in the ’60s to more than 76 years in 2024.

Renowned for its strides in poverty alleviation, Malaysia’s citizens have reaped the benefits of its economic expansion. According to the Commission on Growth and Development, Malaysia is one of the first 13 countries to experience more than 7% growth yearly for more than 25 years.

Poverty in Malaysia

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 6% or 405,000 Malaysian households experienced acute poverty. However, this number rose significantly to more than 630,000, while the number of families living in extreme poverty tripled to 78,000. Further, migration from rural areas to urban areas has increased urban poverty, which has been exacerbated by crony capitalism and a rising cost of living.

Factors Causing Malaysia’s Poverty

  1. Rural to Urban Migration

In recent decades, poverty has been much higher in rural areas than in urban areas in Malaysia. As a result, the government’s poverty-reduction programs and policies were focused on rural poverty, neglecting urban poverty. Many people, including many foreign workers, moved to cities from rural areas during that same period.

This rural-to-urban migration put pressure on urban infrastructure and essential services. Currently, more than 70% of Malaysians live in urban areas. This led to increased unemployment and consequently, large families earning low wages now suffer from a lack of basic resources.

  1. High Cost of Living

The cost of living in urban areas is significantly higher than in rural areas. On average, about three out of 10 Malaysians feel they do not have enough money to purchase basic needs such as food. This is more significant among urban residents, where 28.7% feel this way.

This skews the perception of poverty in rural areas relative to urban areas. However, a Malaysian man says, “In rural areas, the cost of living is cheaper and there is no housing shortage. Food supplies can be supplemented by farming, growing your own vegetables and rearing chickens. But you can’t do that in flats in urban areas.”

Food prices have skyrocketed in Malaysia and several people, especially those from lower- and middle-income households, have to skip meals daily. Despite many years of economic growth, the increase in food prices means Malaysians can experience poverty in urban areas even if they are technically earning an income above the poverty line.

  1. Ethnic Disparities

Malaysia broadly defines ethnic minorities as “Other Bumiputera,” which encompasses communities such as the Orang Asli and all indigenous peoples living in the Sabah and Sarawak states. Poverty rates among “Other Bumiputera” are consistently much higher than ethnic-majority groups. For example, the poverty rate in the Sabah state is six times higher than the national poverty average.

The Good News

Like any country, some of Malaysia’s citizens are experiencing poverty, which must be addressed. However, Malaysia has made major strides in reducing poverty since the ’80s. Today, the government provides free primary and secondary education for all Malaysians and health care is free in rural areas and very low cost in urban areas. In short, there is always room for improvement and Malaysia is on the path to eliminating poverty.

– Olivia Bradley

Photo: Flickr
Updated: May 27, 2024

Causes of Poverty in Malaysia

Causes of Poverty in Malaysia
Malaysia is a nation in southeast Asia with a rich history and a population of over 30 million. The nation has been one historically plagued with deep poverty; however, in recent decades, the conditions for a large swathe of its people have greatly improved. The government has undertaken a monumental effort to attempt to eradicate the causes of poverty in Malaysia and has been largely successful. Nevertheless, the country still suffers from the ills of impoverishment and plenty of work still needs to be done.

Since the Millennium Development Goals were introduced in 1990, the Malaysian government has done a lot to reduce poverty in the nation. The percentage of households living on less than $8.50 per day (the national poverty line) fell from over 50 percent in the 1960s to 1 percent currently. The Asian Development Bank claimed this to be the largest reduction among all Asian countries. Another government goal was to halve the number of people living on $1 a day by 2015, which they also successfully achieved.

The task of solving the root causes of poverty in Malaysia, however, is still far from over. Over 60 percent of the country still lives on less than $1,600 a month, and in rural areas, that number can climb up to 85 percent. Furthermore, although only about 1 percent of people currently live under the extreme poverty line, that still accounts for 300,000 people, a significant number.

The government recognizes that it still has not fully addressed the causes of poverty in Malaysia, and has laid out a road map of its future plan of action. This plan of action revolves around four main focal points.

 

Addressing the Causes of Poverty in Malaysia

 

  1. Increase the level of education among the poor. Through education, children in poor communities will have a better chance to get a high-paying job or start a business.
  2. Strengthen social safety nets, enhance collaboration with NGOs and corporations and provide empowerment programs.
  3. Ensure income is redistributed to uplift those in poverty for the bottom 40 percent.
  4. Institutionalize appropriate policies which promote economic development.

If the Malaysian government continues on the path they have been on so far and successfully addresses these goals in their plan of action, poverty and the ills it brings could be effectively eradicated in the nation once and for all.

– Alan Garcia-Ramos

Photo: Flickr

Why the Malaysia Poverty Rate is So Low

Malaysia Poverty Rate

According to one of the most recent reports by the World Bank, Malaysia has had an inclusive economic growth rate of about 7 percent annually for the past 25 years. Since this growth has been inclusive, Malaysia has been successful at nearly eradicating poverty in the country. This makes the Malaysia poverty rate comparatively low—less than 1 percent of Malaysians live in extreme poverty.

How is it that the Malaysia poverty rate can be so low?

The answer to that question is multifaceted.

Diversifying the Economy

Firstly, it has to do with the economy. In the 1970s, the industry in Malaysia shifted from being based in the production of raw natural materials to a more diversified economy. Malaysia started to export electronic appliances and parts, palm oil and natural gas.

This diversified economy in turn called for a more diversified and specialized labor force. In 2015 alone, Malaysia witnessed a labor force growth of 1.8 percent and a labor participation rate of 67.9 percent—up about 0.3 percent from 2014. Decreases in unemployment rate have followed economic growth. As of June 2017, the unemployment rate is at 3.2 percent. Comparatively, the U.S. currently has an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent.

Helping the Right Population

The second reason why the Malaysia poverty rate is low is because of the population that has benefited the most from the recent economic growth. The Malaysian government has shifted its focus to address the households in the lowest 40 percent. These “bottom 40” households saw a growth of 11.4 percent from 2009 to 2014. That is compared to the 7.9 percent growth of the total population of Malaysia.

However, because of the focus on the lower income households, many people in the middle class have been left out. According to an article by Malaymail Online, some have even fallen into what is considered poverty. Much of this is due to the high inflation rates per year versus the lack in increase in household income.

In the past, the rising incomes and low cost of living allowed the middle class to thrive in Malaysia. However, as of 2012, inflation started to increase. Thankfully, in the past year the inflation has dropped from around 5 percent to 3 percent.

The future goal of Malaysia as a nation is to reach high income status by 2020. With an economic growth of 7 percent annually for the past 25 years and the Malaysia poverty rate at an all-time low, this number seems realistic and attainable.

– Sydney Roeder

Photo: Flickr

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Exploring Common Diseases in Malaysia

Common Diseases in MalaysiaAccording to the CIA World Factbook, the nation of Malaysia has a life expectancy of 75 years. This ranks it at 110 in the world, between countries like Romania and Iraq. Even though the water quality is improving — 93 percent improved in rural areas and 100 percent improved in urban — a few common diseases in Malaysia still take a toll on the population.

Some of the major infectious diseases for Malaysia include what is known as dengue fever and the water contact disease called leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a bacterial disease that is contracted through exposure to animal urine or things that have been contaminated by animal urine. The bacteria can enter the body in several ways, including cuts or through mucous membranes like the mouth, nose and eyes.

If one were to contract this disease, they could expect several discomforting symptoms: chills, redness in the eyes, jaundice, abdominal pains, hemorrhages in the skin or mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhea, a rash and severe headaches are likely to occur in the early stages.

One of the other common diseases in Malaysia, the previously mentioned dengue fever, is much more difficult to avoid, due to its method of contamination; dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes.

People who have been infected by dengue will have a high fever (around 104 degrees Fahrenheit) coupled with several other flu-like symptoms, such as pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint aching, nausea, vomiting, rash, swollen glands or severe headaches. These symptoms can last anywhere between two and seven days, and the incubation period lasts between four and ten, after the bite.

Being a tropical nation, the Malaysian environment’s natural humidity is prone to hosting mosquitoes, among other insects. The mosquito population is helped by rapid urbanization and unclean, unprotected water supplies.

Thankfully, a vaccine has been discovered within the past two years. This vaccine, called Dengvaxia, was created by the vaccinations division of Sanofi, officially named Sanofi Pasteur. Other vaccines are being worked on as well, some in phase three of clinical trials.

Currently, the main method for fighting against dengue fever is through preventing mosquito bites. This method utilizes sanitation, insecticides, avoiding the creation of mosquito-prone habitats and early clinical detection of the illness. On the ground, the implementation of these strategies can be as simple as covering a waste basket and disposing of food properly.

— Stephen Praytor

Photo: Flickr

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Water Quality in Malaysia

Water Quality in MalaysiaAccess to clean drinking water is crucial in order to sustain life. For some nations, this is a major dilemma. Thus, water quality in Malaysia is currently of some concern.

Malaysia is experiencing rapid urbanization and population growth. This rapid growth leads to an increased demand for water and spiked levels of water pollution. These factors seriously harm the water quality in Malaysia.

Various human, domestic, industrial, commercial and transportation wastes trickle into the water supply. Polluting water sources consequently creates serious health hazards.

Water quality in Malaysia, as well as access to water in general, is a major problem. The primary pollutants present in the water are Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Ammoniacal Nitrogen and Suspended Solids. These are consequences of untreated or only partially treated sewage.

Lakes and reservoirs serve as domestic, industrial, agricultural, hydroelectric, navigational and recreational sources of water. Since 98 percent of the water originates from rivers, river pollution is a serious concern.

Malaysia has departments like the Department of Environments to take charge of the water quality problem. The Department of Environments is responsible for tracking the water quality in Malaysia using Water Quality Index and National Water Quality Standards. The National Water Quality Monitoring Programme added new rivers in the area to control the presence of Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Ammoniacal Nitrogen and Suspended Solids.

With the development of the Department of Environments to control the water quality problem and the National Water Quality Monitoring Program to decrease pollutants in the water supply, water quality in Malaysia is improving significantly. Malaysia receives 25,000 cubic meters of renewable water for each person each year from this river system.

This system significantly improves the water quality in Malaysia. However, the country lacks a nationally recognized standard for water quality. Several agencies manage the system, but they have no legal ties or obligations to follow certain policies.

Malaysia continues to work on improving its water quality through these fragmented agencies, but these efforts are not enough to completely salvage the quality. Fixing the fragmentation is a step in the right direction for Malaysia. Additionally, outside organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund are working in Malaysia.

Focusing on creating a cohesive and binding system in Malaysia would improve the water quality while also ensuring that agencies have a legal obligation to comply with monitoring practices.

– Katelynn Kenworthy

Photo: Flickr

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10 Facts About Refugees in Malaysia

Refugees in Malaysia
Due to its booming economy and multi-cultural society, Malaysia is a beacon in Southeast Asia for economic migrants and refugees alike. As the refugee crisis continues, Malaysia grapples with its institutions, history and policies towards migrants. Discussed below are some basics about refugees in Malaysia.

10 Alarming Facts About Refugees in Malaysia

  1. As of the end of April 2017, there are about 150,662 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia. Of these refugees, about 89 percent are persecuted ethnic groups from Myanmar, comprised of Rohingyas, Chins, Myanmar Muslims, Rakhines and Arakanese.
  2. About 11 percent of registered refugees are from other countries, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine. About 67 percent of refugees and asylum-seekers are men, and 33 percent are women. About 36,331 refugees are children under the age of 18.
  3. In Malaysia, refugees are not distinguished from undocumented migrants and are at risk of deportation or detention. They lack access to legal employment and formal education. Refugees are able to access public and private healthcare, but this access is often hindered by the cost of treatment and language barriers.
  4. Because refugees have no access to legal employment, they tend to work difficult or dangerous jobs that the rest of the population does not wish to take. Refugee workers often face exploitation by employers who take advantage of their situation, paying them low wages or no wages at all.
  5. There are no refugee camps in Malaysia; refugees live in cities and towns across the country in low-cost apartments or houses. These accommodations are often overcrowded, and it’s not uncommon for several families or dozens of individuals to share a living space.
  6. Malaysia is neither party to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention nor its 1967 protocol. Malaysia is also not a party to the 1954 and 1961 U.N. Statelessness Convention. Malaysia lacks a legal framework for managing refugees, so the UNHCR conducts all activities concerning the registration, documentation and status determination of refugees. The Malaysian Government cooperates with UNHCR in addressing refugee issues.
  7. UNCHR began operations in Malaysia in 1975 when Vietnamese refugees began to arrive by boat in Malaysia and other neighboring countries. From 1975 to 1996, UNCHR assisted the Malaysian government in helping and protecting Vietnamese refugees. Over those two decades, more than 240,000 Vietnamese were resettled, and about 9,000 persons returned home to Vietnam.
  8. In the past, Malaysia has opened its doors to vulnerable populations through government programs. In 1991, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad championed a scholarship program for Bosnian Muslims after hearing the Serbs announce an ethnic cleansing campaign. However, they referred to participants as “guests” rather than refugees.
  9. As of 2015, the Malaysian government has pledged to shelter 3,000 Syrian refugees. Syrians will be given temporary residence passes, permission to work and permission to attend school. Though about 1,100 Syrian refugees are already in Malaysia, this program seeks to resettle more new refugees.
  10. As of March 2017, Malaysia has developed a pilot program to allow 300 Rohingya refugees to work legally within the country. Successful applicants will be placed with selected companies in manufacturing and agricultural industries. This project was instated to prevent forced labor and exploitation, as well to give refugees necessary skills and income to make a living before potential relocation.

The lives of refugees in Malaysia are often lived in the shadows, with a constant risk of deportation or detention. Refugees are most vulnerable, however, because their home country is too dangerous to return to. This is why the registration of refugees is essential to their safety, be it through UNCHR or the initiatives of the government itself.

– Hannah Seitz

Photo: Flickr