The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is responsible for investigating corruption in both private and public bodies but does not have prosecutorial authority. What happen to Malaysia in 2021? UPDATED: Check out what Singaporeans cared about in 2021. Viewed as illegal immigrants, refugees and others were subject to deportation at any time. - STR/MIKAIL ONG. A youth coalition press statement slammed the use of sedition as excessive intimidation of ordinary individuals. A consortium of NGOs released a formal report in 2018 detailing irregularities in the election, including vote buying, the use of public funds for partisan activity, and allegations of biased behavior by public officials. Nonetheless, police often denied detainees access to legal counsel and questioned suspects without allowing a lawyer to be present. Also see the Department of States Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/. On July 28, the Selangor State sharia high court charged Ibu Yati and two others with expounding religious doctrines contrary to Islamic law and spreading them through Facebook from December 2020 through February 1. According to Department of Occupational Safety and Health statistics, as of July, 111 workers died, 3,668 acquired a nonpermanent disability, and 140 acquired permanent disability in work-related incidents. Malaysia permits the death penalty for various crimes and makes the sentence mandatory for 11 offenses. Significant human rights issues included: reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings by the government or its agents; reports of torture and cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary detention; problems with the independence . The GDP per capita of the country in the same year was $11,193, which was higher than that in 2017 (Country Economy, 2021). Anti-Semitism was a serious problem across the political spectrum and attracted wide support among segments of the population. At time of writing, the government had not made public the report or taken steps to end the mandatory penalty. Employment discrimination occurred against persons with disabilities (see section 7.d.). The constitution also provides for transfers of power without new legislative elections. Check our list and get an inspiration boost. In April two members of parliament accused then deputy inspector general of police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, since promoted to inspector general, of trivializing a rape threat made against a teenage girl. Despite strong objections by opposition political parties and civil society, in 2018 the former Barisan Nasional coalition government approved redrawn parliamentary districts that critics contended unfairly advantaged Barisan Nasional through gerrymandering and malapportionment. Trade unions asserted some workers had wages withheld or were terminated because of union-related activity. UNHCR affirmed that authorities continued to disallow visits by its staff to detention centers to meet refugees and asylum seekers, determine those in need of international protection, and advocate for their release. The government banned, restricted, or limited circulation of publications it considered a threat to public order, morality, or national security. Employers may be required to pay back wages plus the fine. The Malaysian government has implemented deterrent and supportive strategies to reduce the issue by penalising polluters and providing tax . There were four non-Muslim judges serving on the Federal Court. Health care costs is the only issue of the 15 asked on . The government bans membership in unregistered political parties and organizations. In April police threatened activist and artist Fahmi Reza with sedition for mocking the queen over her Instagram posts. Throughout the year there were numerous instances of police confiscating the cell phones of human rights defenders brought in for questioning. Noticeable changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from friends and family or violent and aggressive behavior, are among the many signs of potential teen suicide, but parents and mental health care providers also need to understand the causes of suicide in teens for effective prevention. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Rural versus Urban Social Issues. Although parliament annulled the emergency ordinance in October, Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa declared that any ongoing investigations of fake news would not be affected by the annulment. The board may renew the detention order or impose an order to restrict, for a maximum of five years, a suspects place of residence, travel, access to communications facilities, and use of the internet. Activists have filed two court cases, in the High Court and the Federal Court, challenging the existence and use of these laws in Selangor. The government censored films for certain political and religious content, not allowing, for example, screening of films in Hebrew or Yiddish, or from Israel. March 11, 2021 End Poverty, Equality, . No judicial review is permitted for these measures. That year, Malaysia's GDP contracted by 7.4 per cent. Muslim women younger than 16 may marry with the approval of a sharia court. Also on July 28, authorities detained youth activist Sarah Irdina and questioned her for 10 hours over social media posts promoting the black flag campaign to protest the Muhyiddin governments response to COVID-19. The amount and availability of bail is at the judges discretion. Government procurement and licensing policies favored bumiputra-owned businesses. AFP pic Another study in Hong Kong published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health also found that 25.4 per cent of 500 survey respondents reported that their mental health had deteriorated since the pandemic began. The worst floods in decades in some states have tempered the recovery in . In September Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat issued directives to improve the detention process and ensure suspects detained for investigation for more than 24 hours had access to legal representation, were in good health, and were allowed to testify in court about their treatment while under detention. The remaining 24,040 individuals, UNHCR reported, came from 50 countries, including 6,730 Pakistanis, 3,720 Yemenis, 3,300 Syrians, 3,210 Somalis, 2,800 Afghans, 1,690 Sri Lankans, 1,200 Iraqis, 770 Palestinians, and others. No laws provided for the protection of members of racial or ethnic minorities or groups against violence and discrimination. 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. According to a survey conducted by Ipsos on the most concerning environmental issues . The Attorney Generals Chambers requested a fine of 200,000 ringgit ($47,500), but Yusuf fined Malaysiakini more than double that amount. Respect for the Integrity of the Person, a. In some instances companies reportedly harassed leaders of unions that sought recognition. The details are given below. In September a sessions court fined immigration officer Yusrazif Wan Yusoh 50,000 ringgit ($12,000) after he pleaded guilty to five counts of accepting kickbacks totaling 15,000 ringgit ($3,600) to free Filipino and Chinese nationals detained by the Immigration Department. In August MACC charged member of parliament and former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman with money laundering. 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). Protests deemed acceptable by the government usually proceeded without interference. The cause of unemployed graduates nowadays is the incompatibility in the focus of higher education institutions and the needs of labor market. Child labor was also evident among migrant domestic workers. Three constitutional articles provide the basis for an independent judiciary; however, other constitutional provisions, legislation restricting judicial review, and executive influence over judicial appointments limited judicial independence and strengthened executive influence over the judiciary. This included any enterprise not registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia or other professional body and included more than one million self-employed or micro businesses, such as in-home workers, street vendors, and small workshops. The government, however, did not mandate accessibility to transportation for persons with disabilities, and authorities retrofitted few older public facilities to provide access for persons with disabilities. At court hearings 15 to 20 migrants were often tried together, grouped by the offense with which they were charged. Migrant workers must undergo mandatory testing for more than 16 illnesses as well as pregnancy. 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. In 2019 UNHCR estimated there were 450,000 stateless persons residing in the eastern state of Sabah. Nonetheless, NGOs reported continued discrimination against women in the workplace in terms of promotion and salary (see section 7.d.). NGOs continued to criticize the lack of resources dedicated to enforcement of the law. Social problems can relate to governments, social behavior, social structure, environmental and economic problems. As one of the biggest economies in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is an attractive destination for workers from neighboring countries seeking better wages and employment. Migrant workers often worked in sectors where violations were common. 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. 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. 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. Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): The law does not prohibit FGM/C, and it was a common practice among Muslim and some indigenous communities. In March the then inspector general of police, Abdul Hamid Bador, declared that there was a cartel of dirty cops in middle and senior ranks. In cases related to terrorism or national security, the law allows police to hold persons, even after acquittal, against the possibility of appeal by the prosecution. Widespread school closures due to Covid-19 may also increase risks of child marriage, as research shows that leaving education is highly correlated with girls being married off. Those convicted of a first offense face a token fine and a maximum sentence of 14 days in jail. Eliminating systemic racism. Migration. The law prohibits all of the worst forms of child labor. During investigations police may hold a suspect for 24 hours, which may be extended for a maximum of 14 days by court order under general criminal law provisions. Workers who strike without the consent of the director general of trade unions are liable to a fine of 2,000 ringgit ($480), imprisonment for up to one year, or both. Child sex trafficking also occurred (see section 6, Children). SUHAKAM urged the government to reconsider its decision to impose heavier punishments for offenses associated with the LGBTQI+ community. Public schools are open to some UNHCR-registered refugees, but not to the children of illegal immigrants. The legislation expanded this authority to include housing and local government agencies, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in order to enforce fines and penalties up to 200,000 ringgit ($48,000), three years jail time, or both, against employers that failed to adhere to regulations. In August, the Court of Appeal partially set aside a High Court ruling that Ahmadiyya adherents were not subject to Sharia (Islamic law) in Malaysia because the Islamic authorities there do not consider them as Muslims. However, drug abuse among the youth in Malaysia is becoming a grave concern. The erosion of support for Muhyiddin's government is tied to four issues. Physical Conditions: Overcrowding in prisons and immigration detention centers, particularly in facilities near major cities, remained a serious problem. The 'new normal' comes with its fair share of added stresses and worries for everyone to handle. Such policies, together with antidefamation laws and the emergency ordinance prohibiting the spread of fake news enacted in March under the January-August COVID-19 pandemic-related state of emergency, inhibited independent or investigative journalism and resulted in self-censorship in the print and broadcast media. Advocates remained concerned that Rohingya refugee families were resorting to child marriage for their girls to cope with economic hardship. In 2013 the state government had awarded Sri Jengka, a semi-state government corporation, a 99-year lease on the 1,618-acre tract. A Hartalega spokesperson announced in August the firm had fully reimbursed all migrant workers who were then employed at Hartalega and was continuing to reimburse eligible former workers. The cofounder of youth group Misi Solidariti, Sharon Wah, questioned along with four other activists, declared: Laws that arbitrarily criminalize speech and legitimate criticism remain on the book. The government claimed these policies were necessary to attain ethnic harmony and political stability. Informal Sector: As of 2019 more than one million workers were considered to be in the nonagricultural informal sector. Immigration law allows authorities to arrest and detain noncitizens for 30 days, pending a deportation decision. In Malaysia, or at least in Kuala Lumpur, homeless people have somewhat blended into the backdrop of the city. They discovered that an international cartel for more than 40 years had smuggled noncertified meat into the country and falsely represented it as halal-certified by using national halal logos with the help of corrupt senior government officials from at least four agencies. In September Minister of Health Khairy Jamaluddin announced that everyone in the country was eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine regardless of documentation status, but many remained skeptical. There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees. They were released on bail but ordered to report to the nearest District Islamic Religious Department and barred from uploading on social media. Share this via Telegram 2. Malaysia has a healthy, robust, and industrialised economy. Some workers organizations were independent of government, political parties, and employers, but employer-dominated or yellow unions were reportedly a concern. 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. According to the International Press Institute, the nationwide state of emergency declared in January to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, postponing parliamentary sittings and elections while banning interstate travel and imposing restrictions on media, posed a grave threat to press freedom and freedom of expression. In March the government enacted an emergency ordinance prohibiting the spread of fake news related to COVID-19 and the state of emergency declaration with heavy fines, three years in prison, or both for violations. For refugees in Muslim marriages, the observers claimed authorities often accepted a UNHCR document or other documentation in lieu of a passport as proof of citizenship. The courts increasingly encouraged the use of mediation and arbitration to speed settlements. Police fined each of the activists, including a local city councilor, and detained them for several hours. Union officials expressed frustration about delays. Government Human Rights Bodies: The official human rights commission SUHAKAM is headed by a chairperson and commissioners appointed by the king on the recommendation of the prime minister. 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.
