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Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Young delay starting families as rising costs bite
Deputy women, family and community development minister Noraini Ahmad said the government has implemented various initiatives to help young people build their families. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The pressure of the rising cost of living is mainly why many youths choose to delay marriage and start a family, says deputy women, family and community development minister Noraini Ahmad. She cited a report by the United Nations Population Fund, which said nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged they may not be able to have the number of children they desire. 'Of this group, 39% cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies: to listen, understand, and act,' Bernama reported her as saying at the 2025 World Population Day celebration today. She said the government has implemented various initiatives to help young couples build families in a more stable and structured environment. These include providing maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, financial assistance for low-income families, and awareness programmes on reproductive and family health. On Malaysia's declining fertility rate, currently at 1.7 children per woman, below the population replacement level of 2.1, Noraini said the government is implementing a fertility treatment aid and infertility advocacy programme, targeting 30,000 couples this year. 'In the first quarter of 2025, only 93,500 births were recorded, a drop of more than 11% compared with the previous year. 'These numbers represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems and public awareness,' she said.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Litterbugs face 12 hours of community service under proposed law
Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming said heavier penalties are needed to combat persistent littering and foster civic responsibility. PETALING JAYA : Litterbugs may soon be slapped with up to 12 hours of court-ordered community service under proposed amendments to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Act 2007. Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming said the tougher penalty aims to address persistent public littering and instil civic responsibility among Malaysians. 'Based on records of the amount of litter collected, it is clear that the fines imposed by local authorities are no longer a deterrent for offenders from repeating this bad habit. 'Therefore, the courts will have the power to order community service of up to 12 hours, in addition to a fine,' he told the Dewan Rakyat when tabling the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025 today. Nga said the proposed amendments would also cover minor acts of littering, such as throwing cigarette butts, tissues, plastic and drink cans in public spaces or on public roads. The bill will also broaden the definition of solid waste to include reusable items like plastic bags and bottles. He said the stronger laws are necessary as Malaysia takes on a global leadership role in environmental efforts. 'As the president (of the UN-Habitat Assembly), Malaysia must show commitment towards environmental sustainability. We aim for a zero-waste culture that includes recycling, reducing and reusing,' he said. Nga said countries such as the US, UK, Japan, South Korea, the UAE, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore have implemented similar measures. 'Despite our country's progress, there are still many who throw rubbish irresponsibly. We want to shape a society that values cleanliness and is responsible,' he said. The amendments, covering four clauses, apply to Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan. Sabah and Sarawak may adopt them through their own ordinances.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Cover bail-out fee for strays, animal welfare NGO tells govt
Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming has given an assurance that euthanasia will only be used as a 'last resort' under the trap-reclaim-rehome-dispose approach towards strays. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An animal welfare NGO has urged the government to cover all bail-out fees imposed by local authorities on stray dogs. Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) said these fees are financially burdensome for many groups and often applied inconsistently. R Kalaivanan. 'The fees range from hundreds to thousands of ringgit per dog,' its president, R Kalaivanan, said. 'This inconsistency creates an unfair and unsustainable challenge for NGOs working on limited budgets. 'The bail-out process should be smooth and easy, allowing the NGOs to quickly rescue animals without unnecessary delays or complications. 'This will enable the NGOs to focus on their mission to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome stray animals without huge financial implications.' In a statement, Kalaivanan also proposed that groups be given at least 14 days to rescue strays. This is to ensure that every stray has the opportunity to be rehabilitated and rehomed. He said efforts to reduce the stray population in Malaysia are not the sole responsibility of animal groups or shelters as the government plays an important role in supporting animal welfare efforts. 'We are already helping the government to reduce the stray population in a humane manner. We need government support to ensure these efforts are sustainable and have a lasting impact,' he said. Yesterday, the government said it would maintain its long-standing trap-reclaim-rehome-dispose (TRRD) approach to manage stray dogs. A housing and local government ministry spokesman said TRRD is the most practical approach to deal with strays. However, the spokesman said the ministry is open to suggestions but needs to exercise 'extreme caution' when considering alternative proposals. Last November, its minister, Nga Kor Ming, gave an assurance that euthanasia would only be used as a 'last resort' measure under the TRRD approach. He said only strays that are sick or pose a nuisance or danger to the public would be put down.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Puad denies Umno-PN backdoor talks
Puad Zarkashi said he would have been the first to object to a proposal for Umno to forge a new government with PN. PETALING JAYA : Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has rubbished claims that party representatives have been meeting with Perikatan Nasional leaders for talks on forming a new government. He claimed that it was PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man who initiated contact with Umno intermediaries and allegedly offered the party the prime minister's post if it agreed to a plan for a backdoor government. 'But that idea was never brought to or discussed in the Supreme Council. Even if it had been, I would have been the first to speak up and strongly oppose it,' he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian. His remarks were in response to Tuan Ibrahim's statement that Umno leaders had held discreet meetings with PN leaders to explore 'cross-party movement' led by PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin. Speaking to the media at the Selangor PAS Youth muktamar yesterday, Tuan Ibrahim also reportedly invited dissatisfied Umno members to join PN, likening it to 'leaving a sinking ship'. Puad dismissed the overture and said Umno would not repeat what he described as a mistake of the past. 'Tuan Ibrahim knows full well that Umno will not fall into the same trap again. All of this is just an attempt to lure us in,' he said. 'The idea of Umno working with PAS, let alone Bersatu, is nothing but a dream.' The last time Umno, Bersatu and PAS cooperated was when they formed the government in March 2020 following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Man probed over ‘offensive' post on royals, CJ appointment
The suspect having his statement recorded by the MCMC enforcement officer at the Kampung Melayu Subang police station. (MCMC pic) PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission is investigating a man for posting an allegedly offensive social media comment on the royal institution involving the recent appointment of the chief justice. MCMC said the man had his statement recorded at the Kampung Melayu Subang police station on July 21. His mobile phone and SIM card were seized to assist in the investigation. The case is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities, punishable by a maximum RM500,000 fine, up to two years in jail, or both, upon conviction. In a statement, MCMC reminded the public to avoid sharing content that is offensive, seditious or defamatory, particularly those involving the royal institution, as it could threaten public order and national harmony. Last Friday, it said it was investigating another person for allegedly uploading offensive remarks about the judiciary. Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh was appointed chief justice last week, replacing Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired earlier this month. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also consented to the appointments of Justices Abu Bakar Jais and Azizah Nawawi as Court of Appeal president and chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak, respectively.
