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New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Study finds young Malaysians most likely to support ban on racially biased landlords
KUALA LUMPUR: Young Malaysians aged 18 to 24 are more likely than any other age group to support a legal ban on racial discrimination by landlords. This stance contrasts sharply with older generations, a new YouGov survey shows. The survey, involving 1,104 respondents, found that Malaysians aged 18 to 24 were the only age group where more people supported making racial discrimination in renting illegal (39 per cent) than those who opposed it. In contrast, 58.7 per cent of respondents aged 35 to 54 believed landlords should retain the right to select tenants based on race. A report by Free Malaysia Today (FMT) said overall, nearly 57 per cent supported introducing a law to regulate the rental housing market, while only 10 per cent were against the proposed Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) — legislation that has been in the pipeline for years. However, Malaysians remain divided on whether the RTA should specifically ban racial discrimination in housing. Nearly half of all respondents said landlords should be allowed to choose tenants by race, while only 31 per cent supported making such practices illegal. The findings were released during a forum hosted by Architects of Diversity (AOD), a civil society group advocating for equality in housing and education, to mark the launch of its report on discrimination in the rental market. Forum participants called on the government to expedite and strengthen the RTA to include clear protections against racial discrimination. "If the government fails to pass the Residential Tenancy Act — or worse, passes it without addressing racial discrimination — it will have missed its greatest opportunity to protect Malaysian Indians," said AOD executive director Jason Wee. The survey found that Indians were the most affected by racial bias, with nearly two in five reporting discrimination while trying to rent a home. Support for banning discrimination was highest among Indians (63.8 per cent), young adults (39 per cent), and full-time students (42 per cent). Wee noted that young Malaysians, particularly minorities, are especially vulnerable to housing discrimination as they often rely on rented accommodation while studying or beginning their careers in urban areas. The forum also highlighted common justifications landlords give for selecting tenants by race, including fear of problematic tenants, concerns about religious or cultural clashes, and entrenched personal biases masked as "racial preferences."
Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Young people favour ban on racist landlords, survey shows
A forum on the proposed Residential Tenancy Act heard of survey findings showing that Malaysians of different generations hold opposing views on racial discrimination in the housing market. KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysians aged 18 to 24 are in favour of making it illegal for landlords to choose tenants by race, according to a market survey, while almost 59% of Malaysians aged 35 to 54 were in favour of allowing landlords to do so. The survey, by market research firm YouGov, showed that almost 57% of the 1,104 survey respondents were in favour of a law to regulate the market, and only 10% opposed to the proposed Residential Tenancy Act, which has been years in the making. However, respondents were split by age group on whether to ban racial discrimination in housing. Almost 50% believed that landlords should be allowed to choose tenants based on race, while 31% believed it should be made illegal. Those aged 18 to 24 were the only age group in which a plurality (39%) supported making it illegal to practise racial discrimination in renting, while 58.7% of Malaysians aged 35 to 54 were more inclined to believe that landlords should retain the right to select tenants based on race. Almost two in five Malaysian Indians in the survey reported facing racial discrimination in the housing market. Support for banning racial discrimination was highest among Indians (63.8%), those aged 18 to 24 (39%) and full-time students (42%). The survey findings were released at a forum by civil society organisation Architects of Diversity, held in conjunction with the launch of its latest report on discrimination in rented housing. Jason Wee. Participants at the forum called for the government to pass the long-delayed law. 'If the government fails to pass the Residential Tenancy Act, or worse, passes it without addressing racial discrimination, it will have missed its greatest opportunity to protect Indian Malaysians,' said the group's executive director, Jason Wee. Wee said young Malaysians were worse affected by the discrimination, especially those from minority groups who rely on rented housing while working or studying in cities According to those at the forum, landlords cited three main reasons for choosing tenants by race: fear of losing income because of problematic tenants; cultural or religious clashes; and personal prejudice cloaked as 'racial preference'. One respondent, identified as being a 'Serani', described how property agents often appeared more interested in their ethnicity than in financial credentials. Fikri Faisal. Independent researcher Fikri Faisal, who spoke at the forum, took issue with the figure of RM608 average rent reported by the statistics department for the Klang Valley, while private property listings showed rent of between RM2,200 and RM2,500. Fikri called for improved data collection, as the gap in the data could skew national housing policy. Just over 50% of respondents supported the setting up of a rent tribunal to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants, such as over deposits or evictions, without the high cost of lawyers and court proceedings The tribunal found greater support among older Malaysians, especially those aged 45 and above, Chinese respondents, and higher-income earners. Support was lowest among students and the unemployed, the groups most vulnerable to discrimination and insecure tenancy. Rajiv Rishakaran. Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishakaran said policy intervention was justified if even a small percentage of tenants faced racial bias. 'Everyone fears the worst when they hear about a residential tenancy act, because they fear rent controls or that too many terms and conditions will be included in the contracts, making things very difficult for them,' he said. He said he hoped that housing minister Nga Kor Ming would consider establishing the rental tribunal, as it would help reduce the incidence of rental discrimination. Wee said: 'You don't stop prosecuting theft because some thieves get away. The law exists to draw a moral line and offer recourse to those harmed.'
Gulf Business
12 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
YouGov names Emirates as ‘Most Recommended Global Brand for 2025'
Image: Emirates Most Recommended Global Brands 2025 rankings, becoming the only airline to feature in the global top 10 list. The airline scored 88.4 per cent in recommendation rates, based on over one million customer surveys conducted across 28 markets between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025. The rankings, powered by YouGov BrandIndex, measure the percentage of a brand's customers who would recommend it to others. Emirates outperformed all other brands globally, reinforcing the reach and resonance of its 'Fly Better' brand promise. 'This recognition underscores the deep connection and loyalty we've built with passengers all over the world,' said Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline. 'We will continue to evolve our already exceptional experience and set new benchmarks in travel.' Emirates: Key highlights this year This year, Emirates expanded its network, introduced the A350 to 10 destinations, launched nine reimagined retail stores, and became the world's first Autism Certified Airline. By year-end, Emirates plans to serve over 70 cities with next-generation cabin interiors across its Boeing 777, A380, and A350 fleet, and offer more than two million Premium Economy seats. The airline previously topped YouGov's UAE Recommend 2024 rankings and was named the most satisfying airline among US travellers in YouGov's US airlines report. YouGov, a global analytics firm, bases its rankings on aggregated and weighted scores that reflect actual brand perception and loyalty across diverse demographics. Read:
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Forbes
Empowering Youth Is The Key To A Sustainable Population Future
Population and sustainability World Population Day 2025 was on July 11th, and the conversation turned away from doomsday headlines of 'population collapse' and toward a deeper issue: the erosion of reproductive agency. According to the United Nations Population Fund, millions of people especially young people are unable to have the number of children they desire, not because of choice, but because of barriers far beyond their control. This link will give you an idea of the current population which is 8.2 billion. Population Concerns This year's theme, 'Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,' reflects the reality of the largest-ever youth generation facing intersecting crises, economic insecurity, gender inequality, healthcare gaps, education deficits, climate disruption, and displacement. According to a UNFPA–YouGov survey conducted across 14 countries, many adults of reproductive age are unable to achieve the family size they desire due to a range of social, economic, and environmental challenges. Nearly 1 in 5 participants said concerns about the future such as climate change, environmental degradation, war, and pandemics had influenced them to have fewer children than they originally intended. Nearly 20% of respondents believed they would be unable to have their desired number of children, while 1 in 3 reported having experienced an unintended pregnancy. Financial barriers were a significant concern, with 39% stating that economic limitations had affected or would affect their ability to build their ideal family. In addition, Around 1 in 4 felt unable to pursue parenthood at their preferred time due to these compounded pressures. UNFPA also noted that young people, in particular, are grappling with deep anxieties about the future. Many fear they will face harsher social and economic realities than previous generations, and these concerns are already shaping their reproductive decisions. Fertility Rates, The Population And Sustainability Fertility rates have fallen globally, from 4.9 children per woman in the 1950s to just 2.3 by 2023, according to Our World in Data. Yet while governments fixate on the issue of declining birth rates, the real crisis is about control: the right to plan our families in dignity, safety, and sustainability. This issue is inseparable from the broader sustainability agenda. When young people are denied access to reproductive healthcare, quality education, or decent work, we also delay progress on the Sustainable Development Goals particularly those focused on gender equality, health, poverty, and climate resilience. The statistics show that young people today are not just thinking about having children, they are thinking about the kind of world they will grow up in. A world where there is clean air to breathe, stable access to food and water, fair economic systems, and energy that does not cost the planet. The lesson here is that giving young people the tools, rights, and opportunities to shape their future is essential. At its core, the population conversation is about sustainability.
News.com.au
14 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Drug of choice: Sneak peek inside Fitzroy's mock cannabis shop
A mock cannabis store has opened in Fitzroy as part of a campaign to legalise and regulate the drug. The pop-up shop in Brunswick St will show how cannabis could be sold in a controlled environment. The Penington Institute is behind the initiative as it launches a blueprint to show Australian states how they can regulate non-medicinal cannabis use for adults. Penington chief executive John Ryan said the shop and policy launch was not about promoting cannabis use. 'It's about taking back control,'' he said. 'Regulation means strict oversight, clear controls on access and use and penalties for trafficking. 'It means resources for police to focus on serious crime.'' Canada and more than 24 American states have already embraced legalised sale of cannabis, Mr Ryan said. 'It's all about harm minimisation.'' The look of the Fitzroy shop is deliberately low key and meant to reflect the utilitarian style of many shops in the US. It will be open for a week and no drugs will be sold. The Penington plan includes controls for adult use only, a ban on advertising, plain packaging, potency limits and no public consumption. Under the proposals, the state governments would become a licensing agent for legal cannabis stores. Mr Ryan said a majority of Australians in all demographics supported legalised and regulated cannabis use. And a YouGov survey conducted last month for the institute found that 57 per cent of Victorians supported law changes to allow adults to buy cannabis legally – similar to alcohol – but with more safety and regulatory controls.
