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Malaysia: where big is still better. For Malays, large families are part of the plan

Asiaweek, 1993 Nov 3.
PMID: 12287219

PIP: The benefits of various-sized families in Malaysia were discussed by several women and supplemented with official statements on family planning (FP). The Director of the National Population and Family Development, Dr. Raj Karim, advised that maternal health is jeopardized when women have more than five children. About 30% of reproductive age women in Malaysia have five or more children. A Federation of FP Associations spokesperson agreed that women should be advised of the dangers of bearing over five children, of the importance of spacing births two to four years apart, and of the ideal age of childbearing (21-39 years). The government lacks an official policy on family size. The government position is, however, compatible with Islamic teachings on spacing in order to protect the health of the mother and child. Islamic law does not permit sterilization or abortion. The "fatwas" of Islamic teaching may have been misconstrued by those not using any form of contraception. Dr. Karim, who has five children, reported that having a large family can be difficult for a woman with a job, a career, and a husband or when both parents work. Most Malays desire large families. The average Malay family size was 4.1 children in 1990; Malaysian Chinese have fertility of 2.3 children and Malaysian Indians have 2.6 children. People say that the benefits outweigh the hardships of a large family.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Malaysia: population issues remain high on agenda

CIRDAP Dev Dig, 1998 Dec.
PMID: 12322095
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Malaysia tiptoes on the heels of Asian neighbors

Fuyuno I

Nat Biotechnol, 2005 Aug;23(8):908-9.
PMID: 16082349
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Malaysia implements the integrated approach

Asian Popul Programme News, 1977;6(1):24-8.
PMID: 12260250
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Malaysia family-planning centers strive to maintain gains won in 15-year period

Roemer R

Med Trib Med News, 1968 Sep 12;9(74):1.
PMID: 12229348

PIP: Family planning in Malaysia is discussed. Family planning began in Malaysia about 15 years ago through the efforts of voluntary family Planning Associations in the various Malay states. In 1966 the Malaysian Parliament passed the National Family Planning Act setting up the National FAmily Planning Board to formulate policies and methods for the promotion and spread of family planning knowledge and practice on the grounds of health of mothers and children and welfare of the family. In 1967, the board set a target of 40,000 new acceptors of family planning and 90% of the target was reached. This represents 3% of the child-bearing married women aged 15-49. The target for 1968 of 65,000 new acceptors is being achieved. A survey of acceptors is to be carried out from December 1968 to April 1969 to ascertain how many women who accepted family planning continue to practice it. Malaysia's crude birth rate declined from 46.2 in 1957 to 37.3 in 1966 before the government program was instituted. Abortion attempts have been frequent. The main method of contraception used is oral contraceptives. According to a 1957 survey, 31% of the married women in the metropolitan areas and 2% of rural women were using contraception. Presently, in Malaysia there is a need to: 1) train personnel to provide services, 2) inform and motivate families to accept family planning, 3) continue a broad educational program, 4) reform Malaysia's antiquated abortion law, and 5) integrate family planning services more fully into the general health services of the country.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Malaysia emphasizes couples' right to decide family size

Popul Headl, 1994 May;?(230):3.
PMID: 12288612

PIP: Malaysia recently reiterated its commitment to protect the right of couples to choose the number and spacing of their children and to have the information and means to do so. This policy is in accord with Malaysia's belief that the individual is at the center of all socioeconomic and environmental programs. Thus, Malaysia acknowledges the importance of promoting better understanding of the relationship between population and sustainable development. This focus will enable Malaysia to emphasize areas such as maternal mortality, family planning, and breast feeding and to establish special programs for marginalized, disadvantaged, and vulnerable groups of people. Malaysia also acknowledges the importance of establishing a pool of trained researchers in population and development issues.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Malaysia [Population education in countries of the region]

Abu-bakar F

Bull Unesco Reg Off Educ Asia Pac, 1982 Jun.
PMID: 12265670
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Malaysia (country/area statements)

Asian Pac Popul Programme News, 1985 Sep;14(3):15-8.
PMID: 12267449
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Internal migration and development transitions in South East Asia

Pryor RJ

Popul Geogr, 1981 Jul-Dec;3(1-2):57-68.
PMID: 12179069
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Interface between energy consumption, CO2 emissions, economic growth, and macroeconomic openness in financial action task force countries through the lens of a causality approach

Pradhan RP, Arvin M, Nair MS, Bennett S, Hall JH

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Feb;30(9):24256-24283.
PMID: 36334209 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23641-1

There is strong scientific evidence to suggest that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are one of the key drivers of global warming. Rising CO2 emissions across the globe have been traced back to increasing global trade and rapid industrial development powered by fossil fuels. High CO2 emissions have had an adverse effect on the quality of life and economic growth of communities across the globe. In this study, the Granger causality approach is used to examine scientifically some causal relationships between energy consumption, CO2 emissions, economic growth, and key macroeconomic variables (trade openness and foreign direct investment) in the panel of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) countries. FATF countries are signatories to agreements to adhere to good financial practices to ensure sustainable development of their economies. The empirical analysis was conducted for the period 1980 to 2020. Results indicate a strong endogenous relationship between the variables in the short and long run. The analysis suggests that careful co-curation of economic, trade, energy, foreign direct investment, and environmental management policies is needed to ensure sustainable economic development in the FATF countries. Global trade and foreign direct investment policies must foster new environmental-friendly industries and greater use of clean renewable energy among these countries. Note: Arrows indicate direction of possible causal links between the variables.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Interests and policies of the state of Sarawak, Malaysia regarding intellectual property rights for plant derived drugs

Chung FJ

J Ethnopharmacol, 1996 Apr;51(1-3):201-4.
PMID: 9213617

Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, is known internationally for its rich rain forests, flora and fauna. Its rain forests, occupying two-thirds of its geographical area shelters 2500 tree species, 5500 flowering plants and over 20 000 different kinds of animals and insects. Such abundance of plants, and in particular, in the variety thereof, have attracted the attention of scientists involved in the field of research into their potential medicinal value. Recent discovery that two species of Calophyllum tree in the rain forests of Sarawak produce active anti-HIV agents, has, no doubt, intensified interest in the State's plant resources for scientific research.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Institutional arrangements for flood hazard management in Malaysia: an evaluation using the criteria approach

Chan NW

Disasters, 1997 Sep;21(3):206-22.
PMID: 9301137

Institutional aspects of flood hazards significantly affect their outcomes in Malaysia. Institutional arrangements to deal with floods include: legislative activity, organisational structures, attitudes and sub-culture, and policies and instruments. When assessed in terms of four specific criteria, institutional aspects of flood hazards are found to be largely inadequate. Disaster reduction programmes are over-dependent on a reactive approach based largely on technology and not even aimed at floods specifically. Structural flood reduction measures are the predominant management tool and, although the importance of non-structural measures is recognised, thus far they have been under-employed. Current laws and regulations with regard to flood management are also insufficient and both the financial and human resources of flood hazard organisations are generally found to be wanting. Finally, economic efficiency, equity and public accountability issues are not adequately addressed by institutional arrangements for flood hazards.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Human resources for health in southeast Asia: shortages, distributional challenges, and international trade in health services

Kanchanachitra C, Lindelow M, Johnston T, Hanvoravongchai P, Lorenzo FM, Huong NL, et al.

Lancet, 2011 Feb 26;377(9767):769-81.
PMID: 21269674 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62035-1

In this paper, we address the issues of shortage and maldistribution of health personnel in southeast Asia in the context of the international trade in health services. Although there is no shortage of health workers in the region overall, when analysed separately, five low-income countries have some deficit. All countries in southeast Asia face problems of maldistribution of health workers, and rural areas are often understaffed. Despite a high capacity for medical and nursing training in both public and private facilities, there is weak coordination between production of health workers and capacity for employment. Regional experiences and policy responses to address these challenges can be used to inform future policy in the region and elsewhere. A distinctive feature of southeast Asia is its engagement in international trade in health services. Singapore and Malaysia import health workers to meet domestic demand and to provide services to international patients. Thailand attracts many foreign patients for health services. This situation has resulted in the so-called brain drain of highly specialised staff from public medical schools to the private hospitals. The Philippines and Indonesia are the main exporters of doctors and nurses in the region. Agreements about mutual recognition of professional qualifications for three groups of health workers under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Framework Agreement on Services could result in increased movement within the region in the future. To ensure that vital human resources for health are available to meet the needs of the populations that they serve, migration management and retention strategies need to be integrated into ongoing efforts to strengthen health systems in southeast Asia. There is also a need for improved dialogue between the health and trade sectors on how to balance economic opportunities associated with trade in health services with domestic health needs and equity issues.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy/trends
Fulltext Healthcare financing and social protection policies for migrant workers in Malaysia

Loganathan T, Chan ZX, Pocock NS

PLoS One, 2020;15(12):e0243629.
PMID: 33296436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243629

BACKGROUND: For Malaysia, a nation highly dependent on migrant labour, the large non-citizen workforce presents a unique health system challenge. Although documented migrant workers are covered by mandatory healthcare insurance (SPIKPA), financial constraints remain a major barrier for non-citizen healthcare access. Malaysia recently extended protection for migrant workers under the national social security scheme (SOCSO), previously exclusive to citizens. This study aims to evaluate healthcare financing and social security policies for migrant workers to identify policy gaps and opportunities for intervention.
METHODS: A total of 37 in-depth interviews were conducted of 44 stakeholders from July 2018 to July 2019. A mixed-methods analysis combining major themes from qualitative interviews with policy document reviews was conducted. Descriptive analysis of publicly available secondary data, namely revenues collected at government healthcare facilities, was conducted to contextualise the policy review and qualitative findings.
RESULTS: We found that migrant workers and employers were unaware of SPIKPA enrolment and entitlements. Higher fees for non-citizens result in delayed care-seeking. While the Malaysian government nearly doubled non-citizen healthcare fees revenues from RM 104 to 182 million (USD 26 to 45 million) between 2014 to 2018, outstanding revenues tripled from RM 16 to 50 million (USD 4 to 12 million) in the same period. SPIKPA coverage is likely inadequate in providing financial risk protection to migrant workers, especially with increased non-citizens fees at public hospitals. Undocumented workers and other migrant populations excluded from SPIKPA contribution to unpaid fees revenues are unknown. Problems described with the previous Foreign Workers Compensation Scheme (FWCS), could be partially addressed by SOCSO, in theory. Nevertheless, questions remain on the feasibility of implementing elements of SOCSO, such as recurring payments to workers and next-of-kin overseas.
CONCLUSION: Malaysia is moving towards migrant inclusion with the provision of SOCSO for documented migrant workers, but more needs to be done. Here we suggest the expansion of the SPIKPA insurance scheme to include all migrant populations, while broadening its scope towards more comprehensive coverage, including essential primary care.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy/legislation & jurisprudence
Health imperatives in foreign policy: the case of Malaysia

Barraclough S, Phua KL

Bull World Health Organ, 2007 Mar;85(3):225-9.
PMID: 17486215

Malaysia's global, regional and bilateral international health relations are surveyed against the historical backdrop of the country's foreign policy. Malaysia has always participated in multilateral agencies, most notably the World Health Organization, as such agencies are part of the longstanding fabric of "good international citizenship". The threats of infectious diseases to human health and economic activity have caused an intensification and an organizational formalization of Malaysian health diplomacy, both regionally and bilaterally. Such diplomacy has also established a basis for developing a wider set of cooperative relationships that go beyond responding to the threat of pandemics. As Malaysia approaches "developed" status, its health sector is becoming increasingly integrated into the global economy through joint research and development ventures and transnational investment. At the same time, it will have the technological, financial and human resources to play an expanded altruistic role in global and regional health.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Guidelines and policies on collection of biological specimens in the Philippines. Philippine Congress, International Convention on Biodiversity

Madulid DA

J Ethnopharmacol, 1996 Apr;51(1-3):205-8.
PMID: 9213618

In October, 1993, 16 months after the United Nations approved the International Convention on Biodiversity held in Rio de Janeiro, June, 1992, the Philippine Congress ratified and adopted the Convention. This is a manifestation of the full support of the Philippines for the principles and policies adopted by the UN body on the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable development of biological resources and equitable sharing of benefits between users and owners of biodiversity resources. The Philippine scientific community has long recognized the need for and importance of a national guideline and policy with regard to the collection of plants and animals in the Philippines for scientific or commercial purposes. A series of consultative meetings were held by representatives of government agencies, non-government organizations, private organizations, academic and private persons concerned with biodiversity conservation to formulate national guidelines that regulate the collection of plant and animal specimens in the country. Guidelines were unanimously adopted by various government agencies and academia and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on September 28, 1990. Very recently a new document was drafted, specifically to serve as a guideline for those who desire to undertake sample collecting in the Philippines for biodiversity prospecting. The document is now being reviewed by government departments and agencies and will be presented to the President of the Philippines for signing as an Executive Order (EO). Once signed, this EO will serve as a national policy for bioprospecting in the country. The Philippines is one of the countries in Southeast Asia that has endorsed the adoption of regional guidelines on the collection of plant and animal organisms for drug development. The ASEAN Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (1985). The Manila Declaration (1992) and lately, the Melaka Accord (1994), all of which were signed by various countries in Asia, are manifestations of this interest.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Fulltext Greying Malaysians: strategies for promoting and supporting healthy and productive ageing

Phua KL

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2007;13(1):16-21.
MyJurnal

Population ageing is inevitable in Malaysia as a result of declining fertility rates. Steps can be taken to face this challenge. These include ways to promote “healthy ageing” and “compression of morbidity” and ways to promote “productive ageing”, i.e., keeping the elderly economically and socially engaged. This article, based on a review of the literature, argues that it is illogical to force people into compulsory retirement at an arbitrary age when they can continue to contribute actively to society. Instead, ways can be devised to promote healthy ageing, prolonging independence and encouraging productive ageing through gradual economic and social disengagement of the individual depending on the individual’s physical health, mental health, contribution to society and personal inclination and preferences. Public policy in general and public health policy in particular can be designed or redesigned to help achieve this.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Fulltext Globalization and economic growth: empirical evidence on the role of complementarities

Samimi P, Jenatabadi HS

PLoS One, 2014;9(4):e87824.
PMID: 24721896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087824

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of economic globalization on economic growth in OIC countries. Furthermore, the study examined the effect of complementary policies on the growth effect of globalization. It also investigated whether the growth effect of globalization depends on the income level of countries. Utilizing the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator within the framework of a dynamic panel data approach, we provide evidence which suggests that economic globalization has statistically significant impact on economic growth in OIC countries. The results indicate that this positive effect is increased in the countries with better-educated workers and well-developed financial systems. Our finding shows that the effect of economic globalization also depends on the country's level of income. High and middle-income countries benefit from globalization whereas low-income countries do not gain from it. In fact, the countries should receive the appropriate income level to be benefited from globalization. Economic globalization not only directly promotes growth but also indirectly does so via complementary reforms.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Gender, population and environment in the context of deforestation: a Malaysian case study

Heyzer N

IDS Bull, 1995 Jan;26(1):40-6.
PMID: 12289812
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Gender and communication policy in Asia. Special report

Pandian H

Media Gend Monit, 1997.
PMID: 12178281
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*

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