Malaysia

Poverty in Malaysia is on the decline. In 2002, it was 5.1 percent down from 7.5 percent in 1999. If the number of the handicapped, disabled and elderly who received welfare support from the government is excluded, the incidence of poverty in is estimated at 4.5 percent. In the Government’s aim is to reduce poverty to 0.5 percent in coming years.

The decline in poverty is due the government's ongoing poverty eradication programmes, particularly the promotion of income-generating projects. Malaysia is striving to reach complete gender equality in the workforce, where there is marked gender discrimination, there is endemic poverty, inequitable and low economic growth and high HIV prevalence. Malaysia is committed to enhancing the status of women in national development. The Malaysian Ministry of Women and Family Development is committed to the fact that gender discrimination be eradicated.

The main strategy for poverty eradication was providing employment opportunities in higher paying jobs while government welfare was reserved for the aged and disabled. This progress in poverty reduction measured in income terms is mirrored by improvements in social indicators. Malaysia’s achievements in increasing life expectancy (70.6 years for male and 75.5 years for female) and diminishing in infant mortality rate (5.1 per 1,000 live births) are particularly impressive.

Malaysia was not adversely affected by the Asian financial crisis in 1997 like its neighbors, while citizens did suffer from inflation and job losses, the economy stabilized quickly over the next 2 years.

In the 1960's, deaths in Malaysia were due to communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid and cholera. With the improved standard of living and better understanding, now, there is a control of these diseases. However, today, heart disease death rates and stroke deaths have increased and has become the No. 1 killer. More people are being affected by heart and blood vessel diseases.

HIV/AIDS poses a serious challenge to Malaysia’s human development. In the two decades since the first HIV/AIDS case was reported in Malaysia, the number of new cases has risen dramatically. By the end of 2004, about 64,000 Malaysians were reported to be infected with HIV, of whom some 9,400 had developed AIDS. About 75% of HIV/AIDS cases in Malaysia are among injecting drug users. Also the sex industry has taken an upswing as more Malaysian men, young and old frequent brothels.

Development in Malaysia over the past three decades has been rapid. At the same time, it has brought to the forefront the growing environmental problems that have been the natural consequence of economic development. The neglect in giving due regard to environmental has also aggravated social woes through the loss of employment as a result of the destruction of fisheries, forest resources and farmland. Such occurrences are common and, until recently, had continued unabated. The experiences of the developed countries have demonstrated that environmental degradation need not arise if environmental considerations are incorporated into development planning.

In Malaysia, the government has begun applying a preventive approach rather than the curative effort which they had undertaken previously. Short, medium and long-term environmental policy objectives now guide environmental management in Malaysia. Those policy objectives are enshrined in the five-year development plans, the (Development) Perspective Plan (1991-2000), and the First Malaysia Statement: the Way Forward Towards Vision 2020.

There are about 1,000 endangered Malaysian elephants in Peninsular Malaysia, although another count estimated their numbers at 3,000. The primary habitat for elephants is lowland forest, however only about 40 percent of this habitat remains. The depletion of Malaysian forests has been caused by logging, tin mining, agricultural conversions, and construction of dams, irrigation schemes and traditional shifting cultivation. Of these, logging has been singled out as having the greatest impact on natural forest ecosystems.

Backed by the government's continued support of human resource development in all sectors, the quality of Malaysia's workforce is one of the best in the region. Literacy levels are high at 94% and school leavers entering the job market have at least 11 years of basic education. In addition, labor productivity has grown steadily at more than 3.3% per annum over the last few years surpassing that of many developed countries. Malaysia has a young, educated and productive workforce. 70% of the country's population of 24.5 million is below the age of 35.

Girls in Malaysia today have equal opportunities and choices with boys to succeed in life thanks to the Government’s iniiative in prioritizing and investing in an “Education for All” program as early as in the 1950s. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) “Progress for Children” Report released here today, the primary net enrolment / attendance ratio for girls is 95.3 per cent as compared to boys which is 95.1 per cent, indicating more girls than boys are completing their primary education. Only Primary Education in Malaysia us mandated by law, therefore it is not illegal to neglect the educational needs of a child after 6 years if Primary schooling.

Centre for Independent Journalism – CIJ aims to improve current Malaysian journalism practice and independence through training, advocacy and practical experience.

CHILD MALAYSIA - Child was established in 1984 to provide educational assistance to all eedy children. A team of dedicated volunteers carries out Child’s core programmes. They are ably supported at the periphery by a network of volunteers and well wishers.

Global Flying Hospitals - Using the skills of international teams of surgeons, doctors, dentists, nurses and support staff, Global Flying Hospitals brings life-changing surgeries, excellent medical care and aid to thousands annually who cannot afford, or do not have access to even basic medical care.

Hati.org.my of Malaysia - Hati is a non-profit information provider. We provide a directory of Malaysian charities and non-profits, including events, volunteer opportunities and needs of individual charities.

International Women's Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific) - IWRAW Asia Pacific promotes the domestic implementation of international human rights standards by building the capacity of women to claim their rights. This is done through the development and application of a rights-based approach, as well as the development of new knowledge.

Poverty Eradication Foundation Malaysia - Established in 1990 to assist the government in eradicate poverty in the country. Our approach of poverty eradication programme are through social development, education and training and economic development programme

PT Foundation - be the most efficient community-based organization providing information, education and care services relating to HIV/AIDS and sexuality in Malaysia, working with communities that are difficult to reach due to societal discrimination.

The Boys' Brigade in Malaysia - The Boys' Brigade is a uniformed youth organisation that seeks to provide a supportive role to youth, with emphasis on spiritual growth, balanced personal development, leadership training and community work.

Tropical Research and Conservation Centre - To provide education and and enhance public awareness on the importance of conserving marine biodiversity.

World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia - To stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: conserving the world's biological diversity , ensuring that the use of renewable resources is sustainable, promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption

World Youth Foundation Malaysia - Youth research, development and documentation.

Marine Volunteer Sth East Asia - Coral reef survey in an area of endagered reef off the West Coast of Sabah. Come and help us to survey and protect these fragile reefs. Full training is provided including diver training to PADI. US College Credit available. No experience required, full training given.