The Biggest Problems in Malaysia - Case Study Example

The Biggest Problems in Malaysia The Biggest problems in Malaysia Every society experiences its unique problems, ranging from social, political to economic difficulties. Societal problems bear different magnitudes and influence in the communities and societies. As one of the components of the world, the country of Malaysia faces certain problems carrying significant impact on the country’s economy. Introduction The country of Malaysia faces numerous problems that range from socio-cultural to socio-economics and technological advents. Malaysia is multi ethnic country that deals with diverse people from different regions of the world. Malaysian economy is evenly distributed in urban areas as well as rural. Hamid et al (2006) repot that Malaysian population floats at 22 million with 55 percent of the population living in urban centers as45 percent dwell in rural areas. Hamid et al (2006) confirms that the main problem faced by Malaysians is the issue of alcoholism. According to Hamid et al (2006), Malaysia ranks at position ten in the lists of countries with the highest consumption of alcohol in the world. In the report of Hamid et al (2006), Malaysia spends $ 500 million per year in the consumption of alcohol with per capita consumption of 7 liters. Hamid et al (2006) unveils that the worst consumers of alcohol are the Malaysian Indians who gallop an average of 14 liters per person on a yearly basis. Hamid et al (2006) repot that the verge of alcohol dependence in Malaysia is 22 years. In addition, Hamid et al (2006) indicate that alcohol is present everywhere in the economy of Malaysia especially in places like the coffee shops, supermarkets, and sundry, shops and plantation farms altogether. Hamid et al (2006) demonstrates that the trend of heavy alcohol intake in Malaysia is as a result of broad of advertisement channeled to the public through cognizable media houses. Hamid et al (2006) blames on the alcoholic companies like Carlsberg, which uses significant amounts of their profits to intensify advertisements wit attracting the aim of attracting the youth to alcoholism. According to Hamid, et al (2006), most youths in Malaysia start taking alcohol at the age of 18 years. Youths engage in are said to engage in heavy intake of alcohol. Due to high volume of alcohol consumption in Malaysia, many alcohol manufacturing companies have flooded the beverage sector. In the view Hamid et al (2006), the most of the alcohol consumption takes place rural areas. Alcoholism has also been attributed to the high level of poverty as witnessed in the economy of Malaysia. Heavy consumption of alcohol in the country of Malaysia has resulted to continued insurgence of death cases in Malaysia. Hamid et al (2006) confirm that alcohol manufacturing companies have disguised the nature of their products by indicating medicinal values of their products, which have attracted even women into the intake of alcohol. Hamadi et al (2006) illustrates that heavy alcoholism in Malaysia has led to the rise in cases of concerning family outrage and breakdowns. Hamadi et al (2006) report that increased alcoholism in Malaysia has led to rise of battery of women in the families. Discrimination and infringement of suppressed democracy are the two big problems faced by Malaysia. According to Kuppusamy and Lumpur (2007), several demonstrations have been made by the Indians in Kuala Lumpur on the reasons of rebuking excessive discrimination directed the Indians. The nature of discrimination against Indians in Malaysia has led to underdevelopment of Indian society, as clearly evidenced by poorly structured schools, discrimination against health care benefits and discrimination at the verge of employment opportunities. Kuppusamy (2007) extended to the health sectors and education. Kuppusamy (2007) confirms that the issue of racism and feeling of isolation has resulted to unequal distribution of wealth that has resulted to societal wrangles. Kuppusamy and Lumpur (2007) admit that the discrimination has stretched to involve the upsurge of religious and ethnic tensions among the citizens of Malaysia. According to Kuppusamy and Lumpur (2007), the government of Malaysia cherished infringement of Indians democracy by involving the use of excessive police force to quell peaceful and harmonious Indians demonstration. Kuppusamy and Lumpur (2007) indicate that the induction of the police force in quelling righteous and peaceful demonstrations of the Indians led to several injuries and loss of life among the Indian protestors. In addition, Kuppusamy and Lumpur (2007) illustrate that Malaysian government did amply force in curbing the 1998 democratic demonstration that called free fair and election process. According to UNICEF, child abuse is one of the problems that continue to dominate Malaysia. UNICEF reports that children get involved in illegal trade activities like trafficking of illegal drugs across the borders of Malaysia. UNICEF reports that children in Malaysia undergo a series of sexual abuse that have left good number of the abused children infected with HIV/ AIDS virus. Malaysia also has experienced high levels of juvenile offences that encompass drug and substance abuse. UNICEF illustrates that most parents do not take good care of their kids thereby leaving the children to grow under poor conditions. Policies and Recommendations In a move to restore sanity and respect for children rights, the government of Malaysia and responsible civil right bodies has structured the Child Act (2001) and the Penal Code (revised 1997) designated for protecting children against social abuse and maltreatment. The Act recommends a maximum fine of RM 50000 or an equivalent 20 years imprisonment to any individual caught in the mess of maltreating children (UNICEF, 2010). In a serious move to control regulate and even paralyze the consumption of toxic and effective alcohol, the government of Malaysia in conjunction with other civil rights body have strategized amicable policies designed for correcting the over consumptions of alcoholic beverages in Malaysia. According to Hamadi et al (2006), Malay government has introduced substantial policies that require licensing of sales and brewing of unpacked alcoholic drinks. The Licensing Policy as stipulated in Sections 32(1) and 33(1) of the Malaysian Constitution recommends issuing of licenses that indicate the region of operation of a particular alcohol dealer (Hamadi et al, 2006). The government has also set stringent level of alcohol consumption by drivers. Drivers are expected not to consume beyond 80mg per 100 milliliters of alcohol (Jernigan & Klindran). The law recommends that any failure to conform to the directives should call for a penalty of RM 2000 or equivalent imprisonment of 6 months. The government has also initiated measures to introduce alcohol education in schools to enlighten growing children concerning the dangers of alcoholism. In addition, the Malay government has structured proposals to create and support centers for rehabilitating illegal drug users and addicted consumers of alcoholic beverages (Jernigan & Klindran). In conclusion, Malaysia faces numerous problems that have direct effects to its economy and wellbeing of the citizens. One of the disheartening problems faced in Malaysia is excessive consumption of alcohol. It is worth stating that the system of alcohol consumption in Malaysia is unique in its own nature. This can be proved by the fact that school going youths comprises great percentage of the total alcohol consumers in Malaysia. The average alcohol consumption age of 22 years is another disheartening fact that differentiates Malaysia from other parts of the world. Alcohol consumption as is the case in Malaysia has led to immense losses and pains to the Malaysian societies. Alcohol has led to the development of diseases as well as tragic accidents occasioned by drunken drivers. Another problem facing Malaysia is the increasing cases of child abuse. Parents and general societies of Malaysia have been repeatedly caught messing with children rights despite the great development in the line of human rights. Democracy and discrimination are also worthwhile problems to be mentioned in connection to Malaysia. Indians living in Malaysia have witnessed serous discriminative acts that have coupled with demonstrations, which have led to abuse of and disregard of democracy. It is important to remember that in every demonstration conducted by Indians or any other suppressed group, government deploys police force to quell the demonstrations. The most encouraging fact is that, the Malaysian governments in collaboration with other responsible human right bodies have established policies and recommendations designated to repair the contemporary messes that have been demeaning the Malaysian societies. References Hamid et al. (2006). The alcohol problem in Malaysia. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://www.ias.org.uk/resources/publications/theglobe/globe200103-04/gl200103-04_p18.html Jernigan, D. & Klindran, S. Country Profile on Alcohol in Malaysia. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://apapaonline.org/data/National_Data/Malaysia/Country_Profile_Alcohol_Malaysia.pdf Kuppusamy, B. & Lumpur, K. (2007). Facing Malaysias Racial Issues. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1687973,00.html UNICEF. (2010). Child Abuse in Malaysia. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from UNICEF. Challenges facing children in Malaysia. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/overview_4138.html UNICEF. Challenges facing children in Malaysia. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/overview_4138.html Read More