Population Studies Unit

11 JULY 2019 : WORLD POPULATION DAY, PAUM, UM

SEMINAR ON 'MAJOR POPULATION CHALLENGES IN MALAYSIA' AND

THE BOOK LAUNCHING OF 'POPULATION AND FAMILY SITUATION ANALYSIS IN MALAYSIA'

11 JULY - In conjunction with World Population Day 2019 themed "25 Years of The ICPD: Accelerating The Promise", the National Population and Family Development Board, the Population Studies Unit (under the Faculty of Economics and Administration) of the University of Malaya and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Malaysia convened a seminar on Major Population Challenges in Malaysia on Thursday, 11 July 2019 at Universiti Malaya Alumni Clubhouse (PAUM). The event was officiated by YB Mrs. Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development. She also launched the book on Population and Family Situation Analysis in Malaysia, which covered the revaluations of current and future population trends, as well as suggestions to the government in addressing issues related to population and family in Malaysia.

The seminar theme was selected in line with LPPKN’s intention to disseminate information on current population and family situation as inputs for policy formulation and programme implementation. The Seminar covered four main issues, namely demographic dividend, strategizing TVET to brace for IR4.0, reproductive health challenges, and a life-course and sustainable approach towards an ageing state by 2030.

During the book launch, YBrs. Mr. Hairil Fadzly Md Akir, Deputy Director General (Policy) of LPPKN presented the findings of Population and Family Situation Analysis in Malaysia. He asserted that effective population policy is fundamental to ensure a balance between population growth and the development of the country. Hence, family institution needs to be strengthened by raising the ability of the family to deal with the modern living and to maintain the traditional family values to face the future population and family challenges.

Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Hannah Yeoh said that despite population growth, the annual population growth rate is expected to decline steadily to 0.7 percent by 2050, due to the declining fertility rate from 4.0 children in 1980 to 1.9 children in 2016. Findings from the fifth Malaysia Population and Family Survey (MPFS-5) revealed that most couples prefer to have one to two children. Hannah Yeoh added that the main reason contributing to this trend is due to the difficulties faced by working women in their multiple roles in the family and at work. As such, the 2019 budget has allocated RM10 million for government agencies to provide childcare facilities at the workplace to encourage women to return to work and achieve work-life balance.

The panel session covered four main topics, namely ‘Realising The Demographic Dividend’ by YBrs. Prof. Dr. Tey Nai Peng from the Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, ‘25 Years of The ICPD: Reproductive Health And Rights Challenges’ by YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Kamaruzaman Ali, President of the Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia, ‘Advancing TVET for Youth Employability and Sustainable Development’ by YBrs. Dr. Shamsuri Abdullah, Deputy Director General of TVET Coordinating Division, Department of Polytechnic Education and Community College, Ministry of Education Malaysia, and ‘Ageing Gracefully: Creating a Solutions’ by YBhg. Prof. Dato' Dr. Tengku Aizan Tengku Hamid, Director of Malaysian Research Institute for Ageing (MyAgeing), Universiti Putra Malaysia.

The main points of the presentations are as follows:

Age structural changes consequent upon fertility decline does not guarantee the demographic dividend. To realize the demographic dividend, young people must have access to quality education and healthcare (including SRH), and good opportunity to work, besides good governance. While Malaysia has done well to reap the demographic dividend, more efforts are needed to deal with the remaining and emerging challenges.
The introduction of effective sexual education (CSE) in schools and access to reproductive health services can help to reduce unwanted pregnancies and prevent pregnancy in children.
The perception on Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) needs to be changed. TVET is one of the most important elements in shaping the foundation to produce a highly skilled society for country development in the future. Under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11th MP), 1.5 million jobs will be created by 2020 and 60% are based on TVET skills.
Older persons are not a burden. The society is made up of all levels/age groups, and the older persons are entitled to enjoy the same basic rights and privileges as others, including food, shelter, health care, education, and employment.

The presentation slides and the report Population and Family Situation Analysis in Malaysia can be downloaded here: