Malaysia's Fertility Rate Falls

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - - An increasing number of Malaysian couples are seeking fertility treatment as the country's birthrate declines, a newspaper has reported.

A recent United Nations report showed the country's fertility rate dropped from 3.6 babies per couple in 1990 to 2.6 babies currently, the New Sunday Times said.

A key reason for the decline is an increasing fertility problem among Malaysian women, with as many as half of those who visit gynaecological specialists asking for treatment to help them conceive, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said.

"Many of the couples will remain childless unless they are helped using the 'assisted reproductive technology' technique," Liow told the paper.

Liow said between 10 and 15 percent of childless couples in the country, aged between 30 and 40, had fertility problem.

A 2004 government study predicted that Malaysia's fertility rate would decline 0.1 percent every five years, as women postpone marriage and having children.

The study also revealed the number of children being born varied widely according to the educational level of the mother. Women with no formal education had almost twice as many children as those with a tertiary education.

Officials have voiced concerns that the low fertility rate could bring about changes in the country's demographic structure, including a gradual ageing of the population.

Malaysia's population is currently estimated to be almost 27 million. Government policy sets a target of 70 million by the year 2100.

AFP - Sunday, July 12

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Its Labour Day!

Every 1st of May of the year, we observe Labour Day or Hari Buruh. The day is also gazetted as the national or federal Public Holiday, and that includes this year, 2009.

But how many of us here know what exactly is this Labour Day, why we’re observing it, how it first happened, and where it happened? Nothing can delight us more than having a day off, isn’t it, regardless of the reason behind it.

Perhaps, after reading this, we would be able to appreciate that some of the HR regulations today were the results of some of older generation fighting for a cause more than 100 years ago.

Actually there are 2 different versions of Labour Day. First is the Labour Day which we and most other countries observe on 1st of May. The second one, termed as the Labor Day, is a federal holiday for United States, and takes place on the first Monday of September. Here we are more interested in the former.

The Labour Day celebration originated from Australia, when a movement called Stonemasons, which advocated 8 hours of work, 8 hours of recreation and 8 hours of rest for workers, rose to prominence during the 1850s. During this time, workers were required to work for 10 to 12 hours per day, six days per work. The movement wanted an 8 hour work per day instead, without any drop in salary.

Even though the 8 hour movement was earlier seen as a success in New Zealand, the first public celebration was held in Melbourne, when groups of workers abandoned their work and marched in a parade towards the Australian Parliament House.

The 8 hour celebration was eventually translated into what we know as Labour Day - a day of commemoration and appreciation of labors, workers and the unions. Most countries celebrate Labour Day on 1st of May, with a number of exceptions.

In Australia itself, the dates for Labour Day observance vary considerably and is decided by state and constituency. Canada celebrated on the same day with the US - first Monday of every September, while in New Zealand, it falls on fourth Monday on every October.

Today, the Malaysia Employment Act 1955 stated that workers should never be allowed to work more than 8 hours without a break in between. Guess now we know where this 8 hours come from?

All Things Malaysia - Skor Career

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Malaysia May Ban Yoga For Muslims: Cleric

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29, 2008 (AFP) - Muslims in Malaysia may be barred from the ancient practice of yoga if they engage in Hindu "religious elements" during the exercise, a top Islamic cleric said Wednesday.

Harussani Zakaria, a controversial cleric from the northern Perak state, said the government-backed National Fatwa Council would soon release a decree, or "fatwa", which would decide if Muslims were allowed to practise yoga.

"If it involves any faith or religious elements it is definitely not permissible but if it is just a form of exercise that is all right," Harussani told AFP.

"Muslims cannot practice yoga in its original form because it involves another religion," he said in response to a call to ban Muslims from engaging in yoga.

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, where more than 60 percent of the population of 27 million are Muslim Malays who practice a conservative brand of the religion.

The practice of yoga, a popular stress-buster in Kuala Lumpur, dates back thousands of years in India, where it was a favorite of holy men before becoming hugely popular internationally, especially among western celebrities.

Zakaria Stapa, a professor in the Islamic faculty of the National University of Malaysia, had called on Muslims to stop practising yoga, saying it could cause them to "deviate from their faith", news reports said on Wednesday.

Muslims in Malaysia practised yoga not just for exercise but also as part of the growing urban lifestyle and involved "chanting mantras while in various positions", he said.

"Why should we look for other alternatives to exercise and search for peace? Yoga could cause (Muslims) to stray from their faith because its movements are according to the style and traditions of Hinduism," he said.

The fatwa council, one of Malaysia's highest Islamic bodies, last Friday banned women from dressing or behaving like men and engaging in lesbian sex, saying it was forbidden by the religion.

AFP - Thursday, October 30

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