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  Proposed blurb: Will technology reinvent Malaysia’s Aidilfitri duit raya tradition? We find out.   By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI   PETALING JAYA: Physical banknotes are the preferred choice for many Muslims in Malaysia when it comes to giving duit raya, but online cash transfers are gaining ground as an alternative.       The custom of handing out packets containing money as gifts to family and other loved ones especially children during Aidilfitri is seen a way to strengthen ties and ease the burden of the needy.       Rafiqha Mustaffa, 32, is among those who still prefer the traditional method of giving out duit raya in the form of physical banknotes.       "I give my children duit raya in cash for sentimental reasons.       “I remember feeling happy when I received the cash in my hand, so I want my ...

Persistent underemployment an indication of serious structural issues within the economy, say experts   By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI and REBECCA RAJAENDRAM   PETALING JAYA : Aza*, 33, is barely making minimum wage as an administrative assistant in Raub, Pahang. "I'd probably make between RM2,300 to RM2,500 working in Kuala Lumpur, but in a small town, I earn about RM1,500 per month. "I have a business administration degree, but getting a higher position that matches my skill level is hard. So I take what I can get,” she said. Aza is among the country's many underemployed talents – skilled workers who are settling for semi-skilled jobs because they are overqualified for the positions available. Skilled workers, according to the Malaysia Standard Classification of Occupation (Masco) 2013, are those possessing high skills, such as managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals. Semi-skilled workers are the clerical suppor...

Teaser: Malaysians who fall into bankruptcy mostly get into trouble for the same reason. The majority are also from one particular age group. We look at what the numbers say.   By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI     PETALING JAYA: The number of Malaysians declared bankrupt last year fell 15.5% to 4,810 compared with 5,695 in 2022.   Figures from the Malaysian Department of Insolvency (MDI) also show a steady drop in bankruptcies annually since 2019.   In total, 37,461 individuals were declared bankrupt from 2019-2023.   ALSO READ>  Budget 2024: Second chance policy on bankruptcy expanded, says PM   The majority got into trouble for the same reason, and the biggest group among them belong to one particular age group. Here’s what the numbers show:         Top cause of bankruptcy   Failure to pay personal loans are the number one reason why people fall into bankruptcy in the c...