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By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI     PETALING JAYA: The number of new organ donor pledges has plummeted since last year while the waiting list for lifesaving transplants continues to grow.   The introduction of a digital organ donation registration feature in the MySejahtera application in September 2022 led to an initial boost in sign-ups, according to figures from the government’s data.gov.my and KKMNOW websites.   New pledges rose for the full year of 2022 to 51,825 from a mere 7,057 in 2021, but the surge did not last.   Last year (2023) saw registrations falling by 45% to 28,520 from the year before (2022) with an even bigger drop so far this year.   There were only 4,879 pledges from January to April this year, down 61% from the 12,460 in the same period last year (2023).         "The decrease in new pledges since last year is perhaps due to the possibility that many Malaysians are no longer re...

- The southern part of Johor has seen a significant increase in the number of international school students since 2020. - The data published in My Local Stats by the Department of Statistics Malaysia refers to primary and secondary international schools.  - Johor Bahru recorded the largest increase in international school students in 2022, with a total of 4,311 students compared to 125 students in 2020, an increase of 4,186 students. - Pasir Gudang experienced the second-largest increase in international school students, behind Johor Bahru. - The number of international school students registered in Pasir Gudang was 2,510 students in 2021 and rose to 2,517 in 2022. - Pasir Gudang only started having international schools in 2021. - The number of international schools in Johor Bahru increased to 15 in 2022. - Meanwhile, three districts in Johor saw a decline in international school students. - Batu Pahat's international school students recorded a sign...

 

Proposed blurb: Awareness is rising on the need to cut food waste, including during festivals as well as Ramadan. We sort through the latest numbers to see if the tide is turning on efforts to reduce the mountainous amount of food that ends up in landfills.   By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Efforts to reduce food waste during Ramadan is getting a boost from consumers who have become more prudent and price conscious when buying food.   This is among the reasons for a 6.5% drop in the amount of food waste in the first two weeks of the fasting month this year compared to the same period last year, said Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp).   The company said 40,723 tonnes of food waste was generated in the first half of Ramadan this year compared to 43,566 tonnes last year – a reduction of 2,843 tonnes.   “Individuals are choosing to shop in a more prudent and modest manner, carefully selecti...

  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 children and other children to experience the same,” said the mother of two. Others, such as Ashikin Azhar, prefers cashless transactions for its convenience. "Digital money transfer is very appealing to me as it is easier and immediate, and nowa...

  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...