Sustainable Development Goals: The Malaysian Experience on Legal Reforms

Mandating COVID-19 Vaccination at the Workplace: A Strategy of Occupational Safety and Health under Sustainable Development Goal 3

By Irene Lin Xin Hui

Abstract – The COVID-19 outbreak can be regarded as one of the gravest challenges in the global commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by creating health, socioeconomic and humanitarian crises of unprecedented scale and impact. The loss of human lives and devastating health impacts resulting from the pandemic have created the most significant disruption to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which ensures healthy lives and promotes general well-being for all at all ages. As the world prioritises the investment of healthcare systems in the wake of the pandemic, COVID-19 has also reminded the world of the power of vaccines to fight disease. Since the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination programme, the countries, including Malaysia, have witnessed the feasibility of vaccination in curbing the spread of COVID-19 infections and driving the countries to normalcy. In Malaysia, the COVID-19 vaccination programme is on voluntary basis; therefore, there is still a cluster of unvaccinated people, including the workers, due to various reasons. To scale up the immediate health response to end the pandemic, ideally, a mandatory law is a useful tool to push the vaccination rate to the maximum in order to boost the immunisation among the citizens. Nevertheless, mandating vaccination is not possible. Therefore, a targeted approach to vaccination should be adopted, focusing on the workplace setting, which encompasses the biggest sector of the community, causing the highest transmission rate. Therefore, this article addresses the feasibility of introducing targeted mandatory COVID-19 vaccination at the workplace as part of the country’s health recovery strategy by creating a safe system of work. While acknowledging the Immunisation Agenda 2030 endorsed by the World Health Assembly for universal health coverage, this article finds that mandating vaccination at the workplace can be ethically justified and supported by existing legislations. The article further outlines the suitable approach to implementing this mandatory vaccination policy at the workplace.

Cite this chapter as:
Lin, I. X. H. (2024). Mandating COVID-19 Vaccination at the Workplace: A Strategy of Occupational Safety and Health under Sustainable Development Goal 3. In E. H. Halim, & A. R. Selamat (Eds.), Sustainable Development Goals: The Malaysian Experience on Legal Reforms (pp. 1−24). MMU Press.

A Theoretical Perspective on the Legal, Ethical and Criminal Implications of Metaverse Incorporation in Malaysian Law Schools

By Laxmi Devi and Lahveenya A/P Panchalingam

Abstract – There have been various paradigm shifts in the higher education sector because of COVID-19. The pandemic has enabled law academics to muster their courage and explore ingenious Metaverse pedagogies that have aided in enhancing the level of student engagement in online classes. However, Malaysian law schools are reluctant to continue with the application of Metaverse pedagogies post-pandemic. It is submitted that Malaysian Law schools can leverage the collaborative capabilities of virtual worlds and create a sustainable legal education programme that promotes safe and inclusive learning environments, as per the fourth Sustainable Development Goal; Quality Education. By specifically examining the possible approaches of integrating Metaverse applications in legal courses, the discussions in this chapter aim to initiate dialogue for research and development of long-term implementation and usage of Metaverse among various law school actors and stakeholders. The chapter will explore the use of Non-Player Characters in mooting and advocacy modules, by scrutinising the possible benefits and legal drawbacks of its implementation which may have to be borne by law schools. Subsequently, the implications of avatars in legal attachment modules will also be analysed from an ethical, legal and criminal perspective. Finally, this chapter will also cover the benefits of virtual law libraries and their limitations. The findings in this chapter will contribute to the existing body of literature as it broadens the understanding of the available opportunities and usage of Metaverse in legal modules. It will prove valuable to law academics, law students, educational institutions, and educational technology providers.

Cite this chapter as:
Devi, L., & Panchalingam, L. (2024). A Theoretical Perspective on the Legal, Ethical and Criminal Implications of Metaverse Incorporation in Malaysian Law Schools. In E. H. Halim, & A. R. Selamat (Eds.), Sustainable Development Goals: The Malaysian Experience on Legal Reforms (pp. 25−56). MMU Press.

A Glass Half Full: A Proposal for Reform on Gender Inequality of Women in Malaysia

By Lahveenya Panchalingam and Jaganraj Ramachandran

Abstract – The chapter focuses on the equality of women in Malaysia, as well as the need to alleviate women against discrimination and examine issues which concern fundamental human rights, along with the basic principle of equality. Malaysia is a developing nation and still making inroads in gender equality in sports, politics, economics, citizenship, and migration. Current case laws illustrate the legal issues of citizenship and migration. Malaysia has been trying hard to address the gender gap, as stipulated in the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. Malaysia ranks 104 in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index 2020 and ninth in the Southeast Asian region. This report measures gender parity across 153 countries based on four indicators: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. Malaysia may have achieved gender parity in life expectancy, secondary and tertiary education. Nevertheless, Malaysia continues to fall behind in crucial aspects, such as literacy rates, economic involvement, and political engagement. Women are still underrepresented in politics, although the estimated target is 30% of women in decision-making positions. The book chapter will also address the current problems, the gender equality gap, the challenges women face in sports (the proposed Safe Sports Act), the imbalance of female leaders in politics and their roles in economics that links with the current policies. The dominant purpose is to advocate equality, as the spillover effect will be more significant. This chapter will also review the various sources of laws, especially the constitution, case laws and to propose a recommendation for a policy framework that is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Cite this chapter as:
Panchalingam, L., & Ramachandran, J. (2024). A Glass Half Full: A Proposal for Reform on Gender Inequality of Women in Malaysia. In E. H. Halim, & A. R. Selamat (Eds.), Sustainable Development Goals: The Malaysian Experience on Legal Reforms (pp. 57−74). MMU Press.

Preliminary Overview of Sustainable Smart Homes and Communities in the Malaysian Context within Revolution 5.0

By Wong Hua Siong and Azwina Wati Binti Abdull Manaf

Abstract – The United Nations General Assembly has set 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including to create sustainable cities and communities with environmentally friendly in this world with the assistance of technology. Living accommodation would provide the safety needs for human beings. Safety needs are one of the classifications of human needs as described by Maslow (1970). Since a nation’s welfare is reflected in its citizens’ ability to maintain a certain level of life, housing is a crucial concern for people everywhere, especially in Malaysia. It was found that Malaysians are quite hesitant to adopt the smart home idea and related Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. This qualitative study entails a thorough examination of scholarly and philosophical viewpoints. Consequently, this study is a library study using a variety of primary data sources, rather than an empirical investigation. Various resources such as statutes, textbooks, journal articles and research papers have been studied to achieve the relevant outcome. Thus, the initiatives for the development of smart living will be made available by taking into account the economics, demographic, and cultural backgrounds of Malaysia.

Cite this chapter as:
Wong, H. S., & Abdul Manaf, A. W. (2024). Preliminary Overview of Sustainable Smart Homes and Communities in the Malaysian Context within Revolution 5.0. In E. H. Halim, & A. R. Selamat (Eds.), Sustainable Development Goals: The Malaysian Experience on Legal Reforms (pp. 75−86). MMU Press.

Future of Work: Right to Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

By Justin Johari

Abstract – There is a genuine fear that man’s role will be replaced by technology in the form of automation and artificial intelligence, for now. As we witness unbridled technological advances in areas that were once dominated by man, this chapter explores the potential impact the phenomenon has at present and in years to come. First, the chapter will highlight the general attitudes toward artificial intelligence, that would dictate how we respond and ultimately, how we build a relationship between humanity and technology. Secondly, the chapter focuses on the right to work and the possible consequences if this basic human right is lost to automation and artificial intelligence, particularly initiatives that can be taken to alleviate the effects of job losses, and disrupted livelihoods and in turn, ensure adequate sustenance of people are met. Finally, the chapter will explore how labor laws can play a role in mitigating the potential employment issues that arise because occupational roles being replaced by technology. The chapter concludes with recommendations based on the 8th United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG), as well as proposed improvements to the goal in the Malaysian context.

Cite this chapter as:
Johari, J. (2024). Future of Work: Right to Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. In E. H. Halim, & A. R. Selamat (Eds.), Sustainable Development Goals: The Malaysian Experience on Legal Reforms (pp. 87−104). MMU Press.

UNDI 18 in GE15 – The inclusiveness, participation, and representation of young voters: Its impact towards political stability in Malaysia.

By Ahmad Rizal Bin Selamat and Nor Akhmal Bin Abdul Wahab

Abstract – Undi18 was an initiative mooted by a student movement that strongly believed in youth involvement in a democratization process. It is a Civil Society Organization (CSO) that believes in electoral reform and youth empowerment. The proposal in the form of a memorandum was submitted to the then Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib bin Tun Razak. It was strongly supported and tabled to the Parliament by the Pakatan Harapan Government under the auspicious of Tun Mahathir in July 2019. Despite its success in promoting inclusiveness, participation, and representation of young voters in the 15th General Election, the influence and the impact of youth participation have a detrimental effect on the socio-political stability of Malaysia. According to Farah Solhi and Fuad Nizam in News Straits Times (NST), out of 6.9 million new voters, 16% are aged between 18 and 20, which is more than 21.1 million people. That brings to the sum 1.4 million, who are between the ages of 18 and 20 are now eligible to vote, and many say that this has significantly altered the political scene and put the youth squarely in control. (Farah Solhi & Fuad Nizam, 2022). The narrative of GE15, with 60% new and young Malay voters, is a huge block that has changed the political landscape of Malaysia. A separation and disunity of states such as the northern and east coast (the Malay belt areas) to that of the western states are gravely prominent. A hung parliament that brought Malaysia to uncharted waters was also derived from racial composition. The results of various layers of complexity, such as the deviance of urban and rural areas, and the types of the education system, such as religious schools or Sekolah Pondok are also dominant factors related to young voters’ participation. Apart from that, other factors such as young voters’ family influences, young voters’ maturity levels, young voters’ electoral and political understanding, malapportioned parliamentary seats and young voters’ religious beliefs are also pertinent in GE15 results. Looking at this Undi18 from the perspective of UN sustainable development goal number 10, which is to reduce inequality within and among countries. The political decision to amend the constitution could divide and drift the country further apart, rather than reducing its inequality.

Cite this chapter as:
Selamat, A. R., & Abdul Wahab, N. A. (2025). UNDI 18 in GE15 – The inclusiveness, participation, and representation of young voters: Its impact towards political stability in Malaysia. In E. H. Halim, & A. R. Selamat (Eds.), Sustainable Development Goals: The Malaysian Experience on Legal Reforms (pp. 105−130). MMU Press.