14/09/2025

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday SEPT 14, 2025

Public overwhelmed by hundreds of govt apps

Reproductive health awareness still low among youths KUCHING: The level of knowledge on reproductive health among children and adolescents in Malaysia remains low despite easy access to information through social media. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said continuous efforts involving the government, stakeholders and family members were needed to address the issue effectively. “The public also needs to be more open about this issue. We do not want reproductive health programmes or education to be seen as giving teenagers the opportunity to experiment with sex. On the contrary, what we are doing is identifying the best materials and approaches to share, thereby raising awareness among parents,” she said at the Sarawak-level National Reproductive and Social Health Education Advocacy programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Gersik yesterday. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022 by the Institute of Public Health, reproductive health knowledge among children and adolescents remains low, while the prevalence of sexual behaviour among adolescents rose to 7.6% in 2022 compared with 7.3% in 2017. The study also found that the age of first sexual intercourse can be as early as 13. In response, the National Population and Family Development Board has rolled out advocacy programmes, including the SRH (sexual and reproductive health) for Boys module, to educate boys to be more responsible in their sexual behaviour. Nancy added that apart from reproductive education, her ministry is strengthening child protection through the Kasih KPWKM Advocacy programme under the Social Welfare Department, which has been expanded to 30 children’s activity centres nationwide. – Bernama Food poisoning cases drop 29% nationwide BATU KAWAN: The Health Ministry’s commitment to strengthening food safety controls has shown results, with food poisoning cases nationwide dropping by 28.9%. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said cases fell to 12,821 as of the 36th Epidemiological Week (ME36 - Aug 31 to Sept 6), compared with 18,034 during the same period last year. He added that food poisoning outbreaks had also declined, with 12 reported in ME36 compared with 15 the previous week. “According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated one in 10 people fall ill each year due to foodborne illnesses, while more than 200 diseases worldwide are linked to contaminated food,” he said. Dzulkefly added that the ministry remains committed to strengthening food safety through strategies and interventions, including relaxed but informative health education and advocacy programmes to raise public awareness. He also said the global cost of treating foodborne illnesses is estimated at RM60 billion annually. Among the ministry’s initiatives is the “Bersih, Selamat dan Sihat” recognition scheme, under which 14,509 food premises nationwide have been certified as of June. – Bernama

“Inbound tourism surged 41.1% to RM107 billion, reflecting Malaysia’s enduring appeal to international travellers, while domestic tourism expanded 25.1% to RM98.4 billion on the back of strong consumer confidence and national initiatives to promote local attractions. Tourism’s performance marks one of the strongest in history and reflects a solid rebound from the pandemic years,” he said in a statement. Nga added that Malaysia’s open and welcoming policies have also attracted foreign residents, contributing RM84.2 billion annually through international property buyers, expatriates, Malaysia My Second Home visa holders and about 200,000 foreign students. “This dual success in tourism and foreign investment shows Malaysia is on the right track. We are not only revitalising tourism but also positioning the country as apply for pharmacy value-added services, and RekodSaya, which allows them to manage and share health records. “Instead of fragmenting services across countless apps, the government should focus on a few high-value, frequently used platforms in healthcare, transport and payments, then integrate others gradually,” she said. Chuah stressed that integration is as much about governance as technology. “Each app is tied to a ministry’s budget and performance targets, so agencies may resist merging for fear of losing autonomy, visibility and credit. Integration is further complicated by legacy systems that are difficult to align. “At the same time, citizens worry about surveillance risks, especially since the Personal Data Protection Act does not cover government agencies,” she added. UKM digitalisation and IR4.0 specialist Prof Dr Ahmad Kamal Ariffin agreed, adding that what was meant to simplify governance has blurred the line between “convenience and confusion”. “When every agency develops its own app with a different interface, navigation or login system, the average user feels overwhelmed. For those with limited digital literacy, this becomes a barrier,” he said. He added that any unified system must first resolve structural weaknesses. “Many platforms are built on legacy databases and incompatible technologies. Unifying them requires clear interoperability standards, secure data management and strong cybersecurity. “The digital divide is also real. Rural schools still face connectivity gaps while many university students remain weak in socio-emotional digital competence despite being technically capable.” Beyond technical issues, communication will be key on whether MyGOV Malaysia succeeds, said UiTM organisational communication specialist Dr Tengku Elena Tengku Mahamad. “If the public sees multiple apps launched without understanding how they connect, it fuels confusion, criticism and resistance. Communication must be simple, direct and consistent.

PUTRAJAYA: While other nations adopted restrictive policies, Malaysia’s open-door approach has propelled the country to one of its strongest economic performances in history, with the tourism sector generating a record RM291.9 billion in 2024. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the industry contributed 15.1% to the national economy, underscoring the Madani government’s success in driving sustainable growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Citing Statistics Department data, Nga said the rebound from the pandemic was clear, with shopping, hotels, food and beverage, and lifestyle services accounting for more than 82% of the sector’s revenue. PETALING JAYA: Nearly 300 government apps are competing for Malaysians’ attention and experts warn that instead of convenience, the proliferation of platforms has led to duplication, confusion and distrust. Figures on the GAMMA.my portal show that 125 agencies have rolled out digital services, often overlapping in purpose. The portal, short for the Gallery of Malaysian Government Mobile Applications, was developed by government agencies and is managed by the National Digital Department. It serves as a central repository, allowing citizens to download official apps securely. Last month, the government launched MyGOV Malaysia, a mobile app and digital gateway intended as a one-stop platform integrating services such as passport renewal, driving licence management, healthcare appointments and financial aid applications. But experts caution that the real challenge is not creating another all-in-one app, but addressing deeper issues of governance, trust and communication. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) digital economy expert Dr Stephanie H.W. Chuah said users already juggle multiple apps serving similar functions. “There are three different apps for vehicle and road user services – MyJPJ, MyEG and Touch ’n Go eWallet, while parking apps such as MBSA, SmartSelangor, FlexiParking and JomParking add further layers of duplication. “Some of MySejahtera’s features overlap with MyUBAT, which lets users Overlapping platforms, legacy systems and weak communication threaten success of digitalisation push Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

a global hub for education, investment and sustainable living,” he said. He stressed that Malaysia’s openness has become a competitive advantage, setting the country apart from others with stricter entry and residency rules. He added that the ministry would continue promoting liveable cities, affordable housing, green public spaces and climate resilient infrastructure to support both Malaysians and international residents. “With tourism thriving and global residents deepening their roots here, the Madani government’s bold reforms are delivering real results, strengthening the economy, uplifting communities and enhancing Malaysia’s global standing,” Nga said. He highlighted Malaysia’s leap of 11 places to 23rd in this year’s World Competitiveness Index as proof that government policies are bearing fruit. Experts caution that the real challenge is not creating another all-in-one app, but addressing deeper issues of governance, trust and communication. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ /THESUN “Avoid jargon and over-promising. This isn’t just another app, it’s meant to be the government’s main app,” she said. She stressed that inclusive communication strategies were crucial to reach diverse groups. “Use visuals, multilingual messaging and reassure users that offline services will remain. Tutorials, community training and rural helpdesks would also help. “Most importantly, don’t just tell people to switch. Show why this app is better. Run old and new apps in parallel, share real user stories and respond quickly to feedback to build confidence.” The government has long pitched digitalisation as a driver of efficiency under the Madani framework, but analysts say credibility depends on execution. While a one-stop super-app could save costs and reduce duplication, users would only embrace it if they see tangible benefits.

RM291b generated by tourism sector in 2024