11/05/2026

MONDAY | MAY 11, 2026

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New fertility drive to help 47,000 couples

based on international standards, to support the establishment of a national subfertility centre in Shah Alam, which is expected to begin operations in 2030. “The registry will strengthen government efforts to plan, monitor and improve fertility services in a more integrated and effective manner,” she said. Nancy also welcomed the post-maternity leave allowance announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Labour Day celebrations, saying the initiative would benefit more than 132,000 women workers nationwide. She added that the move demonstrated the government’s commitment to easing the financial and emotional pressures faced by mothers after childbirth while helping women remain in the workforce. The ministry also introduced the “Pakej Seteguh Kasih Ibu”, aimed at supporting mothers through three key components focusing on women’s health, emotional bonding and mental well-being. The package includes early reproductive cancer screening, mammogram subsidies, fertility treatment assistance, family bonding activities, art therapy, laugh therapy, MamaCare wellness massage and colour analysis services. Nancy said the package was introduced following findings from the 2025 Mother’s Day Public Opinion Survey, which revealed that 65.9% of mothers struggled to find time for themselves, particularly for rest and emotional recovery. “We must acknowledge the reality that the burden carried by mothers today is becoming increasingly challenging,”she said, urging mothers to utilise services available at family centres nationwide under the board.

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Govt raises Mitra allocation to RM150 million KUALA LUMPUR: The government has agreed to increase the allocation to the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) from RM100 million previously to RM150 million, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar added that the increase follows the agency’s good performance in implementing development programmes for the Indian community. Anwar said the decision was made after the government assessed the effectiveness of various Mitra programmes targeted at Indian community groups requiring assistance, particularly in education, training and socio-economic development. “Mitra has special programmes because it can combine the views of elite Indian scholars and representatives of Indian associations, but we must improve the programmes so that the funds really reach the groups in need.” He was speaking at an engagement session with Indian students at Universiti Malaya yesterday. Also present at the event was Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan. Anwar said the Madani government remains committed to ensuring that aid and development programmes are distributed fairly to the people regardless of race, including the Indian community, which still faces issues of poverty and marginalisation. He said the government also pays attention to governance in the management of Mitra funds to ensure aid reaches the target groups. Anwar added that programmes under Mitra not only involve welfare assistance, but also open up educational and technical training opportunities for youths from the Indian community. “Apart from food baskets and other assistance, we have also added RM50 million in allocation for Mitra as we will try our best to help them continue their education,”he said. At the event, Anwar also presented assistance for further studies at higher education institutions and Madani devices to selected students. – Bernama In a further push to strengthen fertility support services, she said the government will develop a national subfertility registry beginning this year, PETALING JAYA: The government is stepping up efforts to address infertility and support struggling families, with an estimated 47,000 couples nationwide set to benefit from a new fertility treatment assistance programme amid growing concerns over reproductive health challenges among Malaysians. The Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy Programme, introduced through the National Population and Family Development Board, will provide eligible couples with funding for intrauterine insemination treatment for up to two cycles. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to expanding access to reproductive healthcare and offering renewed hope to women facing difficulty conceiving. “Among the initiatives giving hope to women who dream of becoming mothers is the BuAI programme, with the tagline ‘Lebih Awal, Lebih Baik’,” she said in her speech at the National Mother’s Day celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The event, themed “Seteguh Kasih Ibu”, was officiated by Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim. Nancy said the board has handled more than 373,000 subfertility cases since 1979, resulting in 6,513 successful pregnancies through its fertility services.

Tuanku Zara flanked by Nancy (second from right) and the prime minister’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail during the event held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Modern mothers juggling more responsibilities

o Rising living costs and care-giving burdens

She was referring to the sacrifices mothers make for their children. Carol Lee, 61, frequently travels to Singapore to help care for her son’s three children. “They just had their third baby, and I go there to help the young couple out,” she said. Between visits, Lee runs a limousine service ferrying tourists around Penang, saying the flexible nature of the job allows her to manage her responsibilities. “I am proud of all my children,” said Lee, who has three adult children. “And I am proud of myself too.” Beyond financial pressures, some young couples are delaying parenthood or opting to have fewer children due to career priorities, economic uncertainty and changing lifestyles, particularly in urban areas. According to the Statistics Department, the country’s total fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, with Penang and Kuala Lumpur recording among the nation’s lowest fertility rates at about 1.2 to 1.3 children per woman. Many middle-aged women are also part of the “sandwich generation”, simultaneously caring for children and ageing parents. The strain mirrors trends seen in rapidly ageing societies such as China, where the “4-2 1” family structure refers to one child supporting two parents and four grandparents. Women’s groups have increasingly called for more flexible workplaces, stronger childcare support and improved parental leave policies as families navigate rising costs and shifting social expectations.

opportunities abroad. Her daughters are currently based in Canada and Australia. She also stressed the need for greater female representation in leadership roles. “It is still male-dominated, whether in the corporate sector or politics,” she said, adding that women should continue uplifting and supporting one another. Among the initiatives she is involved in are free English classes for children and tailoring programmes aimed at helping women achieve financial independence. Despite greater opportunities for women today, caregiving and domestic responsibilities continue to fall disproportionately on women. In neighbouring Singapore, a 10-week shared parental leave scheme was recently introduced, with family associations saying the move encourages fathers to play a more active role in parenting responsibilities traditionally shouldered by mothers. For 31-year-old Hon Jia Hui, motherhood has brought a new set of challenges. The stay-at-home mother, who recently gave birth to her first child, said she remained hopeful despite the growing financial burden of raising a family. “Raising children is difficult. Everything is expensive now, from diapers and formula to medical check-ups.” Hon said motherhood had reshaped her priorities, with every financial decision now centred on her child’s future and wellbeing. Reflecting on her relationship with her own mother, she quoted a Chinese proverb: “How can the heart of a small blade of grass repay the warmth of spring?”

reshaping realities for women today

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Modern motherhood is no longer confined to raising children, with many women today forced to juggle careers, caregiving duties, household responsibilities and mounting financial pressures all at once. As living costs rise and family structures evolve, many mothers are carrying the weight of both childcare and eldercare while attempting to remain financially resilient in an increasingly demanding economy. PKR Women’s chief for Penang Jayanti Kandayah said women today are expected to balance multiple responsibilities, from careers and family commitments to caregiving and community work. The women’s advocate, who is pursuing doctoral studies while helping care for her 85 year-old mother alongside her sister, said strong family and community support systems are crucial for working women and caregivers. Jayanti, who is in her 50s, said more parents were becoming financially independent and preparing for retirement as increasing numbers of children sought