Latest news with #Noraini
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Fast-food giant wins CSR awards for eighth year
(From left) Rajendran, Noraini, Shamsidar, Wan Shariena and Lee at the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards. A FAST-food restaurant chain has once again been recognised at the Sustainability and CSR Malaysia Awards, marking its eighth consecutive year as a recipient of the prestigious award. This year, McDonald's Malaysia took home two accolades – the Corporate Compassion Excellence Award and, for the second consecutive year, the Long-Standing Excellence Award. The 10th edition of the Sustainability and CSR Malaysia Awards carried the theme 'Beyond Profits, Making Our World a Better Place'. The awards ceremony was attended by Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. Through its long-standing Program Komuniti @ McDonald's, McDonald's Malaysia undertakes over 10,000 community initiatives annually, reaching Malaysians from all walks of life. These efforts span initiatives such as children's welfare, educational support, food aid, festive contributions, and programmes supporting frontline workers, consistently reflecting the brand's dedication to touching lives and strengthening communities. McDonald's Malaysia managing director and local operating partner Datuk Azmir Jaafar said, 'We are deeply honoured to be recognised for the eighth consecutive year and especially proud to receive the Long-Standing Excellence Award for the second year running. 'These recognitions are a testament to our unwavering belief that doing good must always be at the heart of what we do. 'As a local operation, our responsibility extends far beyond serving meals – it is about making a genuine difference through consistent, meaningful community engagement. 'We remain committed to continuing this important work, standing with Malaysians, for Malaysians.' The recognition received by McDonald's Malaysia this year reflected its steadfast dedication to creating long-term positive change within the communities it serves – a commitment it upheld year after year, he added. Also present at the event were CSR Malaysia chairman Datuk R. Rajendran, co-chairman and managing editor Lee Seng Chee, McDonald's Malaysia corporate communications director Shamsidar Yahya and senior manager Wan Shariena Bahrom.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Rising cost of living delays youth marriages, says deputy minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The increasing cost of living has become the primary reason many young Malaysians delay marriage and starting families, according to Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. She cited a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report stating that nearly one in five adults across 14 countries may not achieve their desired family size due to financial constraints. 'Of this group, 39 per cent cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing, and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies, to listen, understand, and act,' she said during the 2025 World Population Day celebration. To address the issue, the government has introduced initiatives such as maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, and financial aid for low-income families. Awareness programmes on reproductive and family health are also being conducted. Malaysia's fertility rate has declined to 1.7 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1. Noraini noted that only 93,500 births were recorded in the first quarter of 2025, an 11 per cent drop compared to the previous year. 'These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems, and public awareness,' she said. The government is implementing the Fertility Treatment Aid and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), aiming to assist 30,000 couples by 2025. Additional programmes like PEKERTI, SMARTSTART, and Kafe\@TEEN are also being expanded to promote family planning and reproductive health. This year's World Population Day celebration has been extended to the state level, engaging over 5,000 participants. The event also featured the launch of UNFPA's State of World Population 2025 report, highlighting global fertility challenges and opportunities. – Bernama
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Cost of living main reason youths delay starting families
Nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged that they may not be able to have the number of children they desire. 21 Jul 2025 08:04pm Noraini said this year's World Population Day celebration has been expanded to the state level with various programmes involving more than 5,000 participants throughout July and August. - Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily KUALA LUMPUR - The pressure of the rising cost of living is the main factor why many youths choose to delay marriage and start a family, even though the desire remains, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), she said nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged that they may not be able to have the number of children they desire. "Of this group, 39 per cent cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing, and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies, to listen, understand, and act,' she said in her speech at the 2025 World Population Day celebration here today. She said the government has implemented various initiatives to help young couples build families in a more stable and structured environment, including providing maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, financial assistance for low-income families, as well as organising awareness programmes on reproductive and family health. Commenting on Malaysia's declining fertility rate, currently at 1.7 children per woman, which is below the population replacement level of 2.1, Noraini said the government is implementing the Fertility Treatment Aid and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), targeting 30,000 couples by 2025. "In just the first quarter of 2025, only 93,500 births were recorded, a drop of more than 11 per cent compared to the previous year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems, and public awareness,' she said. In addition, she said family and reproductive health education programmes such as PEKERTI, SMARTSTART, and Kafe@TEEN are also being implemented on an ongoing basis. "These efforts are part of a holistic, inclusive and youth-friendly approach. We want young people to start their families in a stable environment, supported by relevant policies and surrounded by hope, not worry,' she added. Meanwhile, Noraini said this year's World Population Day celebration has been expanded to the state level with various programmes involving more than 5,000 participants throughout July and August. The event also saw the launch of the UNFPA's State of World Population 2025 report titled 'The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World', which highlights global challenges and opportunities in the context of fertility, reproductive choices, and intergenerational justice. The launch of the report in Malaysia reflects international recognition of the country's commitment to addressing population issues comprehensively and through evidence-based policies. - BERNAMA
Barnama
3 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Cost Of Living Main Reason Youths Delay Starting Families
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- The pressure of the rising cost of living is the main factor why many youths choose to delay marriage and start a family, even though the desire remains, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), she said nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged that they may not be able to have the number of children they desire. 'Of this group, 39 per cent cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing, and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies, to listen, understand, and act,' she said in her speech at the 2025 World Population Day celebration here today. She said the government has implemented various initiatives to help young couples build families in a more stable and structured environment, including providing maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, financial assistance for low-income families, as well as organising awareness programmes on reproductive and family health. Commenting on Malaysia's declining fertility rate, currently at 1.7 children per woman, which is below the population replacement level of 2.1, Noraini said the government is implementing the Fertility Treatment Aid and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), targeting 30,000 couples by 2025. 'In just the first quarter of 2025, only 93,500 births were recorded, a drop of more than 11 per cent compared to the previous year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems, and public awareness,' she said. In addition, she said family and reproductive health education programmes such as PEKERTI, SMARTSTART, and Kafe@TEEN are also being implemented on an ongoing basis. 'These efforts are part of a holistic, inclusive and youth-friendly approach. We want young people to start their families in a stable environment, supported by relevant policies and surrounded by hope, not worry,' she added. Meanwhile, Noraini said this year's World Population Day celebration has been expanded to the state level with various programmes involving more than 5,000 participants throughout July and August.
The Star
6 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Domestic violence surge spurs action from ministry
Advocates for change: Participant Nor Azila Muda, 47, (centre) holding a sign calling for the elimination of violence against women at the Women's Wellbeing Advocacy Programme @ Domestic Violence (Aku Wanita @ KRT) in Kuala Ibai. — Bernama KUALA TERENGGANU: A total of 2,467 cases of domestic violence were recorded nationwide from January to April this year, most of them involving housewives, says Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. The Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister said studies showed that most of the abuses were committed by people close to the victim. 'There may be some (victims) who do not even realised they are being abused because the abuse is not just physical, it is emotional. 'Sometimes the perpetrators also use 'reverse psychology',' Noraini said, Bernama reported. 'Studies also found that most abuse is committed by the people closest to the victim or among family members,' she told reporters after launching the Women's Wellbeing Advocacy Programme @ Domestic Violence (Aku Wanita @ KRT) here yesterday. Noraini said that from January to April, 104 cases of domestic violence were recorded in Terengganu. Although the number was a decrease compared to 130 cases recorded during the same period last year, the figure was still worrying, she added. The ministry has started various initiatives to help reduce the number of domestic violence cases, including through the Aku Wanita @ KRT Programme. Through the programme, issues related to domestic violence will be discussed in depth with experts and survivors who will share how they escaped and recovered from abusive relationships. 'In addition, a psychological intervention session called 'K-Chat' has also been introduced through this programme.' The session is a group intervention between survivors with trained counsellors and facilitators to help participants understand and deal with issues that have befallen them due to the abuse, she added.
