Doctor Clarifies Abortion Is Legal In Malaysia

O&G specialist Dr Jamiyah Hassan describes abortion laws in Malaysia as generally grey.

By Alifah Zainuddin
12 October 2022

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 – Contrary to popular belief, termination of pregnancy or abortion has been legal in Malaysia for nearly half a decade, which has kept the number of unsafe abortions “low” in the country, according to an obstetrician and gynaecologist.

Abortion in Malaysia is generally governed by Section 312 of the Penal Code, where the law provides for safe abortion to save a woman’s life and to preserve a woman’s physical and mental health, said Prof Dr Jamiyah Hassan from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) at a recent conference.

Continued: https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2022/10/12/doctor-clarifies-abortion-is-legal-in-malaysia/

Southeast Asia – Less Contraception Use In A Pandemic?

Athira Nortajuddin
15 March 2021

Just last year when over half of humanity was confined to their homes due to COVID-19 preventive measures, Karex, a Malaysian contraceptives manufacturer predicted a global condom shortage as the pandemic shuttered factories and disrupted supply chains.

This came as Malaysia, one of the world’s top rubber producers and a major source of condoms, imposed a nationwide lockdown – known locally as the Movement Control Order (MCO). The MCO was implemented sometime in mid-March 2020 for several months.

Continued: https://theaseanpost.com/article/less-contraception-use-pandemic

Malaysia – LETTER | Reduce adolescent pregnancy, uphold sexual and reproductive health

Federation of Reproductive Health Associations Malaysia
Published 9 Sep 2020

LETTER | We, leaders and representatives of civil society organisations, professional societies, scientific associations, faith-based organisations, government agencies and departments, private for-profit entities, non-governmental, non-profit organisations, and citizens of Malaysia, are united to reduce unintended adolescent pregnancies in Malaysia.

We desire a society where every person below 18 years of age enjoys health and well-being, is treated with love and respect, and is capable of realising their fullest potential. However, we are concerned with the reported rising rate of unprotected adolescent sexual activity, of which the health and social impacts include unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion or miscarriages, disrupted education, child marriage, social stigma, and further victimisation.

Continued: https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/542003

09.09.2020

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Federation of Reproductive Health Associations Malaysia

FRHAM

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South Asia – ASEAN Underground Abortion

ASEAN Underground Abortion

Athira Nortajuddin
6 July 2020

Abortion is an extremely taboo topic in some parts of conservative Southeast
Asia.

ASEAN member states such as the Philippines and Lao do not permit abortion.
Whereas Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand only allow abortion if a medical
practitioner deems that continuing the pregnancy poses a danger to the mother’s
life and health.

Continued: https://theaseanpost.com/article/asean-underground-abortion

Malaysia – ‘Make abortion pills available at clinics, pharmacies’

'Make abortion pills available at clinics, pharmacies'
People buy abortion pills online as they are an easier and less stigmatised route.

By Teh Athira Yusof
January 6, 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: Experts are calling for abortion pills to be made available at public health clinics and pharmacies to prevent cases of overdose and serious health complications.

Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM) hotline coordinator Dr Sim Poey Choong said while the dangers cited by the Health Ministry regarding the overdose of abortion pills were correct, it hardly seemed to be a good reason to prevent the pills from being prescribed and supervised by doctors to provide safe abortions in early pregnancies.

Continued: https://www.nst.com.my/news/exclusive/2020/01/553841/make-abortion-pills-available-clinics-pharmacies

Malaysia – Expert: Find solution to curb rise of online abortion pills

Expert: Find solution to curb rise of online abortion pills
The availability of medical abortion as a safe choice for women supervised by medical professionals will in turn decrease the need for women to resort to illegal and unsafe methods.

By Teh Athira Yusof
January 6, 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: Solutions must be provided to overcome the rise in the sale of abortion pills online.

Federation of Reproductive Health Association of Malaysia medical committee member Dr John Teo said prevention, support, destigmatisation of abortion and better access to safe and legal termination of pregnancy would address the online sale of abortion pills effectively.

Continued: https://www.nst.com.my/news/exclusive/2020/01/553837/expert-find-solution-curb-rise-online-abortion-pills

06.01.2020

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Dr John Teo

Federation of Reproductive Health Association of Malaysia

Malaysia – Reproductive choices can overcome sale of illegal abortion pills

Reproductive choices can overcome sale of illegal abortion pills

John Teo
December 29, 2019

It is disheartening to note that the sale of illegal abortion pills online is proliferating. Clearly, it reflects the increasing desperate attempts by women and girls in resolving their crisis when faced with unplanned pregnancies.

While the health ministry has been clamping down on such sales, we are concerned that it may be ineffective as these sales are conducted through various platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and WeChat that appear and disappear as fast as a flash.

Continued: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2019/12/29/reproductive-choices-can-overcome-sale-of-illegal-abortion-pills/

Malaysia – ‘Ministry acts to stem purchase of abortion pills online, by courier

Ministry acts to stem purchase of abortion pills online, by courier

Bernama-
December 27, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: The health ministry said abortion pills have been acquired illegally online from abroad or smuggled into the country using postal and courier services.

It said it received 51 complaints of online sales of abortion pills in 2018 and 2019, which could be abused for illegal abortion.

In a statement, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry will work with postal and courier service companies to block the purchase of such pills.

Continued: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/12/27/ministry-acts-to-stem-purchase-of-abortion-pills-online-by-courier/

27.12.2019

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Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah

Three reasons why abortion remains a legal taboo in Malaysia

Three reasons why abortion remains a legal taboo in Malaysia

Monday, 18 Nov 2019
BY TAN MEI ZI

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — Malaysia is one of the few Muslim-majority countries in the world where it is legal to get an abortion.

Despite this, many women and those with birthing bodies still face a multitude of barriers that prevent them from terminating an unwanted pregnancy.

Continued: https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2019/11/18/three-reasons-why-abortion-remains-a-legal-taboo-in-malaysia/1810880

Malaysia – Address root causes of baby dumping

Address root causes of baby dumping

Published on: Sunday, November 03, 2019

IN Malaysia, where baby dumping occurs once every three days, the government seems set on addressing the crisis.

From 2010 to May 2019, 1,010 cases of baby dumping have been recorded. Out of those, 64pc of the babies were found dead, and the majority of the others died shortly after they were rescued.

Recently, a cleaner found a newborn girl in a plastic bag while she was sorting rubbish. The baby’s umbilical cord was still attached to her belly button, there was no heartbeat, she was cold.

Continued: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read/3286/address-root-causes-of-baby-dumping/

03.11.2019