The double burden of environmental health problems in Malaysia

Abstract

In the last twenty-five years, Malaysia has experienced a rapid shift of its rural population. Forced out of their traditional communities by poverty and by industrial projects in the countryside, villagers are attracted to the major cities by the prospect of jobs and social facilities. The dual process of industrialization and urbanization has contributed to two growing social and economic gaps: between cities and rural areas, and between the rich and the poor in the cities. Malaysia has also experienced rapid economic growth - a eight per cent annual real growth for the last decade; it is now the third richest country in Asia. That growth depended mainly on producing for export such raw materials as timber, rubber, tin and palm oil - all highly pro- fitable but also vulnerable to the ups and downs of international mar- kets. Since the 1960s, the government has also sought to encourage industrial investment of foreign capital in Malaysia, particularly in free trade zones. Two of the most important industries are electronics assembly (with a largely female work force) and chemicals.