VOICES
ANIMAL HEALTH
KPKM Wants Livestock Units At Oil Palm Plantations To Boost Beef Supply
KPKM urges oil palm plantation companies to integrate cattle farming to boost local beef supply and raise Malaysia’s meat self-sufficiency ratio from 17% to 50% by 2030. Existing ruminant programmes include satellite farms, feedlots, and breeder projects.
Government Plans Mandatory Dog Microchipping Before Local Council Licensing
The government plans to require pet dogs to be microchipped before local councils issue licences, with a pilot project to test feasibility. DVS currently encourages – but does not mandate – microchipping for pet dogs and cats before vaccination.
MALAYSIA
SMC Ranked Malaysia’s No. 1 Hospital In Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026
Sunway Medical Centre is home to more than 300 resident medical consultants and provides comprehensive care across over 80 medical specialties and 28 Centres of Excellence.
Drug Companies Must Notify MOH Six Months Ahead Of Shortages, Says Dzulkefly
Drug makers must notify authorities six months before potential shortages. MOH keeps one to three months of medicine stock and appoints multiple suppliers to reduce supply risks, while monitoring supply and using pool procurement to secure critical drugs.
WORLD
Foodborne Disease Costs Singapore $80m Annually: Study
A new study has found that foodborne disease (FBD) costs Singapore SG$80m annually in economic burden (direct and indirect costs). Non-typhoidal Salmonella contributed the highest cost from known pathogens at SG$8m. Unspecified gastroenteritis cost SG$65m.
Child Suicide Exposes Indonesia’s Mental Health Gap
Indonesia is seeing rising signs of suicidality among children as school pressure, economic stress and limited mental‑health support strain young lives.
