Penang MP Urges People to Get Married as Marriage Rates are Declining Among M’sian Chinese

It’s no secret that Malaysians are now choosing to not get married due to various reasons including the economy and personal preference.

But, is this choice a bad thing?

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin took to his Twitter page to call for Malaysians, regardless of race, to get married as marriage rates among Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indians are dropping!

He wrote, “Kahwinlah (Get married lah). I have asked about the marriage rates of different races in Malaysia.”

Here is the answer he received from the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM):

Bumiputera (per a population of 1,000)
2016: 10.9
2022: 16.0
Trend: +47%

Chinese (per a population of 1,000)
2016: 9.8
2020: 6.3
2022: 6.6
Trend: -33%

Indian (per a population of 1,000)
2016: 12.2
2022: 11.1
Trend: -9%

He went on to try and convince Malaysians, regardless of race, to get married.

This image is for illustration purposes only.

“Marriage is a beautiful journey in life. It is also an important institution for society and the country. I am happy to see marriage rates among Bumiputera is on the rise (an increase of 47%) and the Indian community marriage rate remaining steady between 2016 to 2022. However, the Chinese community marriage rate has declined by 33% from 2016 to 2022. That’s quite a huge decline.”

“From the Ministry’s reply, there are several factors that affect decisions to marry such as financial concerns, partner suitability and focus on career. I hope to draw attention to the Chinese community to pay attention to this declining trend. I agree that marriage is an individual’s choice. But, it will cause other chain effects such as declining fertility rates. So, for those who have yet to get married, regardless of race, I want to say: get married lah,” he added.

To all unmarried Malaysians out there, what made you choose to remain unwed?

Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

Also read: M’sian Dad Urges the Elderly to Stop Forcing Their Adult Kids to Get Married & Have Children