Perak To Expand Women-Centric Development Programs In Muallim Following Record Census Findings

IPOH, Oct 8 – The Perak state government will focus on expanding women-centric development initiatives and targeted policies in the Muallim district after official census data revealed it holds the highest female population ratio in Malaysia.

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Current Population Estimates by Administrative Districts, Muallim recorded the most pronounced gender gap nationwide, with 92 men for every 100 women.

Perak Women, Family, Social Welfare, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee Chairman Datuk Salbiah Mohamed emphasized that the DOSM figures offer a crucial blueprint for government planning.

“Honestly, this latest data was unexpected, as analyses are typically based on the elderly population; however, these new findings reveal that Muallim has the highest female population in Perak — and indeed nationwide,” Salbiah told reporters during a press conference at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building on Thursday, October 8, 2026.

Policy Adaptation and National Demographics

The announcement was made following the launch of the state-level Disabled Persons Awareness Month 2026, where state leaders outlined plans to align local development strategies with updated demographic metrics:

• Targeted Interventions: State ministries will formulate inclusive economic, social, and healthcare programs specifically designed to support female entrepreneurs, mothers, and working women across Muallim.
• National Female-Majority Districts: DOSM data highlighted that 14 administrative districts across Malaysia recorded female populations outpacing male populations.
• National Ranking Breakdown: Following Muallim’s leading ratio of 92 men per 100 women, Bachok in Kelantan and Samarahan in Sarawak recorded the second-highest female proportion, both registering 94 men per 100 women.

Perak state authorities plan to coordinate with local municipal councils and district offices in Muallim to ensure public facilities, community funding, and state welfare initiatives directly reflect the district’s demographic composition.

–NMT