Households In Malaysia Research Articles

Food Security Sustainability among Urban Low-Income Households in Malaysia: A Systematic Literature Review

Food Security Sustainability among Urban Low-Income Households in Malaysia: A Systematic Literature Review

The Impact of Malaysia’s Feeding Program on Orang Asli Families

This study examines the impact of feeding programmes on indigenous households in Malaysia, focusing on nutritional, economic and educational outcomes. Historically dependent on traditional agriculture and gathering, indigenous people in Malaysia face significant socio-economic challenges exacerbated by modernisation and urbanisation. School and community feeding programmes have been implemented by the government in partnership with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with the aim of addressing these challenges by improving access to nutritious food. This study assessed the effectiveness of these programmes through a narrative review and quantitative analysis of survey data from 96 Orang Asli. The results showed significant improvements in health and nutritional status In addition economic benefits were noted, with the feeding programmes reducing household food expenditures and indirectly increasing work efficiency and economic stability. However, the impact on emotional and mental health, while positive, was less pronounced and requires further investigation. This study highlights the importance of continued support and strengthening of the feeding programme and suggests integrated policy measures for the socio-economic development of the Orang Asli community.

Non-Communicable Diseases Impact Low-Income Households in Malaysia.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have a vast and rising impact on households at all income levels across the globe, particularly with poorer people bearing the burden. Hence, this study examines NCDs' effects on Malaysia's B40 group (low-income earners). This study used the 2015 National Health and Morbidity Survey, a population-based cross-sectional survey with 18,616 respondents from B40 households in Malaysia. Logistic regression analysis is used to assess NCDs' influence on poverty. In 2015, more than 20% of the B40 households lived below the poverty level. In addition, the B40 households had a greater prevalence of NCDs, with almost half of them diagnosed with at least one NCD (47.32%); hypertension (9.90%), diabetes mellitus (17.12%) and hypercholesterolemia (22.89%). Households with a member having an NCD are more likely to experience poverty than those without NCDs. The results also suggested that B40 households with catastrophic payments were at a 25% threshold; the elderly, individuals without formal education and unpaid workers were more likely to experience poverty. The findings suggest that NCDs increase the likelihood of B40 households falling into poverty. These facts highlight the necessity of safeguarding B40 households from the financial burden of NCDs by creating more effective financial protection plans for Malaysia's low-income earners.

FACTORS IMPACTING THE WELLBEING OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN MALAYSIA’S RURAL SETTLEMENTS

A rural development process could have a direct impact on the wellbeing of rural households. This wellbeing assessment needs to be addressed adequately in Malaysia. The aim of this paper is to investigate the factors impacting the wellbeing of rural households in Malaysia’s rural settlements. The Iskandar Malaysia region in Johor was selected as a study area because of its diverse settlements, consisting of seven types of rural settlements in Johor. A quantitative approach was adopted by means of a household survey involving 282 heads of households as respondents. The finding reveals that different types of rural settlements were affected by different factors that influence the wellbeing of the rural households. This paper can provide an understanding of the factors that affect wellbeing, specifically income generation and job opportunities for rural households based on different types of rural settlements.

Mobile money, medical cost anxiety and welfare of individuals within the reproductive age in Malaysia

This study examines the association between mobile money, medical cost anxiety, and the welfare of households in Malaysia. The study made use of the data sourced from the Global financial survey conducted by the World Bank. The study applied the logit model and test of mean difference, probit and instrumental variable regressions to check for robustness. Findings show that mobile money has a positive and significant impact on the welfare of households in Malaysia. Mobile money enables households to access financial services easily and conveniently, which in turn leads to better financial management and increased household welfare. The study also finds that medical cost anxiety hurts household welfare. Households that are more anxious about medical costs tend to experience lower levels of welfare. The results of this study have significant implications for policymakers and financial service providers in Malaysia. To improve the welfare of households, policymakers should promote mobile money use and encourage financial inclusion. Financial service providers should also develop products and services tailored to the needs of households, especially those that are more vulnerable to medical cost anxiety. Additionally, policymakers should consider implementing policies that address rising healthcare costs and alleviate medical cost anxiety among households in Malaysia.

Determinants of Consumer Food Waste Behaviour in Malaysia Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Food waste is a critical issue affecting environmental sustainability and food security globally. This study aims to investigate the determinants of consumer food waste behaviour among households in Malaysia, adopting the Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour as the conceptual framework. A quantitative approach was adopted, with data collected from a survey of 300 Malaysian households. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the survey data, which measured constructs such as attitudes towards food waste, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and food related routines. Results indicate that perceived behavioural control, shopping routines, and the reuse of leftovers are significant predictors of food waste behaviour in Malaysian households. Planning routines contribute indirectly to reducing food waste. Sociodemographic variables, including household size, income, and age, were found to have significant correlations with food waste behaviour. These findings offer valuable insights for designing targeted interventions to reduce food waste in Malaysia by enhancing household capabilities and routines related to food management. The study highlights the importance of understanding local consumer behaviour to effectively address food waste and support global sustainability efforts.

Islamic Perspective of Household Debt Management: An In-Depth Study

The use of debt in personal life has become crucial in modern times. Nowadays, people prefer to incur debt to fulfill their needs, wants, and demands. However, it is important to have sufficient knowledge and literacy in debt management unless it might be a cause of financial failure. In Malaysia, the tremendous growth of loans and debt-based products has led to a rise in household indebtedness. It seems Malaysian households are suffering from a lack of knowledge about debt and its management. Hence, the aim of the study is to explore the Islamic point of view regarding the management of debt. This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews with a group of Shariah scholars. The selection of these scholars follows a snowball sampling technique, ensuring a comprehensive and insightful exploration of this research topic. The findings of the study expose that the rulings on debt and its settlement in Islam vary according to particular circumstances. In general, there is no harm to incur debt as it valid (halal). However, debt should only be used to fulfill necessities, as the absence of it might cause damage to the debtor. On the other side, Islam encourages people to become creditors by giving interest free loans (qard-e-hasan). Moreover, it inspires the creditors to extend the debt repayment period in case of debtors’ inability to pay back the debt within the specific period to ensure social and economic welfare. Thus, the study contributes to improving the knowledge and literacy of the Malaysians about debt and its treatment, ultimately improving their financial behaviors.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Expenditure on Fruits and Vegetables: A Comparison Between Low-Income and High-Income Households

The present study is the first to our knowledge to use quantile regressions to explore the effects of sociodemographic and household factors on consumption expenditure on fruits and vegetables (FV) among households of different income groups. Data from the Malaysian Household Expenditure Surveys 2014 and 2016 were used for pooled cross-sectional analyses. Quantile regressions were utilised to examine factors affecting household expenditure on FV at different ranges of the expenditure. Results showed that low-, medium- and high-income households headed by younger adults (< 60 years), females, less-educated individuals, Bumiputera and unemployed individuals spent less on FV compared with those headed by older adults (≥ 60 years), males, welleducated individuals, non-Bumiputera and employed individuals. Furthermore, there were positive relationships between quantiles of FV expenditure and household income, rural households, tobacco consumption, and health insurance spending. In conclusion, household heads’ sociodemographic characteristics and household profiles play an important role in influencing household expenditure on FV. Findings obtained in the present study can assist policymakers in formulating better intervention measures and assistance directed toward improving FV intake. Policymakers could consider subsidising FV purchases and promoting FV consumption among female-headed households. Additionally, health awareness programmes could target urban households with single and less-educated heads.

BEHAVIORAL FACTORS IN DETERMINING INTENTION TOWARDS INDEBTEDNESS AMONG GOVERNMENT SERVANTS

Malaysian households’ indebtedness has nearly RM1.38 trillion worth which is a symptom as opposed to a cause. Undoubtedly, Malaysia's household debtto-GDP ratio of 89% is among the highest. Indeed, worsen debt trend among the government servants are significantly pop up this issue of borrowing. The purpose of this research is to look into the influence of behavioral factors on intention towards indebtedness by using Theory of Planned Behavior. Using the partial least square (SmartPLS) technique, a survey of 377 government employees in Northern Malaysia was conducted using the exploratory method. Respondents completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding behavioural factors. The findings validated two out of the three proposed hypotheses. Among those variables, intention towards indebtedness had an extremely significant relationship with both attitude towards indebtedness and subjective norm. The results may assist the government agencies in formulating saving strategy that will lessen Malaysian government servants’ risk of financial ruin. Previous studies on indebtedness have been conducted using survey approach among individuals by using self-constructed model. Meanwhile, this study focuses on the government servant by applying the theory of Planned Behaviour.

BEHAVIORAL FACTORS IN DETERMINING INTENTION TOWARDS INDEBTEDNESS AMONG GOVERNMENT SERVANTS

Malaysian households’ indebtedness has nearly RM1.38 trillion worth which is a symptom as opposed to a cause. Undoubtedly, Malaysia's household debt-to-GDP ratio of 89% is among the highest. Indeed, worsen debt trend among the government servants are significantly pop up this issue of borrowing. The purpose of this research is to look into the influence of behavioral factors on intention towards indebtedness by using Theory of Planned Behavior. Using the partial least square (SmartPLS) technique, a survey of 377 government employees in Northern Malaysia was conducted using the exploratory method. Respondents completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding behavioural factors. The findings validated two out of the three proposed hypotheses. Among those variables, intention towards indebtedness had an extremely significant relationship with both attitude towards indebtedness and subjective norm. The results may assist the government agencies in formulating saving strategy that will lessen Malaysian government servants’ risk of financial ruin. Previous studies on indebtedness have been conducted using survey approach among individuals by using self-constructed model. Meanwhile, this study focuses on the government servant by applying the theory of Planned Behaviour.

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Malaysian residential customers’ energy-saving appliance purchasing behaviour

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused a dramatic impact on energy supply and demand. It is vital to understand households’ behaviour with regard to energy, particularly during the pandemic, to deploy future sustainable energy systems. This study aims to investigate the nexus of Malaysian households’ energy consumption behaviour in relation to various electrical appliances, their energy-saving appliance purchasing behaviour and their current possession of energy-saving appliances during the pandemic, especially during the lockdown period, from the perspective of the energy cultures framework.Design/methodology/approachThe partial least squares structural equation modelling technique was used to test hypothesised relationships based on the 1,485 pieces of household data collected using an online and physical survey during the lockdown period in Malaysia.FindingsThe energy-saving behaviour cultivated due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to residential customers’ intentions to purchase energy-saving appliances which subsequently led to their current possession of energy-saving appliances. Indeed, energy-saving behaviours in the kitchen, entertainment, office, home lighting and cooling appliances have more than 77.4% influence on their purchasing behaviour. The consumer’s purchase behaviour for energy-saving appliances has a significant, partially mediating influence on the energy-saving behaviour of various electrical appliances and the consumers’ current possession of energy-saving appliances.Research limitations/implicationsThis study could be enhanced by improving the sample using a higher-income group and involving other parts of Malaysia such as the southern region. The findings do extend the energy cultures framework by demonstrating the mediating role of households’ energy-saving appliance purchasing behaviour on the relationship between their energy consumption behaviour in relation to various electrical appliances and their current possession of energy-saving appliances.Practical implicationsThe results of this study will help develop future action plans for transitioning to energy-saving appliance practices.Originality/valueThis paper examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on future energy efficiency practices in developing countries from the perspective of the energy cultures framework.

Living Style and Cost of Living: A Cross-Section Analysis of B40 Households in Malaysia

Living Style and Cost of Living: A Cross-Section Analysis of B40 Households in Malaysia

Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development—Investigating Intention and Consumption among Low-Income Households in an Emerging Economy

To mitigate the harmful effects of climate change and progress toward achieving sustainable development goals, renewable energy sources should be available to low-income households. Households depend heavily on traditional energy sources. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the determinants that influence the intention and consumption of renewable energy among low-income households in Malaysia. Quantitative data was collected from 420 households through structured interviews. Analysis was conducted using SEM-PLS. The results revealed that perceived benefits and environmental concerns influence environmental attitudes. Motivation, skills, and knowledge affect subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, respectively. The study also found that attitude towards the environment and perceived behavioral control influence households’ intention towards renewable energy consumption and renewable energy consumption behavior. The results provided a clear idea of households’ intention in emerging economies towards renewable energy consumption to protect environmental damage from the harmful effects of the traditional use of energy sources. Therefore, policymakers in developing nations should focus on the feasibility of renewable energy projects and design group-agnostic campaigns for low-income households to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability through the mass adoption of renewable energy.

Nexus between Government Assistance and Savings: Preliminary Analysis of Households in Malaysia

This preliminary study investigates the relationship between government assistance and household savings. The study aimed to shed light on whether government assistance programs directly influence households' savings habits. Data were collected from 25 representative sample households, including their income, expenses, savings, and participation in government assistance programs. The study examined how much money households could save regularly. The study suggested a significant correlation, between government assistance and household savings. Families that received some form of government support demonstrated a lower propensity to save than those who did not receive assistance. This trend was consistent across different income brackets and demographic groups. The researchers proposed several potential reasons for this relationship. There can be several reasons for this negative relationship. First, increased government assistance may alleviate financial strain and provide immediate relief for individuals or households, reducing the urgency or perceived need to save for future expenses or emergencies. Second, some government assistance programs may have income limits or asset tests that discourage or restrict saving behavior. It is important to note that this study was preliminary, and further research is necessary to establish a more robust understanding of the relationship between government assistance and household savings. Future studies could delve into the long-term effects of government support on savings behavior and investigate the specific mechanisms through which assistance programs influence savings habits. The preliminary findings suggest a negative association between government assistance and household savings. It emphasizes the importance of further exploring this relationship to understand household financial well-being comprehensively.

Retirement Wealth Adequacy Estimation Based on Income Group Classification: A Case Study in Malaysia

The inadequacy of retirement wealth can significantly impact a country’s social support system. The increase of the size of the elderly population in line with the constant growth of life expectancy among Malaysians has triggered a question, are there enough resources to cover needs in retirement years? The main objective of this study is to estimate the retirement income adequacy of future retirees under a defined contribution (DC) plan, which is the Employee Provident Fund (EPF). The projection of retirement income adequacy uses cross-sectional data from the Malaysian Household Income Survey (HIS) 2014, based on 14,169 sample households. The households are categorized according to three different income groups, including Top 20% (T20), Middle 40% (M40) and Bottom 40% (B 40). In addition, this research also investigates the demographic and socio-economic determinants of retirement wealth adequacy using OLS and logistic regression. The result shows that 26% of households in the sample have inadequate retirement income, especially households in the B 40 group.

Al-Gharimin Agency: A New Wing of Islamic Social Finance

Over-indebtedness is a widespread phenomenon among households in Malaysia. This issue has become even more pressing with the economic downturns caused by the pandemic. According to the literature, Zakat institutions are focusing more on other categories of beneficiaries while give less priority to Al-Gharimin. Starting from the belief that zakat institutions are the main institutions responsible for addressing this issue, this study attempts to identify limitations and challenges facing these institutions to address excessive debt among Malaysian households. To achieve this objective, the research adopts a qualitative approach based on a desk research and semi-structured interviews with prominent scholars and experts. It was concluded that the main obstacle facing zakat institutions is the lack of funds and the pressing priority of other categories. Based on this, and other limitations, the researchers propose an Integrated ecosystem based on Al-Gharimin agency for over-indebtedness alleviation. This Agency brings together expertise and funds from different players. A collaboration between these institutions is believed to have a great impact on the efficiency in the collection and management of funds, the identification of genuine debtors and the provision of an appropriate assistance.

Let's Think They are Safe Online!: An Asian Perspective on the Classification of Children's Cyber Risks

Children nowadays spend a substantial amount of time on the Internet and related technology. They are devoting more time to recreational activities such as socializing virtually and playing video games. Scholars are divided on whether they are benefiting from the situation or putting themselves in risk by participating in it. Although Malaysian parents are concerned about the dangers their children may encounter online, most threats remain unknown. Children are still reluctant to inform their families about their online exposure to inappropriate content such as cybersex and pornography, which are still taboo subjects in Malaysian households. To determine the risk factors associated with children's online use, a descriptive analysis is carried out. A total of 420 school-going children aged 9 to 16 around Selangor were recruited. During the previous 12 months that they interacted with the Internet, the study found that children were highly exposed to unwanted exposure to pornography (17.4 %), potentially dangerous user-generated content (9 %), sexting (8.8 %), personal data misuse (6.4 %), cyber grooming (3.3 %), and cyberbullying (1.7 % ).

A cross-sectional survey measuring effectiveness of fuel subsidy restructure in Malaysia

Background: Out of the MYR 14 billion of fuel subsidy, the top 20% households (T20) in the country enjoy MYR 8 billion compared to MYR 6 billion of the fuel subsidy restructure enjoyed by the low income (B40) households. As the Malaysian government has started to restructure the fuel subsidy scheme in December 2022 when the national economy began to recover post coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, this study is in need as it highlights the key concerns of B40 and middle 40% (M40) households to the government. This research aims to determine key factors affecting fuel subsidy restructure effectiveness from the perspective of B40 and M40 households in Malaysia post COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 150 questionnaires were disseminated to Malaysia B40 and M40 households. The questionnaire was completed by 105 households with no missing value. This paper utilized cross-sectional design to examine factors that contribute to fuel subsidy restructure in Malaysia post COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Efficient targeting and social protection were the most important factor that contribute to the effectiveness of fuel subsidy restructure in Malaysia. Conclusions: This research serves as the pioneer research to provide valuable insights to the Malaysian government to effectively restructure fuel subsidy initiative towards creating greater social protection, efficient targeting and better governance and administrative capacity in improving the quality of life of the B40 and M40 households.

Food Supply Chain Assurance: Malaysian Consumer Household Perspective

Food supply chain assurance refers to the measures and processes that are put in place to ensure the safety, quality, and reliability of the food supply chain from farm to fork. Food supply chain assurance aims to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses, ensure the integrity of the supply chain, and build trust between consumers and producers. Hence, this paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the effects of the dimensions of food security and their impacts on the food supply chain in the context of households in Malaysia. This research primarily focuses on individuals as the unit of analysis, and 498 households in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, were invited to take part in the survey. Subsequently, out of the invited households, 350 responses were received and considered valid for data analysis. The results of this study show that each of the hypotheses is true and that food security in the supply chain is affected by all four aspects of food security: how easy it is to get food, how much food is available, how it is used, and how stable it is. This study is one of the first to help partners in the food security supply chain better understand the effects of food security mechanisms. This will help consumers become more aware of the food security supply chain in the long run.

ANTECEDENTS AND BARRIERS TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD WASTE PRACTICES AMONG LOWER-MIDDLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN MALAYSIA

Given the significant amount of food waste generated by households, reducing household food waste is critical to mitigating overall food waste and providing multifaceted benefits for humans and the environment. This study attempts to identify antecedents of food waste among lower-middle-class families in the Malaysian household setting and their barriers to sustainable food waste practices. Fifteen individuals from lower-middleclass Malaysian households were selected by convenience and snowball sampling and were interviewed using semi-structured questions. Four categories of food waste antecedents were identified (over-preparing, over-buying, dietary transition, and improper storage). The findings also led to the development of four themes that defined the barriers participants faced to minimising food waste (inadequate regulations and policy, lack of time, lack of education and awareness on food wastage, and lack of appropriate facilities). The findings from this study have important sociocultural implications for future studies, and they also add to our current understanding and application of how to reduce food waste in Malaysian households. More study is needed to find ways to test new ideas and interventions that could reduce household food waste, especially in Malaysia.