Malaysian Culture Research Articles

EXPLORING THE MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS INFLUENCING YOUTH ATTENDANCE AT BADMINTON MATCHES

Sports play a significant place in Malaysian culture, serving as both a spectator and participant activity. Organized badminton events have the potential to enhance sport tourism revenue by drawing in both local and international fans keen to support their favourite teams. Understanding the motivations of specific market segments, particularly the youth, is vital for effective sports industry marketing. However, a lack of motivation among youth to attend badminton events can lead to diminished interest in these events. Consequently, this study aims to examine the factors influencing the motivation of youth to attend badminton matches in Malaysia. The study's sample comprises 341 students from UUM, selected through convenience sampling technique. The findings reveal that self-esteem is the foremost motivation for attending badminton matches (mean=4.31), followed by factors of group (mean=4.30), family (mean=4.17), entertainment (mean=4.08), escape (mean=3.98), eustress (mean=3.94), and aesthetics (mean=3.37). Furthermore, most respondents identify as badminton fans, indicating potential growth opportunities for the badminton industry. Understanding fan motivations can enable the industry to better meet their needs, thereby contributing to its expansion and success. This study underscores the importance of engaging youth in badminton events to foster sustained interest and participation in sports tourism initiatives.

Malay Cultural Heritage Preservation Through Seni Tekat Motif On Kerongsang Tok Design

Seni Tekat is a form of embroidery on cloth, usually velvet, using gold threads, and has been an important form of cultural expression throughout history. The art of seni tekat embroidery is a treasure inherited from our famous ancestors in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. In Malaysia, Seni Tekat is a work-related skill heritage hand decorated with gold or silver thread embroidery sewn on a velvet base cloth according to a certain motive or pattern. The design senses of the motifs found in the gold thread art are inspired by the design composition of the pattern that borrows the design that is sourced from nature available in Malaysia. This form of embroidery has been down through generations, and it continues to be an important aspect of Malaysian culture. Preserving cultural heritage through Seni Tekat is a way of ensuring that the tradition does not disappear with time. Seni Tekat is an important part of Malaysian culture, and it must be preserved for future generations. Seni tekat can be used in several ways to ensure that the tradition continues to thrive. By creating Kerongsang Tok design using seni tekat motifs, and incorporating it into modern designs, the art of knotting can remain an integral part of Malaysian culture for years to come. The most important objectives of this research are to create an innovative source of inspiration for the Kerongsang Tok design and to preserve the Malay heritage of culture via the new design of Kerongsang Tok inspiration. The ideation process, which has a direct relationship to the fundamentals of Kerongsang Tok design, forms the basis of this design research. The process of creation starts with the design of the Kerongsang Tok, which is developed incorporating Malay patterns to complement its new source of inspiration. A survey has been conducted to determine which design is the best, with input from academics, students, goldsmiths, and jewellery designers. Based on the poll outcomes, an innovative inspiration for the Kerongsang Tok design was created. This study will help to preserve Malaysia's legacy, provide an educational resource for future generations, and promote an awareness of our unique cultural heritage.

Getting the method of reviving traditional crafts from Malaysian modern pewter craftwork

It is a common sense that every country pays attention to protecting and developing own traditional crafts, as one component of traditional cultures which can benefit to protect national memory, unite people, promote cultural confidence, and economic progress. How to develop and revive one traditional craft in contemporary markets is not easy thing for every country due to be difficult for traditional crafts adapting to the new social conditions, and not many successful examples referenced effectively. The traditional pewter craft as one ancient craft has a long history in China, Britain and other traditional making-pewter countries, but in modern time, there is a revival and success in Malaysia. The Malaysian modern pewter craftwork gets many important domestic and international awards; the Malaysian pewter companies acquire many famous traditional making-pewter companies in the world. The pewter craftwork has become one famous business card in Malaysian cultures and tourism industry. This article takes the case study of research method and tries to analyze the reason of the success Malaysian modern pewter craftwork achieved in modern markets, and reveals and concludes the effective methods and experiences of developing healthily a traditional craft in contemporary markets. It is a culture-based education and referential meaning to designers for getting a set of practical and effective methods of designing and reviving traditional crafts in contemporary conditions, this way can make traditional craftwork attracting and satisfying more customers in the world markets.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression Integrating Malaysian Culture: A Case Illustration.

This clinical case assessed the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating major depressive disorder in a 26-year-old female, Sara, attributing her depression to pregnancy, financial constraints, parental duties, and emotional stress. Sara had eight sessions of CBT, during which her symptoms were measured using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II). Sara's depressive symptoms dramatically decreased after the intervention, moving her HAM-D and BDI-II scores from moderate to mild depression and from clinically depressed to mild, respectively. The assessment showed improved interest, concentration, energy levels, and a more positive self-perception. Integrating Malaysian cultural elements into CBT, emphasizing family support, community engagement, and spirituality positively impacted Sara. This study emphasizes the value of culturally appropriate CBT for depression as it can help with symptom management, challenging negative thoughts, and bolstering self-esteem. This method identifies and addresses cultural impacts on mental health, recommending the incorporation of cultural aspects in therapy, enhancing relapse prevention and quality of life for Malaysians experiencing depression.

Board Diversity and Executive Compensation: A Concept Paper

This study proposed the examination of the impact of board diversity on executive compensation in emerging economies such as Malaysia. Diversity of board has been promoted in the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG, 2021) and the implementation of such policy is costly to the firms. Excessive executive compensation has been one of the main problems in the corporate world in Malaysia. While the cost and benefit effects of diversity in the context of an emerging economy are not clear, the diversity in the board that seems to work well in the Western business culture might not necessarily be compatible with Malaysian culture, where the traditional values, culture, and religions are being adhered. The sample is comprised of listed firms in Malaysia during the year 2021 to 2023. Board diversity is measured using gender diversity, age diversity, and ethnicity diversity. The executive compensation is measured using the total compensation received by the board of directors. It is expected that the outcome of this study will be useful in helping the policymakers in setting the parameters for the diversity policy in the firms in Malaysia.

Relationship between Predictors of Intercultural Communication Competence and Multicultural Identity

Multiculturalism has always been an integral part and aspect of Malaysian culture, with its ethnic complexities. Multicultural identity is a significant predictive factor in assessing intercultural communication competence. Cultural competencies are essential in today’s businesses. This research is a systematic attempt to look into the antecedents of these constructs in Malaysian educational contexts given the growing importance of educators’ involvement in society's integration. Multicultural factors complement Intercultural communication skills, and this has an impact on the development and effectiveness of organisations/institutions as well as success and performance at work. These attributes are surprisingly underrated in their careers. The role of multicultural identity in determining intercultural communication competency is addressed using Amiot et al. (2007) and Barrett et al. (2013) indicators, respectively, using the structural equation modelling. Therefore, 350 respondents were chosen via the purposeful sampling method by employing a self-administered survey. The findings asserted the importance of cultural competency of educators, especially in settings where both students and faculty members come from different cultural backgrounds. The results supported the hypothesis that the endogenous construct of intercultural communication competence can be used to predict multicultural identity. Any multiracial organisation or institution can replicate the factors and instruments used in this study. By identifying the predicted factors, the research has significantly contributed to controlling and optimising the communication performance of ethnically diverse organisations. Keywords: Multiculturalism, identity, intercultural communication competence, ethnicity, integration.

Translation and validation of the Role Checklist into the Malay version among retirees

Introduction: Retirees undergo role transition after leaving their job. Hence, occupational therapists may assess retirees’ roles to identify their current roles’ satisfaction and anticipation. As Malaysian culture and language differed from the origin of the Role Checklist, this study aimed to translate and validate the Role Checklist into the Malay version cross-culturally. Methodology: A forward–backwards translation was conducted, followed by pilot testing among 9 experts and 20 retirees. A cross-sectional study was done among 122 Malaysian retirees to identify the translated instrument’s test–retest reliability, discriminant and convergent validity. Findings: The Role Checklist – Malay achieved almost perfect Average Content Validity Index (0.95–0.98) and Average Face Validity Index (0.92–0.96), good to excellent test–retest reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.654–0.976, and moderate to perfect agreement of Cohen’s kappa (0.620–1.00). Additionally, there were significant differences in the total number of roles ( p < 0.001) and total desired future roles ( p < 0.001) between retirees living in the community and institution. The total number of roles was positively correlated with the SWLS – Malay ( rs = 0.593, p < 0.001), EQ-5D-3L – Malay ( rs = 0.366, p < .001) and MSPSS – Malay ( rs = 0.314, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Role Checklist – Malay was a valid and reliable instrument among Malaysian retirees.

The Assistive Technology for Teaching and Learning of Social Skills for Autism Spectrum Disorder Children: Multimedia Interactive Social Skills Module Application

<p style="text-align: justify;">An earlier study found that assistive technology based on mobile applications significantly improved how social skills were taught to and learned by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children. Nevertheless, the content of the existing mobile applications is inadequate for capturing the diversity of Malaysian culture, making it unacceptable for local use. Considering cultural norms is a factor in developing social skills in ASD children. It is therefore necessary to develop new assistive technology based on mobile applications that consider Malaysian cultural norms. As a result, the Multimedia Interactive Social Skills Module (MISSM) application was created based on the Addie Model, which offers a systematic process for assisting in developing successful instructional material by fusing instructional theory with learning theory. The MISSM application is based on Malaysia's current social skills curriculum, which helps ASD children become socially competent. Hopefully, it will help them develop better social skills and achieve academically. Finally, local culture-sensitive material for assistive technology based on mobile applications would support Malaysia's adoption of a technology-based teaching and learning strategy and contribute to a better understanding of social skills.</p>

Intercultural communication competence among migrant workers in Malaysia: a critical review and an agenda for future research

Intercultural communication competence (ICC) has been identified as an important area of study, given today's increasing diversity in many societies. While it is acknowledged that there are already ICC studies and models available in the literature, most, if not all, address the ICC of expatriates or sojourners. Studies, as well as models that specifically address the ICC of migrant workers, are scanty. Hence, this study intends to highlight the crucial need for a better understanding of the issues related to ICC by providing a comprehensive and critical review of studies on ICC. This enables the proposition of a conceptual framework for ICC that is specific to migrant workers working in Malaysia due to their crucial importance to the country's economy. The proposed conceptual framework considers include sensation seeking, ethnocentrism, attitude toward other cultures, and motivation to engage in intercultural communication as the antecedents of ICC. Meanwhile, cross-cultural adjustment is proposed as a consequence of ICC. The proposed conceptual model would be useful in bridging the budding literature of ICC by highlighting the skills needed by migrant workers, which will, consequently, facilitate their adjustment and enable them to perform their work successfully in Malaysian culture.

BUDI IN DIRECT CONFRONTATIONS PORTRAYED IN THE MALAYSIAN ANIMATION FILM BOBOIBOY: THE MOVIE (2016)

BoBoiBoy: The Movie (2016) screening in local cinemas has successfully attracted local reception partly due to its portrayal of Malaysian culture and moral values, which local audiences find relatable. Despite the film presenting a modern and futuristic world, values based on Budi's traditional Malay concept are demonstrated throughout the main protagonist’s actions. This paper employs the concept of Budi from the academic study of Lim Kim Hui and includes my attempt to argue that Budi is represented in direct confrontations portrayed by the main protagonist as a form of the deliverance of justice towards the evildoers. Additionally, I adopt Smith’s “Structure of Sympathy” to discuss the spectator’s engagement with the protagonist, which influences the spectator to agree with the actions taken. The concept of Budi suggests that traditional values are not lost in modern times, but it progresses and evolves to suit contemporary practices. Boboiboy: The Movie is one of the digital mediums that exhibits Budi as a traditional moral concept that can be sustained and disseminated particularly to younger generations, which comprises the majority of the audiences.

The Visual Representation of Malaysian Cultural Identity in 1950s Printmaking Artworks

Printmaking is one of the categories of visual arts that is still practiced and plays an important role in the development of visual arts in Malaysia. In the production of printmaking artworks, the representation of images or visuals is important in reflecting the artist’s background, which is often closely related to understanding history, heritage, or culture. This research aims to explore the visual representation of Malaysian culture, which was portrayed in Malaysian printmaking artworks in the 1950s. The method for identifying Malaysian culture is through an integrative literature review. A few 1950s printmaking artworks have been selected to be analyzed based on Malaysian cultural elements through a content analysis approach. The sample for this research is printmaking artworks that were produced in 1950. The outcomes of this research indicated that in showing Malaysian cultural identities, the existence of Malaysian cultural features in printmaking artworks from the 1950s had become crucial historical evidence. Without these visual depictions, future generations are unable to learn about Malaysian culture and the past. The research findings from this study will be used as a guide for future researchers, especially in understanding Malaysian culture from the perspective of the visual arts. In conclusion, it is suggested that future research on Malaysian printmaking include more samples from different eras so that the development of the visual depiction of Malaysian culture through printmaking may be characterized in more detail.

The Development of the Malaysian Cultural Elements Framework

Multiracial and multiethnic people make Malaysia what it is today: a diverse nation. The cultural traditions of Malaysia passed down from generation to generation, are heavily influenced by the country's origin story. Nevertheless, there aren't many authoritative sources or in-depth analyses that examine certain aspects of Malaysian culture. As a result, in-depth research into Malaysian cultural elements is required. This research aims to identify cultural aspects in general, while the second objective will focus on identifying the cultural elements of Malaysian culture. The method for identifying Malaysian culture is through an integrative literature review, in which all literature sources explaining culture as general and Malaysian cultural characteristics and elements are analyzed. The outcomes of this research indicate that the elements of Malaysian culture fall into material things such as architecture, archaeological artifacts, clothing, art, food, and pastimes. In contrast, non-material culture consists of norms, symbols, knowledge, ceremonies, festivals, language, social institutions, and social structure. Future scholars will refer to the research results from this study as a reference, particularly in the definition of Malaysian culture from diverse study disciplines. To have a more thorough and in-depth knowledge of Malaysian culture, it is recommended that future studies on Malaysian culture expand the factors that focus primarily on the development of Malaysian culture.

The influence of retirement goals and risk attitudes on Malaysian women’s retirement planning

The lack of retirement savings for the future lives of many individuals, and pre-retirees in particular, is an example of one of the most critical problems facing many emerging countries. Unfortunately, a lack of preparedness can have severe effects on Malaysian cultures, especially for women who are nearing retirement. The issues persist and, most likely, are becoming worse despite all the awareness campaigns that have been running for a while. In order to express fresh thoughts and suggest an extra approach or workable solution to supplement past research and conclusions, this study will analyse this dilemma from a women’s perspective of retirement planning. This study applies a quantitative approach, where primary data was acquired through online surveys of 443 workers in various locations in Malaysia. Validation of the measurement model in this study uses the structural equation model (SEM), which interprets that if the model fits, the strength of path estimates, validity, and reliability of the construct are estimated. The results of this study show that retirement goals affect an individual’s retirement planning, but risk perception does not affect an individual’s perspective on planning for a future retirement. This study also emphasises the significance of financial literacy in retirement planning, specifically how it will boost the confidence of these female workers as they approach retirement. These findings also have useful ramifications for financial planners and advisors, enabling them to better comprehend the variables influencing retirement saving behaviour.

Rajang River Run: Improving Vocabulary Acquisition Among Young Learners through Gamified Storytelling

Due to its significance and prominence in Malaysian culture, English is taught and learned as a second language. Along with transforming the Malaysian education system towards the better, innovative teaching approaches are necessary to assist learners in learning English as their second language in schools. In this study, a flash card game was designed and developed to encourage primary school learners to learn vocabulary and improve their reading skills. It is inspired by the culture and lifestyle of the people in Sarawak, and it is named Rajang River Run. The use of flashcard games as a game-based learning and storytelling approach to acquire new vocabulary, construct engaging sentences, and increase students' motivation was examined in this study. This study was conducted at a national government-funded public primary school in Putrajaya, Malaysia, involving 15 Primary one students that were used as the target participants in this research. The game design thinking approach was employed to develop the game, which acts as a guide to scaffold creativity and collaboration. The study implemented an observation checklist derived from the Revised Conceptual Model of Academic Success for data collection. Findings demonstrated that learning through the Rajang River Run could boost pupils' capacity and desire to learn new words. The implication of this study suggested that gamified learning, such as gamified narrative, increased players' motivation to play the game. The participants' memory retention and attentiveness have improved due to the supportive and engaging setting.
 

Women in Orthopaedics: A Perspective from Malaysian Female Orthopaedic Surgeons.

The awareness of under-representation of female surgeons in orthopaedics has been increasing in this decade. We aim to investigate the reasons why female surgeons chose orthopaedic, the barriers that possibly hinder female surgeons into orthopaedics and analyse the obstacles that they encountered in their career in Malaysian context. A total of 101 registered female orthopaedic surgeons registered with the Malaysian Medical Council, during the period 1980 to 2020, were contacted for a cross-sectional survey, consisting of thirty-four questions on their experience in the orthopaedic career. Eighty-two responses were received (81.2%). Questions in this survey consisted of four sections: (1) demographic details, (2) current clinical practice environment, (3) orthopaedics training experience, and (4) career experience. A total of 49% of respondents had subspeciality training, highest in paediatric orthopaedic (30%). Enjoyment of manual tasks (64.6%) and professional satisfaction (64.6%) were the top reasons for choosing orthopaedic as a career. Primary barriers to orthopaedic were physical strength required (56.0%) and public gender bias (52.4%). Twenty-eight percent reported gender discrimination in career opportunities while 60% reported similar in daily work. Thirty-three percent reported verbal and 11% physical sexual harassment in their career. Forty-four percent of respondents reported benefits as female orthopaedic surgeon in their work. The reasons for Malaysian female orthopaedic surgeons to choose orthopaedic as their career and the barriers perceived to hinder other females from choosing orthopaedics were similar to reports worldwide with no exception to gender discrimination and sexual harassment. The support given by male colleagues to married female surgeons marked a unique phenomenon in Malaysian culture.

The Malaysian Nasi Lemak Story as Reviewed Online: A Genre Perspective

As a multiracial country, food is a significant component of the Malaysian culture. Local cuisines serve to portray the different ethnicities which make up its population. Reflecting the nation’s unique identity, Malaysian Heritage Food (MHF) has become internationally acclaimed due to the rise of the digital era. The Internet has enabled easy access to information on various local and international cuisines, ranging from personal food vlog channels to dedicated culinary expert websites. The quest and appreciation for famous cuisines and technological convenience give rise to a relatively prominent digital genre: online food reviews, a significant source of information for gastronomes worldwide. Thus, this paper explores online food reviews focusing on Nasi Lemak, a specific MHF Malay cuisine and Malaysia’s national dish. Employing a genre perspective, I investigate the roles of text and visuals in these reviews to make sense of the form, function and meaning of this digital genre. This paper establishes the interdependence and integration between the textual and visual modes to decipher the online representation of Nasi Lemak in a Malaysian context and the digital space. The online Nasi Lemak review as a genre illustrates the significance of its multimodal nature in describing the Nasi Lemak story, simultaneously offering potential early insights into the sociocultural nuances surrounding this MHF.

The "Know Your Lemons" Tools: A strategy to improve breast cancer warning signs recognition in Malaysia.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in Malaysia, with many diagnosed at late stages. The "Know Your Lemons" (KYL) visual educational tools were developed by KYL Foundation. This study aimed to evaluate participants' confidence levels and perceived knowledge in identifying BC symptoms before and after exposure to KYL tools. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 788 participants in three KYL health campaigns from 2017 to 2020. Perceived knowledge (a 5-item Likert scale was used, zero means "very poor" and 4 means "excellent knowledge") and confidence in identifying BC symptoms were studied. A Wilcoxon Matched-Paired Signed-Rank Test was performed to assess the perceived knowledge. There was a significant improvement in the perceived knowledge Mean (±SD) score (2.84 ± 1.02) versus (4.31 ± 0.66) before and after the campaign (P < 0.01). About 95.6% agreed that the language used in KYL materials was clear and understandable, 89.8% agreed it is acceptable in Malaysian culture, and 80% felt more confident in identifying BC symptoms. Therefore, 90.8% had the intention of breast self-examination and 90.8% would consult a doctor if symptomatic. The majority (92.7%) agreed that the KYL tools clarified the BC tests needed. The KYL tools enhanced perceived BC symptom recognition knowledge and confidence levels.

Social Work in Malaysia: The History and Development

This paper gives an overview of the history of social work pre and post-colonization of Malaysia by the western. This paper highlights issues of social work which bring social work education to Malaysia. The issues and difficulties raised in this paper provide insights to implement further input to develop and improvise social work education programs in Malaysia. All of the relevant stakeholding bodies within the social work profession and the allied educational sectors need to demonstrate their commitment to the advancement of social work in Malaysia in order to steer social work and social work education in Malaysia in the right direction for the future. Both social work education and social work practise should embody a genuine and suitably tight-knit approach to the community that is suitable for Malaysian culture and its contemporary conditions.

Film Review : Treasures of aVisionary- Revelations of the Satirical Age

Having been produced more than a decade ago, SPILT GRAVY and the recent one 3 JANDA shares a common significance in almost every aspect. The review here overlooks mainly on the language, the exploration of Malaysian culture, using time as the climacteric element and the proficient use of magical realism to enhance the visual and narrative rhythm. Cumulating the rationale behind these findings is to understand the depths of creativity that the directors are willing to descend to until the story prevails as it should to the audience.

Museum as a Laboratory of Knowledge towards Local Culture Empowerment

This paper aims to investigate museums' roles that reflect the culture of Malaysia. It discusses Malaysian museums' challenges in meeting audience needs and enhancing the local culture. The four main topics covered are the museum as an informal learning institution, knowledge lab in a museum environment, the crucial role of museums in preserving and empowering culture, and museum impact on local communities. The main objective of this research is to identify how museums act as a knowledge lab within Malaysian culture. The findings of this study are based on observation and discussions with several local museum professionals. Keywords: museums; knowledge lab; culture; empowerment eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning &amp; Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7iSI7%20(Special%20Issue).3793