Malaysian Society Research Articles

Factors Influencing Practice of Cashless Purchase During COVID-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysian Society

The pandemic of COVID19 required Malaysian government to implement the Movement Restricted Order (MCO) to avoid mass gahthering and maintain the physical distancing. The purpose of this article was to analyse the factors of cashless purchase practice in public society during the period of MCO due to COVID-19 pandemic. In restraining COVID-19 from spreading, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended steps such as social distancing. This social distancing indirectly causes increased cashless purchase within the society in Malaysia during the period of MCO. A quantitative approach was used to obtain the data for this research. The questionnaire forms were distributed through google form platform and convenience sampling method was used to obtain the respondents. The research outcome found that there is an increase in cashless purchase practice in public society during MCO. The purchase through cashless practice does not only involve necessities such as food and clothings. Apart from that, the main factor why the society chooses cashless purchase is because it reduces the transmission of COVID-19, to comply with the MCO by the government and because cashless purchase has also become the culture in modern society nowadays. The implication of this cashless purchase is it enhances local economic development and makes room for more job opportunities as runner, deliveryman or personal shopper.

Cultural Diversity: Exploring Eco-Cultural Memories in Hilary Tham’s Tin Mines and Concubines

Motivated by the theme of cultural diversity in Hilary Tham’s Tin Mines and Concubines (2005), a Malaysian fiction that depicts various family stories of multiethnic Malaysians in the 1960s, this article examines the ways in which the author draws on her cultural memories of Malaysian society through the lens of ecocriticism. While cultural memories convey the memories embedded in physical monuments, eco-cultural memories signify memories implanted in ecological substances. Eco-cultural memories entwine both natural and cultural aspects and are essential to the subject of ecocriticism, which emphasises human-non-human links. The research sheds light on Malaysia’s varied cultures by examining cultural memories incorporating animal, plant and culinary aspects. Tham’s perceptions of cultural variety vary according to ethnic origins, cultural upbringing, belief systems, social classes, cultural practices and experiences. In general, examining Tham’s eco-cultural recollections about bodily functions, weddings, superstitions, cultural alienation and social class reveals how the organic relationship between the animal, food and plant components fosters intercultural consciousness and interracial mutual understanding and misunderstanding in Malaysian society.

Pancasila and Rukun Negara: A Relation of Identity, State, and Nationalism in Indonesia and Malaysia

This article will elaborate on Indonesia’s Pancasila and Malaysia’s Rukun Negara, the state base for both neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Concerning the relation between identity, State, and nationalism through a literature study approach, this article found that the socio-historical setting of the birth of Pancasila and Rukun Negara influences the process of identity formation and the spirit of nationalism in both countries. Besides, the success of the two ideologies of the State in shaping the identity and spirit of nationalism is supported by the representation of structural and cultural elites. Furthermore, the manifestation of Pancasila and Rukun Negara is done in various fields to become the way of life of Indonesian and Malaysian society, which finally become the amplifier of awareness in shaping nationalism identity and spirit of nationalism in both countries. Finally, taking into account a wide range of issues to be faced by both countries, this article suggests that Pancasila and Rukun Negara can eventually become a national identity and a spirit in shaping the nationalism of citizens in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Social Issues in Malaysia from the Islamic Perspective

This study discusses the social issues that occurred in Malaysia from the Islamic point of view. This study has taken the descriptive analytical approach by describing issues related to the Malaysian society in the references and sources available to the researchers, as well as analysing them from Western, Malaysian and Islamic attitudes. This study will address the following topics: cultural issues such as sexual orientation and gender identity; ethical issues such as freedom of expression, mixing of the sexes and intimacy among the unmarried; and family issues such as developing the roles of spouses and children’s education during the epidemic. This study also aimed to shed light on these selected issues from the Islamic perspective, as well as to give justified opinions of scholars and researchers in them. Thus, this study reached important results and the most significant of which is: revealing the opinions of scholars and experts and exploring their Islamic attitudes towards Malaysia's approach to dealing with these social issues.

Maternal Attachment and Cognitive Distortion of Muslim Adolescents in Juvenile Rehabilitation Residential Schools: Self-Regulation as Mediating Mechanism

The increase in disorderly behaviors at the adolescent stage is a major dilemma for Malaysian society as the number of criminal cases committed by Muslim adolescents is increasing from time to time. These unwanted behaviors may be triggered by the quality of attachment relationships and errors in terms of the adolescent’s cognitive interpretation. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to explore the relationship between maternal attachment (i.e., secure and insecure) and cognitive distortion of Muslim adolescents in Juvenile Rehabilitation Residential schools mediated by self-regulation. Data from 440 Muslim adolescents (aged between 14 and 18) from the Juvenile Rehabilitation Residential schools in Malaysia were examined using the structural equation model (AMOS). The finding indicated a significant positive relationship between secure maternal attachment and self-regulation as well as the relationship between insecure maternal attachment and cognitive distortion, while, a significant negative relationship was found between self-regulation and cognitive distortion. Moreover, the indirect effect indicated that only relationship between secure maternal attachment and cognitive distortion was completely mediated by self-regulation. This study suggests that secure maternal attachment was associated with higher self-regulation, which, in turn, lowers cognitive distortion among Muslim adolescents. The results may facilitate improvements of mother-adolescent relationship and reduction of cognitive distortion among Muslim adolescents with the guidance of their self-regulation.

Annual Scientific Congress for the Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists & College of Anaesthesiologists

Annual Scientific Congress for the Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists & College of Anaesthesiologists

A Comparative Study of Islam and Buddhism: A Multicultural Society Perspective

In this article, two great world religions, Islam and Buddhism, are compared. The purpose is to highlight similarities and differences between the two religions. Additionally, this article aims to project elements and teachings that are deemed important by their followers. A neutral stance on their beliefs is especially important in a multicultural society. The study was conducted to promote the harmony and betterment of Malaysian society, and the nation at large; a value process of understanding of each religion is recommended, which can then lead to acceptance, respect and tolerance among the population, and form the basis for developing a paradigmatic Malaysian society that has unity in diversity. This study adopted document analysis as the research method for data collection and data analysis. The conclusions drawn are that, although the two religions appear rather different in terms of principles and practices, the core values of avoiding evil and doing good are similar. In addition, the study proposes that without prejudice and pride, the basics of all commonly practiced religions in Malaysia should be introduced to all Malaysians, with the objective of all understanding, but not necessarily embracing, each other’s religion.

The extent of ‘Urf's authority in establishing the legality of matrimonial property

This research discusses the proofs cited by proponents of the legality of matrimonial property –during marriage or when marriage is ended by divorce or death- based on the prevailing custom in the Malaysian society. The paper reaches a number of findings, the most important of which is that the Malay custom in question is not in harmony with the requirements of the u?ul? ‘urf; therefore it is considered invalid ‘urf and it cannot be used to establish the legality of matrimonial property from the Shari‘ah perspective. The researcher recommends that for the matrimonial property to be legal, it should take the form of gift, partnership or loan and the specific rulings of these transactions are to be applied.

MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC SITUATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC PERIOD

This study was conducted to examine the extent to which the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the world has changed the economic position and government of Malaysian action in general and itself in particular. It not only looks at the economic context of the country but also looks at how the economy of the community itself was during this epidemic. It is done based on the situation that struck and the environmental conditions that can be seen in general. It will also look at how the economic position of individuals who have to change jobs to ensure family survival changes during this pandemic season. In other words, this is not just about national problems but more specifically about the economic position of Malaysian society itself in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic.
 There are individuals who are still able to survive with this current situation and not least also with individuals who are not able to survive with the pandemic that is plaguing this world. It does not matter whether a person is of high or low status. This study was conducted randomly on the Malaysian community by taking into account the various backgrounds of the community and the economic situation of Malaysia itself. This study also will look at the state of the Malaysian economy during the Covid-19 pandemic in two periods of rule. This can be seen due to the several changes of government leadership for some political reasons. However, all eras of government are active in fighting this pandemic despite the turbulent political issues.

Serious Game Conceptual Model of Brain-Based Learning for Halus Student

Malaysian society, including students who use technology in their daily lives, have made technology a necessity. Among the media technologies that have a place in students’ hearts are serious games, convey information, emphasizing learning and not entertainment. A serious game is capable of creating self-directed active learning. In this study, the authors analyzed the key features of serious games that encourage learning in an academic environment. However, not many software specializes in problems for slow-reading students. This study aims to establish the elements used in in-game application software and the approaches and strategies used to develop a serious game design conceptual model for such students based on the acquired elements. The elements were obtained through two methods, i.e., systematic literature review and preliminary studies. This work identifies 48 potential studies in 2009-2020, using various well-known digital libraries. The analysis of the selected documents applying the inclusion criteria resulted in 12 articles used to design serious games. This study integrates brain-based learning strategies into game and learning components. This serious game conceptual model expects to provide a meaningful learning experience for those children who are left behind to achieve their learning goals and increase their motivation to stay excited in learning.

Perbandingan Penerbitan dan Harga Buku Mengikut Genre di Malaysia dan Jepun Menggunakan Data Akses Terbuka dan Simulasi Monte Carlo

Reading habits are often associated with an increased cognitive level. However, book genre can also affect the cognitive level. This is because different book genres can be attributed to different types of knowledge and tendency towards a specific book genre can be viewed as a preference towards a specific type of knowledge. Research on Malaysians’ interest and the tendency towards book genre and type of knowledge can be investigated using the publication data of each book genre and its prices. The objective of this research is to analyse and compare the book publications and the average price of each book’s genre in Malaysia with those of Japan. Comparison was done based on book categorisation genre strategy to 12 book genres. Based on Monte Carlo simulation method data, Malaysians are attracted to book genres on language, literature and science. While the Japanese are more interested in the book genres of social sciences and hobbies/art. The similarity between Malaysian and Japanese societies are that both societies also favour book genre of literature. However, it is possible that the themes of literary genre in Japan and Malaysia are very different. The result of this study can be used to identify the differences between Malaysian and Japanese reading habits as well as for formulating strategies to change Malaysian reading habits towards the style of Japanese reading habits.

The influence of ethnicity and other socio-demographic characteristics on pro-environmental attitudes: a Malaysian perspective

ABSTRACT Alarming global environmental problems have created urgency for educating the general public on pro-environmental attitudes. Previous studies indicated that the formation of pro-environmental attitudes significantly depended on society's cultural background and socio-demographic characteristics. Malaysia is a multicultural country with multi-ethnic groups residing in the country. Malaysian multicultural society is typified by three major ethnic groups, namely Malays, Chinese, and Indians. The study investigated how pro-environmental attitudes, using the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale, change with cultural background and socio-demographic characteristics. The NEP scale provided one reliable dimension (Cronbach’s α = 0.73). The Malay, in general, appeared to exhibit more favourable pro-environmental attitudes as measured by the NEP than what has been reported. Malays with post-secondary education exhibited lower pro-environmental attitudes than most other ethnicities, ages, and levels of education subgroups. Females and males did not significantly differ in their pro-environmental attitudes. Findings from this study would be useful for designing environmental education programmes.

THE ATTITUDE OF MOTHERS IN REVITALIZING PUNJABI LANGUAGE: A CASE STUDY OF THE PUNJABI COMMUNITY IN MANJUNG DISTRICT, PERAK

Punjabi is a small minority community in Malaysia among the approximately two million Indians in Malaysia. Punjabi people remain distinct from other people of Indian origins because of their religious beliefs and a strong sense of community. In the context of Malaysia, studies about the Punjabi community have not been encouraging and very minimal. As the Punjabi in Malaysia becomes more educated, the Punjabi community, which has long been undergoing a gradual shift into modern Malaysian society, and less emphasis is being placed on the ability to read and write Punjabi. The aim of this study is to obtain an overview of the language use patterns and language attitudes of Malaysian Punjabi mothers with the presence of their children. Specifically, the objective is to shed light on the importance of promoting Punjabi in the home domain by investigating whether the education and attitude of the mothers bring on the value of speaking the Punjabi language to their children in the home domain. A total of 11 respondents aged between 25 and 44 with children at or within the age of 6 were interviewed. One of the most significant findings of this study is the mismatch between language attitudes and actual language use by mothers with their children. The awareness exists in the mothers that Punjabi is important to their children to communicate with old age people and the Punjabi language is being used to do their prayers and to read their holy book. However, this positive attitude towards the language is not reflected in their language use and choice regardless of their education level. English dominated in most instances and most of the mothers claimed to be more comfortable speaking to their children in English.

ACCEPTING OTHER RELIGION AND LIVE HARMONIOUSLY: A STUDY ON MALAYSIAN YOUTH

In a multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation like Malaysia, inter-ethnic harmony is seen as both an enriching society and a government obstacle. A diverse community with disparities in culture, language and religion is often viewed as difficult to control because of the many different needs, beliefs and aspirations of different communities within a multicultural society. The inter-ethnic peace and stability of Malaysia's society helping the country to prosper economically is often praised. While there is no violent confrontation between ethnic groups, as ethnic differences exist along political, socio-economic and geographical lines, a sense of national unity proves difficult to achieve. This study was conducted to analyse the involvement of Malaysian youth in the inter-ethnic unity conversation. A survey was distributed among 735 youth in Northern peninsular region of Malaysia, using indicators of social harmony index. In order to assess whether there were any variations between the three major ethnic groups on the religion acceptance. The findings showed that there were some gaps in the hunt for accepting each other believe. The discrepancies between the Malays and the Chinese were most pronounced among these activities, with the Chinese showing comparatively lower levels of acceptance compared to the Malays, and lower levels of nation unity compared to both the Malays and the Indians.

Universalism and the Malaysian anglophone novel: Exploring inequality, migrancy, and class in Tash Aw’s We, the Survivors

ABSTRACT Tash Aw’s 2019 novel We, the Survivors narrates the story of a convicted killer, Ah Hock, whose life serves as a lens to refract contemporary Malaysia’s postcolonial history and its ethnic and class politics, as well as its location within the circuitry of global capitalism. This article examines Aw’s representation of migrancy, class, and inequality in contemporary Malaysian society, reading the text as a critique of global capitalism through its tactical employment of a universalist idiom that appropriates Darwinian ideas about survival, evolution, chance, environment, and competition. The text also reflects on the ethics of novel-writing since Ah Hock’s oral testimony is ostensibly mediated by a more privileged character. Aw locates his novel in the pivotal space between national specificity and general universalism while asking critical questions of his own position within the transnational literary marketplace, thereby underscoring the urgent need to re-world the world created by global capitalism.

Current Research Involving LGBTQ People in Malaysia: A Scoping Review Informed by a Health Equity Lens

In Malaysia, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people (collectively known as LGBTQ) are subjected to cisheterosexism that criminalizes, pathologizes, and marginalizes their identities. Given the relative cisheterosexist nature of Malaysian society, it is important to scrutinize the current trend of research studies that have recruited LGBTQ people as subjects. The present study comprises a scoping review of existing Malaysian studies involving LGBTQ people, as we set out to provide an overview of study characteristics, research methods, and literature gaps. Through systematic searches in the Malaysian Citation Index, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases, as well as additional hand searches, we included forty-four studies in this review. Our review noted many Malaysian LGBTQ studies explicitly focused on related topics of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (41%), men who have sex with men (39%), trans women (30%), and people from Kuala Lumpur (25%). Our review also uncovered STI risks, living experiences in relation to cisheterosexism, and barriers to access safe-sex measures, healthcare, and social support among Malaysian LGBTQ people. Drawing from the health equity framework, we provided recommendations for future LGBTQ research in Malaysia to avoid utilizing a pathological lens that stands in contrast with LGBTQ-affirming approaches, as well as to engage LGBTQ members throughout all research phases.

The ulama, the state, and politics in Malaysia

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the relationship between the state and Islam in Malaysia under the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) regime, focusing on the role of the ulama (Islamic religious scholars). Interactions between the ulama and the state redefine, or have the potential to do so, the contours of both the state and Islam. Drawing upon the concept of political opportunities, the paper argues that the more liberating the political opportunities are for the ulama, the more the state has to acquiesce to their demands, and thus, the ulama’s understandings of Islam. In Malaysia, wide political opportunity structures enable the ulama to drive rising conservatism, both with regard to the state and Malaysian society. The process of defining Islam is not static, as the case of Malaysia demonstrates, since the ulama adjust the definitions of Islamic concepts based on socio-political conditions. This study is situated within the literature on state-society relations, and Islam in politics.

Postoperative management of zones V-VI extensor tendon repairs: A survey of practice in Malaysia and comparison to IFSHT member countries.

A survey of International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy (IFSHT) member countries identified relative motion extension as the preferred approach to management of zones V-VI extensor tendon repairs. The aims of this survey were to identify and compare hand therapy practice patterns in Malaysia (a non-IFSHT member country) with findings of the IFSHT survey including an IFSHT subset of Asia-Pacific therapists and to investigate if membership status of the Malaysian Society for Hand Therapists (MSHT) influenced therapy practice patterns. An online English-language survey was distributed to 90 occupational therapists and physiotherapists including MSHT members and non-members. Participation required management of at least one extensor tendon repair in the preceding year. Five approaches were surveyed: immobilisation, early passive motion (EPM) with dynamic splinting, and early active motion (EAM) delivered by resting hand (RH), palmar resting interphalangeal joints free (PR), and relative motion extension (RME) splints. Thirty-seven of the 53 therapists (68%) who commenced the survey completed it. The most used approach was dynamic/EPM (28%), followed by RH/immobilisation (22%) and RH/EAM (22%). A preference for RME/EAM was identified with implementation barriers being surgeon preference and hand therapist confidence. Approach selection for Malaysian therapists differed from the combined IFSHT and Asia-Pacific respondents, with the former using dynamic/EPM and RH/immobilisation compared to IFSHT respondents who predominately used RME/EAM and PR/EAM. This survey provides valuable insights into Malaysian hand therapists' practices. If implementation barriers and therapist confidence are addressed, Malaysian practice patterns may change to better align with current evidence.

The Influence of National Cultural Attributes on Locally Produced Designs: Case Study of Malaysian Design

This paper examines the influence of national cultural attributes on locally produced designs (i.e. comics, animation, commercial advertisements, printed materials and graphics). Drawing from the inconsistent results of past literature on influences of national cultural attributes on design; it is considered an under-researched area of the important role of cultural values on designs, specifically in the Malaysia context, in which cultural differences among different ethnic groups exist. Because of the paucity of research in this area, this study adopted a quantitative research approach with results derived from the content-analysis of 18 Malaysian designs using a visual preference survey by six experts from the design industry in Malaysia. This study incorporates two stages of sample screenings of a visual preference survey with brief interviews; results show that Malaysian designs need to adhere strictly to requirements and specifications set by the Malaysian authorities; incorporation of Islamic values and code of conduct to reflect the racial harmony and national ideology; and some unique characteristics of the respective ethnic groups in Malaysia were not upheld, thus, they gradually disappeared and/or were blended in the designs. The results and discussion from this study extend the literature on Malaysian design and provide practical implications on how local design industries could produce designs which abide by the boundaries of a Malaysian pluralistic society.

HUBUNGAN KONTEMPORER MALAYSIA–INDONESIA: TAHAP PENGETAHUAN DAN PEMAHAMAN GEN X DAN Y MALAYSIA

Looking at the relations between Malaysia-Indonesia, it could be seen that society has the power to direct the bilateral relations between two countries. In comparison, Indonesian society is more responsive than Malaysian society in responding to particular issues related to both countries. The most active group is generally from the younger generation known as Generation Y (Gen Y) where their reactions tend to be provocative. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the knowledge and perceptions of Gen Y and Gen X at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) on the Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral relationship and the factors that influence their knowledge and perception. This paper uses quantitative and qualitative methods. The results of the study showed that respondents accepted Indonesia as an important neighbor because of the current state's interests. The cultural and social aspects, particularly audio-visual products such as Indonesian soap operas and Indonesian pop songs have the most significant influence in influencing the respondents' level of knowledge about Indonesia. In addition, they also get a lot of information about Indonesia through electronic media. An important finding from this study is that all respondents acknowledge that Indonesia is still relevant as Malaysia's closest neighbor based on the similarity factor and those good relations between the two countries need to be maintained.