Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (QJSSH) is an open-access, online electronic publication, and peer-reviewed journal. QJSSH journal addressing the current issues in the study area of social sciences and humanities. The journal publishes research articles, review articles, short communications, case studies and reports in anthropology and sociology, archeology, area studies, business and administration, cultural and ethnic studies, economic and finance, education and educational research, gender studies, geography, law, library and information science, media and communication, political science and governance, psychology and human development, rural and urban development, social and community work, social and economiv development, social enterpreneurship, sociolinguistics, volunteerism, youth development, and multidisciplinary research of international interest. QJSSH journal provide immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. Abstract and Indexing Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (QJSSH) are abstracted and indexing in Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE); COnnecting REpositories (CORE); Dimensions; Directory of Research Journal Indexing (DRJI); EuroPub; Google Scholar; Malaysian Journal (MyJurnal); Malaysian Citation Index (MyCite); Neliti; Open Ukrainian Citation Index (OUCI); Scilit; Semantic Scholar; UDLedge; and many more.
SEJARAH LISAN DALAM MEREKONSTRUKSI PENSEJARAHAN MALAYSIA DI LAUT CHINA SELATAN: ANTARA RUANG DAN POTENSI
Perkembangan disiplin ilmu sejarah buat sekian lama memusatkan perbahasannya kepada falsafah “no document, no history” sebagai wadah merealisasikan penulisan sejarah “seperti sebenarnya berlaku”. Walhal, usaha mendekati realiti ini tidak ditentukan oleh “bentuk sumber”, tetapi “sifat sumber” serta kebijaksanaan sejarawan dalam memaknakan sesuatu peristiwa sejarah. Dalam makna lain, sejarah lisan juga mampu menghadirkan sumber sejarah yang berwibawa dan mempunyai kesahihan tinggi setaraf dengan sumber dokumen. Malahan, sejarah lisan memungkinkan pendokumentasian fakta baharu serta pelurusan dan pengesahan fakta sedia ada dapat dilakukan oleh sejarawan semasa merekonstruksi sesuatu peristiwa sejarah. Atas kekuatan tersebut, artikel ini bermatlamat (i)mendudukan metod sejarah lisan dalam pengkajian isu tuntutan Laut China Selatan, (ii)mendokumentasikan memori kolektif nelayan tradisi masyarakat Bajau di Laut China Selatan serta (iii)mengemukakan fakta baharu mengenai hubungan interaksi antara masyarakat Malaysia (Sabah) dengan kawasan Laut China Selatan vuat sekian lamanya. Dalam usaha merealisasikan matlamat di atas, kajian ini menggunakan kaedah analisis teks terhadap dokumen kolonial yang tersimpan di Arkib Negara dan Public Record Office serta memori sejarah nelayan tradisi masyarakat Bajau sebagai pelaku sejarah yang bersifat saksi proto. Hasilnya didapati bahawa metod sejarah lisan mendesak untuk diaplikasikan dalam pengkajian isu tuntutan Malaysia di Laut China Selatan kerana memori sejarah nelayan tradisi masyarakat Bajau membuktikan wujudnya interaksi antara masyarakat pesisir Sabah dengan kawasan tersebut, sekali gus menguatkan asas tuntutan Malaysia ke atasnya. The development of the discipline of history has long centred its debate on the philosophy of “no document, no history” as a means of realising historical writing “as it actually happened.” However, the effort to approach this reality is not determined by the “form of the source,” but by the “nature of the source” and the historian’s wisdom in interpreting a historical event. In other words, oral history is also capable of providing authoritative historical sources with a high degree of validity, comparable to documentary sources. Moreover, oral history enables historians to document new facts, as well as to correct and verify existing facts, in the process of reconstructing a historical event. Based on these strengths, this article aims to: (i) position the oral history method within the study of the South China Sea claims issue; (ii) document the collective memory of traditional Bajau fishermen in the South China Sea; and (iii) present new facts regarding the long-standing interactive relationship between Malaysian society in Sabah and the South China Sea area. To achieve these objectives, this study employs textual analysis of colonial documents preserved at the National Archives and the Public Record Office, together with the historical memories of traditional Bajau fishermen as historical actors who function as proto-witnesses. The findings show that the oral history method urgently needs to be applied in the study of Malaysia’s claims in the South China Sea, as the historical memory of traditional Bajau fishermen demonstrates the existence of interaction between the coastal communities of Sabah and the area. This, in turn, strengthens the basis of Malaysia’s claim over it.
Copyright (c) 2026 EKO PRAYITNO JOKO, RAMLI DOLLAH, NORDIN SAKKE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MENELUSURI SEJARAH HAJI ERA KAPAL LAUT MELALUI PENDEKATAN SEJARAH LISAN
Sejarah dan warisan haji era kapal laut merupakan khazanah bangsa dan negara yang cukup lama dan amat bernilai kepada masyarakat. Malang sekali, sejarah dan warisan ini kian hilang seiring dengan hilangnya pelaku sejarah yang merupakan saksi mata tentang peristiwa yang berlaku. Kajian ini bertujuan menyoroti pengkisahan serta memori mereka yang terlibat secara langsung dan tidak langsung dengan hal ehwal haji yang tidak terdapat dalam dokumen-dokumen rasmi. Kajian ini juga akan mengetengahkan peluang serta cabaran yang dihadapi dalam usaha menelusuri sejarah dan warisan haji era kapal laut. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan sejarah lisan, iaitu kaedah temubual separa berstruktur. Responden yang terpilih merupakan mereka yang pernah terlibat secara langsung dan tidak langsung dengan pelaksanaan haji era kapal laut. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa kesaksian yang dibuat secara lisan oleh mereka yang terlibat secara langsung dan tidak langsung dengan peristiwa pelaksanaan ibadah haji era pelayaran kapal laut merupakan sumber penting pengetahuan tentang masa lalu yang tidak tercatat dalam dokumen-dokumen rasmi. Ianya juga bertindak sebagai sarana penting bagi memahami nilai, budaya dan pemikiran masyarakat pada zaman yang berbeza. The history and heritage of the Hajj during the sea voyage era constitute a long-standing national treasure that is highly valuable to society. Unfortunately, this history and heritage are gradually disappearing with the passing of historical actors who served as eyewitnesses to the events that took place. This study aims to highlight the narratives and memories of those who were directly and indirectly involved in Hajj affairs, which are not found in official documents. This study also examines the opportunities and challenges encountered in tracing the history and heritage of the Hajj during the sea voyage era. This study employs an oral history approach through semi-structured interviews. The selected respondents consist of individuals who were directly and indirectly involved in the implementation of the Hajj during the sea voyage era. The findings indicate that oral testimonies provided by those directly and indirectly involved in the performance of the Hajj during the sea voyage era constitute an important source of knowledge about the past that is not recorded in official documents. They also serve as an important means of understanding the values, culture, and thinking of society in a different historical period.
Copyright (c) 2026 AIZA MASLAN @ BAHARUDIN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
HISTORIOGRAFI LISAN MOHD ASRAF HJ ABDUL WAHAB
Penyelidikan melalui sejarah lisan merupakan salah satu medium yang digunakan dalam pengumpulan rekod-rekod sejarah selain daripada sumber primer, sekunder dan tertier. Penulisan ini mengisahkan biografi Tokoh Pejuang Bahasa Sepanjang Hayat yang juga mesra disapa dengan nama Pak Asraf (1927-1999) atau nama penanya iaitu Sasterawijaya dari sudut penulisan sejarah. Anak kelahiran Kampung Assam Jawa, Kuala Selangor ini merupakan seorang pejuang bahasa dalam memperkasa, membina dan mengembangkan kegemilangan karier bahasa Melayu khususnya dari aspek tatabahasa sejak tahun 1950-an hingga tahun 1970-an. Wacana ini dikaji menggunakan metod persejarahan yang berpandukan kepada sumber primer, sekunder, tertier dan lisan. Limitasi penulisan sejarah berkaitan dengan tokoh ini menyebabkan penulis berinisiatif untuk melakukan kajian penyelidikan secara terperinci melibatkan latar belakang hidup, pergerakan-pergerakan dalam pertubuhan perjuangan bahasa dan sumbangan beliau terutama dalam bidang penulisan buku. Selain itu, makalah ini juga dilihat sebagai sinergi kesedaran lokal untuk mengangkat figura ini sebagai salah seorang individu berpengaruh bagi daerah Kuala Selangor. Research through oral history is one of the mediums used in the collection of historical records, in addition to primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. This writing presents the biography of a lifelong language activist, affectionately known as Pak Asraf (1927–1999), or by his pen name, Sasterawijaya, from the perspective of historical writing. Born in Kampung Assam Jawa, Kuala Selangor, he was a language advocate who played an important role in strengthening, developing, and advancing the prestige of the Malay language, particularly in the field of grammar, from the 1950s to the 1970s. This discourse is examined using a historical method based on primary, secondary, tertiary, and oral sources. The limitations in historical writings related to this figure have prompted the author to undertake a detailed research study involving his life background, involvement in language advocacy organisations, and contributions, especially in the field of book writing. In addition, this article is also seen as a form of local awareness synergy aimed at recognising this figure as one of the influential individuals from the district of Kuala Selangor.
Copyright (c) 2026 MOHD HAIDI MOHD KASRAN, ROZEHA HARUN, MOHD HAIRUL IZWAN MOHD KASRAN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PENGLIBATAN PEKERJA DALAM KESATUAN SEKERJA: SATU ANALISIS AWAL
Kemasukan buruh asing telah bermula sekitar tahun 1786 dan 1824 dibawah pemerintahan British yang memerlukan tenaga kerja bagi mengusahakan ekonomi di Tanah Melayu pada masa itu. Seterusnya pada tahun 1920-an pergerakan buruh semakin berkembang dengan pembentukan kesatuan sekerja yang membantu ahli mereka daripada ditindas oleh golongan pemodal. Pada masa itu, aktiviti ekonomi perladangan dan perlombongan berkembang pesat sehingga pihak pemodal perlu mengawal lebihan buruh kerana telah mula muncul konflik antara pemodal dan juga tenaga buruh. Sehingga pada awal 1930-an dan perang dunia kedua tercetus, bermula kebangkitan dan kegelisahan buruh di Tanah Melayu. Tambahan lagi, penentangan secara formal berlaku di Malaysia pada tahun 1894 melalui kesatuan sekerja dalam kalangan pekerja kapal Melayu di Semenanjung Malaysia. Oleh itu, artikel ini akan mengupas lebih lanjut mengenai penglibatan pekerja di dalam kesatuan sekerja dengan menggunakan kaedah analisis kandungan. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa, perkembangan penubuhan kesatuan sekerja yang paling aktif dicatatkan berlaku pada tahun 1940-an apabila hampir 50 peratus tenaga buruh menjadi ahli kesatuan sekerja. Pada tahun 1946 juga berlaku mogok yang melibatkan hampir 200, 000 pekerja dan menyebabkan aktiviti ekonomi lumpuh. Rentetan daripada kejadian ini, dapat dilihat pada masa kini pemerintah mengawal aktiviti-aktiviti kesatuan sekerja menerusi penguatkuasaan undang-undang pekerjaan termasuk dengan pengenalan dasar perburuhan. The entry of foreign labour began around 1786 and 1824 under British rule, when labour was needed to develop the economy of Malaya at that time. Subsequently, in the 1920s, the labour movement continued to grow with the formation of trade unions, which helped protect their members from oppression by capital owners. During that period, plantation and mining economic activities expanded rapidly, prompting capital owners to control the surplus labour force as conflicts began to emerge between capital owners and workers. By the early 1930s, and with the outbreak of the Second World War, labour unrest and mobilisation began to rise in Malaya. In addition, formal resistance in Malaysia began in 1894 through a trade union among Malay ship workers in Peninsular Malaysia. Therefore, this article further examines workers’ involvement in trade unions using the content analysis method. The findings show that the most active development in the establishment of trade unions was recorded in the 1940s, when nearly 50 per cent of the labour force became members of trade unions. In 1946, a strike involving nearly 200,000 workers also took place, causing economic activities to come to a standstill. As a result of these events, it can be seen that, at present, the government controls trade union activities through the enforcement of employment laws, including the introduction of labour policies.
Copyright (c) 2026 NURUL FADILAH AHMAD, KEE Y SABARIAH KEE MOHD YUSSOF https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE WAR GOES ON: PENELITIAN TERHADAP TRANSKRIP RUNDINGAN BALING, 28 DAN 29 DISEMBER 1955
Artikel ini meneliti transkrip Rundingan Baling pada 28 hingga 29 Disember 1955 berikutan usaha kerajaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu dalam menamatkan darurat. Pengampunan kepada pengganas komunis diumumkan pada 8 September 1955 sejurus kemenangan Parti Perikatan dalam Pilihan raya Umum 1955. Usaha yang dilakukan oleh pihak kerajaan telah membawa kepada pertemuan wakil komunis iaitu Chin Peng, Chen Tien dan Rashid Maidin bersama Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tan Cheng Lock serta David Marshall. Baling English School, menjadi tempat pertemuan antara wakil kerajaan dan Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM). Perbincangan artikel ini menggunakan pendekatan sejarah yang merujuk kepada wawancara bersama informan terpilih, Rekod Arkib Negara Malaysia, akhbar dan dokumen sekunder yang lain. Hasil penelitian penulis, mendapati terdapat sebanyak 308 soal jawab yang melibatkan komunikasi di antara wakil kerajaan dan PKM sepanjang tempoh rundingan selama dua hari. Walaupun, Rundingan Baling tidak berjaya membawa kepada pembubaran PKM seperti mana yang dihasratkan oleh Tunku Abdul Rahman namun menjadi detik penting dan bermakna dalam sejarah negara. Kredibiliti dan ketegasan Tunku Abdul Rahman yang tidak berkompromi dengan wakil PKM menunjukkan sifat terpuji negarawan tersohor. This article examines the transcript of the Baling Talks held from 28 to 29 December 1955, following the efforts of the Government of the Federation of Malaya to end the Emergency. An amnesty for communist terrorists was announced on 8 September 1955, shortly after the victory of the Alliance Party in the 1955 General Election. The government’s initiative led to a meeting between communist representatives, namely Chin Peng, Chen Tien and Rashid Maidin, and Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tan Cheng Lock and David Marshall. Baling English School became the venue for the meeting between representatives of the government and the Malayan Communist Party (MCP). This article adopts a historical approach, drawing on interviews with selected informants, records from the National Archives of Malaysia, newspapers and other secondary documents. The author’s analysis found that there were 308 question-and-answer exchanges involving communication between representatives of the government and the MCP throughout the two-day negotiation period. Although the Baling Talks did not succeed in bringing about the dissolution of the MCP, as intended by Tunku Abdul Rahman, they remain an important and meaningful moment in the nation’s history. The credibility and firmness of Tunku Abdul Rahman, who refused to compromise with the MCP representatives, demonstrated the admirable qualities of a distinguished statesman.
Copyright (c) 2026 MOHAMED ALI HANIFFA, MOHD KASRI SAIDON, ZOLKEFLI BAHADOR, SHARIFAH ISMAIL https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASAL USUL NAMA TEMPAT DI DAERAH SIK, KEDAH
Sejarah tempatan merujuk kepada kajian sejarah sesebuah daerah, mukim atau kampung di Malaysia. Walaupun terdapat beberapa penulisan tentang kawasan tertentu seperti Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Tanjung Malim, Kampung Baru, Sabak Bernam, Muar dan Batu Pahat, jumlah kajian sejarah tempatan masih kecil berbanding bilangan keseluruhan daerah, bandar, mukim dan kampung di negara ini. Oleh itu, masih banyak kawasan tempatan yang perlu dikaji dan didokumentasikan. Kajian ini menumpukan kepada daerah Sik, Kedah, iaitu daerah terbesar di negeri Kedah dengan keluasan 1,635 kilometer persegi atau 17.35 peratus daripada keluasan negeri tersebut. Kajian ini merupakan kajian awal tentang asal-usul nama daerah Sik dan beberapa kampung terpilih berdasarkan cerita lisan penduduk setempat. Sejarah lisan digunakan sebagai kaedah utama kerana ia berperanan penting dalam merakam pengalaman, peristiwa dan maklumat masa lalu yang masih tersimpan dalam ingatan individu. Kaedah pengumpulan data melibatkan temu bual dengan 10 orang responden serta penelitian terhadap sumber bertulis berkaitan sejarah kampung-kampung terpilih di Sik. Proses penyelidikan meliputi tiga tahap utama, iaitu pengumpulan data, pengklasifikasian maklumat mengikut kampung, dan penganalisisan data. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa nama-nama tempat yang dikaji masih digunakan hingga kini dan mempunyai kaitan rapat dengan latar geografi Sik yang kaya dengan hutan, aktiviti masyarakat setempat, serta corak kehidupan kampung. Kajian ini juga mendapati bahawa asal-usul nama tempat mencerminkan hubungan antara manusia, alam sekitar dan sejarah sosial masyarakat setempat. Kajian ini wajar diperluaskan ke seluruh daerah Sik kerana masih banyak tempat yang belum dikaji asal-usul namanya. Usaha mendokumentasikan sumber lisan amat penting kerana dokumen sejarah boleh kekal, tetapi individu yang menyimpan memori sejarah tidak akan kekal selama-lamanya. Local history refers to the history of a particular district, sub-district, or village in a country. Although several studies have been written on places such as Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Tanjung Malim, Kampung Baru, Sabak Bernam, Muar, and Batu Pahat, the number of local history studies remains relatively small compared with the total number of districts, towns, sub-districts, and villages in Malaysia. Therefore, many areas of local history still need to be studied and documented. This study focuses on Sik District in Kedah, the largest district in the state, covering 1,635 square kilometres, or 17.35 per cent of Kedah’s total area. It is a preliminary study of the origins of the name Sik and selected village names in the district, based mainly on oral accounts from local residents. Oral history is used as an important method because it helps record past experiences, events, and information that remain preserved in individual memory. Data were collected through interviews with 10 respondents and through a review of written sources related to the history of selected villages in Sik. The research process involved three main stages: data collection, classification of information according to the selected villages, and data analysis. The findings show that the selected place names studied are still used today and are closely related to Sik’s geographical background, which is marked by extensive forested areas, the activities of the local community, and the pattern of village life. The origins of these place names reflect the relationship between people, the natural environment, and the social history of the local community. This study should be expanded to cover more places throughout Sik District, as many place names in the area have yet to be examined. Documenting oral sources is important because historical documents may remain permanently, but the individuals who experienced and remember historical events will not remain forever.
Copyright (c) 2026 NOR AZLAH SHAM RAMBELY, ZEETY KARTINI ABDUL HAMID https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CERMINAN KONSEP NILAI KEJUJURAN DARIPADA PERSPEKTIF HUKUM ISLAM DALAM CERITA PAK KADOK
Makalah ini menelusuri cerminan konsep nilai kejujuran daripada perspektif hukum Islam dalam cerita Pak Kadok. Konsep kejujuran merupakan perilaku terpuji dan menjadi tunjang dari sebuah kebahagiaan dalam segala aktiviti sehari-harian. Oleh itu, sikap kejujuran merupakan salah satu sifat utama Nabi Muhammad SAW dan seseorang yang mengamalkan sikap mulia ini akan mendapat kepercayaan dan kemuliaan di sisi Allah SWT serta masyarakat. Di samping itu, cerita lisan merupakan wahana hiburan yang dapat dijadikan sebagai aktiviti pada waktu lapang dalam kalangan masyarakat dan salah satunya ialah cerita Pak Kadok yang sememangnya popular di Malaysia. Walaupun cerita Pak Kadok memperlihatkan tentang sikap kebodohan, namun disebalik sikap itu masih memiliki kejujuran melalui perbuatan dan percakapan dalam kehidupannya sehari-harian. Oleh hal yang demikian, sikap kejujuran yang dimiliki oleh watak Pak Kadok sewajarnya diangkat ke dalam bentuk penyampaian cerita lisan kepada golongan kanak-kanak, remaja dan dewasa pada hari ini kerana mereka lebih terikut dengan budaya luar. Lantaran itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti dan menganalisis konsep nilai kejujuran daripada perspektif hukum Islam dalam cerita Pak Kadok serta dianalisis dengan pendekatan kemasyarakatan. Selanjutnya, reka bentuk kajian ini ialah bersifat kualitatif yang bertunjangkan kaedah kepustakaan dan teks serta pendekatan kemasyarakatan dijadikan sebagai deduktif kajian secara khusus. Justeru, penyelidikan ini telah membuktikan bahawa penyampaian cerita Pak Kadok sewajarnya dijadikan medium pendidikan kepada golongan kanak-kanak, remaja dan dewasa pada hari ini kerana kaya dengan cerminan sikap kejujuran serta sebagai medium untuk membentuk moral positif dalam kalangan masyarakat. This paper explores the reflection of the concept of the value of honesty from the perspective of Islamic law in Pak Kadok story. The concept of honesty is a commendable behavior and becomes the backbone of happiness in all day-to-day activities. Therefore, the attitude of honesty is one of the main characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad SAW and a person who practices this noble attitude will gain trust and glory in the eyes of Allah SWT and society. In addition, oral stories are a means of entertainment that can be used as leisure activities among the community and one of them is Pak Kadok story which is very popular in Malaysia. Although Pak Kadok story shows an attitude of stupidity, behind that attitude he still has honesty through his actions and conversations in his daily life. Therefore, the honesty possessed by Pak Kadok character should be taken into the form of delivering oral stories to children, teenagers and adults today because they are more influenced by outside culture. Therefore, this study aims to identify and analyze the concept of the value of honesty from the perspective of Islamic law in Pak Kadok story and analyzed with a societal approach. Furthermore, the design of this study is qualitative based on library and text methods as well as the community approach used as a deductive study specifically. Thus, this research has proven that the presentation of Pak Kadok story should be used as a medium of education for children, teenagers and adults today because it is rich in the reflection of honesty and as a medium to form positive morals in the community.
Copyright (c) 2026 TUAN SITI NURUL SUHADAH TUAN ADNAN, MOHD FIRDAUS CHE YAACOB https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PENGARUH PENDIDIKAN TERHADAP PENINGKATAN KESEDARAN BERKAITAN KESETARAAN GENDER DALAM KALANGAN WANITA DI MALAYSIA (1963-2023)
Pendidikan untuk wanita pada satu ketika dahulu bukanlah menjadi satu keutamaan untuk dipenuhi dan situasi ini adalah disebabkan oleh stigma yang meletakkan kaum wanita sentiasa berada di belakang kaum lelaki. Hal ini tidak menghairankan kerana sistem patriarki yang menebal dalam masyarakat pada waktu itu meletakkan kepentingan untuk menyediakan pendidikan dengan tumpuan hanya kepada kanak-kanak lelaki. Pada era imperialisme British di Tanah Melayu misalannya, pendidikan untuk wanita berkembang dalam kadar yang sangat perlahan, biarpun terdapat usaha untuk meningkatkan kesedaran tentang pentingnya pendidikan untuk kanak-kanak perempuan namun kalangan ibu bapa tidak begitu menyokong konsep ini. Ketidakadilan gender adalah satu bentuk diskriminasi yang telah berlaku sejak sekian lama dan mendatangkan dampak terutamanya melibatkan hak kaum wanita dan kanak-kanak perempuan. Deklarasi Hak Asasi Manusia Sejagat yang telah termaktub pada tahun 1948 mengisytiharkan hak sama rata antara wanita dan lelaki yang terkandung di dalamnya tanpa sebarang perbezaan. Ikon pendidikan wanita seperti Ibu Zain, Lily Eberwein yang mewakili generasi wanita sebelum merdeka merupakan antara tokoh terawal yang menggerakkan usaha memberikan pendidikan kepada kaum wanita dan kanak-kanak perempuan. Permasalahan yang mendasari penyelidikan ini adalah berkaitan dengan pengaruh pendidikan untuk membawa kesedaran tentang kesetaraan gender dalam kalangan wanita di Malaysia dari perspektif sejarah serta dinamika perkembangan pendidikan untuk kaum wanita dan kanak-kanak perempuan di Malaysia. Penyelidik menggunakan kualitatif dengan mengadaptasi kajian kepustakaan dan wawancara bersama informan dalam pengumpulan data serta kritikan sumber dan analisis kandungan untuk proses analisis data. Dapatan awal penyelidikan menunjukkan tahap kesedaran berkaitan kesetaraan gender dalam kalangan wanita telah memperlihatkan perubahan yang signifikan terutamanya selepas pembentukan Malaysia pada tahun 1963. Kedudukan kaum wanita menjadi lebih baik jika dibandingkan sewaktu era penjajahan British di negara kita. Bidang pendidikan mempunyai potensi untuk memainkan peranan penting dalam mencapai kesaksamaan gender seperti yang didokumentasikan dalam laporan tahunan oleh UNESCO yang diterbitkan pada tahun 2015 yang bertemakan “Education for All”. Education for women at one time was not a priority to be fulfilled and this situation is due to the stigma that puts women always behind men. This is not surprising because the patriarchal system that thickened in society at that time placed importance on providing education with a focus only on boys. During the era of British imperialism in Malaya, for example, education for women developed at a very slow rate, although there were efforts to raise awareness of the importance of education for girls, but parents did not really support this concept. Gender injustice is a form of discrimination that has been happening for a long time and has an impact especially involving the rights of women and girls. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was written in 1948 declared equal rights between women and men contained in it without any difference. Women's education icons such as Ibu Zain, Lily Eberwein who represent the generation of women before independence were among the earliest figures who mobilized efforts to provide education to women and girls. The problem underlying this research is related to the influence of education to bring awareness about gender equality among women in Malaysia from a historical perspective as well as the dynamics of the development of education for women and girls in Malaysia. The researcher used a qualitative method by adapting the literature review method and also interviews with informants in the data collection process as well as source criticism and content analysis for the data analysis process. The initial findings of the research show that the level of awareness related to gender equality among women has shown a significant change especially after the formation of Malaysia in 1963. The position of women has become better when compared to the era of British colonialism in our country. The field of education has the potential to play an important role in achieving gender equality as documented in the annual report by UNESCO published in 2015 with the theme “Education for All”.
Copyright (c) 2026 EMMA TINGKAS, MAUREEN DE SILVA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MEDIA SOSIAL SEBAGAI ALTERNATIF SUMBER KAJIAN LISAN: SATU TINJAUAN AWAL
Media sosial adalah media online yang membolehkan pengguna untuk berkomunikasi, berinteraksi, dan berkongsi informasi dengan orang lain. Media sosial terdapat dalam pelbagai bentuk antaranya blog, jejaring sosial, wiki, forum, akhbar online dan dunia virtual. Media sosial memiliki ciri yang membolehkan setiap orang melibatkan diri, memberi komen serta mencipta isi media tersebut. Media sosial juga adalah sebagai perantaraan atau saluran komunikasi yang dapat menyampaikan maklumat kepada orang ramai dalam masa yang cepat. Segala maklumat dan topik hanya perlu dicari pada hujung jari dan memudahkan setiap orang untuk mendapatkan maklumat dan jawapan. Kajian ini cuba melihat penggunaan media sosial sebagai alternatif sumber bagi melengkapkan kajian berbentuk sejarah lisan. Sejarah Lisan merupakan salah satu kaedah yang digunakan dalam penyelidikan sejarah bagi mendapatkan dan mengesahkan kebenaran sesuatu fakta sejarah yang diperolehi. Ianya merupakan satu kaedah yang bertujuan untuk memelihara pengetahuan sejarah melalui pengkisahan. Kaedah sejarah lisan melibatkan proses wawancara dan merakam ke dalam pita tentang keterangan-keterangan orang yang mengetahui sesuatu peristiwa sejarah, samaada melalui penglibatannya secara langsung dalam peristiwa itu atau sekadar menyaksikannya sahaja. Sehubungan itu objektif kajian ini adalah untuk meneliti sumber media sosial sebagai dapatan bagi sumber lisan dalam sesuatu peristiwa sejarah, dan sejauh manakah dapatan ini dapat diterima dalam konteks kaedah sejarah lisan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan penyelidik sejarah boleh menggunakan media sosial secara berkesan sebagai salah satu sumber dapatan dalam pengkajian sejarah lisan. Namun para penyelidik perlu memastikan bahawa nilai-nilai etika dan budaya yang terlibat dipatuhi secara jujur bagi memastikan kesahan dan kebenaran sesuatu peristiwa sejarah. Social media is an online medium that allows users to communicate, interact, and share information with others. Social media comes in various forms including blogs, social networks, wikis, forums, online newspapers, and virtual worlds. Social media has characteristics that enable everyone to participate, comment, and create content. It also acts as an intermediary or communication channel that can convey information to the public quickly. All information and topics can be accessed at one's fingertips, making it easy for everyone to obtain information and answers. This study attempts to examine the use of social media as an alternative source to complement oral history research. Oral history is a method used in historical research to obtain and verify the truth of historical facts. It is a method aimed at preserving historical knowledge through storytelling. The oral history method involves interviewing and recording on tape the testimonies of people who know about a historical event, either through direct involvement in the event or by merely witnessing it. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine social media sources as findings for oral sources in a historical event and to what extent these findings can be accepted in the context of the oral history method. The results of the study indicate that historical researchers can effectively use social media as one of the sources in oral history research. However, researchers must ensure that the ethical and cultural values involved are adhered to honestly to ensure the validity and truth of a historical event.
Copyright (c) 2026 NOR AZLAH SHAM RAMBELY, NAIZATUL AKMA MOHD MOKHTAR https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DARURAT DI TANAH MELAYU, 1948-1960: PENELITIAN AWAL BERDASARKAN LAPORAN AKHBAR NANYANG SIANG PAU
Artikel ini membincangkan mengenai corak kehidupan masyarakat Cina di Tanah Melayu berikutan pengisytiharan darurat pada tahun 1948 hingga 1960. Pendudukan Jepun di Tanah Melayu menimbulkan prasangka dan keruncingan hubungan etnik. Hal yang demikian diterjemahkan dalam bentuk pergaduhan di antara orang Melayu dan Cina apabila tentera Jepun menyerah kalah. Parti Komunis Malaya yang mahu mengambil tampuk pemerintahan mula bertindak zalim dan melakukan keganasan di Tanah Melayu. Penelitian makalah ini ialah terhadap berita yang dilaporkan oleh akhbar Nanyang Siang Pau yang mula diterbitkan selepas Perang Dunia Kedua. Akhbar tersebut merupakan medium penting bercorak harian dan melaporkan keadaan semasa yang banyak melibatkan etnik Cina. Di samping itu, corak kehidupan masyarakat Cina dan usaha yang dilakukan oleh kerajaan dalam pembanterasan komunis turut diteliti. Perbincangan artikel ini menggunakan pendekatan sejarah yang merujuk kepada rekod Arkib Negara Malaysia, akhbar Nanyang Siang Pau dan dokumen sekunder yang lain. Di samping itu, wawancara bersama informan juga turut digunakan. Hasil penelitian mendapati bahawa akhbar Nanyang Siang Pau menjadi salah satu saluran penting dan bermakna dalam merekodkan serta memberikan maklumat kepada masyarakat Cina ketika berlaku peristiwa darurat di Tanah Melayu. This article discusses the patterns of life of the Chinese community in Malaya following the declaration of the Emergency from 1948 to 1960. The Japanese occupation of Malaya created suspicion and heightened ethnic tensions. This situation was reflected in clashes between the Malays and the Chinese after the Japanese forces surrendered. The Malayan Communist Party, which sought to take control of the government, began to act cruelly and carry out acts of violence in Malaya. This article examines news reports published by Nanyang Siang Pau, a newspaper that began publication after the Second World War. The newspaper was an important daily medium that reported current developments, many of which involved the Chinese community. In addition, the article also examines the living patterns of the Chinese community and the efforts undertaken by the government to combat communism. The discussion in this article adopts a historical approach by referring to records from the National Archives of Malaysia, Nanyang Siang Pau newspaper reports, and other secondary documents. Interviews with informants are also used. The findings show that Nanyang Siang Pau served as one of the important and meaningful channels for recording and providing information to the Chinese community during the Emergency in Malaya.
Copyright (c) 2026 LAI YAN LIN, MOHAMED ALI HANIFFA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
STRATEGI INTEGRASI NILAI TRADISIONAL DAN KEHIDUPAN MODEN DALAM KALANGAN BELIA DI KOTA MARUDU
Kajian ini meneliti strategi integrasi nilai tradisional dan kehidupan moden dalam kalangan belia di Kota Marudu dengan memberi tumpuan kepada pendidikan budaya, penyertaan strategik belia, peranan NGO dan ekosistem sokongan institusi. Kajian ini memusatkan analisis kepada bentuk tindakan integratif yang berpotensi menghubungkan sekolah, komuniti, media digital dan institusi adat. Kajian menggunakan pendekatan kaedah campuran yang melibatkan 100 responden belia, 12 temu bual mendalam dan tujuh sesi perbincangan kumpulan fokus. Dapatan menunjukkan 42.0% responden menilai penekanan MAN dalam kurikulum pada tahap sederhana, namun 81.0% setuju atau sangat setuju bahawa belia perlu memainkan peranan dalam organisasi MAN. Sebanyak 84.0% pula bersetuju bahawa NGO atau pertubuhan belia boleh membantu penglibatan belia dalam MAN, manakala 44.0% memilih gabungan latihan kepimpinan, dokumentasi dan kem latihan belia sebagai program yang sesuai. Dapatan kualitatif menunjukkan pendidikan formal masih minimum, pendidikan tidak formal kekal penting dan belia memerlukan cara penghayatan adat yang lebih serasi dengan media serta gaya hidup semasa. Kajian ini merumuskan bahawa integrasi nilai tradisional dan kehidupan moden perlu dibangunkan sebagai ekosistem berlapis yang menghubungkan pendidikan, komuniti, teknologi digital, penyertaan belia dan sokongan institusi secara berterusan. This study examines strategies for integrating traditional values and modern life among youth in Kota Marudu by focusing on cultural education, strategic youth participation, the role of NGOs and the institutional support ecosystem. The study centres on integrative forms of action that can connect schools, communities, digital media and customary institutions. A mixed-methods approach was employed involving 100 youth respondents, 12 in-depth interviews and seven focus group discussions. The findings show that 42.0% of respondents rated the emphasis on MAN in the curriculum as moderate, yet 81.0% agreed or strongly agreed that youth should play a role in MAN organisations. A total of 84.0% agreed that NGOs or youth organisations could support youth involvement in MAN, while 44.0% selected a combination of leadership training, documentation and youth camps as suitable programmes. Qualitative findings indicate that formal education remains limited, informal education continues to play an important role, and youth require ways of appreciating custom that are more compatible with contemporary media and lifestyles. This study concludes that the integration of traditional values and modern life should be developed as a layered ecosystem that continuously connects education, community, digital technology, youth participation and institutional support.
Copyright (c) 2026 MAIJOL MAHAP, JOHAN JOHNES, ROSAZMAN HUSSIN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PENGARUH TEKNOLOGI TERHADAP KONFLIK IDENTITI DAN NILAI TRADISIONAL BELIA DI KOTA MARUDU
Artikel ini menganalisis bagaimana globalisasi dan teknologi membentuk konflik identiti serta mempengaruhi pemeliharaan nilai tradisional dalam kalangan belia di Kota Marudu. Berbeza daripada artikel yang menilai kesedaran institusi atau strategi integrasi, artikel ini menumpukan ekologi digital sebagai medan rundingan identiti. Kajian menggunakan reka bentuk kajian kes dengan pendekatan kaedah campuran yang melibatkan 100 responden belia, 12 temu bual mendalam dan tujuh sesi perbincangan kumpulan fokus. Dapatan menunjukkan 55.0% responden pernah melihat maklumat MAN di media sosial dan 66.0% memberi skor positif bahawa media sosial membantu memahami peranan MAN. Walau bagaimanapun, hanya 38.0% menilai maklumat digital sebagai menarik dan informatif, manakala 22.0% menganggapnya kurang jelas. Sebanyak 44.0% responden mengakui wujud konflik antara undang-undang sivil dan adat, 49.0% menyatakan aktiviti sosial lebih diutamakan berbanding acara adat, tetapi 83.0% bersetuju teknologi boleh mempromosi dan memelihara budaya tempatan. Dapatan kualitatif menunjukkan konflik identiti berlaku pada aras bahasa, gaya hidup, autoriti budaya dan cara belia menilai relevansi adat. Artikel ini merumuskan bahawa teknologi bukan sekadar alat promosi, tetapi medan sosial yang menuntut literasi digital budaya, kawalan mutu kandungan dan naratif adat yang dipimpin oleh belia. This article analyses how globalisation and technology shape identity conflict and influence the preservation of traditional values among youth in Kota Marudu. Unlike articles that assess institutional awareness or integration strategies, this article focuses on the digital ecology as an arena of identity negotiation. The study employed a case study design and a mixed-methods approach involving 100 youth respondents, 12 in-depth interviews and seven focus group discussions. The findings show that 55.0% of respondents had seen information about MAN on social media and 66.0% gave positive scores indicating that social media helped them understand MAN's role. However, only 38.0% regarded digital information as interesting and informative, while 22.0% considered it unclear. A total of 44.0% acknowledged a conflict between civil law and customary law, 49.0% stated that social activities were prioritised over customary events, yet 83.0% agreed that technology could promote and preserve local culture. Qualitative findings indicate that identity conflict occurs through language, lifestyle, cultural authority and the way youth evaluate the relevance of custom. The article concludes that technology is not merely a promotional tool, but a social arena requiring cultural digital literacy, content quality control and youth-led customary narratives.
KESEDARAN DAN PEMAHAMAN BELIA TERHADAP PERANAN MAHKAMAH ANAK NEGERI SABAH DI KOTA MARUDU
Kajian ini meneliti tahap kesedaran dan pemahaman belia terhadap peranan Mahkamah Anak Negeri Sabah (MAN) di Kota Marudu. Fokus utama kajian ialah jurang antara kesedaran permukaan dengan pemahaman fungsional, iaitu sama ada belia hanya mengetahui kewujudan MAN atau benar-benar memahami fungsi, bidang kuasa, saluran rujukan dan kedudukannya sebagai institusi adat. Kajian menggunakan reka bentuk kajian kes dengan pendekatan kaedah campuran yang melibatkan 100 responden belia, 12 temu bual mendalam dan tujuh sesi perbincangan kumpulan fokus. Dapatan menunjukkan 99.0% responden pernah mendengar tentang MAN dan 78.0% berada pada tahap sedar atau sangat sedar terhadap kewujudannya di Kota Marudu. Namun, hanya 58.0% menyatakan maklumat yang diterima membantu mereka memahami undang-undang adat, manakala 45.0% tidak pernah menerima pendedahan tentang undang-undang adat. Sekolah dan universiti menjadi saluran utama pendedahan awal, tetapi pendedahan tersebut masih bersifat umum. Kajian ini merumuskan bahawa kelestarian MAN memerlukan peralihan daripada promosi kesedaran kepada pembinaan literasi institusi adat yang lebih aplikatif, berasaskan senario kes dan dekat dengan pengalaman belia. This study examines youth awareness and understanding of the role of the Sabah Native Court (Mahkamah Anak Negeri, MAN) in Kota Marudu. Its main focus is the gap between surface awareness and functional understanding, namely whether young people merely know of MAN's existence or understand its functions, jurisdiction, access pathways and position as a customary institution. The study employed a case study design and a mixed-methods approach involving 100 youth respondents, 12 in-depth interviews and seven focus group discussions. The findings show that 99.0% of respondents had heard of MAN and 78.0% were aware or highly aware of its existence in Kota Marudu. However, only 58.0% stated that the information they received helped them understand customary law, while 45.0% had never received exposure to customary law. Schools and universities were the dominant channels of early exposure, yet such exposure remained general. This study concludes that the sustainability of MAN requires a shift from awareness promotion to the development of applied, scenario-based and youth-friendly customary institutional literacy.
MODEL-MODEL KONTEKSTUALISASI TEOLOGI STEPHEN B. BEVANS DAN KAITANNYA DENGAN DAKWAH ISLAM: SUATU TINJAUAN AWAL
Kontekstualisasi teologi merupakan pendekatan yang penting dalam memahami bagaimana ajaran teologi dapat diaplikasikan dan relevan dalam berbagai budaya. Sehubungan itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi model-model utama kontekstualisasi teologi yang diimplementasikan dalam budaya tertentu. Di samping menjelaskan bagaimana nilai dan praktik keagamaan dapat disesuaikan dengan budaya, keadaan sosial, dan latar belakang masyarakat yang berbeza-beza. Dalam pada itu, pengkaji cuba untuk mengaitkan ia dengan dakwah Islam. Bagi mencapai tujuan tersebut, kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, berdasarkan kepada kaedah perpustakaan dengan menganalisis dokumen seperti artikel, buku, tesis dan bahan rujukan berautoriti yang lain. Hasil kajian ini mendapati, model kontekstualisasi teologi tidak berfokus pada budaya semata-mata tetapi turut melihat aspek lain, seperti keperluan semasa dan permasalahan yang sedang dihadapi. Oleh sebab itu, model kontekstualisasi sememangnya memudahkan penyampaian dan penerimaan pesan teologi dalam kalangan masyarakat dengan menjadikan budaya dan isu yang sedang dihadapi sebagai jembatan untuk menyampaikan pesan teologi. This study aims to explore the main models of theological contextualization implemented in specific cultures. In addition, it explains how religious values and practices can be adapted to different cultures, social conditions, and backgrounds. The study also attempts to relate this to Islamic propagation (dakwah). To achieve this goal, the study uses a qualitative approach, based on library methods by analyzing documents such as articles, books, theses, and other authoritative reference materials. The results of this study found that the model of theological contextualization does not solely focus on culture but also considers other aspects, such as current needs and problems being faced. Therefore, the contextualization model facilitates the delivery and acceptance of theological messages among the community by making culture and current issues a bridge to convey theological messages.
Copyright (c) 2026 MOHAMAD SHAUKHI MOHD RADZI, MOHAMMAD FIRDAUS HASMIN, MOHD SOHAIMI ESA, SYAMSUL AZIZUL MARINSAH https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DAKWAH KONTEKSTUAL DALAM AKTIVITI SYIAR ISLAM DI KAMPUNG SUNGAI PADANG, PAPAR PADA TAHUN 1973
Makalah ini bertujuan untuk meneliti penganjuran pertandingan Tafsir al-Quran, Syarahan dan Azan yang dianjurkan oleh USIA Cawangan Kampung Sungai Padang, Papar Sabah pada tahun 1973. Objektif utama kajian ini, adalah untuk mengenalpasti elemen-elemen dakwah kontekstual seperti dakwah bil hal (tindakan), bil lisan (perkataan) dan bil qalam (penulisan) yang diterapkan dalam program tersebut. Bagi mencapai tujuan tersebut, pengkaji telah menggunakan kaedah kualitatif berdasarkan kepada analisis dokumen arkib, khususnya Majalah Sinar USIA terbitan tahun 1973. Sehubungan itu, hasil kajian mendapati bahawa penganjuran pertandingan ini sememangnya mengandungi unsur dakwah kontekstual yang komprehensif, iaitu penyampaian mesej Islam yang dilakukan secara bersepadu merangkumi ketiga-tiga elemen dakwah kontekstual tersebut, iaitu dakwah bil hal, bil lisan dan bil qalam. Oleh yang demikian, kajian ini menegaskan bahawa, integrasi elemen kontekstual dalam dakwah sememangnya penting, bagi memastikan mesej Islam dapat disampaikan secara relevan mengikut situasi penerima dakwah (mad’u), agar mesej tersebut dapat diterima dengan baik oleh masyarakat. This paper aims to examine the organization of Al-Quran Interpretation, Public Speaking, and Azan competitions by the USIA Kampung Sungai Padang Branch, Papar, Sabah in 1973. The primary objective of this study is to identify the elements of contextual da’wah, namely da’wah bil hal (action), bil lisan (speech), and bil qalam (writing), integrated within the program. To achieve this, a qualitative method was employed based on archival document analysis, focusing specifically on the 1973 editions of the Sinar USIA Magazine. Consequently, the research findings reveal that the organization of these competitions indeed incorporated comprehensive contextual da’wah elements, where the Islamic message was delivered through an integrated approach encompassing all three elements: da’wah bil hal, bil lisan, and bil qalam. Therefore, this study asserts that the integration of contextual elements in da’wah is essential to ensure that Islamic messages are delivered relevantly according to the situation of the recipients (mad’u), ensuring that such messages are well-received by society.
Copyright (c) 2026 MOHAMAD SHAUKHI MOHD RADZI, MOHAMMAD FIRDAUS HASMIN, SYAMSUL AZIZUL MARINSAH, MOHD SOHAIMI ESA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
SOCIAL MEDIA INNOVATION: DRIVING BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION IN MALAYSIA’S CORPORATE SECTOR
With the continual growth of social media integration in corporate environments, many employees lack social media literacy skills necessary for effective and responsible platform use. Additionally, the rapid evolution of social media innovation presents notable challenges for corporate employees, many of whom struggle with adapting to new tools and features. These issues have posed significant challenges regarding employees behavioural intention to use social media, that could impact their professional efficiency and business performance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between social media innovation characteristics (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability) and behavioural intention to use social media among Malaysian corporate workers. A quantitative method was adopted, employing both paper and online surveys distributed to Malaysian corporate employees who use social media in their professional roles. A total of 156 responses were collected, and the findings indicated that Malaysian corporate employees exhibited favourable perceptions regarding all the factors affecting their behavioural intention to use social media, as reflected in the mean score. However, out of the five (5) hypotheses examined, only two (2) were supported, indicating that the compatibility and complexity of social media significantly influence the behavioural intention of Malaysian corporate employees to use social media. This study has identified certain limitations that indicate future research to consider increasing the sample size and potentially introducing a new independent variable for further exploration.
Copyright (c) 2026 AL AMIRUL EIMER RAMDZAN ALI, ALYA NASIHAH ABDUL RASHID, NUR NABILAH ABDULLAH, SHAHRUL NIZAM MOHD BASARI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GAME DESIGN PREFERENCE, ESCAPISM AND IMPULSIVITY WITH GAMBLING ADDICTION
The growing popularity of mobile gaming, particularly gacha games, has raised increasing concern over their potential association with gambling addiction. Gacha games operate on randomized reward systems that resemble gambling mechanisms and encouraging repeated play and monetary spending in pursuit of uncertain outcomes. Despite their prevalence, empirical research exploring how psychological and design-related factors contribute to gambling like behaviours among players remains limited, especially within the Malaysian context. This gap underscores the need to understand how individuals’ motivations and personality traits interact with gaming mechanics to influence addictive tendencies. This preliminary quantitative study investigates the relationships between game design preference, escapism, impulsivity, and gambling addiction among active gacha game players. Using a structured self-administered online questionnaire, data were analysed through Pearson correlation to determine the strength and direction of association between the studied variables. The results indicate that impulsivity and escapism are positively associated with gambling addiction, while game design preference shows no significant relationship. Overall, the findings contribute to the growing body if literature on digital gaming behaviour by highlighting the psychological and motivational dimensions underlying gambling tendencies. This study offers important insights for researchers, game developers, and policymakers in developing a culturally more relevant interventions and responsible gaming framework.
Copyright (c) 2026 NUR'AIN NATASHA MOHAMMAD NAZRUL KOH, HAMIZAH SAHHARON https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MULTIMODAL FEATURE FUSION FOR INTELLIGENT JADE CARVING DESIGN: A HUMAN-AI COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
Multimodal feature fusion offers a transformative approach to intelligent jade carving design by integrating human expertise with artificial intelligence to enhance creativity in traditional crafts. As a traditional Chinese art form, jade carving faces modern challenges such as limited efficiency, restricted adaptability, and the difficulty of merging traditional workflows with digital innovation. This study introduces an intelligent design framework that employs human–AI collaboration and multimodal structured feature fusion to inspire creativity while maintaining cultural authenticity. The proposed system applies a three-stage reference image recommendation process involving material-feature extraction, thematic and compositional analysis, and design-decision support. Using deep learning segmentation and color-space thresholding, key geometric and color features of jade materials are extracted and structured as encoded vectors. These are then matched with a database of traditional compositions through multimodal models that generate semantic labels and apply weighted similarity scoring. The system integrates automatic screening with human evaluation to ensure accuracy, diversity, and cultural sensitivity. Experimental outcomes indicate improvements in design efficiency, precision, interpretability, and reduced cognitive load for designers. This research underscores the value of AI-assisted systems in preserving traditional craftsmanship while driving innovation, offering a framework that connects deep learning with human creativity for the sustainable transformation of cultural heritage design.
Copyright (c) 2026 ZHENWEI WENG, HEMA ZULAIKA HASHIM https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MEDIA REPRESENTATION OF RELIGION, RACE AND ROYALTY (3R) IN MALAYSIAN POLITICAL JOURNALISM PERSPECTIVES
This study explores the perceptions and representations of politically sensitive issues-religion, race, and royalty (3R)-by mainstream journalists in Malaysia based on selected media reportage. Notwithstanding the digital change of newsrooms, 3R framing persists in shaping political narratives and public discourse, mirroring established sociocultural norms. The study addresses an important gap by interpreting how journalistic decision-making is shaped by institutional, cultural, and political elements in reporting on these delicate topics. A qualitative approach was employed, incorporating in-depth interviews with experienced journalists from mainstream media organizations, alongside a critical discourse analysis of selected political news articles published during the 2018–2025 electoral cycle. This period was chosen as it captures a significant shift in Malaysia’s political and media landscape, beginning with the historic 2018 general election that marked a change in government and extending to contemporary developments such as the 2020 political realignment and GE15 in 2022. Covering this cycle allows for a deeper understanding of how 3R narratives evolved amidst heightened political transitions, editorial pressures, and public sensitivities. The research project employed Agenda-setting Theory and Media Priming Theory to interpret how journalists construct 3R narratives while navigating political and editorial constraints. The results indicate that although journalists recognize the necessity for balanced reporting, institutional boundaries, self-censorship, and audience expectations often result in cautious and repetitive framing, particularly in coverage of royalty and religion. Race-related matters are frequently influenced by political disputes and historical conflicts. Notwithstanding the digital transition, conventional narratives endure, and the capacity for transformation is constrained by structural limits. This research enriches understanding of the Malaysian media's handling of sensitive identity politics, offering insights into the intersections of media, politics, and social values. The study highlights the need for reflective journalistic practices and comprehensive media reforms to ensure fairer portrayals of Malaysia's diverse society.
Copyright (c) 2026 ZAMIRUL NUR HAKIM M ZAILANI, MOHD SHAHNAWI MUHMAD PIRUS, WARDATUL HAYAT ADNAN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON PUBLIC APOLOGIES AMONG MALAYSIAN PUBLIC FIGURES: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Public apologies by Malaysian public figure such as political leaders, celebrities, internet influencers, and entrepreneurs have been under consistent scrutiny on digital platforms such as X, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok where audiences actively evaluate their sincerity and cultural appropriateness. Although apology communication has been widely studied in Western contexts, there remains a lack of systematic understanding of how Malaysia’s collectivist and high context cultural norms can shape apology strategies and audience interpretations. This gap limits the applicability of the existing image repair theories to non-Western societies. To address this issue, this systematic literature review (SLR) examines how cultural factors influence the framing, expression, and public reception of apologies among Malaysian public figures guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. The review analysed studies published between 2020 and 2025 from two databases; Google Scholar and SCOPUS that explore the intersection of culture, communication, and public image repair. Findings reveal that Malaysian public apologies emphasize moral responsibility, respect for hierarchy, and face saving. This reflects a harmony-oriented communication deeply rooted in the nation’s multicultural identity. However, empirical integration across studies remains limited. The review also highlights the limitations of Western-centric models, such as Benoit’s Image Repair Theory, and proposes incorporating culturally grounded perspectives such as normology. Overall, this synthesis helps understand intercultural and crisis communication by offering a culturally informed framework for understanding apology practices in Malaysia’s sociocultural landscape.
Copyright (c) 2026 NURUL SYAFIQAH ZAMREE, HAMIZAH SAHHARON https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
POST-CALIPHATE ISIS DIGITAL PROPAGANDA EVOLVES, RESONATING THROUGH ‘GLOCALIZED’ RESONANCE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Despite the 2019 territorial collapse of its physical "caliphate," the Islamic State (ISIS) has adeptly transitioned its sophisticated media apparatus into a decentralized, resilient "virtual insurgency." This study addresses a critical temporal (post-2019) and contextual (Southeast Asian) gap in the literature by examining the narrative evolution and strategic adaptation of ISIS digital propaganda. We argue that to maintain relevance, ISIS has pivoted from a monolithic "utopian state-building" narrative to a highly adaptive "glocalized" model that targets specific regional audiences. This article employs a mixed-method qualitative analysis, combining Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) with Visual Semiotics. The analysis is performed on a curated corpus of official and supporter-driven digital media (videos, infographics, editorials) disseminated between 2019 and 2024 on encrypted platforms (e.g., Telegram) and targeting Malay- and Indonesian-speaking audiences. The findings reveal a three-pronged strategic adaptation: (1) an ideological pivot from "caliphate utopianism" to narratives of "sabr" (strategic patience) and resilient, clandestine insurgency, (2) the systematic "glocalization" of grievances, wherein global jihadist dogma is strategically fused with proximate, emotive local issues, such as the Rohingya crisis and domestic Malaysian political-religious debates, and (3) a corresponding adaptation in form to "lo-fi," ephemeral, and "snackable" media, a tactic designed to evade AI-driven content moderation and decentralize production by encouraging user-generated content (UGC). This study concludes that this "glocalized virtual insurgency" is a more insidious and resilient threat than its state-based predecessor. Its ability to co-opt local issues renders traditional, reactive content-removal policies insufficient. We assert the urgent need for a policy shift toward proactive, culturally-resonant counter-narratives and the promotion of critical digital media literacy to inoculate vulnerable populations in the region.
Copyright (c) 2026 ROSLIE MD TAJUDDIN, WAN MOHD YUSRIZAL WAN HANAPI, ABDUL HAFIZ IBRAHIM, MOHD TARMIZI NAWI @ AB GHANI, ABDOLREZA ALAMI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
RESEARCH ON THE DESIGN TRANSFORMATION MODEL FOR GLASS PRODUCTS INTEGRATING CHINESE CULTURAL HERITAGE ELEMENTS
China's cultural and creative industry is expanding. This paper aims to examine the design process by integrating cultural heritage elements into glass products and to achieve the translation of cultural symbolic signs at visual, behavioural, and meaningful levels. Through expert interviews and case studies, it was found that this model of gradual transformation, from visual elements (shape, colour, and decoration) to behaviours (ritualised behaviour embedding, reconstruction of daily behaviours, and performance behaviour simulation) and then to philosophical thought (philosophical thought transmission, moral and spiritual metaphor, and blessing and auspicious meaning); demonstrates a hierarchical integration strategy that aligns with both user perception and cultural authenticity. From the findings, it is clear that, in the combination of three levels of cultural elements in cultural heritage, each glass product has its focus: some focus on one level, some on two levels, and some can be passed on at all three levels. The reason is that every existing product has a specific value. However, designers aim to give products as much value and attributes as possible. The additional cultural value of the product can be enhanced through the transfer and integration of cultural elements from cultural heritage spatial analysis. This allows glassware not only to embody cultural heritage but also to communicate its deeper symbolic meaning, offering users a more comprehensive and meaningful experience. This model provides a reference for other cultural and creative sectors and offers innovative ideas to product designers. Future research could incorporate actual consumer feelings and feedback to further improve and refine this model.
Copyright (c) 2026 QINGFENG LIU, WAN NOOR FAAIZAH WAN OMAR, MASITAH AHMAD, JIALIN HU https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
UNDERSTANDING ESCAPISM AS A KEY MOTIVATION BEHIND GENERATION Z’S ENGAGEMENT IN TIKTOK HASHTAG TRENDS
This study explores the motivations driving Generation Z’s engagement with TikTok hashtag trends in Malaysia, with a particular focus on escapism as a key psychological and social factor. Rather than analyzing specific hashtags, the study examines content appearing on the platform’s “For You Page” (FYP), where algorithmic exposure encourages spontaneous engagement and interaction. It investigates how TikTok functions as a digital escape from societal, academic, and personal pressures, while simultaneously enabling self-expression and identity construction within online communities. A qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted, combining semi-structured interviews with digital ethnographic observations of Malaysian Gen Z users actively participating in TikTok hashtag trends. Purposive sampling guided informant selection, and data were thematically analyzed and saturated using NVivo 14 software. Grounded in Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) and Social Identity Theory (SIT), the findings revealed four key themes: Theme 1: Trends Virality; Theme 2: Fear of Missing Out; Theme 3: Self-Representation and Alternate Identity and Theme 4: Algorithm Exposure and Digital Immersion. The analysis indicates that while TikTok provides avenues for creativity, self-expression, and emotional regulation, it simultaneously fosters social pressure to remain visible and relevant within fast-moving trends. Overall, the study concludes that TikTok operates as a dual-purpose platform that serves as both a coping mechanism for emotional relief and a space for online identity negotiation. These insights hold implications for educators, mental health professionals, and digital policymakers, helping them understand and support healthier digital engagement among young adults in Malaysia.
Copyright (c) 2026 MIERA SYAFIERA RAZEMI, TENGKU ELENA TENGKU MAHAMAD, YUSLINDA MAT YASSIN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MEDIA FRAMING AND SOCIAL COHESION: PEACE JOURNALISM IN MALAYSIAN RELIGIOUS-CULTURAL CONFLICT REPORTING (2013-2025)
This systematic article review critically examines the role and effectiveness of Peace Journalism (PJ) as an alternative framework for mitigating interethnic tension and enhancing national harmony in Malaysia’s diverse religious and cultural landscape. Conventional reporting often exacerbates tensions, making PJ, which emphasizes conflict resolution, context, and multi-perspective reporting, crucial. Employing a qualitative, systematic synthesis approach, fifteen peer-reviewed journal articles and academic sources published between 2013 and 2025 were analyzed. This review integrates Galtung’s Peace Journalism Theory and Framing Theory to assess the structural and socio-cultural constraints impacting PJ implementation. Findings confirm the prevalence of conflict/war-oriented frames in both international and domestic religious coverage. The limited adoption of PJ is attributed to complex structural constraints (e.g., regulatory frameworks, editorial policies, self-censorship) and a bias towards majority-group and authoritative perspectives, limiting exposure to alternative voices. The study establishes that PJ's theoretical potential is compromised by practical and systemic pressures. It recommends comprehensive institutional reforms, journalist empowerment, and strategic leveraging of citizen journalism to facilitate a proactive media role in social cohesion and peacebuilding.
Copyright (c) 2026 SURAYATUL NATASYA KERISTIFA, ANIS ELLYANNA MANSOR, KARIMAH AWI, MUNDZIR ZAHIR, ABDOLREZA ALAMI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
UNEVEN EDUCATION INVESTMENT: FISCAL DRIVERS IN URBAN AND RURAL CHINA
This study conducts a systematic literature review to explore how fiscal input disparities contribute to the uneven development of compulsory education across urban and rural regions in China. While existing research frequently discusses educational inequality in general terms, few studies specifically address the underlying financial mechanisms, including fiscal decentralization, local revenue capacity, and intergovernmental transfer payments; that shape regional differences in educational funding. This review analyzes 48 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2025 and establishes the main fiscal drivers of investment imbalances. It determines the influence of such differences on infrastructure, teacher quality, and student services across regions. The research further determines the impact of existing policy intervention towards equalizing education spending and establishes main gaps in the existing literature. Findings underscore the importance of more targeted fiscal policies and more robust oversight mechanisms to ensure efficient and equitable allocation of resources, particularly in underfunded rural counties. This study adds to a more targeted understanding of how finance frameworks shape education outcomes and provides suggestions for policy and future research toward mitigating urban-rural education disparities in China.
Copyright (c) 2026 LANBIN LIU, MOHAMMAD REEVANY BUSTAMI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FRAMING AND REPORTING SENSITIVE ISSUES IN MALAYSIA: A CONCEPTUAL STUDY
The study examines how framing theory can be adapted to improve the understanding of sensitive issue reporting in semi-authoritarian contexts, using LGBTQ coverage in Malaysia as a focal case. The representation of socially contested topics typically reflects the complex dynamics between journalistic responsibility and public sensitivity. The process of frame-building involves both internal and external factors which influence the frame selection for the narrative. The selection of frames is heavily influenced by newsroom culture that involves the intertwining of elements such as editorial policies, journalistic values and news values, while external factor like regulatory pressure heavily embedded in local reporting ethics and acts as the guiding principle in Malaysian news landscape. LGBTQ is a sensitive topic which often treated with biased reportage due to the cultural and values influences. Rather than promoting a specific stance on LGBTQ issues, the conceptual study focuses on the topic to act as the lens to theorize how local news media navigate contested discourses under constraint. While framing theory has been extensively applied in liberal democratic settings, the utilization of the framing approach is still limited in conservative media scenes which is bound by restriction in values and political influences. The conceptual study critiques the Western-centric assumptions that often applied in framing approaches and highlight the need for a local-centric framework that molded according to Malaysian’s values.
Copyright (c) 2026 FARHANAH SYAZWANI MD SAFIAN, MUHAMMAD HAKIMI TEW ABDULLAH, SHAZLEEN MOHAMED https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HUMOROUS ADVERTISEMENT IN ENHANCING BRAND IDENTITY AMONG GENERATION Z IN MALAYSIA
This study examines the effectiveness of humorous advertising in enhancing brand identity among Generation Z in Malaysia. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 143 respondents through an online survey that assessed emotional responses, attention levels, brand recall, and consumer–brand connection toward humorous social media advertisements. Descriptive findings show that most respondents felt uplifted, relaxed, and more interested in the brand when exposed to humorous content. Humor was also found to significantly increase attention, memorability, and the likelihood of sharing advertisements with others. Inferential analysis further indicates that humor positively influences consumers across gender and age groups, although the differences were largely insignificant. The study concludes that humor functions not only as a source of entertainment but also as an effective branding strategy that strengthens emotional engagement, cultural resonance, and recognition of a brand’s identity. However, limitations include a small sample size, demographic imbalance, and reliance solely on quantitative methods. Overall, the findings highlight humor as a strategic asset for brands seeking to enhance visibility, recall, and loyalty among Malaysian Generation Z consumers.
Copyright (c) 2026 MANIMEGALAI AMBIKAPATHY, CHRISTY KH’NG KER YING, CHEONG ZHI HERNG, ER ROU JING, LEONG JING MEN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EDUCATIONAL CONSUMPTION AND REGIONAL COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE: AN ANALYSIS USING CHINA’S PROVINCIAL PANEL DATA
This paper examines how regional communication infrastructure affects education price dynamics across China. Using an annual panel of six provinces-Jiangsu and Shandong (east), Henan and Hubei (central), and Sichuan and Gansu (west) from 1993 to 2023, the study ensures consistent series for the Education Consumer Price Index (EduCPI) and its subcomponents: education supplies, education services, and culture & entertainment. Communication infrastructure is measured as the logarithm of cultural, educational, broadcasting, and postal institutions (ln(Media)). Two-way fixed-effects regressions with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors control for GDP per capita, disposable income, and government education spending. Results show a small but significant positive effect of ln(Media) on overall EduCPI growth. Yet, the effects vary across categories: infrastructure expansion tends to lower prices for education supplies and culture & entertainment, but slightly raises service costs. Regional heterogeneity is evident-price-containment is stronger in eastern and central provinces, while short-term upward pressure appears in less developed western areas. Overall, communication infrastructure can both moderate and amplify education prices depending on consumption type and regional capacity. Policy should therefore combine infrastructure investment with supply-side improvements in lagging regions and network optimization in advanced ones.
Copyright (c) 2026 JIANG LU, GUFENG WU https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC PERCEPTION IN SOCIAL MEDIA: THE UAD FRAMEWORK
The rapid growth of social media has significantly changed the way the public, especially in Malaysia, interacts with law enforcement institutions such as the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP). With increasingly easy access to various digital platforms, public perceptions are now not only formed more quickly but also more easily influenced through open, immediate and interactive communication channels. This new dynamic has caused the digital space to become the main site for the formation of public discourse, including issues related to integrity, professionalism and misconduct of police officers. This situation presents a major challenge to the RMP in managing public perceptions, as negative sentiment, even stemming from a small number of incidents, can spread widely and affect overall trust in the institution. Based on these needs, this study presents a conceptual study through literature analysis with the aim of introducing the Understanding–Adaptation–Diffusion (UAD) Framework as a strategic communication model that can help the RMP navigate public perceptions in today's digital ecosystem. The objectives of this study are: (i) to introduce UAD as a conceptual framework that can explain how public sentiment is formed and changed through social media displays; and (ii) explore more responsive and transparent communication approaches in disseminating information to strengthen the reputation of policing institutions. UAD describes three main stages in public perception management: comprehension, which refers to the way audiences interpret media narratives and frames; adaptation, which is the institutional response to emerging sentiments; and dissemination, which emphasizes the need for clear, accurate and credible strategic communication. This study also incorporates Framing Theory (Goffman; Entman) and McQuail's thinking on mass communication, thus positioning UAD as a relevant contextual framework for the Malaysian environment. It is hoped that the contribution of this study can help public institutions build more effective digital communication strategies, increase transparency, and ultimately strengthen the level of public trust in the fast-moving information age.
Copyright (c) 2026 NURUL BAZILAH JAAFAR, ZULKIFLI ABD LATIFF, YUSLINDA MAT YASSIN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NARRATING A CORPORATE BEHEMOTH: A MEDIA SENTIMENT ANALYSIS TOWARDS INDONESIA’S LARGEST STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISE
This study provides a quantitative analysis of media sentiment surrounding Pertamina, Indonesia's largest state-owned enterprise (SOE), on Indonesia's leading online news portal, Detiknews. The aim of the study is to empirically map dominant media frames and sentiments, exploring whether the media function as "watchdogs" or "narrative stabilizers" in Indonesia's unique media environment, with high levels of trust and concentration. Using a quantitative content analysis methodology, the study examines a comprehensive sample of 1,548 news headlines published between January 2024 and May 2025. These headlines were systematically coded into positive, neutral, and negative sentiment categories. The study's claims are supported through novel triangulation, as presented in a comparison figure, which compares mainstream media themes with public discourse on social media. The results show a significant dominance of neutral coverage (73.56% of articles). Positive sentiment (18.62%) accounts for more than twice as much as negative sentiment (7.82%). Thematic analysis indicates that positive frames relate to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and achievements, while negative frames are driven by corruption and operational incidents. Neutral coverage, for the most part, focused on factual reporting of business operations and official statements. This discussion highlights that this neutral-to-positive frame (92.18%) constructs a "discourse of normality" that serves as a "reputational shield," a finding supported by triangulation, which confirms a clear "narrative platform dichotomy" (e.g., neutral media on fuel prices vs. negative social media). This aligns with the finding that traditional media, not social media, often determines long-term reputation in crises. The study concludes that the media, in this context, acted as a narrative stabilizer, reinforcing Pertamina's functional image, protecting its reputation from the volatile critical discourse found elsewhere.
Copyright (c) 2026 BAGUS ADITYA SUSANTO, VIDI SUKMAYADI, DEDE MARIANA, RIDWAN BUDISAPUTRA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0