SOCIAL CAPITAL ACCUMULATION IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

The World Bank has identified social capital as the fourth factor to fuel economic growth
after physical capital, financial capital and human capital. There are various social ills
(for example, juvenile delinquency, crimes, murder, gangsterism, abandonment of the
elderly, and domestic violence) plaguing the society today. This can be attributed to
various factors ranging from peer pressure, mental problems, poverty, marginalisation
and erosion of moral values. In a society that has experienced a rapid economic growth
and a steady increase in the income per capita, it is thus an alarming factor if there is an
increase in social problems and an increase in government expenditure to curb this
problem. Social capital through effective networking is seen as an avenue to enhance
positive social values and contribute towards a harmonious society.