Tahap Etnosentrisme dalam Kalangan Warga Sarawak di Kuching, Sarawak (Level of Ethnocentrism among Sarawakians in Kuching, Sarawak)

Abstract

: Perbezaan sejarah, geografi dan tadbir urus pusat–negeri membentuk cara warga Sarawak menilai diri dan pihak luar dalam hubungan etnik Malaysia. Dalam wacana hubungan antara kelompok, etnosentrisme ialah pandangan atau keyakinan bahawa kelompok sendiri lebih baik berbanding kelompok lain. Kecenderungan ini boleh menyokong ikatan sosial dalaman, tetapi berpotensi melebarkan jarak sosial apabila disertai stereotaip dan prejudis tanpa asas. Tujuan kajian ialah mendeskripsikan tahap dan kandungan etnosentrisme warga Kuching di Sarawak serta menafsirnya menggunakan Teori Identiti Sosial (TIS). Kajian ini melibatkan tinjauan soal selidik terhadap 402 responden dengan menggunakan skala Likert enam mata, disertai analisis deskriptif untuk mengenal pasti tahap dan taburan peratusan item. Ambang kategori rendah, sederhana dan tinggi ditetapkan melalui pembahagian selang sama lebar bagi likert 1-6 untuk memudahkan interpretasi deskriptif. Ujian kebolehpercayaan menunjukkan nilai alfa cronbach (α) melebihi nilai ambang 0.70. Hasil menunjukkan min etnosentrisme 4.84 dengan sisihan piawai 0.89, manakala 72.1 peratus responden berada pada kategori tinggi. Item berasaskan nilai bersama seperti hidup harmoni merentas etnik, saling hormat dan kebanggaan terhadap bahasa serta warisan muncul paling kuat. Penanda perbandingan tegas seperti slogan dan keutamaan simbolik pula sederhana serta lebih terpolarisasi. Perbincangan mengesahkan jangkaan TIS bahawa harga diri sosial lazimnya dizahirkan melalui penonjolan kelebihan kumpulan sendiri tanpa memusuhi pihak luar apabila norma bersama jelas. Kesimpulannya, kajian ini menyaran intervensi yang menumpukan pengukuhan nilai bersama dan pembinaan ruang interaksi berstatus setara, bermatlamat bersama, berlandaskan kerjasama serta disokong institusi untuk memperkukuh hubungan antara kelompok yang inklusif.

Abstract: Historical, geographical, and federal–state governance differences shape how Sarawakians evaluate themselves and others within Malaysia’s interethnic relations. In the discourse on intergroup relations, ethnocentrism refers to the view or belief that one’s own group is superior to other groups. This tendency can strengthen internal social bonds but may widen social distance when accompanied by unfounded stereotypes and prejudice. The aim of this study is to describe the level and content of ethnocentrism among Sarawakians in Kuching and to interpret it using Social Identity Theory (SIT). The method involved a survey of 402 respondents using a six-point Likert scale, together with descriptive analysis and item profiling to identify patterns of meaning. The results show a mean ethnocentrism score of 4.84 with a standard deviation of 0.89, while 72.1 percent of respondents fall within the high category. Items anchored in shared values, such as living harmoniously across ethnic lines, mutual respect, and pride in language and heritage, emerge as the strongest. Clear comparative markers, such as slogans and symbolic preferences, are moderate and more polarized. The discussion confirms SIT’s expectation that social self-esteem is typically expressed through affirming in-group advantages without hostility toward outsiders when common norms are salient. In conclusion, the study recommends interventions that prioritise the strengthening of shared values and the creation of interactional spaces with equal status, common goals, cooperation, and institutional support in order to foster inclusive intergroup relations.

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