e-Bangi: Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities
[Journal Update] eBangi: Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities is currently working on enhancing the quality of the journal and improving our editorial and review processes. This transition may result in slower processing times than usual. We encourage authors to continue submitting their manuscripts. All submissions will be carefully considered, and the standard peer review process will proceed for papers received during this period. ABOUT THIS JOURNAL e-Bangi Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities is an international, peer-reviewed and open access journal that publishes articles of social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities. It is a quality refereed multidisciplinary journal which is published by the UKM Press, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). e-Bangi publishes original findings or empirical articles (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods), literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, theoretical articles, and methodological articles. E-Bangi does not consider the following types of articles: essays, brief reports, case studies, and book reviews. e-Bangi is an official journal of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) that was first published in 2004. Starting 2023, the journal will be published 4 times a year, in February, May, August, and November. It is published in English and Bahasa Malaysia, and it is open for submission by authors from all over the world. The journal follows COPE Core Practices for publication ethics. The journal accepts submission through its online submission system. To submit a manuscript please click here.
Headmasters’ HRM Practices, Teacher Commitment, and Student Development in Tamil National Type Primary Schools: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
This study investigates the relationships among headmasters’ human resource management (HRM) practices, teacher commitment, and students’ holistic development encompassing academic, co-curricular, and character domains in Tamil national-type primary schools (SJK(T)) in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. The study utilized validated instruments, specifically the Human Resource Management Practices Questionnaire (adapted from [insert main HRM instrument source/author], focusing on subscales like staff development and reward systems), the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ), and the Student Holistic Development Scale (SHDS). Importantly, the data for student development represented teacher perceptions of student outcomes, not objective student scores. These findings strongly suggest that supportive HRM practices implemented by headmasters enhance teacher commitment, and this enhanced commitment, in turn, fosters greater student growth across academic and personal domains. Furthermore, the correlation and regression results conceptually support the perspective that teacher commitment potentially acts as a key mediating mechanism through which headmasters' HRM practices influence student outcomes. The results underscore the critical importance of effective leadership and HRM competencies in strengthening overall school outcomes, with particular implications for policy, leadership training, and practice in minority-language schools. Future research should adopt longitudinal and mixed-methods designs across diverse educational contexts to further validate and extend these insights, specifically to test the hypothesized mediating role of teacher commitment.
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Pedagogies for Financial Literacy Education in Secondary Schools: A Systematic Literature Review
Financial literacy education (FLE) has become a critical priority in secondary schools as young people face increasingly complex financial decisions that affect their well-being and future life outcomes. However, FLE is rarely offered as a standalone subject and is more commonly integrated across the secondary curriculum, raising questions about effective pedagogical approaches. This systematic literature review synthesizes recent empirical evidence on pedagogies used to integrate financial literacy into secondary school classrooms with the aim of supporting informed and responsible financial decision-making. Guided by the PRISMA framework, the review followed four stages: Identification, Screening, Eligibility and Data abstraction and analysis. It examined studies published between January 2023 and May 2025. Searches were conducted in Scopus and Web of Science, resulting in 21 primary studies that met the inclusion criteria. The findings were synthesized into three pedagogical themes: (1) Pedagogical Innovations and Stakeholder Engagement, highlighting interactive, technology-supported and culturally responsive approaches; (2) Determinants, Predictors, and Behavioural Outcomes, emphasising the roles of numeracy skills, behavioural biases and socio-demographic factors in shaping financial outcomes; and (3) Critical, Cultural and Social Justice Perspectives, which foreground empowerment, equity and contextual relevance in FLE. Overall, the review reveals promising pedagogical practices but also identifies gaps in teacher preparedness, curricular coherence and long-term impact evaluation. Future research should adopt design-based and longitudinal approaches to develop scalable and context-sensitive FLE models. These approaches can also strengthen professional development, helping teachers move beyond theoretical instruction toward meaningful financial learning that supports better life outcomes and wiser financial decisions.
Content Validity of the 24-Hour Activity Behavior Instrument and Influencing Factors among Preschool Students in Malaysia: Analysis of I-CVI and S-CVI by Experts Panel
Integrated 24-hour movement behaviours encompassing physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep are increasingly recognised as critical indicators of early childhood health. However, evidence on the content validity of instruments measuring these behaviours among preschool children in the Malaysian context remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the content validity of an adapted questionnaire and a complementary semi-structured interview guide designed to assess 24-hour movement behaviours among preschool children aged 3 and 4 years. The questionnaire was adapted from the SUNRISE Global Study and contextualised to reflect local cultural practices and early childhood education settings. Content validation employed a Content Validity Index (CVI) approach with three purposively selected experts in early childhood education. Each item was rated using a four-point relevance scale, from which Item-level (I-CVI) and Scale-level (S-CVI) Content Validity Index values were computed. Most items achieved I-CVI values of ≥0.78, while S-CVI values were 0.95 for the questionnaire and 0.97 for the interview guide, indicating excellent overall content validity. Items failing to meet the recommended thresholds were revised based on expert feedback to enhance clarity and contextual appropriateness. These findings confirm that both instruments demonstrate strong content validity and are suitable for pilot testing and subsequent psychometric evaluation, providing a robust methodological foundation for large-scale research on 24-hour movement behaviours among Malaysian preschool children.
Impact of Blended Teaching on English Pronunciation Accuracy among College Students in Hunan, China: A systematic Literature Review
This study investigates the impact of blended teaching approaches on English pronunciation accuracy among college students in Hunan Province, using music-related instruction as a contextual example. It explores how classroom-based instruction combined with technology-mediated pronunciation practice enhances second language learning outcomes. Employing a systematic literature review that integrates content analysis and bibliometric analysis, the study synthesises empirical and theoretical research published between 2000 and 2025 in both English and Chinese academic databases. The search employed key terms such as blended learning, computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT), English as a Foreign Language (EFL), and pronunciation accuracy, resulting in a dataset of 126 relevant studies. The bibliometric results highlight a growing academic interest in technology-assisted pronunciation instruction, especially through automated speech recognition (ASR) and CAPT applications. Content analysis further reveals that effective blended teaching depends on pedagogical alignment between human instruction and digital feedback tools, which together enhance phonemic discrimination, stress control, and communicative fluency. However, the outcomes are influenced by institutional readiness, teacher competence, and learner motivation. The study concludes that blended teaching represents a sustainable pedagogical framework for improving English pronunciation in Chinese higher education. Its long-term success relies on continuous faculty development, robust digital infrastructure, and cohesive integration between technology and pedagogy. The combined analytical approach offers both quantitative mapping and qualitative interpretation, providing valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers seeking to optimise pronunciation instruction through blended learning.
Framing Public Sector Capacity For Effective Public-Private Partnerships In Malaysia: A Typological Assessment
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have remained a cornerstone of Malaysia’s development strategy since the New Economic Policy of the 1970s, with private sector participation consistently embedded in national planning. Analysing how PPPs are positioned within long-term policy frameworks is crucial for understanding the evolving priorities underpinning public-private coordination. Yet, existing scholarship offers limited insight into how these policies address capacity enhancement within the public sector, leaving gaps in evaluating institutional coherence and adaptive capability over time. This study addresses that gap by constructing a typology of Malaysia’s PPP initiatives and their alignment with public sector capacity development, based on a qualitative content analysis of 352 excerpts drawn from the First to Twelfth Malaysia Plans. Seven strategic categories and 26 thematic domains were identified, illustrating a shift from broad, idealized models toward more targeted, organizational, and empowerment-oriented strategies. While public sector human capital and private sector participation remain central, recent plans show increased attention to project-based competencies and logistical functions within the public service. However, misalignments persist, particularly in integrating sector-specific capacity requirements across both sectors. The findings also underscore strong institutional path dependency, with legacy structures shaping PPP trajectories. The resulting typology offers a critical lens for understanding how Malaysia’s public service is reimagining capacity development in response to contemporary PPP demands, advocating for more integrated, adaptive, and context-sensitive reform approaches.
Barriers to Implementing Physical Fitness Programs for Students with Disabilities: A Systematic Review
Students with disabilities consistently demonstrate minimal participation in physical activity, despite well-established physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits. This systematic review examines the barriers to implementing physical fitness programmes for students with disabilities within educational surroundings. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, a total of 861 records were identified from Scopus and Web of Science. Eleven (11) studies met the inclusion criteria. Thematic synthesis identified three overarching themes: barriers to physical fitness programme implementation, the influence of physical, social, and institutional environments on participation, and effective strategies and interventions. The findings indicate that implementation is constrained by multiple factors such as inaccessible infrastructure, limited adapted resources, insufficient teacher training, and socioeconomic disadvantage. Contextual influences such as diagnostic categorisation, urban–rural disparities, and cultural perceptions were identified to affect the access to and effectiveness of physical fitness programmes. Nevertheless, several interventions demonstrated positive outcomes when implemented in encouraging environments. These include walking-based programmes, Daily Physical Activity toolkits, high-intensity interval training, and adaptive sports activities. Technology-supported approaches, such as supervision platforms and mobile tracking tools, were also reported to enhance motivation and individual engagement. Overall, the review highlights the need for equity-focused, multi-level strategies that align programme design with contextual realities and reduce systemic barriers. Collaboration among educators, families, and policymakers is essential to support the sustainable implementation of adaptive physical fitness programmes and to promote inclusive health outcomes for students with disabilities.
Pandangan Masyarakat Sarawak Terhadap Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63)
Abstrak: Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63) merupakan asas pembentukan Persekutuan Malaysia yang melibatkan Tanah Melayu, Sabah dan Sarawak. Namun demikian, selepas lebih enam dekad pelaksanaannya, masih wujud pelbagai isu berkaitan autonomi negeri, pengagihan kuasa dan pembangunan yang menimbulkan ketidakpuasan hati dalam kalangan masyarakat Sarawak. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meneliti pandangan, tahap kesedaran dan kefahaman masyarakat Sarawak terhadap pelaksanaan MA63. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan sosiologi politik dengan kaedah kualitatif melalui temu bual mendalam terhadap 25 orang informan yang dipilih secara persampelan bertujuan dan snowball. Data dianalisis menggunakan analisis tematik dengan bantuan perisian ATLAS.ti. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa wujud jurang yang ketara antara harapan masyarakat dan realiti pelaksanaan MA63 khususnya berkaitan hak autonomi, pengagihan sumber asli dan pembangunan wilayah. Faktor pendidikan, sosioekonomi dan akses kepada maklumat mempengaruhi tahap kefahaman masyarakat terhadap MA63. Masyarakat bandar didapati lebih kritikal dan mempunyai kesedaran politik yang lebih tinggi berbanding masyarakat luar bandar dan etnik minoriti. Kajian ini memberi implikasi bahawa pendidikan sivik, penyebaran maklumat dan komunikasi institusi yang lebih berkesan perlu diperkukuh bagi meningkatkan kefahaman masyarakat terhadap MA63 serta mengurangkan ketegangan politik dan sosial di Sarawak. Kata Kunci: Perjanjian Malaysia 1963; Sarawak; Autonomi; Sosiologi Politik; Malaysia Abstract: The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) serves as the foundation for the formation of Malaysia involving Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak. However, after more than six decades of its implementation, various issues related to state autonomy, power distribution, and regional development continue to generate dissatisfaction among the people of Sarawak. This study aims to examine the perspectives, awareness, and understanding of the Sarawak community towards the implementation of MA63. The study employs a political sociology approach using qualitative methods through in-depth interviews with 25 informants selected via purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The data were analysed using thematic analysis with the assistance of ATLAS.ti software. The findings reveal a significant gap between public expectations and the actual implementation of MA63, particularly regarding state autonomy, natural resource distribution, and regional development. Educational background, socioeconomic factors, and access to information were found to influence the level of public understanding of MA63. Urban communities were more critical and politically aware compared to rural communities and minority ethnic groups. This study implies that civic education, information dissemination, and institutional communication should be strengthened to enhance public understanding of MA63 and reduce political and social tensions in Sarawak. Keywords: Malaysia Agreement 1963; Sarawak; Autonomy; Political Sosiology; Malaysia
Market Stall Pricing and Vendor Profitability: An Empirical Evaluation of Perumda Pasar Pakuan Jaya In Bogor City
The rapid increase of street vendors (PKL) in Bogor City has generated congestion, disorder, and waste problems, prompting the local government to relocate vendors into traditional markets managed by Perumda Pasar Pakuan Jaya. However, the rental fees imposed for market stalls often exceed vendors’ profit capacities, causing nearly half of the kiosks to remain vacant. This study evaluates the stall rental pricing policy using a chi-square test to examine its relationship with vendor profitability and a SWOT analysis to explore internal and external factors affecting tariff determination. Based on responses from 256 traders selected through stratified random sampling, the findings indicate that effective traditional market governance depends not only on economic considerations but also on the ability to build social trust and cooperative relationships between administrators and traders. Although initial SWOT results position the pricing policy in a strength–opportunity quadrant, empirical perceptions reveal that priority should be given to WT strategies, emphasizing internal improvements and mitigation of external constraints. Key policy directions include strengthening managerial capacity, improving sanitation, upgrading electrical and drainage systems, and ensuring transparency in the use of rental revenue. Periodic disclosure of modernization expenditures can foster trust and demonstrate that tariff adjustments support tangible improvements. Ultimately, modernization should be viewed as an ongoing process of enhancing public service quality and sustaining traditional markets as vital social and economic spaces.
Digitally-Gamified Learning for Water Sustainability: Investigating Knowledge and Attitude Links among Urban Malaysian Learners
Urban water challenges in Malaysia highlight the urgent need to strengthen water literacy, including knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours necessary for sustainable water use. Although digital gamification has been widely promoted as an effective instructional strategy for sustainability education, its ability to connect cognitive gains with attitudinal change remains theoretically uncertain, particularly within Southeast Asian urban contexts shaped by diverse social norms and everyday water practices. This study investigates whether improvements in students’ water-related knowledge correspond with changes in attitude following a digitally gamified learning intervention. Using a quasi-experimental design, Pearson correlation analysis was conducted on post-test data from a treatment group exposed to a gamified digital module (n = 31) and a control group receiving conventional instruction (n = 32). Findings revealed a very weak and non-significant positive relationship between post-test knowledge and attitude in the treatment group (r = .165, p = .375), with a similarly weak association identified in the control group (r = .184, p = .314). Despite significant improvements in both knowledge and attitude at the group level, no meaningful individual-level alignment between cognition and affect was observed. These findings challenge linear knowledge-attitude assumptions commonly embedded in environmental education and suggest that gamified learning does not automatically bridge understanding with value-based orientation. The study highlights the importance of integrating emotional engagement, reflective learning, and culturally
Membangun Daya Tahan Perlindungan Sosial Menerusi Lensa Eklektik: Peranan Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja dalam Menangani Tekanan Kos Sara Hidup Golongan Rentan di Malaysia
Sistem perlindungan sosial memainkan peranan penting dalam memperkukuh ketahanan sosioekonomi negara dan salah satunya ialah Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP). Dalam konteks evolusinya di Malaysia, sistem ini telah memberikan manfaat besar terhadap pembangunan kesejahteraan rakyat. Justeru, artikel ini menghujahkan KWSP yang merupakan salah satu sistem perlindungan sosial di Malaysia bukan setakat perlu beradaptasi dengan perkembangan tertentu yang mencabar bahkan dituntut penilaian yang lebih jelas untuk menangani tekanan kos sara hidup pekerja golongan rentan di Malaysia. Sehubungan itu, dalam menghuraikan teka-teki intelektual secara kritikal, artikel ini disangga dengan tiga kerangka imperatif iaitu Peranan Negara, Pembangunan sebagai Kebebasan dan Masyarakat Berisiko yang dikenali sebagai pendekatan eklektik bagi membangun solusi yang berdaya tahan. Kewibawaan analisis yang lebih menyeluruh terhadap hubungan antara pembangunan sosioekonomi, keadilan sosial dan pengurusan risiko dalam konteks negara membangun dipertaruhkan menerusi pendekatan eklektik ini. Pengkaedahan kualitatif digunakan khasnya sumber primer diperolehi daripada temu bual mendalam separa berstruktur bersama informan berwibawa, perbincangan kumpulan tumpu (FGD) dan analisis dokumen. Manakala sumber sekunder dikumpul daripada data kajian kepustakaan yang terdiri daripada bahan-bahan bercetak dan dalam talian yang berwibawa. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa walaupun KWSP berfungsi sebagai institusi utama insurans sosial, struktur caruman berasaskan peratusan telah mewujudkan ketidakseimbangan perlindungan antara pekerja formal dan tidak formal. Keadaan ini meningkatkan kerentanan golongan B40, wanita, warga emas, pekerja tidak formal dan orang kurang upaya, terutama untuk melantun kembali ketika berdepan krisis ekonomi dan kenaikan kos sara hidup. Artikel ini menegaskan keperluan reformasi sistem perlindungan sosial yang lebih inklusif, responsif dan mampan bagi memastikan kesejahteraan golongan rentan benar‑benar terpelihara.
Examining the Effects of Artificial Intelligence Dimensions on Internal Audit Quality: Evidence from Oman’s Public Education Sector
The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly reshaping internal auditing practices, particularly within public-sector organizations facing heightened demands for transparency, accountability, and effective governance. Despite this growing relevance, empirical evidence on how specific AI dimensions influence internal audit quality in public education institutions, especially in emerging economies such as Oman, remains limited. This study examines the effects of artificial intelligence dimensions on internal audit quality in Oman’s public education sector. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 240 internal auditors, audit officers, and financial controllers from the General Directorate of Education in the Al-Dakhiliyah Governorate. Artificial intelligence was operationalized across four dimensions: expert systems, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and intelligent agents, while internal audit quality was measured in terms of integrity, objectivity, competence, timeliness, and compliance with professional standards. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29 through descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to test four hypotheses. The findings reveal that all four AI dimensions have positive and statistically significant effects on internal audit quality. Among the predictors, genetic algorithms emerged as the most influential dimension, followed by intelligent agents, neural networks, and expert systems. The regression model explains 78.4 percent of the variance in internal audit quality, indicating strong explanatory power within the public-sector context. Overall, the results support the Resource-Based View and the Information Systems Success perspective by confirming that AI functions as a strategic organizational capability that enhances the effectiveness and quality of internal auditing in Oman’s public education sector.
Pengaruh Tuntutan Pekerjaan, Sumber Pekerjaan dan Keterlibatan Kerja terhadap Keseimbangan Kerja-Kehidupan dalam kalangan Penjawat Awam di Malaysia
Kehidupan kerja yang tidak seimbang dan konflik antara kerja dan keluarga adalah antara faktor yang boleh menyebabkan peningkatan tekanan dan prestasi kerja yang rendah. Apabila tuntutan kerja melebihi keupayaan pekerja, tekanan akan berlaku dan boleh mengganggu keseimbangan kehidupan kerja seseorang. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji pengaruh tuntutan kerja, sumber kerja dan keterlibatan kerja yang boleh menjejaskan keseimbangan kerja-kehidupan dalam kalangan penjawat awam. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kajian tinjauan yang melibatkan pengumpulan data melalui soal selidik. Seramai 5165 responden dalam perkhidmatan awam di Malaysia telah menyertai kajian ini. Soal selidik yang digunakan terdiri daripada lima bahagian termasuk maklumat demografi, skala tuntutan kerja, skala sumber kerja, Skala Keterlibatan Kerja Utrecht (UWES) dan skala keseimbangan kerja-kehidupan. Keputusan kajian mendapati terdapat hubungan yang signifikan di antara tuntutan pekerjaan dan sumber pekerjaan dengan keterlibatan kerja. Dapatan juga menunjukkan hubungan signifikan di antara tuntutan pekerjaan dan sumber pekerjaan dengan keseimbangan kerja-kehidupan. Analisis regresi pelbagai menunjukkan bahawa tuntutan pekerjaan (beban, konflik peranan dan kejelasan peranan) dan sumber pekerjaan (autonomi, sokongan dan efikasi kendiri) merupakan peramal signifikan bagi keterlibatan kerja. Di samping itu, tuntutan pekerjaan (beban dan kejelasan peranan), sumber pekerjaan (autonomi, sokongan dan efikasi kendiri) dan keterlibatan kerja juga merupakan peramal signifikan bagi keseimbangan kerja-kehidupan. Kajian ini menyimpulkan bahawa keseimbangan kerja-kehidupan merupakan aspek penting yang perlu diberi perhatian oleh pekerja dan organisasi. Implikasi kajian ini adalah ia telah mengenal pasti faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi keseimbangan kerja-kehidupan dalam meningkatkan kesejahteraan pekerja di Malaysia.
Kecenderungan Penyalahgunaan Dadah dalam Kalangan Mahasiswa Universiti Tahun Akhir : Pengaruh Ketidakfungsian Keluarga dan Kesan Penggunaan Media Sosial
Kecenderungan penyalahgunaan dadah dalam kalangan mahasiswa merupakan isu sosial yang semakin membimbangkan. Pelbagai faktor berpotensi menyumbang kepada kecenderungan ini namun perkaitan jelas antara faktor ketidakfungsian keluarga dan penggunaan media sosial terhadap kecenderungan penyalahgunaan dadah masih perlu kajian mendalam. Sehubungan itu, satu kajian tinjauan yang bertujuan meneliti hubungan dan pengaruh antara faktor ketidakfungsian keluarga, kesan penggunaan media sosial, dan kecenderungan penyalahgunaan dadah telah dijalankan. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kuantitatif dan pengumpulan data adalah secara edaran borang soal selidik. Kajian mengadaptasi instrumen Family Assessment Device (FAD) dan Social Networking Addiction Scale (SNAS). Manakala instrumen mengukur kecenderungan penyalahgunaan dadah dibangunkan sendiri oleh pengkaji daripada kajian terdahulu. Seramai 125 orang responden yang terdiri daripada mahasiswa universiti telah dipilih menerusi pensampelan rawak mudah. Data dianalisis menggunakan SPSS. Analisis menunjukkan terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara ketidakfungsian keluarga dan kecenderungan penyalahgunaan dadah (r = .380, p < .05), manakala tiada hubungan signifikan ditemui antara kesan penggunaan media sosial dan kecenderungan penyalahgunaan dadah (r = -.104, p > .05). Seterusnya, hasil analisis regresi mendapati ketidakfungsian keluarga mempunyai pengaruh langsung yang signifikan terhadap kecenderungan penyalahgunaan dadah (β = .380, p < .01). Kajian ini menekankan kepentingan pelaksanaan intervensi yang menfokuskan kepada pengukuhan fungsi keluarga dan pendidikan literasi digital sebagai strategi pencegahan. Implikasi kajian turut mengetengahkan kepentingan usaha mengurangkan risiko tingkah laku berisiko dalam kalangan mahasiswa.
New Quality Productive Forces and High-Quality Economic Development: Evidence from Shaanxi Province
China’s regional economies are at a critical stage of transition from factor-driven growth to innovation-driven and green development. New quality productive forces, centered on technological innovation, digitalization, and green development, provide an important driving force for high-quality economic development. Based on panel data from ten prefecture-level cities in Shaanxi Province from 2009 to 2022, this study examines the impact of new quality productive forces on high-quality economic development and its underlying mechanisms. The results show that new quality productive forces significantly promote high-quality economic development, with industrial structure upgrading and energy utilization efficiency serving as important mediating channels. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that this promoting effect is significant in the Guanzhong region but not statistically significant in Northern and Southern Shaanxi. The findings suggest that Shaanxi should strengthen enterprise innovation and industry-university-research collaboration, promote industrial upgrading and energy efficiency improvement, and adopt differentiated policies based on the development conditions of Guanzhong, Northern Shaanxi, and Southern Shaanxi to promote coordinated regional economic development.
Tiket Bahasa Cantik: Refleksi Kesantunan Pelajar Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG)
Kesantunan berbahasa merupakan elemen penting dalam membentuk interaksi sosial yang harmoni dalam konteks pendidikan guru. Namun begitu, kajian empirikal yang meneliti amalan kesantunan berbahasa pelajar Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) menggunakan artifak reflektif autentik masih terhad. Kajian ini dijalankan di Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Pendidikan Islam bagi meneroka tema kesantunan berbahasa yang direkodkan oleh pelajar melalui dokumen reflektif “Tiket Bahasa Cantik,” iaitu catatan pengalaman sebenar terhadap perlakuan santun rakan sebaya dalam interaksi harian pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti strategi kesantunan yang diamalkan oleh pelajar IPG serta menganalisis integrasi nilai budaya Melayu dengan pengurusan muka dalam pengalaman komunikasi mereka. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan reka bentuk kajian kes. Seramai 25 pelajar aktif dalam kursus Bahasa Melayu dipilih secara bertujuan sebagai peserta. Data dikumpulkan melalui analisis ke atas 100 dokumen “Tiket Bahasa Cantik” dan dianalisis menggunakan kaedah analisis tematik secara sistematik. Proses analisis melibatkan pembacaan data secara mendalam, penjanaan kod awal, pembentukan dan semakan tema, penentuan definisi tema serta penulisan laporan. Keabsahan dapatan kajian diperkukuh melalui gabungan maklumat daripada pelbagai sumber, semakan pakar dan pengesahan peserta. Hasil dapatan kajian berjaya mengenal pasti lima tema amalan kesantunan utama iaitu penggunaan bahasa sopan dan lembut, amalan saling membantu antara rakan, cara menegur secara halus dan berhemah, menjaga keharmonian dan mengelakkan konflik serta kawalan emosi dan pembawaan sikap positif. Kajian ini memberikan implikasi praktikal kepada pendidik dan institusi latihan guru dengan mencadangkan penggunaan aktiviti reflektif sebagai medium berkesan untuk memupuk kesantunan berbahasa dalam kurikulum IPG.
Beyond the Classroom: Artificial Intelligence and Social Media in Digital Learning Ecosystems and Their Impact on Student Academic Performance in Malaysia
The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence and Social Media into higher education has significantly transformed student learning environments, creating new opportunities and challenges for academic performance. This study aims to examine the impact of artificial intelligence and social media usage on student academic performance in Malaysia. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected from 300 university students using a structured questionnaire comprising 19 items across three constructs: artificial intelligence usage, social media usage, and academic performance. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis via IBM SPSS Statistics. The findings indicate that both artificial intelligence and social media usage have significant positive effects on academic performance, with artificial intelligence demonstrating a stronger influence (β = 0.511, p < 0.001). The regression model explains 61.7% of the variance in academic performance (R² = 0.617, F(2, 297) = 239.733, p < 0.001), indicating strong explanatory power. The study concludes that the structured and purposeful integration of digital technologies plays a crucial role in enhancing student learning outcomes. These findings make several important contributions: theoretically, they extend the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) by demonstrating its applicability to integrated AI and social media usage in a non-Western higher education context; practically, they provide educators and academic administrators with evidence-based guidance for designing technology-enriched learning environments; and from a policy perspective, the findings inform institutional digital learning strategies in Malaysian public universities, offering a model for responsible and effective technology integration that can be adapted across the broader Southeast Asian higher education landscape.
Kecerdasan Buatan(AI) dan Perlembagaan Persekutuan: Implikasi terhadap Privasi dan Kebebasan Bersuara di Malaysia
Dalam dekad terakhir, kecerdasan buatan (AI) telah muncul menjadi pemacu utama kepada transformasi digital di Malaysia dan berpotensi mengubah cara kerajaan, institusi serta masyarakat membuat keputusan. Walau bagaimanapun, perkembangan ini turut menimbulkan kebimbangan serius terhadap perlindungan hak asasi manusia, khususnya hak privasi dan kebebasan bersuara yang dijamin di bawah Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Isu utama yang dibincangkan dalam kajian ini ialah sejauh mana undang-undang sedia ada mampu mengawal penggunaan AI agar selaras dengan prinsip hak perlembagaan. Kajian ini bertujuan menilai keupayaan kerangka perundangan Malaysia, terutamanya Akta Perlindungan Data Peribadi 2010 (PDPA) dan Akta Komunikasi dan Multimedia 1998 (AKMM), dalam melindungi hak individu daripada risiko keputusan automatik, penjejakan data dan diskriminasi digital. Pendekatan doktrinal dan analisis kandungan digunakan melalui penelitian terhadap peruntukan statut, keputusan kes serta garis panduan pengawal selia yang berkaitan. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa wujud jurang kawal selia yang ketara, terutamanya apabila PDPA tidak terpakai kepada sektor awam dan AKMM tidak menyediakan mekanisme semakan terhadap keputusan automatik. Keadaan ini menjejaskan prinsip ketelusan dan akauntabiliti dalam penggunaan AI, sekali gus melemahkan perlindungan hak perlembagaan. Sehubungan itu, kajian ini mencadangkan pembaharuan undang-undang berasaskan pendekatan risiko, peluasan skop PDPA kepada agensi kerajaan, pengiktarafan terhadap hak untuk menyemak keputusan automatik, serta penubuhan badan pengawasan bebas bagi tadbir urus data dan AI. Implikasi utama kajian ini ialah keperluan membentuk rangka norma perlembagaan bagi kedaulatan digital Malaysia, yang menyeimbangkan antara inovasi teknologi dan perlindungan hak rakyat di bawah Perkara 5(1) dan 10(1)(a) Perlembagaan Persekutuan.
Symbol Generation and Gender Dynamics in the Construction of Cultural Identity in Paper-cutting in Northern Shaanxi
Traditional paper-cutting motifs such as cave dwellings, the Yellow River, and waist drums, rooted in everyday life and folk belief in the Loess Plateau, convey rich cultural symbolism, social memory, and gendered meaning. Historically created and interpreted by women, these images are embedded in rituals and community life, yet their role in shaping identity and transmitting gendered knowledge remains underexplored. This study investigates how such motifs function as visual languages of belonging and cultural continuity. Based on ethnographic fieldwork and visual analysis in Shaanxi’s Ansai District and Zichang City, the research examines how these recurring symbols appear in festivals, life-cycle rituals, and shared spaces. They not only express collective emotion and historical narrative but also encode feminine labor, roles, and intergenerational knowledge, reinforcing women’s roles as cultural custodians. These motifs are dynamic, evolving in response to social change. Their selection and reinterpretation reflect individual creativity and communal negotiation, allowing for the reconfiguration of gendered meanings and local identities. The study advocates for heritage policies that move beyond commodification and digital replication, emphasizing community-based archiving, authorship recognition, and cultural preservation. It highlights the identity-forming potential of rural visual traditions and suggests further research into regional variation and symbolic transformation in folk imagery.
Meneroka Pengalaman Cubaan Membunuh Diri dalam Kalangan Banduan Terhadap Perkhidmatan Kaunseling di Penjara Malaysia
Abstrak: Fenomena cubaan bunuh diri dalam kalangan banduan merupakan isu kesihatan mental yang semakin membimbangkan di institusi penjara Malaysia. Meskipun perkhidmatan kaunseling disediakan, masih terdapat kekangan dalam memahami bagaimana banduan menilai dan mengalami proses kaunseling tersebut. Kajian terdahulu banyak dilakukan di negara barat dengan meneliti faktor yang mendorong cubaan bunuh diri dalam kalangan banduan. Namun, kajian mengenai pengalaman banduan yang cuba membunuh diri terhadap perkhidmatan kaunseling di penjara masih terhad, khususnya dalam konteks Malaysia. Sehubungan itu, kajian ini menggunakan metod kualitatif dengan reka bentuk fenomenologi deskriptif bagi meneroka pengalaman tersebut. Data dikumpul melalui temu bual secara mendalam dengan menggunakan persempelan bertujuan yang melibatkan 27 orang banduan yang pernah cuba membunuh diri, terdiri daripada 16 orang banduan lelaki dan 11 orang banduan wanita. Naratif temu bual kemudiannya dianalisis secara tematik menggunakan Atlas.ti 25 dalam mengenal pasti tema kajian. Hasil analisis telah mengenal pasti tiga tema iaitu (1) kepentingan perkhidmatan kaunseling, (2) perkhidmatan kaunseling yang terhad dan, (3) stigma banduan terhadap kaunselor. Hasil kajian ini memperlihatkan bahawa kaunseling berperanan penting dalam membantu banduan membina semula harapan, mengawal tekanan mental, dan mengurangkan kecenderungan bunuh diri. Namun demikian, perkhidmatan ini juga tidak lari daripada isu akses yang terhad dan stigma dalam kalangan banduan. Kajian ini juga menuntut keperluan memperkukuh peranan kaunselor di penjara melalui latihan khusus dalam intervensi krisis dan trauma. Dapatan ini juga diharapkan dapat menyumbang kepada penambahbaikan program dan modul pemulihan penjara yang lebih menyeluruh, mesra dan memberi kesan positif dalam kalangan banduan di penjara Malaysia. Abstract: Suicide attempts among prisoners have become an increasingly concerning mental health issue within Malaysian correctional institutions. Although counselling services are available, limited attention has been given to understanding how prisoners perceive and experience these services. Previous studies have largely focused on the factors contributing to suicide attempts among prisoners, particularly in western contexts. However, research examining the experiences of prisoners who have attempted suicide in relation to counselling services remains limited, especially in Malaysia. Therefore, this study employed a qualitative approach using a descriptive phenomenological design to explore these experiences. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 27 prisoners who had previously attempted suicide, comprising 16 male and 11 female participants, selected through purposive sampling. Interview narratives were analysed thematically using Atlas.ti 25 to identify key themes. The analysis revealed three major themes: (1) the importance of counselling services, (2) limitations of counselling services, and (3) prisoners stigma toward counsellors. The findings indicate that counselling plays a significant role in helping prisoners rebuild hope, manage psychological distress, and reduce suicidal tendencies. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these services is constrained by limited accessibility and persistent stigma among prisoners. The study highlights the need to strengthen the role of prison counsellors through specialized training in crisis intervention and trauma informed care. These findings may contribute to the enhancement of prison rehabilitation programs and counselling services that are more comprehensive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of prisoners in Malaysia.
Menilai Pengetahuan, Sikap dan Amalan Berkaitan dengan Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan: Tinjauan Keratan Rentas
Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan pengaruh pengetahuan dan sikap terhadap amalan Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan atau Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) melalui Teori Pengetahuan (Knowledge), Sikap (Attitudes) dan Amalan (Practices)- KAP. Data diperolehi daripada borang soal selidik yang diedarkan kepada seramai 200 orang responden dengan pelbagai latar belakang demografi di Malaysia. Hasil analisis Regresi Linear Berganda menunjukkan bahawa terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan dan positif antara sikap dengan amalan SDGs. Manakala, pengetahuan didapati tidak mempengaruhi amalan SDGs. Ini mengimplikasikan bahawa dengan memiliki pengetahuan sahaja tidak memadai untuk mendorong individu mengamalkan aktiviti kemampanan. Sebaliknya, sikap yang positif terhadap isu-isu kemampanan lebih memberi kesan terhadap amalan SDG. Kajian ini memberikan panduan berguna kepada pembuat dasar dalam meningkatkan kesedaran masyarakat tentang SDGs melalui pendekatan pendidikan dan kempen kesedaran yang lebih berfokus. Dapatan juga menyarankan perlunya integrasi elemen SDGs dalam kurikulum pendidikan bagi memastikan impak yang mampan dalam kalangan generasi muda
SUMBANGAN RELATIF ANTARA KECERDASAN KEROHANIAN DAN STRATEGI DAYA TINDAK KEAGAMAAN TERHADAP TAHAP KEMURUNGAN DALAM KALANGAN PELAJAR IPT
Depression among students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) has become an increasing concern due to academic demands, social transitions, and lifestyle adjustments. This study aims to examine the relationship between depression, spiritual intelligence, and religious coping strategies, as well as gender differences across these variables among HEI students. A quantitative survey design was employed, involving 381 respondents from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Data were collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI-24), and Brief RCOPE-14, and analysed using SPSS version 29 through descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent samples t-tests, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. The findings revealed that students reported moderate levels of depression, while spiritual intelligence and religious coping were at high levels. No significant gender differences were found across all variables. Correlation analysis indicated weak but significant relationships between depression, spiritual intelligence, and religious coping. Regression results further demonstrated that spiritual intelligence and religious coping significantly predicted depression levels, with implications for suicidal ideation among students. From a clinical perspective, these findings highlight the importance of psychospiritual-based interventions as potential support and preventive strategies in reducing depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among HEI students.
Persepsi Etnik Cina Terhadap Liputan Berita Berunsur Rasisme Dan Implikasinya Terhadap Hubungan Antara Etnik di Kuala Lumpur
Kajian ini meneliti bagaimana komuniti etnik Cina di Kuala Lumpur melihat liputan media yang berkaitan isu rasisme serta sejauh mana naratif media dibandingkan dengan pengalaman hidup seharian mempengaruhi pandangan mereka terhadap hubungan antara kaum. Kajian ini mendapati bahawa pengalaman harian dan interaksi rentas etnik lebih dominan dalam membentuk kefahaman mereka berbanding paparan media. Objektif kajian adalah untuk: (1) meneroka respons etnik Cina terhadap liputan berita berunsur rasisme dan diskriminasi; (2) menghuraikan penilaian mereka terhadap hubungan etnik dan perpaduan nasional; (3) memahami peranan pengalaman hidup dalam membentuk makna tentang rasisme; dan (4) meneliti kecenderungan tingkah laku seperti penjarakan sosial, pengelakan dan penapisan kendiri dalam interaksi antara etnik. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif melalui enam temu bual mendalam bersama informan yang telah bermastautin di Kuala Lumpur sekurang-kurangnya lima tahun. Kerangka teori menggabungkan Audience Reception Theory (Hall), Interaksi Simbolik (Goffman), dan Pembinaan Sosial (Berger & Luckmann) bagi menjelaskan pembentukan makna melalui pengalaman sosial dan pengaruh media. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa walaupun informan menyedari kewujudan unsur rasisme dalam liputan media dan media sosial, mereka lebih dipengaruhi oleh pengalaman peribadi, hubungan harian dan interaksi antara etnik. Justeru, ramai memilih pendirian neutral serta mengamalkan penapisan kendiri demi mengelakkan salah faham dan mengekalkan keharmonian sosial. Kajian ini menegaskan keperluan menilai semula dasar serta memperkukuh peranan pendidikan dan komuniti dalam memupuk hubungan etnik yang lebih inklusif di Kuala Lumpur.