Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS) (Journal of UniSZA - Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin)
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RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM AND RADICALISATION OF MUSLIMS IN MALAYSIA:: THE MALAY TIES WITH THE MUJAHIDIN, AL QAEDA AND ISIS
Get PDFThis study discusses the reasons behind the rise of religious extremism in Malaysia within the framework of international politics and the world order by highlighting the ties of Malay Muslims with the Mujahidin, Al Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) over the last four decades. For that purpose, a qualitative analytical approach is used, referencing secondary sources such as academic journal articles and scholarly books. In understanding the situation, online newspaper articles were also considered as secondary sources to extract the data to understand the destructive situation in Malaysia, which has gradually become a fertile ground for the sowing of radical ideas. The paper highlights that since the 1970s, religious extremism and radicalism have intensified due to the Cold War politics, the conflict between Palestine and Israel, and, later, foreign invasions of Muslim nation-states, giving rise to many local religious extremist groups with their relations to international extremist groups. Analysis of the secondary sources reveals the existence of a radical understanding of Islam by a substantial portion of the population, thus suggesting that the authorities should pay attention to extremist influences on the moderate nature of social relations in multi-ethnic and multi-religious Malaysia. At the same time, the paper argues that this negative transformation cannot be explained by external factors alone, as the internal factors have played an important role in the radicalisation of Malay society. The paper concludes with several practical recommendations such as improvisation of religious education that emphasises on peaceful cohesion, and discontinuation of foreign intervention policies and overgeneralisations. These recommendations are to regulate the escalation of extremism and radical understanding of Islam in Malaysia, which considerably threatens national security and citizens’ wellbeing.
Keywords: Al Qaeda, ISIS, Islamic radicalism in Malaysia, mujahidin, religious extremism.
Cite as: Jaafar, M. I., & Akhmetova, E. (2020). Religious extremism and radicalisation of Muslims in Malaysia: The Malay ties with the Mujahidin, Al Qaeda and ISIS. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(1), 104-123. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss1pp104-12
IS WHATSAPP THE FUTURE OF WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION?: INVESTIGATING THE USE OF WHATSAPP IN DECISION- MAKING EPISODES
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Meetings, emails, phone calls and mobile telephone texts are often quoted as the primary methods of communication in the workplace settings. However, the rise of mobile messaging service has been superseding the use of these modes of communication. Hence, it is not surprising that messaging applications like Whatsapp has slowly replaced the transmission of messages in most workplace interaction. WA, the prominent global mobile messenger application (statistica.com) does not only allow users to send personal messages to others rapidly but also makes it possible for them to communicate in groups where the users can communicate interactively and achieve tasks swiftly.
Methodology: Drawing on WA group messages and audio recordings of meetings of team meetings, this work analyses the impact of WA on internal team communication by focusing on the processes of decision-making displayed by the members of a group of academics at an institution of higher education in Malaysia.
Findings: The analysis shows that the application functions as a useful platform for the team to negotiate solutions, make and revisit decisions that were previously decided in another interactional context.
Contributions: This paper concludes that the use of WA constitutes a daily reality in the investigated workplace, illuminate the intertextuality of DM processes across these contexts, and that it is reflective of its main purposes: to make quick decisions, give confirmation or approval, and provide information regarding the issues raised. The study also addresses the crucial question: is WA the future of workplace communication and will it become the preferred medium for decision- making?
Keywords: Decision-making, higher education, Malaysia, WhatsApp, workplace discourse.
Cite as: Mohd Omar, N. A, Azmi, N. J., & Ahmad Sani, N. (2020). Is Whatsapp the future of workplace communication?: Investigating the use of Whatsapp in decision-making episodes. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(1), 414-442. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss1pp414-44
THE EFFECT OF MOTIVATION ON ARABIC COLLOCATION KNOWLEDGE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF COLLOCATION LEARNING STRATEGIES
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: The role of collocation learning strategies is less of a concern as mediator. Although several correlation studies of bivariate factors have provided the relationship between the variables, many cannot answer the question of how the relationship exists. Also, a lot of studies have taken into account the variables of collocation learning strategies as mediator factors and have not illustrated clearly the relationship between independent variables (motivation) and dependent variables (collocation knowledge). As such, the aim of the present study is to identify the knowledge of Arabic collocation by taking several factors, namely; motivation and collocation learning strategies that have the potential to increase the knowledge of Arabic collocation in Malaysia.
Methodology: In this study, a cross-sectional design was applied. Simple random sampling was used, where a total of 344 final year Arabic language students from eight public universities in Malaysia took part in the study by completing a set of tests and questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.
Findings: The findings show there is a direct and indirect relationship between motivation variable, collocation learning strategies and collocation knowledge. In addition, the learning strategies factor also serves as a partial mediator.
Contributions: This study suggests that collocation learning strategies play a role in the relationship between motivation and collocation knowledge in the context of Arabic language at higher education level in Malaysia.
Keywords: Collocation learning strategies, motivation, collocation knowledge, Arabic language, public universities.
Cite as: Asbulah, L. H., Aladdin, A., & Sahrim, M. (2020). The effect of motivation on Arabic collocation knowledge: The mediating role of collocation learning strategies. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(2), 1-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp1-1
PUSH AND PULL FACTORS INFLUENCING THAI IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEURS CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN MALAYSIA
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the push and pull factors that influence Thai immigrant entrepreneurs (TIEs) to conduct a business in Malaysia. As a neighbouring country, Malaysia is one of the favourite migration destinations for TIEs, with an influx of them involved in restaurant businesses across the country. This phenomenon offers this study with an unconventional background for immigrant entrepreneurship as it occurs within the context of developing, non-Western countries.
Methodology: Outlined by previous studies on push and pull factors of immigration and immigrant entrepreneurship, this research employed a qualitative approach focusing on the experiences of six TIEs operating Thai/Siamese restaurants in Bandar Baru Bangi, a town located approximately 30 km south of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Data were collected mainly through face-to-face interviews among owners of restaurants in their premises, which ensures richness in the data.
Findings: The findings indicated several categories of business-based emigration factors for TIEs to Malaysia, spanning from economic, political, and social factors.
Contributions: Overall, the present research extends the knowledge of immigrant entrepreneurship especially within the non-Western context. Practice-wise, this study provides implications for policymakers in relation to business activities conducted by migrants in neighbouring countries, which are useful for both Malaysia and Thailand as the host and the origin country respectively.
Keywords: Thai immigrant entrepreneurs, Thailand, Malaysia, restaurant business, push and pull factors.
Cite as: Yanai, L., Che Senik, Z., Muhamad, N. S., Abd Hamid, H., & Jamaludin, N. A. (2020). Push and pull factors influencing Thai immigrant entrepreneurs conducting business in Malaysia. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(2), 19-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp19-4
REPRESENTING THE INCUMBENT AND THE CONTENDER IN THE 2019 INDONESIAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: The 2019 Indonesian presidential debates were an important part of the presidential election because it drew public interest, enabling the candidates to persuade the electorate. The debates reunited Joko Widodo, the incumbent and Prabowo Subianto, his former contender.
Methodology: The article selected the five debates during the 2019 presidential debates. The debates were analyzed with Transitivity from Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), studying how process, participant and circumstance represent the presidential candidates.
Findings: The incumbent and contender, although from different parties, share similarities in their Transitivity patterns. Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto frequently employ Material, Relational and Mental processes to state their actions for governing Indonesia, describe present or future plans, and share their thoughts and hopes for the country. Being politicians, the incumbent and contender use language to construe themselves as the most suitable person to be president. The two candidates employ the pronoun ‘we’ to depict themselves as part of a group, be it a political party or the electorate. They also employ the pronoun ‘I’ to showcase their personal capability. The two candidates share patterns of Transitivity because their representation tries to persuade the electorate to vote for them.
Contributions: The present article extends research on political discourse because it studies data from Indonesia and data in the Indonesian language. The findings can serve to educate the electorate on how politicians employ language in persuasion.
Keywords: Debates, elections, Indonesia, president, transitivity.
Cite as: Fidyati, L., & Rajandran, K. (2020). Representing the incumbent and the contender in the 2019 Indonesian presidential debates. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(2), 215-238. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp215-23
A REVIEW OF LEGAL PROBLEMS IN MALAYSIAN STRICT PRODUCT LIABILITY LAW – MAQASID SYARIAH AS A WAY FORWARD
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Consumers who suffer from injury or property damage due to the existence of a defect in a given product is entitled to bring a legal action in court based on product liability law provisions in Malaysia. This study aims to analyse the legal problems of strict civil liability in product liability law in Malaysia based on the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599) (hereinafter “CPA 1999”).
Methodology: By applying a doctrinal approach based on qualitative methodology of legal research, this study involved a thorough analysis of the CPA 1999 as well as previous court cases. The findings of this study were analysed using content analysis and critical analysis methods in order to record the similarities and differences which exist, as well as to draw conclusions on the meaning and application of the said law.
Findings: The findings prove that there are several weaknesses in the existing strict civil product liability provisions in Malaysia, which are still unresolved in terms of the meaning of product defect and proof of causation.
Contribution: This paper recommends that any improvements on the legal provisions for strict civil liability under product liability law in Malaysia to be evaluated from a different perspective based on Islamic principles of product liability and the theory of Maqasid Syariah, which has rarely been analysed.
Keywords: Causation, doctrinal, Maqasid Syariah, product liability, strict civil liability.
Cite as: Mohd Shukri, M. H., Ismail, R., & Markom, R. (2020). A review of legal problems in Malaysian strict product liability law – Maqasid Syariah as a way forward. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(2), 239-260. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp239-26
INVESTIGATING THE NEEDS OF DEVELOPING A DIGITAL VOCABULARY LEARNING MATERIAL FOR MALAYSIAN INDIGENOUS LEARNERS IN ESL CLASSROOM
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: An intervention program becomes a necessity when a learning problem arises. To ensure the program effectiveness, pedagogical and assessment decisions rely heavily on the actual needs of learners. Hence, this study aimed to conduct a needs analysis survey to investigate the indigenous learners’ needs in terms of their attitudes towards ESL learning, favorable language skills, topics of interest and preferable modes of learning. Unlike other groups of Malaysian learners, the indigenous experience extreme ESL learning disadvantage due to their struggle to assimilate themselves in a multi-ethnic school environment.
Methodology: This study employed design-based research (DBR) methodology with the utilization of mixed-method tools in the forms of document analysis and close-ended questionnaire. These data variations aim for the breadth and depth of understanding and corroboration. Past public examination results were used to highlight the indigenous learning problems in ESL learning followed by a survey questionnaire on forty-eight (48) 13-year-old indigenous learners.
Findings: The findings reveal that the indigenous possessed extremely poor vocabulary mastery and experienced high language anxiety. Nevertheless, they surprisingly exhibited high awareness towards the potential usage of English language, and this level of awareness posits their needs and readiness to explore other means of learning which are not currently offered to them such as digital game-based learning.
Contributions: The study informs ESL practitioners on the importance of considering the needs of the targeted learners and teachers involved so that contextualized, practical, and effective instruction could be designed, developed, and successfully delivered.
Keywords: Design-based research, indigenous learners, instructional design, mixed-method tools, needs analysis.
Cite as: Wan Mahzan, M. S., Alias, N. A., & Ismail, I. S. (2020). Investigating the needs of developing a digital vocabulary learning material for Malaysian indigenous learners in ESL classroom. Journal of Nusantara Studies 2020, 5(2), 282-302. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp282-30
ILLEGAL LOGGING AND FOREST OFFENCES IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: PERCEIVED OPPORTUNITY FACTORS
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: A model by the World Bank (2006) explained the causes of illegal logging and environmental crimes in terms of the simultaneous presence of methods, motives, and opportunities. This paper aims to examine the opportunity factors behind the commission of illegal logging and forest offences in Malaysia based on the perceptions of forest enforcement agencies.
Methodology: Responses from the agencies were mainly obtained through a set of questionnaire though semi-structured interviews were also carried out to support the quantitative findings. The strength of the factors was determined through data analysis using SPSS, where opportunity factors for committing illegal logging were analyzed according to the results of measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion.
Findings: Insufficient enforcement facilities and equipment were found in the study to be the most significant factors which present opportunities for committing the offences. Respondents also perceived the level of enforcement, cooperation between government agencies and the possibility of conviction as the factors which open up opportunities for illegal logging and forest offences.
Contributions: The results of the study may help create awareness and provide inputs for policy makers to formulate appropriate policy responses to curb illegal logging and other forest crimes.
Keywords: Environmental crime, illegal logging, opportunity factors, policy response, Act 313.
Cite as: Mohd Noor, M. N. H, Kadir, R., & Muhamad, S. (2020). Illegal logging and forest offences in peninsular Malaysia: Perceived opportunity factors. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(2), 86-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp86-10
CONNECTING MULTILITERACIES AND WRITING PEDAGOGY FOR 21ST CENTURY ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS: KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR TEACHER EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE AND BEYOND
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Given the dynamic, global and multimodal character of English in the 21st century, it should be reasonable to expect English language (EL) teaching to accommodate the influences of media and technology on modern communication practices. In Singapore, education policy therefore highlights multiliteracies as one of three foci for the EL classroom. Yet, scant attention has been paid in research and practice to the impact of technology-mediated communication on writing pedagogy. This paper presents the findings of an extensive multiple-case study research project which sought to establish how multiliteracies pedagogy was being utilized in Singaporean secondary teachers’ classrooms and the significant internal and external factors that contributed to classroom practice.
Methodology: The research explored six EL teachers’ practices within one unit of work, focusing on writing skills. Data were gathered through video recorded lesson observations, pre- and post-lesson interviews to explore rationales and justifications for planning and implementation, and focus group discussions to establish common practices, values and beliefs towards writing pedagogy.
Findings: The study found that although teachers were aware of and trained in multiliteracy practices, they dominantly addressed writing as a monomodal form of communication, limited student autonomy and critical development, and neglected culture in their instruction.
Contributions: We argue that writing instruction must be socially situated and multimodal and teacher education must prepare practitioners to empower learners to become critical and effective writers. We also assert that examination-oriented practices make writing in the classroom inauthentic and largely incomprehensible, despite belief that the opposite is true.
Keywords: Language teacher education, literacy, multiliteracies, multimodality, writing.
Cite as: Mizusawa, K., & Kiss, T. (2020). Connecting multiliteracies and writing pedagogy for 21st century English Language classrooms: Key considerations for teacher education in Singapore and beyond. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(2), 192-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp192-21
LEGAL PERSPECTIVES ON NUCLEAR ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA
Get PDFThis paper explores the potential of nuclear energy, particularly in the power sector, to solve energy challenges and to address the pertinent issues regarding energy sustainability in Malaysia. The deployment of nuclear energy in various developed and developing countries has conspicuously helped sustaining energy security and sustainability due to its compatibility and protection of the environment. In addition to energy security, nuclear energy also offers significant benefits to socio-economic aspects. Thus, nuclear energy in developing countries, including Malaysia, has the potential to emerge as a new prospect in the energy sector using sophisticated technology and expert personnel to maximize the energy benefits with the least environmental risk. This step would certainly meet future energy demands and help accelerate the country’s development with optimum energy generation in the country. Therefore, Malaysia should aim to resort to nuclear power generation whereby the current power sector is mainly generated by traditional means, with only a small fraction of it being renewable energy. With no experience in this field, Malaysia needs to establish collaboration with some country rich with nuclear-resource in order to build, maintain nuclear reactors and treat nuclear wastes. The development of such facility should also comply with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Moreover, Malaysia has to introduce legislation and policies related to future nuclear energy. Thus, this paper discusses some of the pertinent issues related to the prospects of nuclear power generation in the country towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Keywords: Atomic energy, energy security, governance, sustainable development.
Cite as: Ghazali, F., Ansari, A. H., Mustafa, M., & Wan Zahari, W. M. Z. (2020). Legal perspectives on nuclear energy and sustainable development in Malaysia. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(1), 169-188. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss1pp169-18