ABDULLAH BADAWI’S FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS CHINA: THREE-LEVEL ANALYSIS OF A PRAGMATIC AND IDEALISTIC DIPLOMACY STRATEGY IN A TWO-WAY COOPERATION

During his administration from 2003 to 2009, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi chose to continue the foreign policy of Mahathir Mohamad. However, he also applied a more ‘middle-ground’ approach that was neither provocative nor aggressive. This had on occasion portrayed him as a weak leader, contributing to the loss of majority seats for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 12th general election. Nonetheless, during his tenure, there was an increase in cooperation between Malaysia and China in the educational and sociocultural fields, as well as cooperation with government-linked companies (GLCs), which had not happened before. How far did the moderate personality of Abdullah provide a significant impact on the structuring of Malaysia’s foreign policy towards China? This research will look at a three-level analysis that was conducted in assessing the foreign policy of Malaysia towards China during the period. The three levels that were analysed were international, national, and personality factors. A neoclassical realist approach was applied to look at the changing international political landscape and its impact on Malaysian foreign policy towards China. This research applied a qualitative method of obtaining primary data through structured interviews with key informants and an analytical method based on chronology—unsupported by empirical evidence from secondary data. In conclusion, the research revealed that Malaysia’s foreign policy towards China during Abdullah Badawi’s administration was a combination of ongoing maturing of relations and an increase in bilateral cooperation which had not been explored before. The research also found that although Abdullah Badawi was seen as a relatively weak leader in domestic politics, he made a significant impact on the continuity of Malaysia’s national interest, particularly in the soft power competition between the USA and China in Southeast Asia

The Enforcement Strategy in The Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Policy towards Achieving Sustainable Growth for Sabahans

World economic growth, which is increasingly declining due to the impact of the COVID-19 controversy, has caused the Sabah State Government to launch the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Policy Development Plan on 29 March 2021 as one of the efforts to deal with this issue. Among the sectors given focus in the SMJ Plan are the development of human capital, economy and social well-being in Sabah. This is because, through the development of human capital, the economy and the sustainability of the people's well-being, it is believed to be able to produce people who are creative, critical and competitive for the needs of the present and the future immediately guaranteeing the sustainability of the country's economy. The qualitative research methods used in this study are a literature review and structured interviews. Among the informants are the Yang Berhormat Dato’ Ir. Shahelmy bin Yahya, who is Deputy Chief Minister III of Sabah. Professor Dr. Sity Daud is the Deputy Dean of Networking and Alumni at the National University of Malaysia and Professor Madya Datuk Ts. Dr. Ramzah Dambul is the Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Development Research Institute (IDS), who is directly involved in contributing ideas, reviewing, proposing and analyzing policies and development frameworks in Malaysia and Sabah. Thus, this study was synthesized to identify the factors contributing to the well-being of the people in the state of Sabah to achieve the direction set in the SMJ Plan. The results of descriptive analysis and interviews with three informants found that there are three factors that affect the well-being of the people of Sabah, namely the issue of human capital, the income gap and the lack of facilities and infrastructure in the state. Therefore, to ensure that the SMJ Plan can achieve the direction set, this study suggests that the focus for development in the state of Sabah needs to be implemented holistically, including urban and rural areas

Warisan Budaya Etnik Bajau Samah di Kota Belud, Sabah

Sabah terkenal dengan kepelbagaian etnik dalam kalangan masyaraka yang terdiri daripada Kadazandusun, Bajau, Bugis, Iranum, Brunei, Bonggi dan beberapa etnik lagi. Adanya kepelbagaian etnik di Sabah, maka wujudlah kepelbagaian adat istiadat dan warisan etnik masing-masing. Antara seni warisan yang terkenal di Sabah ialah etnik Bajau Samah di Kota Belud, Sabah. Namun demikian, seni warisan etnik Bajau Samah ini tidak berkembang seperti mana keunggulan yang di miliki oleh warisan tersebut. Oleh itu, kajian ini dijalankan untuk: (1) mengenalpasti bentuk-bentuk warisan budaya Etnik Bajau Samah; (2) menganalisis cabaran dalam mengekalkan warisan budaya; dan (3) mengkaji usaha-usaha dalam mempromosikan warisan budaya kepada masyarakat. Kaedah campuran terdiri daripada Primer dan Sekunder diaplikasikan dalam kajian ini. Data primer diperolehi daripada temubual dengan para informan dan kaedah pemerhatian sewaktu menjalankan kajian lapangan; dan data sekunder diperolehi daripada perpustakaan Universiti Malaysia Sabah, di Pusat Sumber FSSK,UMS dan di ARKIB Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan warisan budaya etnik Bajau Samah dapat dipecahkan kepada dua bahagian iaitu budaya benda dan budaya bukan benda. Terdapat pelbagai cabaran yang dihadapi oleh etnik Bajau Samah untuk mengekalkan warisan budaya mereka terutama sekali dari segi keterlibatan generasi muda yang tidak mahu mempelajari dan mengambil tahu tentang warisan mereka sendiri. Namun, terdapat usaha yang dilakukan oleh Persatuan Etnik Bajau Samah, di Kota Belud bagi mengekalkan dan menonjolkan warisan budaya mereka agar dapat menarik minat generasi muda untuk mempelajari dan memelihara warisan budaya mereka agar tidak hilang ditelan zaman. Kesimpulannya, antara usaha persatuan etnik Bajau Samah dan golongan tua ini adalah dengan menonjolkan keunikan dan keistimewaan warisan budaya etnik Bajau Samah kepada masyarakat di dalam dan di luar negara dengan pelbagai cara, terutamanya dengan menggunakan pengaruh media massa

Social Carrying Capacity as A Planning Tool for Sustainable Tourism: A Case of Pangkor Island, Perak, Malaysia

Tourism can drive economic growth and development in destinations, but unchecked growth can have negative impacts on local communities and the environment. To ensure that tourism is sustainable and does not cause harm, social carrying capacity (SCC) has become a useful planning tool. SCC refers to the maximum number of tourists that a destination can accommodate without exceeding the capacity of local resources, infrastructure, and services. This study aims to identify the level of crowding on public holidays at Pangkor Island and the acceptance levels of tourists and the local community regarding tourism. A quantitative methodology was used, involving 96 international tourists, 332 domestic tourists, and 387 members of the local community. The results indicate that the level of crowding on public holidays at Pangkor Island is still within acceptable limits. The barometer showed that international tourist respondents rated the level of crowding as excellent (green colour), while domestic tourist respondents rated it as acceptable (yellow colour). Local community respondents also rated the level of crowding as high but still acceptable (green colour). This study concludes that the Social Carrying Capacity at Pangkor Island is still good, and it is important to maintain it to achieve sustainable tourism. By managing tourism growth and ensuring that the number of tourists does not exceed the SCC, destinations can reap the economic benefits of tourism while preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the area and protecting the well-being of the local community

Konstruktiviti dasar dan strategi sekuriti makanan: Kerentanan isu padi dan beras di Kota Belud, Sabah

Dewasa ini kenaikan harga beras import dan fenomena kekurangan bekalan beras tempatan telah memberikan impak negatif terhadap rakyat khususnya kepada golongan berpendapatan rendah B40 yang merupakan majoriti rakyat Malaysia. Hal ini telah menyebabkan kenaikan harga barangan komoditi sektor makanan terus meningkat. Walaupun yang demikian kekurangan beras putih tempatan dalam negara adalah disebabkan peningkatan permintaan berikutan kenaikan harga beras import. Namun begitu, negara mempunyai 130,282 hektar sawah yang menyumbang kepada 40 % pengeluaran padi. Kota Belud sahaja seluas 7,092 hektar dan merupakan antara pengeluar utama beras. Jika dianalisis daripada aspek keluasan tanaman padi di Kota Belud pada tahun 2019 adalah seluas 9,392 hektar. Oleh itu, kurang daripada tiga tahun sahaja telah berlaku peningkatan 1,000 hektar kawasan tanaman padi di Kota Belud. Atas faktor tersebut seharusnya bekalan beras negara mencukupi tetapi sebaliknya negara mengalami krisis kerentanan padi dan beras yang serius. Oleh hal yang demikian, objektif kajian ialah menganalisis faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi kepada isu kekurangan bekalan beras, pemilihan, laveraj dan penglibatan pemegang taruh yang akhirnya menentukan pemilihan ruang dasar, kebolehoperasian dan penilaian keberkesanan dasar. Kajian mengaplikasikan kaedah kualitatif dengan memperoleh data primer melalui temu bual berstruktur dengan para informan utama dan diperkukuhkan dengan bukti-bukti empirikal melalui data sekunder. Bagi mendapatkan hasil kajian yang lebih komprehensif kajian kualitatif turut dilakukan dengan memberikan borang soal selidik kepada 100 orang penduduk kampung. Hasil kajian menunjukan sekuriti makanan perlu dijadikan agenda nasional dan selain itu penglibatan golongan belia, jaringan jalan raya yang komprehensif, sistem perparitan dan pengairan yang kondusif serta pengagihan tanaman padi dan tanaman komersial yang seimbang antara alternatif dan inisiatif dalam menghadapi dan mengurangkan isu sekuriti makanan di Sabah dan Malaysia secara amnya

The digital defence against cyberbullying: A systematic review of tech-based approaches

Cyberbullying, which has been exacerbated by the widespread use of smartphones and the increasing stress associated with the pandemic, needs the promotion of positive online behaviour, cyberbullying awareness, and victim support. The PRISMA technique is used in this review to identify effective preventative tools and intervention options. Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria and were selected for review. A quality assessment was conducted. Upon thorough evaluation of the included studies, the intervention data was compiled in a narrative format. Using thematic analysis, we explored the effectiveness of technological interventions for preventing cyberbullying comprehensively. Technology-driven strategies for identifying and combating cyberbullying in educational settings, such as language-specific cyberbullying detection tools, IRCB programmes for empowering teenagers, and technologies such as CREEP Semantic Technology and CREEP Virtual Coach, have showed potential. TIPIP and the #WIIWY movement have also assisted to raise awareness and educate people about cyberbullying. However, more research is required to design targeted interventions that address varied demographics and circumstances, while including parents and taking the target audience’s age into account remains critical for effective technology-driven educational interventions and digital advocacy

Persepsi mahasiswa UMS terhadap impak covid-19 dengan menggunakan teknik interpretasi kriging dalam kampus UMS

Wabak COVID-19 telah membawa kesan negatif kepada dunia dalam pelbagai sektor termasuklah ekonomi, politik, kesihatan dan kehidupan sosial antara manusia. Selain itu, Pendidikan juga terkesan akibat daripada penularan wabak ini. Oleh itu, kajian penyelidikan ini dijalankan dengan bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti faktor-faktor penularan COVID-19 dalam kalangan mahasiswa UMS dengan menggunakan aplikasi ‘Geography Information System’ (GIS). Metod yang digunakan adalah kuantitatif dalam mengumpul data-data primer, dengan menggunakan kaedah soal selidik yang maklumatnya dikumpul daripada responden, iaitu mahasiswa UMS. Soal selidik dibahagikan kepada dua, iaitu bahagian A: Demografi, dan bahagian B: Faktor penularan wabak COVID-19 dalam kalangan mahasiswa UMS; serta menggunakan Skala Likert yang disetkan dalam soal selidik. Analisis dalam kajian ini adalah deskriptif dan Kriging. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan penjarakan sosial dan memakai pelitup muka ketika berada di tempat awam adalah sangat penting demi menjaga kesihatan dan mengelakkan peularan COVID-19 terus merebak. Selain itu, mengambil vaksi, jaga Kesihatan, dan kurang berkongsi barangan peribadi (seperti laptop) banyak membantu dalam memutuskan penularan wabak berjangkit ini. Di samping itu, responden juga amat setuju bahawa kurang melepak dan kurang menhadiri kelas secara fizikal boleh menggalakkan keberkesanan pengurangan penyakit berjangkit ini terus tersebar dalam kalangan mahasiswa UMS. Kesimpulannya, COVID-19 telah menyebabkan mahasiswa terpaksa berhadapan dengan pelbagai cabaran dalam menuntut ilmu ketika berada di dalam kampus UMS. Sikap tidak bertanggungjawab sesetengah pelajar yang enggan memakai pelitup muka akan menyebabkan virus ini terus menular dalam kalangan mahasiswa di UMS. Virus ini telah menyebabkan tahap kesejahteraan dan kesihatan fizikal para pelajar merosot dan terjejas (jika pelajar tersebt dijangkiti). Namun, majoriti mahasiswa masih mengamalkan beberapa langkah pencegahan seperti menjaga kebersihan diri dan sekeliling bagi mengurangkan penularan wabak ini terus tersebar

The digital defence against cyberbullying: A systematic review of tech-based approaches

Cyberbullying, which has been exacerbated by the widespread use of smartphones and the increasing stress associated with the pandemic, needs the promotion of positive online behaviour, cyberbullying awareness, and victim support. The PRISMA technique is used in this review to identify effective preventative tools and intervention options. Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria and were selected for review. A quality assessment was conducted. Upon thorough evaluation of the included studies, the intervention data was compiled in a narrative format. Using thematic analysis, we explored the effectiveness of technological interventions for preventing cyberbullying comprehensively. Technology-driven strategies for identifying and combating cyberbullying in educational settings, such as language-specific cyberbullying detection tools, IRCB programmes for empowering teenagers, and technologies such as CREEP Semantic Technology and CREEP Virtual Coach, have showed potential. TIPIP and the #WIIWY movement have also assisted to raise awareness and educate people about cyberbullying. However, more research is required to design targeted interventions that address varied demographics and circumstances, while including parents and taking the target audience’s age into account remains critical for effective technology-driven educational interventions and digital advocacy

The Brunei Malay Dilemma : Historical and Contemporary Challenges in Census Identity

This article examines the controversy surrounding the identification of the Brunei Malay community in Sabah after the independence of Sabah. In this context, the discussion focuses on how the position of the Brunei Malay community changed in the census records of Sabahans before and after Sabah's independence. Based on the initial record of the implementation of the population census in North Borneo by the British North Borneo Chartered Company (BNBC) and the British colonial government from 1891 to 1960, this distinction in racial categorization is evident. From the first record of the population census in North Borneo in 1891 until the last record of the population census issued by the British colonial government, it was discovered that the Brunei Malay community stood alone as a "native." However, the recording in terms of the categorization of bumiputera in the Sabah census has undergone significant and inconsistent changes since Sabah's independence. Comparing census reports of the population before and after Sabah's independence revealed that the classification of Brunei Malays as the only bumiputera in the population census has changed to bumiputera lain-lain (others) category after Sabah's independence. Although the Brunei Malay community is the largest minority in Sabah, their political, economic, and social aspects are not regressive. Therefore, this article will attempt to explore and trace the polemic, issues, and challenges in promoting the change in the position of Brunei Malays to become a native bumiputera entity, as per the previous record so that they are no longer included in the other bumiputera category in the Sabah population census record