Understanding Malaysian Malays communication characteristics in reducing psychological impact on flood victims

Culture has a very important function in the daily lives of Malaysians. In spite of its importance, less attention has been paid to identifying Malaysian ethnic values from their own perspective. Most of previous studies have focused on a universal approach to identify the values of Malaysians. By addressing the gap, this paper hopes to identify a more comprehensive list of values related to Malaysian communication characteristics in flood disaster management context. Over the past decade, flood has become Malaysia’s most common natural disaster. Sustainable flood mitigation and relief management is important as it reflects the ruling government for dealing with crisis. The psychological support on victims’ wellbeing, during and after the disaster is substantial from the humanitarian perspective. Hence, this paper discusses the communication practices from indigenous perspective to help reduce the psychological impact of flooding. This paper presents qualitative data, based on in-depth interviews with 13 flood victims. The findings indicate that local values are important characteristics of effective communication surplus to the aids that bound to reduce the psychological impact of a disaster. This research intends to contribute in terms of the identification of the local code of conduct in communication in an attempt to obtain insights about flood disaster management. Besides, the outcome of the study could help to develop policies for aid agencies, information resources and community organisations in relation to the competency in communication to advocate the betterment and well-being of flood disaster victims

Relationship between social support, impression management and well-being among flood victims in Malaysia

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relationship between social support and impression management on the well-being of flood victims in Malaysia.Literature review so far shows that there is a limited research on these variables especially in the area of disaster management in Malaysia. The paper is based on a quantitative approach by conducting a survey among flood victims.This study provides theoretical contributions to organizational communication research and the literature on disaster management context.On the other hand, the findings provide support for the effects of relationships between social support and impression management on the well-being of flood victims

Understanding Malaysian Malays Communication Characteristics in Reducing Psychological Impact on Flood Victims

Culture has a very important function in the daily lives of Malaysians.In spite of its importance, less attention has been paid to identifying Malaysian ethnic values from their own perspective.Most of previous studies have focused on a universal approach to identify the values of Malaysians.By addressing the gap, this paper hopes to identify a more comprehensive list of values related to Malaysian communication characteristics in flood disaster management context. Over the past decade, flood has become Malaysia’s most common natural disaster.Sustainable flood mitigation and relief management is important as it reflects the ruling government for dealing with crisis.The psychological support on victims’ wellbeing, during and after the disaster is substantial from the humanitarian perspective. Hence, this paper discusses the communication practices from indigenous perspective to help reduce the psychological impact of flooding. This paper presents qualitative data, based on in-depth interviews with 13 flood victims.The findings indicate that local values are important characteristics of effective communication surplus to the aids that bound to reduce the psychological impact of a disaster.This research intends to contribute in terms of the identification of the local code of conduct in communication in an attempt to obtain insights about flood disaster management. Besides, the outcome of the study could help to develop policies for aid agencies, information resources and community organisations in relation to the competency in communication to advocate the betterment and well-being of flood disaster victims

Spirituality and social support in flood victims

Research on flood disasters in the past decade has impacted outcomes such as spirituality and social support. A number of studies have shown that flood also changes the vicitms’ belief about themselves and meaning of life. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between spiritual and social support. The paper is based on a quantitative approach by conducting a survey on 764 flood victims. A questionnaire battery including a translated Malaysian version of spirituality and a Modified version of social support were administered to households in flood affected areas. All analysis were carried out using Statistical Package For The Social Science (SPSS Version 21). The study found that there was significant relationship between spirituality and social support (r = 202**, family, r = 286**,friends, r = 210** and significant others, r = .448**) in flood victims. In sum, this study provide theoretical contributions to spirituality and social support research. The study of the role of spirituality and social support in fostering resilience in flood survivors may advance the understanding of human adaptation and coping to flood trauma

Failure to react positively to flood early warning systems: Lessons learned by flood victims from flash flood disasters: The Malaysia experience

This paper describes the issues relating to the role of the flash flood early warning system provided by the Malaysian Government to the communities in Malaysia, specifically during the flash flood disaster in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia.Normally, flash flood disasters can occur as a result of heavy rainfall in an area, and that water may possibly cause flooding via streams or narrow channels.The focus of this study is the flash flood disaster which occurred on 23 October 2013 in the Cameron Highlands, and as a result the Sungai Bertam overflowed after the release of water from the Sultan Abu Bakar Dam.This release of water from the dam caused flash flooding which led to damage to properties and also the death of residents and livestock in the area.Therefore, the effort of this study is to identify the perceptions of the flash flood victims on the role of the flash flood early warning system.For the purposes of this study, data were gathered through face-to-face interviews from those flood victims who were willing to participate in this study. This approach helped the researcher to glean in-depth information about their feelings and perceptions of the role of the flash flood early warning system offered by the government. The data were analysed descriptively and the findings show that the respondents of 22 flood victims believe strongly that the flash flood early warning system was confusing and dysfunctional, and communities had failed to response positively to it.Therefore, most of the communities were not well prepared for the releasing of water from the dam which caused property damage, and 3 people were killed in the Cameron Highland flash flood disaster

Spirituality among flood victims: A comparison between two states

In the field of psychological research, more and more studies suggest ways that spirituality and religiosity is important in dealing with life’s problems including flood disaster. Many mental health workers considered seeking a spiritual understanding of one’s place in the universe is important in overall health and well-being including disaster management intervention. Given the potential effects of spiritual and religious beliefs on coping with traumatic events such as flood disaster, the study of the role of spirituality in fostering resilience in flood disaster survivors may facilitate the understanding of human adaptation to trauma. This paper is based on quantitative and qualitative approach conducted on three groups of flood victims from two different states in Malaysia. The findings show that there was no significant difference on spirituality among the two states studied

Psychosocial factors and quality of life among flood victims in Malaysia

Objective - The study seeks to determine the relationship between psychosocial factors, namely social support, impression management and emotional factors (stress, anxiety and depression), with quality of life among flood victims. The Conservation of Resources Stress Approach Model and The Social Support Deterioration Model suggest that quality of life is dependent upon these psychosocial factors. Methodology/Technique - The cross-sectional study examined 1300 flood victims in flood prone areas in Malaysia. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, The Bolino and Turnley Impression Management Scale and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale questionnaires were used to measure the psychosocial factors, while The WHO Quality of Life instrument was used to measure quality of life. The results were analysed using Pearson Correlations.Findings - The findings demonstrate that, in general, psychosocial factors are associated with quality of life. Social support dimensions and emotional factor dimensions were significantly correlated with quality of life. In addition, two dimensions of impression management were correlated with quality of life. The findings are consistent with the psychosocial theory that implies an overall relationship between the variables studied.Novelty – This study suggests that there is much to be done in terms of community flood education in Malaysia, as well as training for emergency aid providers to decrease the likelihood of negative effects of psychosocial factors on individuals' quality of life. A psychosocial support programme is recommended to enhance overall quality of life for flood victims. Type of Paper - Empirica

Sikap dan jangkaan masyarakat terhadap Wawasan 2020

Wawasan 2020 merupakan satu agenda utama negara yang dibentuk bagi merencanakan negara ke arah negara maju dengan acuannya tersendiri . Sebagai satu gagasan yang ulung, maka tinjauan sikap dan jangkaan masyarakat terhadap wawasan ini dianggap signifikan sebagai asas menilai kesediaan masyarakat menyahut kesembilan-kesembilan cabaran yang diutarakan oleh wawasan ini.Seramai 2196 orang daripada pelbagai kategori telah dijadikan sampel yang mencakupi seluruh Semenanjung Malaysia. Hasil kajian ini umumnya boleh dibahagikan kepada tiga. Pertama masyarakat secara umumnya tanpa mengira bangsa, pendapatan mahupun pendidikan menerima wawasan ini sebagai satu agenda yang perlu dihayati dan diyakini akan matlamatnya. Kedua masyarakat juga dengan jelas mempunyai sikap dan jangkaan yang cabaran-cabaran di dalam wawasan 2020 ini mampu dicapai. Ketiga adalah mengenai penilaian halangan serta kekuatan yang dimiliki oleh negara dalam usaha mencapai wawasan. Dalam hal ini kebanyakan responden melihat politik pelbagai parti (politik perkauman) yang ada sekarang dan pengagihan kekayaan sebagai eleman kelemahan utama yang mungkin menjadi penghalang kepada tercapainya cita-cita wawasan 2020

Assessment of Creativity in Electrical Engineering

AbstractFor a nation to achieve the status of a developed and high income country, it has to grasp innovation. Graduates therefore, have to understand and possess all the abilities directly associated with innovation such as the ability to generate, develop and implement new and meaningful ideas. Creative approaches in problem solving lead to innovation in technology. A study has been done to assess the creativity level of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering undergraduates from the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment. The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) has been administered to students who represented Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in a national competition for robotic design. The test provides assessment of five main creativity dimensions as well as scores for evidence of thirteen creative strengths. As a conclusion, the study has identified the creativity level of the students. 67% of the students have Average Standard Score more than 100. The creative potential is then indicated through an index value, which serves as an overall indicator of creative potential. The results from this study can be used by the faculty to plan the best and more effective method of delivery for electrical engineering curriculum to fulfill the aspiration of innovation-led nation