KEMANUSIAAN
The Asian Journal of Humanities

Published by
Universiti Sains Malaysia Press

Print ISSN: 1394-9330
Online ISSN: 2180-4257
Frequency: Biannually
Current Issue: Volume 18, No. 2, 2011
Abstracting/Indexing: SCOPUS, Malaysian Abstracting and Indexing System (MyAIS), Google Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)

Kemanusiaan The Asian Journal of Humanities is listed in ERA Ranked Journal List.

* The term Kemanusiaan is a Malay word meaning "Humanities". It is derived from the form manu, a Sanskrit term which means "man" or "mankind".

Home

KEMANUSIAAN The Asian Journal of Humanities, formerly known as Jurnal Ilmu Kemanusiaan (Journal of Humanities) publishes theoretical and empirical writings on aspects of the humanities in Asia as well as those that are universally relevant and provide new knowledge to the broad area of the Humanities.

We are now in SCOPUS!

Please note that from 1st April 2011, only manuscripts submitted via ScholarOne™ Manuscripts will be taken into consideration.

Current Issue

Volume 18, No. 2, 2011


Title:	A Marxist Interpretation of the Dystopian Society in the African Novel
Author:	Sola Afolayan
Source:	Kemanusiaan The Asian Journal of Humanities 18(2): 1-18, 2011
	- Abstract This essay attempts an evaluation of the African novel with the postulates of Marxism. Because of this interest, we are given the chance to probe into the worlds of two less canonised novelists within the aesthetic canon of African fiction—Nigeria's Biyi Bandele-Thomas and Lekan Oyegoke. In their respective works, both writers have exhibited artistic fervour for showing dystopian Africa as it is. Their fictional exemplars capture the despicable Nigerian societies either under the military regime or in the hands of the corrupt politicians. As both authors want us to believe, the era of money-seeking leaders in Nigeria has been the incontrovertible factor that further relegates the country to the political and socioeconomic background in world politics. The essay thus makes clear the Marxist initiative of the alienation between the haves and the have-nots of African societies. Keywords and phrases: Marxism, Dystopian, African, novel

Title:	Towards A Restoration Of The Humanities In The Future University: Asia's Opportunity
Author:	Cameron Richards
Source:	Kemanusiaan The Asian Journal of Humanities 18(2): 19-42, 2011
	- Abstract This paper explores the possible restoration of a leadership role for the humanities in university-based knowledge building and education. Such a global restoration is required in the face of various social, ethical, and human capital dilemmas associated with such issues as climate change, financial market instability, and the exclusion of many people from a privileged, 'high-tech' knowledge society. Although traditional humanities faculties in Western universities have long been in decline, many emerging 'technological' universities in Asia still view a knowledge of the humanities as a prerequisite to and indicator of maturity and a well-rounded education. This paper will investigate the potential roles and interests of re-invigorated humanities disciplines in terms of (a) the formal enterprise of human knowledge building both inside and outside of the Academy and (b) their particular relevance to an Asia-Pacific context as well as to an interconnected, global network society. The paper develops two related proposals. The first proposal is that we might rescue from the 'ruins' of the arguably discredited Western humanities project a more globally convergent foundation for the humanities. We develop this distinction by deploying the universal insights and enduring contributions of two of the most brilliant and perhaps wisest inheritors of the humanities project in the West, Paul Ricoeur and Hannah Arendt. The second proposal that we explore holds that, because emerging Asian universities are not so deeply stuck in the West's out-of-date categories and framework, they may be in a better position to help reinvent the humanities in terms of 21st century possibilities and imperatives that are grounded in the local contexts of the global knowledge-building convergence. Keywords and phrases: humanities faculties, Asian Universities, dialogical humanism, hermeneutics, 21st century knowledge-building, global knowledge convergence, cross-cultural communication

Title:	Pelaburan Langsung Asing dan Pembangunan Industri Barangan Elektrik dan Elektronik di Negeri Pulau Pinang, 1970–2007 (Foreign Direct Investment and Development of Electric and Electronic Products Industry in Penang State, 1970–2007
Author:	Nooriah Yusof
Source:	Kemanusiaan The Asian Journal of Humanities 18(2): 43-74, 2011
	- Abstract Perkembangan sektor perindustrian pembuatan terutamanya sektor Barangan Elektrik dan Elektronik (BEE) telah membawa banyak perubahan kepada struktur ekonomi, pola guna tenaga dan juga pembangunan kawasan di Malaysia. Perkembangan ini banyak dikaitkan dengan kemasukan Pelaburan Langsung Asing (PLA) ke negara ini sejak awal tahun 1970an lagi. Kejayaan industri BEE di Malaysia sejak beberapa dekad ini banyak bergantung pada kelebihan lokasi industri di negara ini untuk menarik pelaburan langsung asing. Walaupun Malaysia mampu melakar perkembangan industri BEE yang baik, namun pergantungan kepada pengeluaran industri BEE untuk eksport dan pelaburan modal asing, telah menyebabkan negara ini turut menerima kesan yang ketara akibat perubahan yang berlaku pada peringkat global. Dominasi asing dalam sektor industri BEE sangat ketara khususnya di Pulau Pinang. Kawasan perindustrian Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang yang dikenali pada peringkat global sebagai pengeluar produk elektronik yang terkemuka di Malaysia telah membina reputasi yang tinggi dalam industri tersebut dan telah diintegrasikan dalam Rangkaian Pengeluaran Global. Artikel ini menyusur galur proses perkembangan industri BEE di Malaysia amnya dan Pulau Pinang khususnya rentetan daripada perubahan global industri BEE yang telah membawa kepada aliran masuk PLA ke negeri ini. Walaupun PLA membawa banyak perubahan kepada negeri ini namun pembangunan yang berlaku masih memperlihatkan beberapa kelemahan yang boleh memberi kesan terhadap pembangunan di negeri ini, selain daripada beberapa cabaran yang harus diatasi oleh Pulau Pinang dalam usaha untuk terus menjadi hub yang menarik kepada pelaburan asing di rantau ini. Kata kunci dan frasa: industrialisasi, Pelaburan Langsung Asing, industri barangan elektrik dan elektronik, rangkaian pengeluaran global, negeri Pulau Pinang The development of the industrial sector, especially Electric and Electronic Products (E&E) has brought many changes to the structure of the economy, employment patterns and spatial development in Malaysia. This development has been attributed to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) coming into the country since the early 1970s. The success of the E&E industry in Malaysia then was dependent on locational advantages in attracting FDI. Although Malaysia has made an impressive development in E&E industry, the reliance on E&E production for export and investment of foreign capital has also caused the country to be impacted by global changes. Foreign domination in the E&E sector is very significant especially in the State of Penang. The Bayan Lepas industrial area in Penang is known globally as a leading manufacturer of electronic products in Malaysia. It has a high reputation in E&E industry and has also been integrated into the Global Production Network. This article discusses the development of E&E industry in Malaysia in general and in Penang in particular, due to the inflow of FDI into the country following changes in the E&E global industry. Although the FDI has brought many changes to the state they are weaknesses that can affect development. As well, there are challenges that must be overcome by the Penang State to remain the regional key hub for foreign investment Keywords and phrases: industrialisation, Foreign Direct Investment, electric and electronic products industry, global production network, State of Penang

Title:	Language Acquisition, Linguistic Creativity and Achievement: Insights from the Qur'an
Author:	Mohammed A. Zaid
Source:	Kemanusiaan The Asian Journal of Humanities 18(2): 75-100, 2011
	- Abstract This paper discusses the relationship between learning the Qur'an by heart and academic achievement, language learning and linguistic creativity. It also attempts to arrive at Qur'an-grounded foundations for language acquisition theory. This opinion paper outlines the basis from which to consider the Qur'an not only as a book of religious teachings but also as a linguistic miracle for Arabs. In this vein, the paper considers available research evidence documenting the relationship between language creativity and learning the Qur'an and also establishes a relationship between learning the Qur'an and scholastic achievement in other school subjects. Research indicates that the Qur'an can be a strong source for teaching thinking methods and creativity. The paper re-considers language acquisition in the light of the Qur'an and research investigations into its effects on creative language learning based on relevant scholarly Arabic writings. The paper ends with pedagogical notes and implications for L1 and L2 learning. Kata kunci dan frasa: the Qur'an, language acquisition, language learning, linguistic creativity, language aptitude/innateness

Title:	Empowering the Humanities: A Focus on Language Studies
Author:	Asmah Haji Omar
Source:	Kemanusiaan The Asian Journal of Humanities 18(2): 101-109, 2011
	- Abstract The division of knowledge in universities into the Arts or the Humanities on the one hand and the Sciences on the other, has given rise to the perception that the latter are more important in nation building compared to the former, as seen in the emphasis given by the authorities in the training of expertise, budgeting of research projects and planning of manpower. This paper foregrounds the importance of the Humanities as an academic discipline in a well balanced programme of nation building. This significance lies in the Humanities’ focus on the person as a human being, and arising from that the human civilisation. In order to change the world-view of the authorities the disciplines in the Humanities have to empower themselves through collaboration in their research as there is a great deal of overlapping between them in terms of data and methodology, trends of thought in application of theory, not to mention the basic concepts which flow from one discipline to the other. Collaborating rather than isolating is a powerful method in the generation of new ideas for the development of society. Illustrations are taken from research in linguistics. Keywords and phrases: generating ideas, research projects, collaboration


Book Review

Title:	Bahasa Reformasi: Political Rhetoric in Post-Suharto Indonesia. Volume 6 of Frankfurter Forschungen zu Südostasien by Arndt Graf, Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2010.
	Shakila Abdul Manan