KAJIAN MALAYSIA

Published by Universiti Sains Malaysia Press

Print ISSN: 0127-4082 Online ISSN: 2180-4273 Frequency: Biannually Current Issue: Volume 29, No.2, 2011 Abstracting/Indexing: EBSCO, Genamics, Google Scholar, MyAIS, Bibliography of Asian Studies (BAS), Directory of Open Access Journal (DOAJ) Kajian Malaysia is listed in ERA Ranked Journal List.

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Kajian Malaysia is a refereed journal committed to the advancement of scholarly knowledge of Malaysia by encouraging discussion among the several branches of social sciences and humanities. The journal publishes articles, reviews and notes which by their content or approach, is of interest to a wide range of scholars. Although the journal would focus mainly on works in the field of Malaysian studies, articles with a theoretical content may also be published.

Kajian Malaysia is published by Universiti Sains Malaysia Press by an autonomous Editorial Board drawn from staff members of the University. The Board is assisted by a panel of distinguished scholars from local and foreign universities.

The journal pursues a bilingual publishing policy (Bahasa Malaysia and English). The Editorial Board reserves the right to decide which language an article will appear in, and will undertake to provide professionally acceptable translations.

:: Current Issue

Volume 29, No.2, 2011


Title:	Sediment Fallout Rates in Tanjung Rhu Coral Reefs
Author:	Anisah Lee Abdullah, Zulfigar Yasin, Brian R. Shutes and Mark Fitzsimons
Source:	Kajian Malaysia 29(2): 1-30, 2011
	- Abstract This study was conducted in Tanjung Rhu, Pulau Langkawi, which is located in the northwest of Peninsular Malaysia. The objective of this study was to measure and compare the sediment fallout rates of Teluk Dedap in Tanjung Rhu with its control site in Teluk Datai during the wet and dry seasons to shed light on the sedimentation problem faced by the coral reefs of north Pulau Langkawi. Sediment fallouts were collected from the spring tidal periods of both the wet and dry seasons. Results showed that sediment fallout rates in Tanjung Rhu were 1,403.48 ± 125.60 g/m²/day (dry season) and 6,550.77 ± 641.43 g/m²/day (wet season). In Teluk Datai the sediment fallout rates were 1,532.99 ± 201.81 g/m²/day (dry season) and 12,446.45 ± 237.81 g/m²/day (wet season). Sediment fallout rate is typically lower during the dry season compared to the wet season, and it is lower on the reef flats than the reef slopes. Paired sample t-tests revealed that there were significant differences in the sediment fallout on the reef flats and reef slopes. Sediment fallout was significantly higher on the reef flat than the reef slopes for both sampling locations during both the dry and wet seasons. However, based on a single-factor ANOVA (p = 0.05), no significant difference was observed between the overall sediment fallout and fallout rates between the two sampling locations during the dry and wet seasons. Microscopic analysis was also performed to examine the possible composition of the analysed sediment fractions. Results showed that the main components of the coarser sediment fractions were biogenic materials and lithified sediments, while for the finer sediment fractions, the main components were feldspar and siliceous and quartz materials. Keywords: sediment fallout, coral reef, coastal zone, dry season, wet season

Title:	Themes of Recognition and Reification in K. S. Maniam’s Novels
Author:	Raihanah M. M., Ruzy Suliza Hashim and Noraini Md. Yusof
Source:	Kajian Malaysia 29(2): 31-45, 2011
	- Abstract In the novels of the Malaysian Indian K. S. Maniam, the contestation of recognition and reification forms the central tension in the protagonists' identity development as members of a minority community in the multi-ethnic landscape of Malaya/Malaysia. Each central character's conflict lies in his/her ability/disability to balance accepting ethno-cultural recognition on the one hand and contesting the reification that the Indian ethnic group subjects him/her to on the other (subsequently championing what Michael Sandel coins an "unencumbered" sense of self – a self that is "free and independent" from "the sanctions of custom and tradition"). This paper discusses Maniam's three novels, The return, In a far country and Between lives, to ascertain the extent to which recognition and reification are important themes in the award-winning novelist's corpus. Using the conceptualisation of recognition, reification and the unencumbered self, the paper investigates how Maniam's three Indian Malaysian protagonists, Ravi, Rajan and Sumitra, like most members of minority communities who are faced with the challenges of a multi-ethnic social landscape, challenge the ethno-cultural imposition that their own ethnic community subjects them to while realising the significance of culture towards a healthy sense of selves. Keywords: reification, recognition, K. S. Maniam, unencumbered self, Malaysia

Title:	A Study of the Relationship between Indian Parents’ Education Level and Their Involvement in Their Children’s Education
Author:	Suresh Kumar N. Vellymalay
Source:	Kajian Malaysia 29(2): 47-65, 2011
	- Abstract This study was designed to identify the relationship between Indian parents' education level and their involvement in their children's education. In total, 150 Indian students studying in National Schools in the district of Kerian, Perak Darul Ridzuan, were randomly chosen using stratified random sampling. The sample comprised 50 students from Year Three, 50 students from Year Four and 50 students from Year Five. Structured interviews were conducted with the respondents. Questionnaires were used by the researcher to obtain quantitative data related to the parents' socioeconomic background, the parents' involvement and the strategies the parents implemented for involvement in their children's education. The findings of the study indicate a moderate relationship between the parents' education level and the strategies the parents implemented. The higher the standard of parents' education, the higher the educational aspirations held by the parents regarding the academic achievement of their children. In addition, parents with a higher level of education tend to utilise various strategies of involvement at home and at school to foster academic excellence in their children. Keywords: parental involvement, education, achievement, National School

Title:	Wither the Bumiputera Identity of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)?
Author:	Mohd. Nazim Ganti Shaari
Source:	Kajian Malaysia 29(2): 67-89, 2011
	- Abstract Successive Malay leaders have defended Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) as a means of ensuring the survival of the Malays and the bumiputera in Malaysia. It is impossible to deny that the contributions of UiTM have been enjoyed by all sectors of society; however, as an institutional catalyst and symbol of Malay leadership in Malaysia, its constitutional existence has been called into question in light of the 2008 general elections. This article examines the constitutional existence of UiTM with a primary objective of determining whether it has a constitutionally entrenched bumiputera identity. Possible legal hurdles to its constitutional existence, such as the right to equality and the presumably enshrined bumiputera identity, are examined with reference to similar arguments in India. Keywords: UiTM, bumiputera, identity, article 153, constitution

Title:	Dialog Antara Agama: Realiti dan Prospek di Malaysia Religious Dialogue: Its Reality and Prospects in Malaysia
Author:	Rahimin Affandi Abd. Rahim, Mohd Anuar Ramli, Paizah Ismail and Nor Hayati Mohd Dahlal
Source:	Kajian Malaysia 29(2): 91–110, 2011
	- Abstract Dialog agama merupakan mekanisme berkesan dalam mewujudkan perpaduan kaum dan agama. Selepas diisytiharkan tahun 2001 sebagai tahun dialog, pendekatan ini mula diterima ramai. Kesannya, lahir beberapa siri dialog antara peradaban dan agama. Walaupun pada mulanya bersifat kaku dan berhati-hati, kini ia berkembang ke arah lebih positif dalam mewujudkan persefahaman dan pada masa yang sama meminimumkan konflik. Artikel ini pada dasarnya akan membincangkan tentang senario hubungan agama di Malaysia yang diwarnai dengan konflik yang besar mahupun kecil, dengan penawaran mekanisme dialog antara agama sebagai alternatif penyelesaian. Dalam dialog ini, ada etika yang perlu diamalkan oleh semua pihak yang terlibat agar ia dapat dijayakan dengan berkesan dalam realiti Malaysia. Kata kunci: dialog agama, konflik, perpaduan, peradaban, etika Religious dialogue has become an effective mechanism in promoting ethnic and religious harmony. After declaring 2001 as the year of dialogue among civilisations, this approach has been well received in Malaysia. As a result, several dialogues of civilisation and religions had taken place. Although these dialogues were lifeless and cautious in the beginning, they began to develop in a positive manner forging understanding and at the same time minimising conflicts. This article essentially discusses religious relations in Malaysia that are marked by several major and minor conflicts, with the offer of a dialogue mechanism for religious groups as an alternative solution. In this proposed dialogue, certain code of ethics needs to be adhered to by all parties concerned so that its benefits can be attained within the Malaysian reality. Keywords: religious dialogue, conflict, unity, civilization, ethics


Research Note

Title:	The Socioeconomic Impacts of Breast Cancer on Breast Cancer Patients in Penang
Author:	Yen Siew Hwa, Aishah Knight Abd Shatar and Hasnah Hashim
Source:	Kajian Malaysia 29(2): 111–136, 2011
	- Abstract Breast cancer is a major cause of death and is the most common type of cancer among Malaysian women, accounting for more than 30% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in this population. In 2006, the National Cancer Registry recorded 3,525 cases of female breast cancer in Peninsular Malaysia. In addition to facing uncertainties, anxieties, possible disabilities and the fear of death, some breast cancer patients must deal with increased treatment-related expenses, loss of employment and consequent loss or reduction of income. This study examined the socioeconomic impact of breast cancer on breast cancer patients in Penang, Malaysia. The study involved 60 respondents, including 20 patients undergoing treatment at private hospitals and 40 patients undergoing treatment at public hospitals. Data were collected using guided interviews, which were quantified for further analyses. Our study showed that all of the respondents who were working prior to their diagnosis were adversely affected. The most seriously affected patients were those who had to stop working and consequently lost 100% of their incomes. Another group of patients suffered pay cuts because they had to limit their working hours or opted to work part-time. Most of the adversely affected cases were from lower income groups and were either self-employed or working in the private sector. The financial burdens resulting from extra medical and non-medical expenses and lost income caused financial difficulty for some respondents. Despite these adverse economic impacts, the respondents appeared to have coped relatively well socially. They also claimed to have adequate support from family and friends. Keywords: socioeconomic impact, breast cancer patients


Book Review

Title:	Malaysian Studies: Looking Back, Moving Forward by Abdul Rahman Embong, Persatuan Sains Sosial Malaysia
	Mustafa Kamal Anuar

Title:	Building Bridges, Crossing Boundaries: Everyday Forms of Inter-Ethnic Peace Building in Malaysia edited by Francis Loh Kok Wah, Ford Foundation, Jakarta and Persatuan Sains Sosial Malaysia
	Wong Chin Huat