PERSEPSI HUTANG DALAM KALANGAN PELAJAR UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH: IMPLIKASI TERHADAP TINGKAH LAKU KEWANGAN

Abstract

Kemelut hutang dalam kalangan pelajar universiti kian menjadi isu yang berupaya menjejaskan kestabilan kewangan belia pada masa hadapan. Kajian ini meneliti persepsi hutang dalam kalangan pelajar Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) dengan memberi tumpuan terhadap tahap pengetahuan kewangan dan perbezaan jantina. Reka bentuk kuantitatif melibatkan 125 responden dari pelbagai fakulti di UMS yang dipilih melalui persampelan rawak berstrata. Analisis deskriptif dan ujian-t bebas (Independent Samples t-test) digunakan untuk menilai perbezaan tahap pengetahuan hutang antara pelajar lelaki dan perempuan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa rata-rata pelajar berada pada tahap pengetahuan hutang sederhana tinggi, terutamanya berkenaan faedah pinjaman, risiko kebankrapan dan keberkesanan perkhidmatan institusi kewangan seperti Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK). Menariknya, tiada perbezaan signifikan ditemui antara pelajar lelaki dan perempuan, sekali gus menyokong hipotesis nol bahawa faktor jantina bukanlah penentu utama literasi kewangan. Walau bagaimanapun, dapatan ini turut mendedahkan kekurangan pemahaman tentang implikasi jangka panjang hutang kad kredit, khususnya berkenaan faedah kompaun dan penalti kelewatan pembayaran. Implikasi teori menyarankan bahawa sokongan awal melalui pendedahan konsep kewangan dan pembentukan sikap berhati-hati dapat memupuk pengurusan hutang lebih berhemat, selari dengan penekanan teori kewangan tingkah laku. Di peringkat praktikal, inisiatif holistik seperti modul kewangan dalam kurikulum universiti, ceramah pakar dan program bimbingan individu perlu dipergiat untuk menambah baik tahap literasi kewangan pelajar. Hasil dapatan ini diharap dapat menjadi asas bagi merangka strategi pengurusan hutang yang mapan, sekali gus mengurangkan risiko ketidakstabilan kewangan golongan belia. Dapatan kajian menegaskan kepentingan literasi kewangan awal dalam membangun masyarakat belia yang berdaya tahan.

The growing issue of student debt has become a global concern with potential long-term implications for the financial stability of youth. This study explores debt perception among students at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), focusing on financial literacy levels and gender differences. A cross-sectional quantitative survey design was employed, involving 125 respondents from various faculties, selected through stratified random sampling. Descriptive analysis and Independent Samples t-tests were used to examine differences in debt literacy between male and female students. Findings indicate that students generally possess a moderately high level of debt knowledge, especially in areas such as loan interest, bankruptcy risks, and the effectiveness of financial advisory services like the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK). Interestingly, no significant gender differences were observed, supporting the null hypothesis that gender is not a major determinant of financial literacy. However, the results also reveal gaps in students' understanding of long-term credit card debt implications, particularly concerning compound interest and late payment penalties. From a theoretical standpoint, the findings highlight the importance of early exposure to financial concepts and the cultivation of cautious financial attitudes, aligning with principles of behavioural finance theory. On a practical level, there is a need to strengthen holistic initiatives such as integrating financial education into university curricula, organizing expert talks, and offering individual guidance programs to enhance students’ financial literacy. These insights aim to support the development of sustainable debt management strategies and contribute to building a financially resilient youth population.