HUBUNGAN KECERDASAN EMOSIONAL DENGAN PRESTASI KERJA DALAM KALANGAN IMAM KOR AGAMA ANGKATAN TENTERA (KAGAT)

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH JOB PERFORMANCE AMONG IMAMS OF THE RELIGIOUS CORPS OF THE MALAYSIAN ARMED FORCES (KAGAT)

Abstract

Kajian ini meneliti hubungan antara kecerdasan emosional dan prestasi kerja dalam kalangan Imam Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (KAGAT) yang bertugas di masjid dan surau Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM). Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan reka bentuk tinjauan keratan rentas, melibatkan 423 orang responden yang dipilih melalui persampelan bertujuan. Data dikumpul menggunakan soal selidik yang sah dan boleh dipercayai, manakala analisis dilakukan dengan kaedah Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Dapatan menunjukkan hubungan positif dan signifikan antara kecerdasan emosional dan prestasi kerja (β = 0.769; t > 20.097). Nilai R² = 0.688 menunjukkan bahawa 68.8% variasi dalam prestasi kerja dapat dijelaskan oleh kecerdasan emosional. Hubungan ini stabil dan konsisten, namun kekuatannya berada pada tahap sederhana, menunjukkan wujudnya faktor lain yang turut menyumbang kepada prestasi kerja. Impak praktikal kajian ini mencadangkan agar program pembangunan kendiri yang menekankan aspek kecerdasan emosional seperti kesedaran kendiri, empati, dan kawalan emosi dilaksanakan secara berstruktur dalam kalangan Imam KAGAT. Usaha ini penting bagi memperkukuh keberkesanan tugas mereka dalam konteks ketenteraan yang mencabar dan kompleks.

This study examines the relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance among religious officers (Imams) of the Malaysian Armed Forces Religious Corps (KAGAT) serving at mosques and suraus within the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM). A quantitative approach was employed using a cross-sectional survey design, involving 423 respondents selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via a validated and reliable questionnaire, and analysed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. Findings revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance (β = 0.769; t > 20.097). The R² value of 0.688 indicates that 68.8% of the variance in job performance is explained by emotional intelligence. Although the relationship is stable and consistent, its moderate strength suggests the presence of other contributing factors influencing job performance. The practical implication of this study highlights the need for structured self-development programmes that focus on emotional intelligence elements such as self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation among KAGAT Imams. These initiatives are essential to enhance the effectiveness of their roles within the challenging and complex military environment.