INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW, GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNICATION (IJLGC)

SOCIAL MEDIA-MEDIATED NEGOTAITION OF CULTURAL VALUES AND NORMS AMONG CHINESE STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

2026-09-10T12:43:34+08:00

Research on the cultural adaptation and psychological adjustment of international students abroad has been carried out extensively; however, relatively little attention has been paid to digitally mediated intercultural communication in Southeast Asian multicultural contexts, and specifically, how social media platforms shape emotional belonging, identity negotiation and participation norms. Therefore, this paper will address the above problem by redefining intercultural communication among Chinese international students in Malaysia as a platform-based communication process in a digital environment. Based on mediatisation theory, intercultural communication theory and digital identity studies, this conceptual paper develops an integrated framework to explain how platform affordances and algorithmic visibility shape four interconnected dimensions: platformised emotional belonging, digital intercultural participation, hybrid digital identity negotiation, and emotional visibility pressure. The framework shows that today's cross-cultural communication often occurs in communication ecologies shaped by online visibility, transnational connectivity and norms of emotional mediation. This study adds to the body of research on intercultural communication by extending mediatisation theory to the context of digital international students and providing a conceptual basis for future qualitative research on digitally mediated intercultural experiences among Chinese students in Malaysia.

PEMAHAMAN ORGANISASI BADAN BUKAN KERAJAAN (NGO) DALAM KONTEKS TADBIR URUS DI MALAYSIA MELALUI TINJAUAN LITERATUR SISTEMATIK

2026-09-23T16:42:07+08:00

Organisasi Badan Bukan Kerajaan (NGO) memainkan peranan penting dalam pembangunan sosial, ekonomi dan kesejahteraan masyarakat di Malaysia. Keberkesanan sesebuah NGO amat bergantung kepada amalan tadbir urus yang baik bagi memastikan organisasi beroperasi secara telus, berakauntabiliti, berintegriti dan responsif terhadap keperluan pihak berkepentingan. Walau bagaimanapun, kajian berkaitan tadbir urus NGO di Malaysia masih bersifat fragmentasi serta lebih tertumpu kepada aspek pematuhan undang-undang dan pelaporan kewangan. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti dan mensintesis definisi, dimensi utama serta jurang penyelidikan berkaitan tadbir urus NGO dalam konteks Malaysia melalui pendekatan Tinjauan Literatur Sistematik (Systematic Literature Review, SLR). Kajian ini menggunakan panduan Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) dalam proses pencarian, pemilihan, penilaian dan sintesis artikel yang diterbitkan antara tahun 2018 hingga 2025 daripada pangkalan data Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Dimensions dan MyJurnal. Analisis tematik menunjukkan bahawa tadbir urus NGO ditakrifkan sebagai sistem kepimpinan strategik yang merangkumi struktur pentadbiran, mekanisme akauntabiliti, ketelusan dan pelaporan prestasi bagi memastikan organisasi mencapai matlamat penubuhannya secara berkesan. Dapatan kajian mengenal pasti lima dimensi utama tadbir urus NGO, iaitu akauntabiliti, ketelusan, keberkesanan, responsiviti dan struktur lembaga. Selain itu, kajian turut mengenal pasti beberapa jurang penyelidikan, termasuk penekanan yang berlebihan terhadap pematuhan peraturan berbanding tadbir urus strategik, kekurangan kajian mengenai akauntabiliti kepada komuniti penerima manfaat serta keterbatasan kajian empirikal dalam konteks Malaysia. Kajian ini menyimpulkan bahawa terdapat keperluan untuk membangunkan kerangka konseptual tadbir urus NGO yang lebih komprehensif, kontekstual dan berorientasikan nilai bagi memperkukuh keberkesanan, akauntabiliti dan kelestarian NGO di Malaysia. Dapatan kajian diharapkan dapat menjadi rujukan kepada penyelidik, pembuat dasar dan pengamal NGO dalam memperkukuh amalan tadbir urus serta meningkatkan keupayaan NGO menyokong pembangunan masyarakat madani.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) play a significant role in Malaysia's social, economic, and governance development. However, the effectiveness of NGOs depends on the implementation of good governance practices that ensure transparency, accountability, integrity, and organizational sustainability. Existing studies on NGO governance remain fragmented and mainly focus on specific aspects, resulting in a limited comprehensive understanding of the concept, dimensions, and challenges of NGO governance. Therefore, this study aims to synthesize the existing literature on NGO governance in the Malaysian context through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). The study adopts the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines to identify, screen, assess, and synthesize relevant studies retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, Dimensions, MyJurnal, and Google Scholar. The selected articles meet the predefined inclusion criteria, including peer-reviewed journal publications from 2020 to 2025 that are directly related to NGO governance in Malaysia. The findings are expected to identify the prevailing definitions of NGO governance, key governance dimensions such as accountability, transparency, integrity, leadership, financial management, stakeholder participation, and regulatory compliance, as well as the issues and challenges affecting governance practices. The review is also expected to identify existing research gaps and propose directions for future studies. Overall, this study is expected to contribute to the body of knowledge on NGO governance and serve as a valuable reference for researchers, policymakers, and NGO practitioners in strengthening governance practices within the Malaysian context.

ISU-ISU PENGURUSAN PASANGAN SELEPAS PERCERAIAN DARIPADA PERSPEKTIF HUKUM ISLAM: KAJIAN KES DI MALAYSIA

2026-09-28T15:38:21+08:00

Perceraian merupakan fenomena sosial yang semakin meningkat di Malaysia dan memberi impak besar kepada struktur keluarga terutamanya kepada bekas pasangan dan anak-anak yang terlibat. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis isu-isu pengurusan pasangan selepas perceraian daripada perspektif hukum Islam dengan memberi tumpuan kepada aspek nafkah iddah, mut'ah, hadhanah (penjagaan anak), dan tanggungjawab bekas suami. Menggunakan pendekatan kajian kepustakaan dan analisis dokumen, kajian ini meneliti peruntukan dalam Al-Quran, hadis dan undang-undang keluarga Islam di Malaysia, khususnya Akta Undang-Undang Keluarga Islam (Wilayah-Wilayah Persekutuan) 1984 dan enakmen negeri yang berkaitan. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa terdapat jurang yang ketara antara peruntukan undang-undang dan pelaksanaan sebenar di lapangan terutamanya berkaitan pembayaran nafkah dan pematuhan perintah penjagaan anak. Kajian ini mencadangkan penambahbaikan mekanisme penguatkuasaan serta kesedaran awam tentang hak dan tanggungjawab pasangan selepas perceraian menurut Islam.

Divorce is a social phenomenon that is increasingly prevalent in Malaysia and has a significant impact on family structures particularly on former spouses and the children involved. This study aims to analyze issues related to post-divorce management from the perspective of Islamic law with a focus on aspects such as iddah maintenance,mut‘ah (consolatory gift), hadhanah (child custody) and the responsibilities of the former husband. Employing a library-based research approach and document analysis, this study examines provisions in the Qur’an, hadith and Islamic family law in Malaysia, particularly the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 and relevant state enactments. The findings indicate a significant gap between legal provisions and their actual implementation in practice especially in relation to maintenance payments and compliance with child custody orders. This study proposes improvements in enforcement mechanisms as well as greater public awareness of the rights and responsibilities of divorced couples under Islamic law.

RECONCEPTUALIZING AR-RIQAB AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIOECONOMIC JUSTICE: A CONTEMPORARY ANALYSIS OF ZAKAT DISTRIBUTION

2026-10-02T17:06:01+08:00

Classical Islamic jurisprudence defines Ar-Riqab as the manumission of slaves, but in the modern era of the disappearance of literal slavery, there exists an application gap in contemporary Zakat distribution. In response to this problem, this study investigates the extension of the Ar-Riqab category in contemporary Fiqh and assesses its socioeconomic effect on today’s vulnerable populations. This study employed a qualitative research design. Classical Fiqh texts of the Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanafi schools and contemporary fatwas issued by Malaysian State Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN) were subjected to content analysis. The thematic analysis reveals three main pillars of modern intervention, namely, (1) Ideological and Social Liberation, (2) Economic Empowerment through Productive Zakat, and (3) Institutional Protection against Human Trafficking. The findings show that a wider functional understanding of Ar-Riqab is very much in line with Maqasid al-Shariah.

HEALTHY LIVING CONDITIONS AMONG RURAL FIRE VICTIMS DURING POST-DISASTER RECOVERY

2026-09-18T22:34:36+08:00

This qualitative case study examines perceptions of healthy living conditions and recovery needs among rural fire victims following a village fire in Kampung Gok Kapur, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. The fire destroyed 27 houses and displaced affected households to temporary accommodation, including mosques, prayer halls, rented houses and relatives’ homes. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 6 participants, supported by field observations and documentary records during the early post-disaster recovery phase. The findings indicate that adequate ventilation, access to clean water, sanitation, safety, privacy and emotional comfort were consistently perceived as essential characteristics of a Healthy Living Environment. Participants also reported disrupted sleep, emotional distress, uncertainty regarding permanent housing, and challenges associated with land ownership, financial constraints and reconstruction processes. Although community support, cash assistance, food aid, clothing and household necessities helped address immediate needs, long-term housing recovery remained the most pressing unmet need. Many participants were also unable to express detailed housing preferences because psychological shock and immediate survival concerns took precedence during the early recovery period. The study highlights the interrelationship between physical living conditions and psychosocial well-being in shaping post-disaster recovery experiences. Based on the findings, a Healthy Living Environment framework is proposed to illustrate key environmental and social considerations for temporary housing in rural post-disaster settings. The findings emphasise the importance of complementing emergency shelter provision with coordinated reconstruction planning, land tenure support and community-based recovery strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable recovery outcomes.

CADANGAN KERANGKA PENDIDIKAN SEKSUAL REPRODUKTIF BERASASKAN MAQASID SYARIAH BAGI REMAJA BERISIKO DI MALAYSIA

2026-09-25T10:28:25+08:00

Isu tingkah laku seksual dalam kalangan remaja berisiko di Malaysia semakin membimbangkan dan memerlukan pendekatan pendidikan yang lebih holistik serta berteraskan nilai Islam. Pendekatan pendidikan seksual dan reproduktif sedia ada didapati masih kurang mengintegrasikan dimensi keagamaan dan moral secara menyeluruh, khususnya dalam aspek pembentukan kawalan diri dan tingkah laku beretika. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mencadangkan satu kerangka pendidikan seksual dan reproduktif berasaskan Maqasid Syariah yang sesuai bagi remaja berisiko di Malaysia. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif berbentuk konseptual melalui analisis dokumen terhadap literatur akademik, dasar nasional, serta prinsip Maqasid Syariah dengan menggunakan kaedah analisis tematik. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan wujudnya jurang yang ketara dalam pendekatan pendidikan sedia ada, khususnya dari segi integrasi pembangunan spiritual, pembentukan akhlak, dan kawalan tingkah laku berasaskan nilai. Sehubungan itu, kajian ini mencadangkan satu kerangka komprehensif yang berasaskan lima elemen utama Maqasid Syariah iaitu hifz al-din (pemeliharaan agama), hifz al-nafs (pemeliharaan nyawa), hifz al-‘aql (pemeliharaan akal), hifz al-nasl (pemeliharaan keturunan), dan hifz al-mal (pemeliharaan harta). Kerangka ini berfungsi sebagai panduan berstruktur dalam pembangunan kandungan serta pendekatan pedagogi pendidikan seksual dan reproduktif. Kesimpulannya, integrasi prinsip Maqasid Syariah dalam pendidikan seksual dan reproduktif berpotensi besar dalam membentuk pembangunan sahsiah remaja secara holistik serta mengurangkan tingkah laku seksual berisiko. Kerangka yang dicadangkan juga memberikan implikasi praktikal kepada pembuat dasar, pendidik, dan pihak berkepentingan dalam menangani cabaran remaja berisiko di Malaysia.

The issue of sexual behaviour among at-risk adolescents in Malaysia is increasingly alarming and calls for a more holistic educational approach grounded in Islamic values. Existing sexual and reproductive education frameworks remain insufficient in integrating religious and moral dimensions, particularly in fostering self-regulation and ethical behaviour. Therefore, this study aims to propose a Maqasid Syariah-based framework for sexual and reproductive education tailored for at-risk adolescents in Malaysia. This study adopts a qualitative conceptual approach through document analysis of academic literature, national policies, and Maqasid Syariah principles using a thematic analytical method. The findings reveal significant gaps in current educational approaches, particularly in the integration of spiritual development, moral formation, and value-based behavioural control. Accordingly, this study proposes a comprehensive framework grounded in the five essential elements of Maqasid Syariah: hifz al-din (protection of religion), hifz al-nafs (protection of life), hifz al-‘aql (protection of intellect), hifz al-nasl (protection of lineage), and hifz al-mal (protection of wealth). This framework serves as a structured guide in designing educational content and pedagogical approaches. In conclusion, the integration of Maqasid Syariah principles into sexual and reproductive education has strong potential to holistically develop adolescents and mitigate risky sexual behaviours. The proposed framework also offers practical implications for policymakers, educators, and relevant stakeholders in addressing the challenges faced by at-risk youth in Malaysia.

SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

2026-09-28T16:40:44+08:00

The use of social media has grown rapidly in recent years. In this study social media refers to applications such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Telegram, X, and YouTube, which facilitate social interaction and information sharing among users. This study aims to identify the effects of social media usage on users’ psychological well-being among university students. Specifically, the objectives were to examine the relationship between social media dependency, social media bonding, and smartphone addiction with users’ psychological well-being. Using a quantitative approach, the data collection was conducted online using Google Forms over a one month period, from November 2025 to December 2025. A total of 125 respondents participated in this study. The research instrument was divided into two main sections: respondents’ demographic and the independent and dependent variables. The independent and dependent variables were measured using a Likert scale. Meanwhile, demographic data were measured using nominal, ratio, and ordinal scales according to the suitability of the items studied. The data obtained were then analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods to determine the relationships between the study variables. The main findings of the study revealed that social media usage has a significant positive relationship with users’ psychological well-being. More specifically, the results indicated that social media dependency, social media bonding and smartphone addiction also showed a significant positive relationship with psychological well-being. In conclusion, social media not only serves as a medium for communication and information sharing but also helps to enhance social relationships among users.

REFRAMING LEGAL EDUCATION FOR HERITAGE PROTECTION: A CRITICAL LEGAL STUDIES PERSPECTIVE ON INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE IN MALAYSIA

2026-09-10T12:31:02+08:00

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is living, community-based heritage that is continuously practised, recreated, and transmitted. In Malaysia, its protection operates within a legally plural environment in which civil law coexists with Islamic legal administration. This study aims to critically examine the limitations of existing legal and educational approaches to ICH protection and to propose a transformative legal education framework. The study adopts a qualitative design combining doctrinal analysis of the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645) and relevant UNESCO instruments with qualitative content analysis of selected publicly available Malaysian law curricula and syllabi. Critical Legal Studies (CLS) is used as the analytical lens to examine how legal and educational structures may reproduce state-centric, formalistic, and fragmented approaches. Three interrelated limitations are identified: state-centric heritage governance that can marginalise community agency; limited integration between civil and Islamic legal perspectives; and predominantly doctrinal legal education that provides insufficient attention to the socio-cultural, religious, and interdisciplinary dimensions of ICH. The study develops a context-sensitive, transformative framework that integrates ICH across the legal curriculum, socio-legal and interdisciplinary learning, Islamic jurisprudential perspectives, experiential and clinical learning, digital and technological literacy, and institutional reform. The framework extends CLS scholarship into ICH governance and legal education while offering practical directions for more inclusive and culturally responsive heritage governance in Malaysia and comparable plural legal settings.

MODEL HARMONISASI PENGHAKIMAN INGKAR ANTARA MAHKAMAH SYARIAH DAN MAHKAMAH SIVIL: ANALISIS PENGUATKUASAAN PERINTAH

2026-09-23T16:06:36+08:00

Kelemahan penguatkuasaan penghakiman ingkar di Mahkamah Syariah menimbulkan isu dari segi pematuhan perintah mahkamah, tempoh penyelesaian kes dan keberkesanan pelaksanaan keputusan. Walaupun penghakiman ingkar merupakan mekanisme penting untuk memastikan kelancaran prosiding, pelaksanaannya masih berdepan cabaran dari sudut prosedur dan tindakan susulan selepas perintah dikeluarkan. Keadaan ini menunjukkan keperluan kepada satu pendekatan yang lebih tersusun bagi memperkukuh penguatkuasaan tanpa menjejaskan ciri dan prinsip Mahkamah Syariah. Sehubungan itu, artikel ini bertujuan menilai prosedur dan mekanisme penguatkuasaan penghakiman ingkar di Mahkamah Syariah Pulau Pinang, serta membuat perbandingan terpilih dengan Mahkamah Sivil Malaysia sebagai rujukan bagi cadangan penambahbaikan model pelaksanaan. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kualitatif deskriptif melalui analisis doktrinal terhadap Enakmen Tatacara Mal Mahkamah Syariah (Pulau Pinang), Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah 2012, laporan tahunan kehakiman dan kes-kes rayuan berkaitan penghakiman ingkar. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa cabaran utama bukan pada pengeluaran penghakiman ingkar, tetapi pada aspek penguatkuasaan dan pematuhan perintah selepas penghakiman dibuat. Analisis perbandingan menunjukkan bahawa struktur pelaksanaan yang lebih teratur dalam sistem Mahkamah Sivil boleh dijadikan rujukan dalam memperkukuh mekanisme penguatkuasaan di Mahkamah Syariah. Berdasarkan dapatan tersebut, artikel ini mencadangkan Model Harmonisasi Penghakiman Ingkar yang mengekalkan kerangka dan autonomi Mahkamah Syariah, namun mengadaptasi elemen pelaksanaan yang lebih sistematik bagi meningkatkan keberkesanan penguatkuasaan dan pematuhan perintah mahkamah.

The weaknesses in the enforcement of default judgments in the Syariah Courts have raised concerns regarding compliance with court orders, the timeliness of case resolution, and the overall effectiveness of judgment enforcement. Although default judgment serves as an important procedural mechanism to ensure the smooth progression of legal proceedings, its implementation continues to face challenges in terms of procedural requirements and post-judgment enforcement measures. This situation highlights the need for a more structured approach to strengthen enforcement while preserving the distinctive characteristics and principles of the Syariah Courts. Accordingly, this article aims to evaluate the procedures and enforcement mechanisms for default judgments in the Syariah Court of Penang and to undertake a selected comparative analysis with the Malaysian Civil Courts as a reference for proposing improvements to the existing enforcement model. This study adopts a descriptive qualitative methodology through doctrinal analysis of the Syariah Court Civil Procedure Enactment (Penang), the Rules of Court 2012, annual judicial reports, and appellate cases relating to default judgments. The findings indicate that the principal challenge lies not in the issuance of default judgments, but rather in the enforcement and compliance with court orders after the judgments have been delivered. The comparative analysis demonstrates that the more structured enforcement framework of the Civil Court system may serve as a useful reference for strengthening enforcement mechanisms within the Syariah Courts. Based on these findings, this article proposes a Default Judgment Harmonisation Model that preserves the institutional framework and autonomy of the Syariah Courts while adapting more systematic enforcement elements to enhance the effectiveness of judgment enforcement and compliance with court orders.

PENDEKATAN METODOLOGI FIQH MELAYU DALAM BUGHYAH AL-TULLĀB

2026-09-25T11:15:41+08:00

Artikel ini bertujuan menganalisis pendekatan metodologi fiqh Melayu yang diaplikasikan dalam karya fiqh klasik Bughyah al-Tullāb hasil penulisan Syeikh Daud al-Fathani. Kitab ini merupakan antara teks fiqh terpenting dalam tradisi keilmuan Islam di Alam Melayu yang berfungsi sebagai rujukan masyarakat awam serta institusi pendidikan agama. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif berasaskan analisis konseptual dan kajian teks terhadap kandungan Bughyah al-Tullāb, dengan memberi tumpuan kepada aspek penyusunan bab, kaedah penghujahan, penggunaan dalil serta penyesuaian hukum dengan konteks masyarakat Melayu. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa metodologi fiqh yang diketengahkan dalam Bughyah al-Tullāb berasaskan kerangka mazhab Syafi‘i secara taqlid muktabar, namun bersifat pragmatik dan kontekstual melalui pengiktirafan terhadap realiti sosial serta adat setempat yang tidak bercanggah dengan syariat. Pendekatan ini mencerminkan kebijaksanaan ulama Melayu dalam mengharmonikan fiqh teks dengan keperluan masyarakat setempat tanpa menjejaskan prinsip hukum Islam. Artikel ini menyumbang kepada pemahaman yang lebih mendalam terhadap metodologi penulisan fiqh Melayu serta mengukuhkan kedudukan Bughyah al-Tullāb sebagai teks fiqh yang berautoriti dalam wacana keilmuan Islam Nusantara.

This article examines the Malay fiqh methodological approach employed in the classical Islamic legal text Bughyah al-Tullāb, authored by Shaykh Daud al-Fathani. The work is regarded as one of the most influential fiqh texts within the Islamic scholarly tradition of the Malay world and has long served as a reference for both religious institutions and the general Muslim community. This study adopts a qualitative approach based on conceptual analysis and textual study, focusing on the structure of the text, modes of legal reasoning, use of evidences, and contextual adaptation of legal rulings to the socio-cultural realities of Malay society. The findings reveal that the fiqh methodology articulated in Bughyah al-Tullāb is firmly grounded in authoritative adherence to the Shafiʿi school, while simultaneously demonstrating a pragmatic and contextual orientation through the recognition of local customs and social conditions that do not contradict Islamic law. This methodological synthesis reflects the intellectual wisdom of Malay scholars in harmonising textual fiqh with lived realities without compromising core legal principles. The article contributes to a deeper understanding of Malay fiqh methodology and reinforces the scholarly significance of Bughyah al-Tullāb within the broader discourse of Islamic legal studies in the Malay–Nusantara context.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ TRADE DISRUPTION: IMPACTS ON MALAYSIA’S FOOD PACKAGING SUPPLY CHAIN

2026-10-02T16:48:28+08:00

This study examines whether the March 2026 geopolitical disruption associated with the reported closure and severe restriction of commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz affected the Malaysia’s food packaging related supply chain. Using 37 monthly observations from July 2023 to July 2026, the study estimates two sequential bivariate OLS models: Brent crude oil price with Malaysia’s index of plastic manufacture, and the index of plastic manufacture with the food-product Producer Price Index (PPI). The conceptual framework combines the Ripple Effect Model, which specifies the proposed upstream-to-downstream propagation sequence, with the Exposure–Transmission–Buffering (ETB) framework, which is used to interpret vulnerability and buffering mechanisms. Empirical estimation confirms a positive, statistically significant relationship at upstream level while downstream estimation reveals a delayed transmission pattern, where model variance reflects broader macroeconomic structural dynamics rather than immediate cost absorption. An exploratory cross-correlation lag analysis further provides empirical proof of a two-month operational buffering window within Malaysia’s food packaging supply chain, but this is treated as descriptive evidence rather than a proven causal delay. The study also deals with food-contact risks related to chemical migration, contamination, material suitability and traceability. The results imply that supplier diversification, food-grade compliance, certified recycling capacity, and delayed-shock scenario planning should be considered. However, it is important to note that more time-series tests and supply-chain data are needed for more robust causal and firm-level conclusions.

HOW SHOULD INHERITED CRAFT KNOWLEDGE BE GOVERNED? ISLAMIC ETHICAL CUSTODIANSHIP FOR KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

2026-09-18T22:04:20+08:00

How inherited craft knowledge is governed matters as much as how it is transferred. Malaysian handicraft knowledge carries tacit judgement, cultural meaning, practitioner authority, livelihood value and intergenerational responsibility across artisans, institutions, digital systems and markets. Transfer mechanisms explain how this knowledge moves; ethical responsibilities governing authority, recognition, representation, welfare and continuity remain conceptually fragmented. This conceptual paper develops Islamic ethical custodianship as a value-based moral architecture for responsible knowledge transfer. Through conceptual synthesis and model-building, the framework integrates amanah, adab, maṣlaḥah and ʿadl with the selected Maqāṣid preservation principles of ḥifẓ al-ʿaql, ḥifẓ al-māl and ḥifẓ al-nasl. The architecture connects heritage knowledge context and transfer mechanisms to cultural, community, and economic and adaptive outcomes. Its central contribution shifts analysis from knowledge movement to custodial responsibility without displacing established mechanisms of continuity, offering an ethical basis for heritage policy, craft education, documentation practice and community-centred preservation across changing heritage settings.

METODOLOGI PEMBANGUNAN MODEL PATUH SYARIAH RAWATAN SAKA

2026-09-25T10:14:06+08:00

Kajian ini bertujuan membangunkan Model Patuh Syariah bagi rawatan saka dalam perubatan tradisional Melayu di Malaysia. Kajian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif melalui reka bentuk pembangunan model dan kajian kes pelbagai bagi memahami amalan rawatan saka serta menilai keselarasan amalan tersebut dengan prinsip Syariah. Data diperoleh melalui temu bual separa berstruktur, pemerhatian lapangan dan analisis dokumen melibatkan pengamal rawatan tradisional, pesakit dan pakar Syariah. Data dianalisis menggunakan analisis tematik melalui proses pengekodan, pengelompokan kategori dan pembentukan tema utama. Seterusnya, analisis normatif hukum Islam dilaksanakan dengan merujuk kepada al-Quran, al-Sunnah, pandangan ulama dan garis panduan ruqyah syar‘iyyah bagi menilai aspek akidah dan fiqh dalam amalan rawatan saka. Hasil kajian mendapati terdapat amalan yang selaras dengan Syariah, amalan yang memerlukan penyesuaian serta amalan yang bercanggah dengan prinsip tauhid dan hukum Islam. Berdasarkan dapatan tersebut, satu model konseptual rawatan saka patuh syariah dibangunkan yang merangkumi elemen akidah, prinsip rawatan dibenarkan, garis larangan dan prosedur operasi standard (SOP) pengamal. Model ini turut melalui proses pengesahan pakar dan penilaian kebolehgunaan bagi memastikan kesahan, kebolehpercayaan dan kesesuaiannya dalam konteks rawatan tradisional Melayu masa kini. Kajian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi panduan kepada pengamal rawatan tradisional Melayu agar amalan rawatan saka dapat dilaksanakan secara lebih sistematik dan selaras dengan tuntutan Syariah.

This study aims to develop a Shariah-Compliant Model for saka treatment within the context of Malay traditional medicine in Malaysia. A qualitative approach was employed using a model development design and multiple case study methodology to understand saka treatment practices and evaluate their compliance with Shariah principles. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field observations, and document analysis involving traditional practitioners, patients, and Shariah experts. The data were analysed using thematic analysis through coding, category classification, and theme development. Subsequently, a normative Islamic legal analysis was conducted by referring to the Quran, Sunnah, scholarly views, and ruqyah syar‘iyyah guidelines to evaluate the aqidah and fiqh aspects of saka treatment practices. The findings revealed that certain practices comply with Shariah principles, some require modification, while others contradict the principles of tawhid and Islamic law. Based on these findings, a conceptual Shariah-compliant saka treatment model was developed encompassing aqidah elements, permissible treatment principles, prohibited practices, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for practitioners. The model further underwent expert validation and usability evaluation to ensure its validity, reliability, and suitability within the contemporary context of Malay traditional medicine. This study is expected to serve as a guideline for traditional Malay practitioners in ensuring that saka treatment practices are implemented systematically and in accordance with Shariah requirements.

FROM E-WASTE REGULATION TO CLIMATE ACTION: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF LEGAL EFFECTIVENESS, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, AND CLIMATE GOVERNANCE

2026-09-28T16:15:39+08:00

Electronic waste (e-waste) continues to grow in volume, raising concerns for environmental protection and climate change mitigation. Legal and regulatory measures govern its collection, recycling, treatment, disposal, transboundary movement and producer responsibility. Yet their existence does not necessarily ensure effective implementation, regulatory compliance or alignment with climate objectives. While the literature addresses these issues, it pays far less attention to how environmental legal framework effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and climate governance might work together. This paper examines that relationship and considers regulatory compliance as a potential mediating mechanism between environmental legal framework effectiveness and climate governance. To develop the framework, relevant multidisciplinary studies were identified through Scopus and reviewed using a narrative approach, followed by integrative thematic analysis. Four broad dimensions emerged from the literature: legal effectiveness, implementation and compliance, governance capacity, and the integration of e-waste regulation with climate and circular economy objectives. Drawing on Responsive Regulation Theory, the framework proposes that effective legal and institutional arrangements may encourage compliance, reflected in responsible e-waste practices that may, in turn, contribute to climate-responsive governance. It also recognises a potential direct relationship between environmental legal framework effectiveness and climate governance. Theoretically, the framework brings the three constructs into a single explanatory model and extends Responsive Regulation Theory to the broader climate-governance implications of compliant e-waste practices. Practically, it highlights the importance of effective implementation, monitoring, institutional coordination, stakeholder accountability, and climate-responsive regulatory design. As these relationships remain theoretical, the framework provides a basis for future empirical research into whether, and under what conditions, effective e-waste regulation and sustained compliance contribute to broader climate governance objectives.

INTEGRITY-BASED COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AS A GOVERNANCE INSTRUMENT: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE LOCAL IN MALAYSIA

2026-09-18T23:13:21+08:00

This paper aims to develop an integrity-based conceptual framework that positions community leadership as a governance instrument within Malaysia’s local development landscape while community participation has long been recognized in development discourse, community leadership remains largely framed as a grassroots phenomenon rather than as a structural mechanism embedded in governance design. At the same time, integrity scholar continues to focus predominantly on formal institutions and bureaucratic accountability, with limited attention given to integrity practices operating at the community level. This conceptual gap limits the theoretical integration between leadership studies, governance theory and integrity frameworks. Drawing on transformational leadership with collaborative governance theory, institutional trust perspectives and integrity-based governance principle. Therefore, this paper is reconceptualizing community leadership as a normative and structural governance mechanisms that can strengthens institutional trust, collaborative governance capacity, and sustainable local development outcomes. The study proposes an integrity-based conceptual framework to the Malaysian governance context and contributes to governance scholarship by bridging fragmented theoretical domains. The framework provides a basic for designing local governance ecosystems through integrity-oriented community leadership.

ASAS KOMUNIKASI ISLAM DALAM MENANGANI KRISIS DAN PADANANNYA DALAM PERIBAHASA MELAYU

2026-09-25T10:58:59+08:00

Komunikasi merupakan instrumen kritikal dalam pengurusan krisis, sama ada pada peringkat individu, masyarakat mahupun organisasi. Dalam acuan kontemporari, kegagalan mengurus maklumat secara berhemah ketika krisis sering kali mencetuskan konflik yang lebih parah. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti asas komunikasi Islam dalam menangani krisis dan padanannya dalam peribahasa Melayu. Komunikasi dalam Islam menekankan penggunaan bahasa yang baik dan perkataan yang mulia dalam setiap interaksi. Prinsip-prinsip asas komunikasi Islam merangkumi berdialog dengan cara yang baik, menggunakan hikmah dan nasihat yang berkesan serta bercakap benar dengan nada yang lemah lembut. Komunikasi yang harmoni mengelakkan kata-kata cacian, keji dan perkara yang batil serta menolak pertentangan demi kepentingan peribadi. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk mengenal pasti asas komunikasi Islam dan padanannya dalam peribahasa bahasa Melayu bagi menangani krisis. Hasil kajian menunjukkan terdapat 6 asas utama komunikasi Islam dalam mensejahterakan krisis iaitu Qaulān Sadīda, Qaulān Balīgha, Qaulān Ma’rūfa, Qaulān Karīma, Qaulān Layyina dan Qaulān Maisūra. Setiap asas komunikasi tersebut dipadankan dengan peribahasa Bahasa Melayu. Hal ini membuktikan bahawa nilai dan makna yang terkandung dalam setiap asas komunikasi Islam sejajar dengan kearifan tempatan yang digambarkan melalui peribahasa. Keenam-enam asas utama dalam komunikasi Islam ini berkait rapat dengan nilai budaya Melayu yang terkandung dalam peribahasa. Kedua-duanya menekankan kebaikan, adab, keberkesanan dan kesantunan dalam bertutur yang bertujuan untuk memperkukuh hubungan sosial dan mengelakkan perselisihan. Peribahasa Melayu menjadi cerminan nilai-nilai tersebut dalam konteks tradisional dan budaya tempatan.

Communication is a critical instrument in crisis management, whether at the individual, societal, or organizational level. In a contemporary context, the failure to manage information prudently during a crisis often triggers more severe conflicts. This study aims to identify the fundamental principles of Islamic communication in handling crises and their counterparts in Malay proverbs. Communication in Islam emphasizes the use of good language and noble words in every interaction. The core principles of Islamic communication encompass engaging in dialogue graciously, employing wisdom and effective counsel, and speaking the truth in a gentle tone. Harmonious communication avoids insulting language, vile words, and falsehood, while rejecting confrontations driven by personal interest. The objective of this study is to identify the principles of Islamic communication, and their Malay proverb equivalents in addressing crises. The findings indicate six primary principles of Islamic communication in fostering crisis resolution, namely Qaulān Sadīda, Qaulān Balīgha, Qaulān Ma‘rūfa, Qaulān Karīma, Qaulān Layyina, and Qaulān Maysūra. Each of these communication principles is paired with a corresponding Malay proverb. This proves that the values and meanings embedded within each Islamic communication principle align with the local wisdom expressed through these proverbs. All six main principles in Islamic communication are closely linked to Malay cultural values reflected in proverbs. Both emphasize goodness, etiquette, effectiveness, and politeness in speech, aiming to strengthen social relationships and prevent disputes. Malay proverbs serve as a reflection of these values within the traditional and local cultural context.

PERANAN LES’ COPAQUE PRODUCTION DALAM MEMPROMOSIKAN BUDAYA MALAYSIA MELALUI ANIMASI UPIN & IPIN: PERSPEKTIF PENONTON

2026-10-02T16:36:49+08:00

Budaya ialah aset penting sesebuah negara dan medium yang berpotensi untuk memperkenalkan identiti sesebuah masyarakat di peringkat antarabangsa. Seiring dengan perkembangan media digital, dan pendedahan generasi muda kepada kepelbagaian kandungan antarabangsa, animasi dilihat sebagai satu daripada medium kreatif yang dapat mengetengahkan budaya tempatan. Justeru, kajian ini bertujuan untuk meneliti pendekatan Les’ Copaque dalam mempromosikan budaya Malaysia menerusi animasi Upin & Ipin dari perspektif penonton serta peranan animasi tersebut dalam mempromosikan budaya Malaysia di peringkat antarabangsa. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kajian kes menerusi temu bual mendalam separa berstruktur. Peserta kajian terdiri daripada 12 peserta dari Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei dan Singapura. Data temu bual dirakam dalam bentuk audio, ditranskripsikan secara verbatim dan dianalisis secara tematik. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa peserta kajian mempunyai pandangan positif terhadap pendekatan Les’ Copaque yang menghasilkan animasi Upin & Ipin sebagai wahana promosi budaya Malaysia. Empat tema dilaporkan daripada makalah ini iaitu animasi sebagai medium untuk mempromosikan budaya Malaysia, paparan sambutan perayaan, gamabaran suasana kampung dan representasi budaya Malaysia menerusi animasi Upin & Ipin. Dapatan kajian turut menunjukkan bahawa paparan kepelbagaian kehidupan masyarakat Malaysia dalam animasi dapat menarik perhatian penonton serta memperkenalkan unsur budaya tempatan di persada antarabangsa. Kajian ini memberi implikasi terhadap industri animasi dan kreatif dengan mengetengahkan potensi kandungan animasi berteraskan budaya sebagai medium promosi budaya Malaysia di peringkat antarabangsa.

Culture is an important national asset and a potential medium for introducing the identity of a society to international audiences. With the development of digital media and the increasing exposure of younger generations to diverse international content, animation is regarded as a creative medium that can showcase local culture. Thus, this study aims to examine Les’ Copaque Production’s approach to promoting Malaysian culture through Upin & Ipin from the viewer’s perspectives as well as the role of the animation in promoting Malaysian culture internationally. This study employed a case study design using in-depth semi-structured interviews. A total of 12 participants from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore were involved in the study. The interview data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the participants had positive perceptions of the use of Upin & Ipin as a medium for promoting Malaysian culture. This article reports on four themes: animation as a medium for promoting Malaysian cultura, the portrayal of festive celebrations, the depiction of village life, and the representation of Malaysian culture through the Upin & Ipin animation. The findings also indicate that the portrayal of Malaysian’s diverse social and cultural life in the animation can attract viewers’ attention while introducing local cultural elements to international audiences. This study has implications for the animation and creative industries by highlighting the potential of culture-based animated content as a medium for promoting culture internationally.

CABARAN INSTITUSI KELUARGA MUSLIM DALAM ERA GLOBALISASI: FENOMENA PERKAHWINAN LAVENDER DAN ANALISIS MAQASID SYARIAH

2026-09-18T21:53:39+08:00

Fenomena perkahwinan lavender iaitu perkahwinan lelaki dan wanita di mana salah seorang atau kedua-duanya mempunyai orientasi seksual yang berbeza dan berlaku untuk menutup orientasi seksual mereka yang sebenar, semakin mendapat perhatian dalam perbincangan sosial dan perundangan di Malaysia. Ia telah menimbulkan persoalan terhadap kesejahteraan, hak, dan perlindungan dalam institusi kekeluargaan Islam. Kajian ini bertujuan menganalisis fenomena tersebut melalui kerangka Maqasid Syariah, khususnya dalam aspek pemeliharaan agama (hifz al-din), jiwa (hifz al-nafs), akal (hifz al-'aql), keturunan (hifz al-nasl), dan harta (hifz al-mal). Menggunakan pendekatan analisis dokumentasi dan kajian literatur terhadap data-data daripada Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM), Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia (DOSM), dan kajian akademik tempatan, kajian ini mendapati bahawa: (1) tiada statistik rasmi khusus tentang perceraian berasaskan orientasi seksual suami, walaupun beberapa laporan professional dan media menunjukkan bahawa isu ini telah mendapat perhatian dalam amalan guaman syariah; (2) sebanyak 64 peratus daripada 3,185 jangkitan HIV baharu pada 2024 berpunca daripada hubungan homoseksual/biseksual dalam kalangan lelaki; dan (3) isteri merupakan mangsa utama yang terkesan kerana terdedah kepada risiko jangkitan penyakit kelamin termasuk HIV dan sifilis. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa fenomena ini menimbulkan implikasi terhadap kelima-lima dimensi Maqasid Syariah, khususnya pemeliharaan jiwa, keturunan dan harta.

The phenomenon of lavender marriage, referring to a marriage between a man and a woman in which one or both partners have a differing sexual orientation and enter into the marriage as a means of concealing their actual sexual orientation, has increasingly attracted attention in social and legal discussions in Malaysia. The phenomenon has raised concerns regarding the well-being, rights, and protection of individuals within the Islamic family institution. This study aims to analyse the phenomenon through the framework of Maqasid Syariah, particularly with regard to the preservation of religion (hifz al-din), life (hifz al-nafs), intellect (hifz al-'aql), lineage (hifz al-nasl), and wealth (hifz al-mal). Employing documentary analysis and a literature review of data obtained from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), and local academic studies, this study finds that: (1) there are no specific official statistics on divorce based on a husband's sexual orientation, although several professional and media reports indicate that the issue has received attention in syariah legal practice; (2) 64 percent of the 3,185 new HIV infections recorded in 2024 were attributed to homosexual/bisexual relations among men; and (3) wives constitute the primary group affected, as they may be exposed to the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and syphilis. The findings indicate that this phenomenon has implications for all five dimensions of Maqasid Syariah, particularly the preservation of life, lineage, and wealth.

CABARAN PELAKSANAAN FAWiHA DI MAHKAMAH SYARIAH PAHANG, MALAYSIA

2026-09-25T09:46:14+08:00

Kaedah FAWiHA (Faraid dan permohonan Wali Hakim) telah diperkenalkan oleh pasukan Kumpulan Inovatif dan Kreatif Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Pahang merupakan suatu kaedah penyelesaian kes dengan kadar segera dan tidak melibatkan perbicaraan yang panjang sehingga memendekkan masa daripada 21 hari kepada satu hingga tujuh hari sahaja. Namun, dalam pelaksanaannya, terdapat cabaran-cabaran yang dihadapi oleh pelaksana FAWiHA di Mahkamah Syariah Pahang. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis cabaran utama yang dihadapi oleh pelaksana kaedah FAWiHA di Mahkamah Syariah Negeri Pahang. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kualitatif dan data yang terlibat adalah gabungan kaedah analisis dokumen dan temu bual separa berstruktur bersama tiga orang ahli Kumpulan Inovatif dan Kreatif Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Pahang. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan kaedah analisis tematik. Hasil dapatan menunjukkan wujud tiga cabaran utama yang dihadapi iaitu cabaran dokumentasi dan konsistensi prosedur, cabaran pengurusan dan budaya organisasi, serta cabaran kesedaran dan pemerkasaan FAWiHA.

The FAWiHA method (Faraid and application of the Guardian) was introduced by the Pahang Syariah Judicial Department's Innovative and Creative Group team as a method of resolving cases with an immediate pace and does not involve a long trial so that the time is shortened from 21 days to one to seven days only. However, in its implementation, there are challenges faced by the implementers of FAWiHA in the Pahang Syariah Court. This study aims to analyse the main challenges faced by the implementers of the FAWiHA method in the Pahang State Syariah Court. This study used a qualitative design and the data involved was a combination of document analysis methods and semi-structured interviews with three members of the Pahang Syariah Judicial Department's Innovative and Creative Group. The findings show that there are three main challenges faced, namely the challenges of documentation and consistency of procedures, the challenges of management and organizational culture, as well as the challenges of awareness and empowerment of FAWiHA.

AI-DRIVEN JUDICIAL DECISION-MAKING: EXAMINING THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ALGORITHMIC TRANSPARENCY IN ENHANCING JUDICIAL LEGITIMACY

2026-09-28T16:00:27+08:00

The fast rollout of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial systems can improve efficiency, consistency and access to justice. But the rising adoption of AI-enabled judicial processes has also raised major concerns about algorithmic bias, opacity, accountability and procedural fairness that could jeopardise public trust and the legitimacy of judicial institutions. Although the scholarly attention to AI in the legal field has recently been increasing, there has been little research on the conceptual mechanism through which AI-based judicial decision-making influences judicial legitimacy. Accordingly, this study aims to suggest algorithmic transparency as a conceptual mediator to develop a conceptual model of the association between judicial legitimacy and AI-based judicial decision-making. This research study is based on the peer-reviewed publications available in the Scopus database utilising the qualitative narrative literature review method. We used a systematic search strategy to identify relevant literature. The literature was analysed using thematic analysis to identify emerging themes, theoretical perspectives and research gaps concerning AI, algorithmic transparency and judicial legitimacy. The findings suggest that AI-aided judicial decision-making can improve judicial efficiency, consistency and decision quality. But such benefits will only contribute to judicial legitimacy if the artificial intelligence systems are transparent, explainable, accountable and have meaningful oversight by humans. The review further proposes that algorithmic transparency could be a means for enhancing procedural fairness, accountability, algorithmic bias concerns, and public trust in AI-assisted judicial decisions. Theoretically, this study contributes to the AI governance literature by combining the Procedural Justice Theory and contemporary AI governance literature to better understand the mediating role of algorithmic transparency. Practical implications The proposed framework can serve as guidance to policy makers, judicial administrators and AI developers, in designing transparent, accountable and ethically governed artificial intelligence systems that preserve judicial legitimacy, while facilitating the responsible digital transformation of modern judicial institutions.

TADBIR URUS KESELAMATAN SIBER BERPUSATKAN RAKYAT: PERANAN PENGANTARAAN LITERASI DIGITAL DALAM KALANGAN MANGSA PENIPUAN SIBER DI MALAYSIA

2026-10-02T17:35:23+08:00

Pendigitalan perkhidmatan awam telah memperluas akses kepada maklumat rasmi, kempen kesedaran, saluran pelaporan dan mekanisme perlindungan keselamatan siber. Namun, peranan literasi digital dalam hubungan antara orientasi sosiobudaya dengan persepsi terhadap pelaksanaan dasar keselamatan siber masih belum jelas, khususnya dalam kalangan mangsa penipuan siber. Kajian ini menguji literasi digital sebagai pemboleh ubah pengantara dalam hubungan tersebut. Tinjauan keratan rentas dijalankan terhadap 500 warganegara Malaysia berumur 18 tahun ke atas yang pernah menjadi mangsa penipuan siber dan telah membuat laporan polis. Data dianalisis menggunakan pemodelan persamaan berstruktur kuasa dua terkecil separa (PLS-SEM). Orientasi sosiobudaya mempunyai hubungan negatif yang signifikan dengan literasi digital. Literasi digital pula mempunyai hubungan positif yang tinggi dengan persepsi terhadap pelaksanaan dasar (β = 0.912). Hubungan langsung antara orientasi sosiobudaya dengan persepsi terhadap pelaksanaan dasar tidak signifikan, manakala hubungan tidak langsung melalui literasi digital adalah signifikan (β = −0.404). Model menerangkan 82.9 peratus varians persepsi terhadap pelaksanaan dasar dalam sampel kajian. Walau bagaimanapun, nilai HTMT sebanyak 0.952 menunjukkan kemungkinan pertindihan empirikal antara literasi digital dengan persepsi terhadap pelaksanaan dasar. Oleh itu, kekuatan hubungan antara kedua-duanya perlu ditafsir dengan berhati-hati. Dapatan ini menunjukkan bahawa literasi digital berkait rapat dengan cara mangsa menilai pelaksanaan dasar keselamatan siber. Komunikasi dasar yang jelas tentang tindakan yang perlu diambil, saluran pelaporan yang mudah digunakan dan latihan literasi digital berasaskan situasi sebenar wajar diberi perhatian dalam tadbir urus keselamatan siber.

The digitalisation of public services has expanded access to official information, awareness campaigns, reporting channels and cybersecurity protection mechanisms. However, the role of digital literacy in the relationship between sociocultural orientation and perceptions of cybersecurity policy implementation remains unclear, particularly among cyber fraud victims. This study examines digital literacy as a mediating variable in that relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 500 Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above who had experienced cyber fraud and filed a police report. Data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Sociocultural orientation had a significant negative association with digital literacy. Digital literacy, in turn, had a strong positive association with perceptions of policy implementation (β = 0.912). The direct association between sociocultural orientation and perceptions of policy implementation was not significant, whereas the indirect association through digital literacy was significant (β = −0.404). The model explained 82.9% of the variance in perceptions of policy implementation within the study sample. However, the HTMT value of 0.952 indicates possible empirical overlap between digital literacy and perceptions of policy implementation. The strength of the association between the two should therefore be interpreted with caution. The findings show that digital literacy is closely associated with how victims assess cybersecurity policy implementation. Policy communication that clearly explains what actions to take, accessible reporting channels and digital literacy training based on real-world scenarios warrant attention in cybersecurity governance.

A STAGE-BASED LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR GENERATIVE AI USES OF WORKS OF FOLK LITERATURE AND ART

2026-09-18T22:51:52+08:00

Generative AI increasingly uses Works of Folk Literature and Art (WFAs) as training data, style references, prompt templates, and commercial design resources. Because WFAs come from collective practice and intergenerational transmission, ordinary copyright law cannot fully address AI-related harms such as false cultural attribution, derogatory distortion, and large-scale commercial exploitation. This article examines why the existing copyright framework is insufficient and how legal responsibilities should be allocated by the training, output, and dissemination stages. Using doctrinal legal analysis of relevant Chinese laws, representative AI-related cases, and international materials concerning traditional cultural expressions, the article proposes a stage-based legal framework. At the training stage, the focus should be on the legality of data sources, sensitivity screening, and reasonable output control. At the output stage, distinctions should be made between identifiable expressions and general stylistic references. At the dissemination stage, liability can depend on the actor’s capacity for control, commercial benefit, and role in market circulation.

PENGARUH USUL FIQH DALAM PERKEMBANGAN PERUNDANGAN ISLAM DI SARAWAK: ANALISIS TERHADAP MANUSKRIP HUKUM KANUN LINGGA

2026-09-25T10:47:56+08:00

Kajian ini menganalisis pengaruh usul fiqh dalam perkembangan perundangan Islam di Sarawak dengan memfokuskan kepada manuskrip Hukum Kanun Lingga yang merupakan dokumen penting yang menjadi asas perundangan Islam tradisional di Sarawak. Objektif utama kajian ini adalah untuk mengenal pasti sejauh mana prinsip usul fiqh seperti maslahah, qiyas, istihsan dan sadd al-dhara’i diterapkan dalam sistem perundangan sebelum kedatangan penjajah Barat. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan analisis dokumen terhadap fasal-fasal dalam Hukum Kanun Lingga. Metodologi ini membolehkan kajian dilakukan secara terperinci terhadap penerapan prinsip usul fiqh dalam aspek perundangan seperti kekeluargaan, jenayah, muamalat serta pengurusan dan pemilikan tanah. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa Hukum Kanun Lingga mengintegrasikan syariah dan adat melalui penerapan prinsip usul fiqh secara sistematik. Prinsip maslahah memastikan perlindungan ekonomi dan keadilan sosial, sementara qiyas menyesuaikan syariat dengan konteks tempatan. Prinsip istihsan menekankan keadilan dalam pelaksanaan hukum dan sadd al-dhara’i digunakan untuk mencegah kemudaratan kepada masyarakat. Kajian ini menegaskan peranan Hukum Kanun Lingga sebagai dokumen penting dalam sejarah perundangan Islam di Sarawak. Hukum Kanun Lingga bukan sahaja mengekalkan nilai syariah tetapi juga menyesuaikannya dengan keperluan masyarakat setempat. Penemuan ini memberikan sumbangan signifikan kepada pemahaman tentang jaringan perundangan Islam di Nusantara, selain menjadi asas kepada kajian lanjut terhadap relevansi Hukum Kanun Lingga dalam pembentukan dasar perundangan moden di Malaysia.

This study analyses the influence of usul fiqh on the development of Islamic law in Sarawak by focusing on the Hukum Kanun Lingga. This important document served as the foundation of traditional Islamic law in Sarawak. The main objective of the study is to identify the extent to which usul fiqh principles such as maslahah, qiyas, istihsan, and sadd al-dhara’i were applied in the legal system before the arrival of Western colonial powers. The study employs a qualitative approach through document analysis of the clauses in Hukum Kanun Lingga. This methodology enables a detailed examination of the application of usul fiqh principles in areas such as family law, criminal law, muamalat, and land management and ownership. The findings show that Hukum Kanun Lingga integrates syariah and customary law through the systematic application of usul fiqh principles. The principle of maslahah ensures economic protection and social justice, while qiyas adapts Islamic law to the local context. The principle of istihsan emphasizes justice in the implementation of the law, and sadd al-dhara’i is used to prevent harm to society. This study affirms the role of Hukum Kanun Lingga as an important document in the history of Islamic law in Sarawak. Hukum Kanun Lingga not only preserves syariah values but also adapts them to the needs of the local community. These findings contribute significantly to the understanding of the legal networks of Islamic law in the Malay Archipelago while providing a foundation for further research on the relevance of Hukum Kanun Lingga in informing contemporary legal policy in Malaysia.

THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS A CONTESTED MARITIME CHOKEPOINT: GEOPOLITICAL RIVALRY, LEGAL AMBIGUITY, AND THE FRAGILITY OF GLOBAL ENERGY SECURITY

2026-10-02T16:24:58+08:00

The Strait of Hormuz constitutes one of the most strategically significant maritime chokepoints in the global energy system, carrying approximately one-fifth of global petroleum consumption through its waters. While existing scholarship has examined its importance largely through energy security, maritime strategy, or geopolitical perspectives, few studies integrate these dimensions within a single analytical framework. This article addresses that gap by conceptualising the Strait as a strategic vulnerability nexus, where geopolitical rivalry, contested maritime legal interpretations, and systemic energy dependence interact to embed instability structurally within the global system. Using a critical interdisciplinary literature review of 52 studies across maritime security, international law, and global energy governance, the analysis identifies three mutually reinforcing vulnerabilities: geopolitical competition heightens disruption risks, legal ambiguity complicates governance and crisis management, and systemic energy dependence amplifies global economic consequences. Evidence from recurring maritime incidents, contested legal interpretations, and limited redundancy in energy infrastructure demonstrates that instability in the Strait is not episodic but structurally embedded. The study concludes that sustainable stability requires clearer legal mechanisms, inclusive multilateral cooperation, and reduced reliance on chokepoints through diversification and renewable energy transition. By advancing this integrated perspective, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of chokepoint vulnerability in global energy security.

CONDITIONAL INDEFEASIBILITY UNDER THE MALAYSIA TORRENS SYSTEM: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ONG CHAT PANG & ANOR V VALIAPPA CHETTIAR [1971] 1 MLJ 224

2026-09-10T12:51:36+08:00

This article looks at the Federal Courts’s decision in Ong Chat Pang & Anor v Valliapa Chettiar [1971] 1 MLJ 224 and how the doctrine of indefeasibility in the Malaysian Torrens system has developed over time. The case in question involved two parties who claimed ownership of the same piece of land. One party managed to have their transfer or ownership registered, but the Federal Court decided to deny the indefeasibility of their ownership claim based on the fact that they had failed to prove that they were a bona fide purchaser. This case therefore illustrates the principle that in Malaysia, ownership of land cannot simply be guaranteed by having the title registered but instead, the ownership claim must be proven to be a good faith claim. While this decision may be older than some of the discussions in the current debates on immediate and deferred indefeasibility, the Federal Court’s decision in this case has contributed to the development of Malaysian land law. By looking at this case within the larger scope of the development of Malaysian Torrens law, this article will demonstrate how important the decision was to this area of law. The decision in Ong Chat Pang is considered one of the first instances in Malaysian land law where the Federal Court introduced the idea of conditional indefeasibility, which would go on to become a principle that would be refined in the latter case of Tan Yin Hong v Tan Sian San. Through an analysis of Malaysian court cases, it can be demonstrated that while the courts have sought to provide certainty regarding land ownership through the indefeasibility doctrine, the courts have also sought to implement safeguards to prevent the abuse of the registration process.

PENERBITAN SUKUK LESTARI: ANALISIS DOKUMEN SUKUK SRI CAGAMAS DARI PERSPEKTIF KERANGKA MAQASID SYARIAH DAN KAEDAH FIQH

2026-09-25T09:28:51+08:00

Peningkatan instrumen kewangan lestari, khususnya Sukuk Pelaburan Mampan dan Bertanggungjawab (SRI), menuntut penilaian Syarak yang melangkaui sekadar kesahihan lafaz kontrak dan pematuhan fizikal semata-mata. Walaupun kajian terdahulu telah membincangkan hubungan antara Sukuk Lestari dengan Maqasid Syariah, namun masih terdapat kelompangan dalam analisis empirikal terhadap dokumen penstrukturan sukuk sebenar serta hubungannya dengan Kaedah Fiqh (Qawaid Fiqhiyyah). Kajian ini bertujuan menganalisis penerbitan Sukuk SRI Cagamas Berhad dari perspektif kerangka Maqasid Syariah dengan tiga objektif khusus: (i) mengenal pasti subtema kritikal dalam struktur sukuk melalui analisis kandungan dokumen; (ii) menganalisis hubungan setiap subtema dengan dimensi Maqasid Syariah; dan (iii) mencadangkan penambahbaikan berdasarkan kerangka Kaedah Fiqh. Menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif berbantukan perisian NVIVO 15, kajian ini menganalisisa dokumen utama termasuk Memorandum Maklumat Sukuk Cagamas (2019), Proposal Terma dan Syarat (PTC), dan garis panduan lestari. Hasil analisis kandungan mengenal pasti tiga subtema kritikal: Risiko, Kadar, dan Nilai, yang dipetakan kepada dimensi Hifz al-Mal dalam kerangka Maqasid Syariah. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan wujud jurang antara pengukuran profil risiko Syariah berasaskan akad dengan impak sebenar projek sosial, serta pendedahan terhadap risiko kredit akibat lambakan pasaran hartanah. Melalui perspektif Kaedah Fiqh berpandukan seksyen 27 dan 85 Majallah al-Ahkam al-'Adliyyah, kajian ini mencadangkan penerokaan potensi peralihan daripada akad berasaskan hutang kepada akad perkongsian bagi meningkatkan ketelusan risiko kredit dan merealisasikan matlamat Hifz al-Mal yang mampan.

The rise of sustainable financial instruments, specifically Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Sukuk, necessitates Shariah assessments that extend beyond the mere literal validity of contracts and superficial physical compliance. Although previous studies have explored the relationship between Sustainable Sukuk and Maqasid Shariah, a gap remains in the empirical analysis of actual sukuk structuring documents and their alignment with Islamic Legal Maxims (Qawaid Fiqhiyyah). This study aims to analyze the issuance of Cagamas Berhad's SRI Sukuk through the lens of the Maqasid Shariah framework, driven by three specific objectives: (i) to identify critical subthemes in sukuk structuring via document content analysis; (ii) to examine the relationship between each subtheme and the dimensions of Maqasid Shariah; and (iii) to propose improvements based on the Islamic Legal Maxims framework. Employing a qualitative approach facilitated by NVIVO 15 software, this study evaluates primary documents, including the Cagamas Sukuk Information Memorandum (2019), the Principal Terms and Conditions (PTC), and relevant sustainability guidelines. The content analysis identifies three critical subthemes Risk, Rate, and Value which are subsequently mapped to the Hifz al-Mal (preservation of wealth) dimension within the Maqasid Shariah framework. The findings reveal a gap between the measurement of contract-based Shariah risk profiles and the actual impact of social projects, alongside an exposure to credit risk resulting from an oversupply in the property market. From the perspective of Islamic Legal Maxims, guided by Article 27 and 85 of the Majallah al-Ahkam al-'Adliyyah, this study proposes exploring the potential transition from debt-based contracts to partnership-based contracts. This shift aims to enhance credit risk transparency and successfully realize the sustainable objectives of Hifz al-Mal.

MODEL PENDEKATAN BAHARU PAMPASAN KHULU’: ANALISIS PERBANDINGAN 4 MAZHAB DAN AMALAN PERUNDANGAN DI NEGERI KEDAH DARUL AMAN

2026-09-28T15:47:10+08:00

Kajian ini bertujuan menilai kaedah penentuan pampasan khulu’ di Negeri Kedah melalui analisis perbandingan prinsip fiqh empat mazhab Sunni serta amalan kehakiman Mahkamah Syariah, di samping mencadangkan suatu pendekatan baharu yang selaras dengan kerangka Maqasid Syariah. Kajian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif yang menggabungkan analisis doktrinal terhadap sumber fiqh klasik mazhab Hanafi, Maliki, Syafi‘i dan Hanbali, temu bual separa berstruktur dengan pakar undang-undang keluarga Islam dan hakim Syariah, serta analisis kes berkaitan pampasan khulu’ berdasarkan peruntukan Enakmen Undang-Undang Keluarga Islam (Kedah Darul Aman) 2008. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan wujud kepelbagaian prinsip dalam penentuan pampasan khulu’ antara empat mazhab, khususnya dari segi had pampasan, kedudukan mahr, tahap budi bicara hakim, serta pertimbangan unsur keadilan dan kemudaratan. Analisis amalan kehakiman pula mendapati bahawa penentuan pampasan di negeri Kedah banyak bergantung kepada diskresi hakim berdasarkan faktor kemampuan kewangan pihak, tempoh perkahwinan, serta tahap konflik rumah tangga, namun ketiadaan parameter standard menyebabkan variasi keputusan dan ketidakseragaman amalan. Temu bual pakar mengesahkan keperluan suatu kerangka penentuan pampasan yang lebih sistematik bagi mengharmonikan doktrin fiqh klasik dengan realiti pentadbiran mahkamah moden. Sehubungan itu, kajian ini mencadangkan model pendekatan baharu pampasan khulu’ yang mengintegrasikan prinsip fiqh perbandingan, objektif Maqasid Syariah, serta mekanisme diskresi kehakiman berparameter. Model ini berpotensi meningkatkan keseragaman keputusan, memperkukuh kepastian undang-undang, serta memastikan perlindungan hak dan keadilan substantif terhadap wanita dalam sistem perundangan keluarga Islam. Kajian turut mencadangkan pembangunan garis panduan standardisasi pampasan khulu’, pengukuhan dasar kehakiman, serta penambahbaikan kerangka fatwa sebagai asas reformasi pentadbiran undang-undang keluarga Islam. Kata Kunci: Pampasan khulu’, fiqh perbandingan, Mahkamah Syariah, standardisasi pampasan, Maqasid Syariah, reformasi undang-undang keluarga Islam.

This study aims to examine the determination of khuluʿ compensation in the State of Kedah through a comparative analysis of the jurisprudential principles of the four Sunni schools of law and the judicial practices of the Syariah Courts, while proposing a new approach that is aligned with the framework of Maqasid al-Shariah. The study adopts a descriptive qualitative approach incorporating doctrinal analysis of classical jurisprudential sources from the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafiʿi, and Hanbali schools, semi-structured interviews with Islamic family law experts and Syariah judges, and case analysis relating to khulʿ compensation based on the provisions of the Islamic Family Law (Kedah Darul Aman) Enactment 2008. The findings demonstrate considerable diversity among the four Sunni schools regarding the determination of khuluʿ compensation, particularly in relation to the permissible limits of compensation, the status of mahr, the extent of judicial discretion, and the consideration of justice and harm. An analysis of judicial practice further indicates that the determination of compensation in Kedah relies substantially on judicial discretion, taking into account factors such as the financial capacity of the parties, the duration of the marriage, and the level of marital conflict. However, the absence of standardised parameters has resulted in variations in judicial outcomes and inconsistencies in practice. The expert interviews further affirm the need for a more systematic framework for determining khuluʿ compensation that harmonises classical jurisprudential doctrines with the realities of modern judicial administration. Accordingly, this study proposes a new approach to khuluʿ compensation that integrates comparative jurisprudential principles, the objectives of Maqasid al-Shariah, and a structured mechanism of judicial discretion guided by defined parameters. The proposed model has the potential to promote greater consistency in judicial decisions, strengthen legal certainty, and safeguard the rights and substantive justice of women within the Islamic family law system. The study further recommends the development of standardised guidelines for khuluʿ compensation, the strengthening of judicial policy, and the enhancement of the fatwa framework as foundations for reforming the administration of Islamic family law.

ISLAMIC ESTATE ADMINISTRATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE: THE NEED FOR AN INTEGRITY-BASED GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK FOR CRYPTO ASSETS IN MALAYSIA

2026-10-02T17:14:14+08:00

The emergence of crypto assets as form of digital wealth challenges conventional estate administration by introducing decentralized technologies and cryptographic assess mechanisms that complicate ownership verification, custodial access, fiduciary accountability, and beneficiary protection after death. This conceptual paper examines the need for integrity-based governance framework for Islamic estate administration of crypto assets in Malaysia. Moving beyond the debates on the Shariah status of crypto assets as mal (wealth), this study explores how digital wealth can be administered transparently, securely, and responsibly after the owner’s death. This study adopted socio-legal research, and the finding identified five interrelated governance challenges; assets identification and ownership verification; private key management; fiduciary accountability and asset mismanagement; custodial responsibility and Digital Assets Exchange governance; and regulatory and institutional fragmentation. In response, the study proposes conceptual integrity-based governance framework comprised of six interconnected dimensions: (i) shariah governance; (ii) legal and regulatory governance; (iii) fiduciary accountability; (iv) custodial integrity and access management; (v) digital security and cyber governance and (vi) beneficiary protection and estate distribution. This study contributes a conceptual structure that extends the discourse beyond the Shariah recognition of crypto assets as mal towards the integrity-based governance of shariah-recognized digital wealth after death. Future study is suggested to validate this conceptual framework.

A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW OF FEMALE AUDIENCE RECEPTION OF INDEPENDENT WOMEN IN TELEVISION DRAMAS

2026-09-18T22:40:15+08:00

Television dramas function as powerful ideological apparatuses and socializing agents that shape gender norms. Recently, the “independent woman” archetype has become globally visible, yet female audiences’ interpretations of this figure vary significantly. To understand these diverse readings, this systematic literature review examines female audience reception of the “independent woman” archetype, defined here as female audiences’ interpretations, negotiations, and responses to this representation. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, studies published between 2011 and 2025 were identified from Web of Science and Scopus, screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and synthesised thematically. The included studies employed diverse, predominantly qualitative methodological approaches across different research settings. The findings indicate that audiences actively negotiate the meaning of female independence, which shifts between neoliberal ideals of individual achievement and culturally embedded moral values. Four themes emerged: the use of realistic narratives as informal guides for everyday life; the cultural localisation and de-Westernisation of the independent-woman archetype; tensions between empowerment and social expectations; and the reconstruction of identity among diasporic women. The theoretical literature has shifted from binary and individual-level models of gender representation toward intersectional and affect-oriented approaches that recognise the influence of culture, identity, and emotion. Nevertheless, the literature remains disproportionately informed by Western theoretical perspectives and selected cultural contexts. The synthesis suggests that representations of female independence can simultaneously expand women's sense of agency and reproduce neoliberal expectations of individual self-management and productivity. Future research should move beyond assumptions of audience homogeneity by adopting a more granular, micro-level approach that examines sub-national regions and demographic cohorts to identify how regional cultures and generational differences shape interpretations of female independence.

BIBLIOMETRIC MAPPING OF RESEARCH ON GAZA (2020-2026): A THEMATIC SHIFT TOWARD HUMANITARIAN CRISES

2026-09-25T10:35:15+08:00

The Gaza Strip remains a focal point of global geopolitical and humanitarian discourse, yet a systematic mapping of its academic landscape is needed to understand evolving research trajectories. This study provides a bibliometric analysis of Gaza-related research in the Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities from 2020 to early 2026. Findings reveal a sharp escalation in research output from mid-2023 onwards. Geographically, the United States (447 documents) and the United Kingdom (330 documents) lead in volume, while regional institutions, particularly the Islamic University of Gaza (n=65) and An-Najah National University (n=55), are the most productive affiliations. Peer-reviewed articles constitute the majority of the output (70.9%). VOSviewer identified three thematic clusters: geopolitical and conflict-oriented themes (e.g., “Israel” and “Hamas”), humanitarian and sociological themes (e.g., “violence” and “genocide”), and methodological frameworks. Temporal analysis indicates a shift from foundational methodological studies in early 2023 toward urgent humanitarian critique and political event analysis from 2024 to 2026. The study contributes by showing how academic discourse on Gaza has rapidly pivoted from structural social science frameworks to responsive, event-driven humanitarian analysis, highlighting the need for more transparent, interdisciplinary, and context-sensitive research methodologies.

INTEGRATING SHARIAH PRINCIPLES IN EDUCATIONAL GOVERNANCE: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW OF ISLAMIC SCHOOLS

2026-09-28T16:47:28+08:00

Embedding Shariah principles in the governance of Islamic schools presents significant challenges. Schools must remain faithful to classical Islamic jurisprudence while also meeting internationally recognised academic standards and reconciling these two commitments creates considerable tension in day-to-day practice. Although prior research has addressed aspects of this issue, existing studies remain fragmented across different disciplines and institutional contexts, offering little consolidated evidence. This review therefore examines these challenges by asking how Shariah principles are applied in educational governance and by identifying the barriers to their implementation. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines (Page et al., 2021), 13 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science were retained after screening, quality appraisal and thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The synthesis produced three themes: the integration of Shariah in policy and curriculum; quality assurance and ethical leadership; and institutional tensions and regulatory challenges. Across the studies, the higher objectives of Islamic law (Maqasid al-Shariah) consistently enabled schools to adapt modern policies while preserving their religious character. The studies also identified recurring obstacles, including seniority-based leadership hierarchies that slow reform, limited digital infrastructure, and unresolved jurisdictional gaps between classical doctrine and contemporary statute, which together indicate a need for specialised, independent Shariah supervisory oversight. This review contributes a consolidated, evidence-based synthesis of fragmented multidisciplinary literature and provides policymakers with a defensible basis for developing context-sensitive governance frameworks for faith-based institutions.

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC SECTOR GOVERNANCE: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF MALAYSIAN CIVIL SERVANTS

2026-09-10T12:36:49+08:00

Ethical leadership has become increasingly important in the public sector amid ongoing concerns about governance and integrity, and declining public trust. This study examines the determinants of ethical leadership among public servants in Northern Malaysia, focusing on empathy, personal integrity, peer influence, and organisational culture. Guided by Transformational Leadership Theory, this study conceptualises empathy, personal integrity, peer influence, and organisational culture as key mechanisms shaping ethical leadership behaviour among public servants. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed to examine the influence of these individual and organisational determinants on ethical leadership practices within the Malaysian public sector. Data were collected from 166 public servants in Kedah using structured questionnaires. Ethical leadership was measured using the Ethical Leadership Scale (ELS), while the independent variables were assessed using established and adapted measurement instruments. The findings indicate that the overall level of ethical leadership among public servants is high. Correlation analysis revealed that empathy, personal integrity, peer influence, and organisational culture were all positively and significantly associated with ethical leadership. However, multiple regression analysis identified organisational culture as the strongest and most significant predictor of ethical leadership practices. Although personal integrity and peer influence showed positive relationships, their effects became insignificant when other variables were controlled. These findings indicate that organisational culture exerts a stronger influence on ethical leadership than individual-level characteristics, highlighting the critical role of institutional values and organisational environments in fostering ethical conduct within the Malaysian public sector. This study contributes to ethical leadership literature by extending empirical evidence from the Malaysian public sector, demonstrating the relative influence of organisational and individual determinants of ethical leadership, and offering practical insights for governance reform, integrity enhancement, and leadership development within public institutions.

PENGGUNAAN DIALIZER SECARA KONSISTEN DALAM RAWATAN DIALISIS BERPANDUKAN KAEDAH FIQH

2026-09-23T16:31:19+08:00

Dializer merupakan peralatan teknologi berfungsi menggantikan buah pinggang pesakit dialisis yang telah rosak dalam rawatan dialisis mengikut rutin jadual ditetapkan. Penggunaan dializer secara konsisten mampu menstabilkan kesihatan pesakit apabila lebihan cecair dalam badan disingkirkan dengan berkesan. Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat pelbagai reaksi dalam kalangan pesakit untuk menjalani rawatan dialisis dengan konsisten disebabkan oleh faktor kemurungan apabila rawatan perlu dijalani sehingga akhir hayat, keletihan setelah rawatan selesai dan kos bayaran rawatan yang semakin tinggi. Bahkan, kajian banyak tertumpu fungsi dializer dalam aspek perubatan moden tetapi terhad dalam perspektif hukum Islam. Justeru, kajian ini bertujuan menganalisis hukum penggunaan konsisten dializer dalam rawatan dialisis berdasarkan kaedah fiqh terpilih. Metodologi kualitatif diaplikasikan dengan temu bual dua puluh orang responden di kalangan pesakit, keluarga dan juru rawat dialisis di daerah Johor Bahru, Johor sebagai data primer dan kajian perpustakaan sebagai data sekunder bagi memastikan matlamat kajian dapat dicapai. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis secara deskriptif dan perbandingan. Hasil kajian mendapati penggunaan konsisten dializer dalam rawatan dialisis berpotensi meningkatkan tahap kestabilan dan pembentukan simptom pada tubuh pesakit dialisis dapat dikawal berpandukan kaedah al-Dharar Yuzal dan al-Masyaqqah tajlib al-Taysir. Kajian ini mencadangkan kesedaran menjalani rawatan dialisis menggunakan dializer dengan konsisten kepada pesakit dipertingkatkan menurut prinsip hifz al-Nafs kerana telah tergolong sebagai al-Dharuriyyat apabila nyawa boleh terancam sekiranya ia diabaikan.

A dialyzer is a technological equipment that functions to replace the kidneys of dialysis patients who have been damaged in dialysis treatment according to a routine schedule. Consistent use of the dialyzer is able to stabilize the patient's health when excess fluid in the body is effectively eliminated. However, there are various reactions among patients to undergoing dialysis treatment consistently due to factors such as depression when treatment must be carried out until the end of life, fatigue after treatment is completed and the cost of treatment is increasingly high. In fact, many studies have focused on the function of dialysate in modern medicine but are limited in the perspective of Islamic law. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the law of consistent use of dialyzer in dialysis treatment based on selected fiqh methods. A qualitative methodology was applied by interviewing twenty respondents among patients, families and dialysis nurses in Johor Bahru district, Johor, as primary data and library studies as secondary data to ensure that the objectives of the study could be achieved. The collected Data were analyzed descriptive and comparative. The results of the study found that the consistent use of a dialyzer in dialysis treatment has the potential to increase the level of stability and the formation of symptoms in the body of dialysis patients can be controlled by the method of al-Dharar Yuzal and al-Masyaqqah tajlib al-Taysir. This study suggests that awareness of undergoing dialysis treatment using a dialyzer consistently among patients is improved according to the principles of hifz al-Nafs because it has been classified as al-Dharuriyyat when lives can be threatened if it is ignored.

MALAYSIA’S POLICY READINESS FOR SYNTHETIC MEDIA AND DEEPFAKES REGULATION

2026-09-25T11:20:04+08:00

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the creation and circulation of digital media, including synthetic media and deepfakes capable of realistically imitating individuals. Although Malaysian scholarship and policy discussions have addressed digital misinformation, online harms, and AI governance, limited empirical research has examined the adequacy of existing legal instruments specifically for synthetic media and deepfake-related harms. Drawing on the regulative pillar of Institutional Theory, this study examines the extent to which Malaysia’s formal laws, regulatory mechanisms, and enforcement arrangements are prepared to address such harms. A qualitative exploratory design was used. Four purposively selected participants representing government communication, public relations, media law, and media industry practice were interviewed to provide cross-sector perspectives. Document analysis of relevant Malaysian legislation, regulatory policies, official guidance, and government materials was used to triangulate and contextualise the interview findings. Thematic analysis identified four main themes: fragmented legal coverage, definitional uncertainty, reactive enforcement, and the need for stronger platform accountability and AI-specific legal safeguards. Existing instruments, including the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, Defamation Act 1957, Evidence Act 1950, Penal Code, and Online Safety Act 2025, may address particular consequences of deepfake misuse, but they do not constitute a law specifically designed for synthetic media. The study therefore finds that Malaysia demonstrates partial regulative readiness. Greater readiness requires clearer definitions of synthetic media and deepfakes, proportionate disclosure and liability rules, faster enforcement and takedown procedures, improved digital-evidence processes, and clearer platform responsibilities.

IMPLIKASI UNDANG-UNDANG ‘TIADA KLAUSA PANDANG BELAKANG’ DALAM KONTRAK INSURANS MALAYSIA BAGI SYARIKAT-SYARIKAT INSURANS DAN PEMEGANG-PEMEGANG POLISI

2026-10-02T16:56:26+08:00

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) sedang mempertimbangkan satu klausa khas untuk Pelan Insurans dan Takaful Perubatan dan Kesihatan (MHIT) Asas yang akan memperkenalkan mekanisme ‘Tiada Klause Pandang Belakang’ bagi melindungi hak pengguna. Mekanisme ini pada asasnya menetapkan bahawa selepas satu tempoh perlindungan berterusan yang dipersetujui, syarikat insurans dan pengendali takaful tidak lagi dibenarkan menolak tuntutan pesakit atas alasan penyakit sedia ada, dan perkara ini juga mengelakkan penolakan tuntutan oleh syarikat insurans dan pengendali takaful kerana kegagalan pendedahan sejarah penyakit pada masa lalu oleh pemegang polisi. Doktrin asas uberrimae fidei atau niat baik sepenuhnya merupakan prinsip tafsiran yang asas dalam kontrak insurans. Walau bagaimanapun, penerapannya perlu dimodenkan bagi mengambil kira ketidakseimbangan kuasa tawar-menawar yang wujud dalam hubungan kontraktual pada masa kini. Artikel ini melibatkan satu kajian kualitatif yang melibatkan kajian secara bersistem mengenai pandangan falsafah dan akademik menerusi literatur. Oleh itu, kajian ini bukanlah satu kajian empirikal, sebaliknya merupakan satu kajian kepustakaan yang bersumberkan pelbagai data primer. Perlindungan hak pengguna dalam bidang ini bergantung kepada prinsip bahawa ketelusan merupakan mekanisme utama dalam membina kepercayaan dalam pasaran insurans.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is considering a special clause for the Basic Medical and Health Insurance and Takaful (MHIT) Plan which will introduce a ‘No Look Back Clause’ mechanism to protect consumer rights. This mechanism essentially stipulates that after an agreed period of continuous coverage, insurance companies and takaful operators are no longer allowed to reject a patient’s claim on the grounds of pre-existing conditions, and it also prevents the rejection of claims due to failure to disclose past medical history, the aim being to provide long-term certainty so that policyholders are not ‘stuck’ when protection is needed most. The fundamental doctrine of uberrimae fidei or absolute good faith is a fundamental interpretative principle in insurance contracts. However, its application needs to be modernised to take into account the imbalance of bargaining power that exists in contractual relationships today. This is a qualitative study involving a systematic review of philosophical and academic views through the literature. Therefore, this study is not an empirical study, but rather a literature review sourced from various primary data. The protection of consumer rights in this area relies on the principle that transparency is a key mechanism in building trust in the insurance market.

“KENAPAKAH AKU SUKAR MENDAPATKAN PEKERJAAN” KAJIAN TERHADAP GELANDANGAN BEKAS BANDUAN WANITA DI JALAN CHOW

2026-09-18T22:18:01+08:00

Gelandangan wanita yang merupakan bekas banduan merupakan antara kumpulan yang paling terpinggir dalam masyarakat kerana berhadapan dengan pelbagai bentuk ketidakadilan sosial, ekonomi dan gender secara serentak. Selepas dibebaskan daripada penjara, mereka sering menghadapi kesukaran untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan yang stabil akibat stigma terhadap rekod jenayah lampau, ketidakstabilan tempat tinggal, masalah kesihatan fizikal dan mental, serta pengalaman trauma dan diskriminasi dalam pasaran pekerjaan. Keadaan ini bukan sahaja menjejaskan proses reintegrasi sosial, malah meningkatkan risiko kemiskinan berpanjangan, gelandangan kronik dan pengulangan jenayah. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif melalui temu bual mendalam terhadap tiga orang gelandangan bekas banduan wanita di sekitar Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. Pemilihan informan kajian dibuat berdasarkan beberapa kriteria, iaitu wanita, mempunyai rekod jenayah lampau, bebas daripada sebarang penyakit psikologi yang serius, dan merupakan warganegara Malaysia. Hasil kajian mengenal pasti dua tema utama, iaitu peluang pekerjaan yang terhad dan cabaran ekonomi serta kewangan. Tema peluang pekerjaan yang terhad merangkumi subtema tahap pendidikan yang rendah, rekod pemenjaraan dan pekerjaan yang tidak stabil. Sementara itu, tema cabaran ekonomi dan kewangan melibatkan subtema pendapatan yang tidak mencukupi untuk menampung keperluan hidup serta kesukaran mendapatkan pekerjaan yang sesuai. Kesimpulannya, gelandangan bekas banduan wanita berhadapan dengan pelbagai halangan struktur dan sosial yang menjejaskan peluang mereka untuk membina semula kehidupan selepas pembebasan. Oleh itu, intervensi yang lebih menyeluruh melalui penyediaan peluang pekerjaan, latihan kemahiran, sokongan ekonomi dan pengurangan stigma masyarakat amat diperlukan bagi membantu proses reintegrasi sosial golongan ini secara lebih berkesan.

Homeless women who are former prisoners are among the most marginalized groups in society as they simultaneously face various forms of social, economic, and gender injustices. Following their release from prison, they often encounter difficulties in securing stable employment due to the stigma of past criminal records, housing instability, physical and mental health issues, as well as traumatic experiences and discrimination within the labor market. This situation not only hampers the social reintegration process but also escalates the risk of prolonged poverty, chronic homelessness, and recidivism. This study employs a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with three homeless former prisoner women in the vicinity of Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. The selection of study participants was based on several criteria: being women, having a prior criminal record, being free from serious psychological illnesses, and being a Malaysian citizen. The findings identified two primary themes: limited employment opportunities and economic as well as financial challenges. The theme of limited employment opportunities encompasses subthemes of low education levels, incarceration records, and unstable employment. Meanwhile, the theme of economic and financial challenges involves subthemes of insufficient income to sustain basic living needs and difficulties in obtaining suitable employment. In conclusion, homeless ex-prisoner women face various structural and social barriers that undermine their chances of rebuilding their lives after release. Therefore, comprehensive interventions through the provision of job opportunities, skills training, economic support, and the reduction of social stigma are essential to facilitate the social reintegration process for this group more effectively.

TABARRUJ DAN KETERLIHATAN DIGITAL: ANALISIS KONSEPTUAL DALAM PERSPEKTIF ISLAM DAN KOMUNIKASI

2026-09-25T10:20:19+08:00

Perkembangan media sosial telah mengubah landskap keterlihatan diri dalam masyarakat Muslim, sekali gus memperluaskan dimensi perbincangan konsep tabarruj dalam ruang digital. Keterlihatan tidak lagi bersifat fizikal semata-mata, tetapi telah menjadi sebahagian daripada amalan komunikasi yang dimediasi teknologi. Sehubungan itu, kajian ini mengemukakan analisis konseptual bagi memahami tabarruj dalam konteks keterlihatan digital dengan mengintegrasikan perspektif Islam dan teori komunikasi kontemporari. Walaupun tabarruj secara tradisional ditafsirkan sebagai pendedahan perhiasan atau aurat secara fizikal, kajian ini berhujah bahawa dalam ekosistem media sosial, tabarruj telah berevolusi menjadi satu bentuk keterlihatan performatif yang dibentuk oleh algoritma, budaya perhatian dan logik monetisasi kandungan. Objektif utama kajian ini adalah untuk menstruktur semula pemahaman konsep tabarruj melalui pendekatan konseptual berasaskan sorotan literatur dalam bidang komunikasi, media digital dan etika Islam. Analisis kajian menunjukkan bahawa tabarruj dalam media sosial tidak lagi terhad kepada aspek visual fizikal, tetapi merangkumi strategi persembahan diri (self-presentation), estetika kandungan dan pembinaan naratif diri yang bertujuan menarik perhatian khalayak. Dalam konteks ini, tabarruj dapat difahami sebagai amalan simbolik yang beroperasi dalam struktur komunikasi digital, bukan sekadar pelanggaran norma berpakaian. Kesimpulannya, kertas kerja konsep ini menegaskan keperluan untuk membangunkan kerangka konseptual baharu yang mentafsir tabarruj secara kontekstual dalam era keterlihatan digital. Kerangka ini penting bagi menyediakan panduan yang lebih relevan dalam menyeimbangkan antara ekspresi diri digital dan prinsip etika Islam. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada pengembangan wacana Islam dan komunikasi dengan menawarkan pendekatan interdisiplin yang menghubungkan fiqh tabarruj dengan teori komunikasi kontemporari.

The development of social media has transformed the landscape of self-visibility within Muslim society, thereby expanding the dimensions of discussion on the concept of tabarruj in the digital sphere. Visibility is no longer merely physical in nature but has become part of technologically mediated communication practices. Accordingly, this study presents a conceptual analysis to understand tabarruj within the context of digital visibility by integrating Islamic perspectives and contemporary communication theories. Although tabarruj has traditionally been interpreted as the physical exposure of adornment or aurat, this study argues that within the social media ecosystem, tabarruj has evolved into a form of performative visibility shaped by algorithms, attention culture and the logic of content monetisation. The main objective of this study is to restructure the understanding of the concept of tabarruj through a conceptual approach based on a review of literature in the fields of communication, digital media and Islamic ethics. The analysis indicates that tabarruj on social media is no longer limited to physical visual aspects, but also encompasses strategies of self-presentation, content aesthetics and the construction of self-narratives aimed at attracting audience attention. In this context, tabarruj may be understood as a symbolic practice operating within the structure of digital communication, rather than merely a violation of dress norms. In conclusion, this concept paper emphasises the need to develop a new conceptual framework that interprets tabarruj contextually in the era of digital visibility. Such a framework is important in providing more relevant guidance for balancing digital self-expression with the principles of Islamic ethics. This study contributes to the development of Islamic and communication discourse by offering an interdisciplinary approach that connects the fiqh of tabarruj with contemporary communication theories.

NAVIGATING SHARIAH GOVERNANCE PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL ISLAMIC FINANCE: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

2026-09-28T16:20:07+08:00

Shariah governance symbolises the essential institutional and legal foundation of the Islamic finance industry, differentiating it from the conventional financial systems through strict adherence of its products, transactions, and operations to Islamic commercial jurisprudence. The aim of this narrative review is to synthesise the global literature to examine the current state of Shariah governance frameworks across varying jurisdictions. The paper critically evaluates the contrasting centralised and decentralised regulatory models, and the pivotal role and persistent challenges faced by Shariah committees. This paper underscores the impact of regulatory evolution (such as the transition from Shariah Governance Framework 2010 to Shariah Governance Policy Document 2019 in Malaysia), by examining these frameworks through contemporary corporate governance theories including agency, stewardship, stakeholder, and institutional theory. This paper assesses the research trends over nearly four decades (from 1985 to 2026), maps scientific actors, and recommends a future research agenda comprising of 26 core research questions, highlighting the necessity for international standardisation and integration of Shariah governance with sustainable development goals (SDGs). This review recognises important challenges, including the freedom of Shariah committee members in making decision, conflict of duties resulting from several memberships in Shariah committees, the critical inadequacy of competent and dual-certified human capital, the need of the robust internal Shariah control mechanisms (audit, review, risk management, and research), and the state of corporate transparency.

GOVERNING SUSTAINABLE STRATA COMMUNITIES IN MALAYSIA: ADDRESSING ENFORCEMENT GAPS, SPATIAL CONFLICTS AND LEGAL CHALLENGES

2026-09-10T12:22:30+08:00

The rapid expansion of strata housing in Malaysia has transformed urban residential development by providing efficient land utilization and shared community facilities. However, the sustainability of strata communities continues to be challenged by persistent governance issues, including weak enforcement mechanisms, spatial conflicts, and legal disputes among stakeholders. While previous studies have examined these challenges separately, limited research has explored their interrelationship within a holistic governance framework. This study aims to examine the key factors affecting the sustainability of strata communities in Malaysia by focusing on enforcement gaps, spatial management conflicts, and legal challenges, as well as their implications for community harmony and governance effectiveness. A qualitative research approach was adopted through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Data were collected from five key stakeholders comprising representatives from local authorities, the Commissioner of Buildings (COB), and strata management bodies with direct experience in strata governance. The findings reveal three major challenges. First, enforcement efforts are constrained by limited institutional capacity, overlapping jurisdictions, and low resident compliance with established regulations. Second, spatial conflicts arise primarily from inadequate parking provision, misuse of common property, and increasing pressure on shared facilities in high-density developments. Third, legal disputes are exacerbated by ambiguities in regulatory responsibilities and residents’ limited understanding of their legal rights and obligations. The study argues that these challenges are interconnected and require an integrated governance approach rather than isolated interventions. It proposes a sustainable strata governance perspective that emphasizes stronger enforcement mechanisms, enhanced legal literacy, improved spatial planning, and collaborative stakeholder engagement. The findings contribute to the growing discourse on sustainable urban governance and support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting safer, more inclusive, and resilient strata living environments in Malaysia.

THE INTERSECTION OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM AND COMPETING INTERPRETATIONS OF ISLAMIC THEOLOGY IN MALAYSIA

2026-09-23T15:44:51+08:00

The intersection of religious pluralism and competing interpretations of Islamic theology in Malaysia generates systemic socio-religious friction and doctrinal ambiguity, leaving the Muslim populace vulnerable to polarizing political rhetoric and sectarian fragmentation. To address this issue, this conceptual study aims to explore the interplay between religious pluralism, Islamic theology, institutional transparency, and ideological dissemination, while assessing the moderating role of regulatory strength. Employing a conceptual approach based on a comprehensive synthesis of existing literature, this paper develops a structural mediation and moderation framework. The findings, articulated through four core propositions, posit that the systemic friction between pluralism and theology necessitates institutional transparency. Transparency acts as a vital mediator that filters out doctrinal ambiguity and prevents media manipulation. Furthermore, the framework posits that robust regulatory strength significantly moderates this dynamic, empowering religious authorities to successfully transition from promoting abstract concepts of tolerance to implementing standardized, structurally clear protocols for interfaith engagement. Consequently, transparency ensures that ideological dissemination fosters social cohesion rather than division. Theoretically, this model extends communicative action theories by highlighting transparency as an indispensable structural mechanism in diverse, multi-faith settings. Practically, it urges policymakers and religious institutions to establish explicit, scholarly-backed interfaith guidelines to protect the public from socio-political manipulation. Because this study is limited by its purely theoretical nature, future research must empirically validate this proposed model through mixed-method approaches, utilizing quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to measure public reception and the actual regulatory capacities of state religious bodies.

PENYIMPANGAN MAKNA ISTILAH LARAS KEAGAMAAN ISLAM DI MEDIA SOSIAL: PERSPEKTIF SEMANTIK DAN IMPLIKASI TERHADAP LITERASI AGAMA

2026-09-25T11:07:31+08:00

Perkembangan pesat media sosial telah menjadikannya medium utama penyebaran maklumat keagamaan dalam kalangan masyarakat Islam di Malaysia. Namun, fenomena ini turut memperlihatkan kecenderungan yang membimbangkan, iaitu penggunaan istilah laras agama Islam secara tidak tepat mengikut konteks sehingga menyimpang daripada makna asal yang diiktiraf dalam tradisi keilmuan Islam. Penyimpangan ini berpotensi menggugat kefahaman akidah, merendahkan adab ilmu, dan menghakis integriti wacana keagamaan digital. Kajian ini bertujuan mengenal pasti istilah-istilah agama Islam yang kerap disalahgunakan di media sosial, membandingkan perbezaan antara makna asal dengan makna dalam penggunaan semasa, serta menilai implikasi linguistik dan keagamaan akibat penyimpangan tersebut. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif berpandukan analisis semantik-pragmatik terhadap korpus data yang diekstrak daripada dua platform media sosial utama, iaitu Facebook dan X (Twitter). Enam istilah laras keagamaan dipilih berdasarkan kekerapan dan taburan penggunaannya dalam konteks semasa, iaitu ‘khilaf’, ‘fitnah’, ‘bidʿah’, ‘zalim’, ‘redha’ dan ‘takdir’. Makna asal setiap istilah dirujuk secara sistematik daripada kamus Arab Arab Almaany.com (اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻧﻲ), Kamus Dewan Perdana bagi memastikan ketepatan dan keabsahan sumber ilmiah yang digunakan sebagai asas perbandingan. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan wujudnya tiga bentuk penyimpangan makna yang signifikan dalam penggunaan istilah-istilah tersebut di media sosial, iaitu penyempitan makna (semantic narrowing), peluasan makna (semantic broadening) dan peralihan makna (semantic shift). Penyimpangan makna yang ditemui bukan sahaja menimbulkan kekeliruan semantik dalam kalangan pengguna media sosial, malah berpotensi menjejaskan integriti wacana keilmuan Islam dan menghakis adab perbincangan agama dalam ruang digital. Fenomena ini mencerminkan jurang literasi bahasa agama yang perlu ditangani secara sistematik dan berautoriti. Kajian ini mencadangkan pemantapan literasi bahasa keagamaan dalam platform digital melalui penyediaan garis panduan penggunaan istilah yang tepat, berautoriti dan beretika, selaras dengan tuntutan tradisi ilmu Islam dan keperluan komunikasi semasa. Langkah ini perlu dilaksanakan sebagai suatu keperluan komunikasi dalam masyarakat semasa bagi memastikan kelangsungan wacana keagamaan yang bertepatan, beretika dan berwibawa pada era digital.

The rapid expansion of social media has transformed it into the primary medium for disseminating religious information among Muslim communities in Malaysia. However, this phenomenon has simultaneously revealed a concerning trend — the contextually imprecise use of Islamic religious register terms, to the extent that such usage deviates from the original meanings recognised within the Islamic scholarly tradition. These deviations carry the potential to undermine doctrinal understanding, diminish the etiquette of knowledge (adab al-ilm), and erode the integrity of digital religious discourse. This study aims to identify Islamic religious terms that are frequently misused on social media, compare the differences between their original meanings and their contemporary usage, and assess the linguistic and religious implications arising from such deviations. A qualitative approach guided by semantic-pragmatic analysis was employed on a corpus of data extracted from two major social media platforms: Facebook and X (Twitter). Six Islamic religious terms were selected based on their frequency and distribution of use in contemporary contexts, which are ‘khilaf’, ‘fitnah’, ‘bidʿah’, ‘redha’ , ‘zalim’, and ‘takdir’. The original meaning of each term was systematically referenced from the Arabic-Arabic dictionary, Almaany.com (اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻧﻲ), the Arabic-Malay Dictionary (2022), and the al-Miftah dictionary, to ensure the accuracy and scholarly validity of the sources used as a basis for comparison. The findings reveal three significant forms of semantic deviation in the use of these terms on social media, namely semantic narrowing (penyempitan makna), semantic broadening (peluasan makna), and semantic shift (peralihan makna). The semantic deviations identified not only generate semantic confusion among social media users, but also risk compromising the integrity of Islamic scholarly discourse and eroding the etiquette of religious discussion in digital spaces. This phenomenon reflects a gap in religious language literacy that must be addressed in a systematic and authoritative manner. The study recommends strengthening religious language literacy on digital platforms through the development of guidelines for accurate, authoritative, and ethical use of terminology, in alignment with the demands of the Islamic scholarly tradition and contemporary communicative needs. Such measures should be implemented as a communicative imperative within contemporary society, to ensure the continuity of religious discourse that is accurate, ethical, and credible in the digital era.

CONFLICT COMMUNICATION IN STRUCTURED ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENTS: EVIDENCE FROM THE NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY OF MALAYSIA

2026-10-02T16:42:49+08:00

This study examines conflict communication practices within a hierarchical higher education institution, focusing on the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM). Drawing on organisational communication and conflict management literature, the study investigates three key dimensions: conflict communication strategies, challenges, and proposed solutions. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from lecturers across faculties and centres within the institution. The findings indicate that lecturers predominantly employ diplomatic, adaptive, and harmony-oriented communication strategies, particularly politeness (M = 4.33) and perspective-taking (M = 4.28), while direct confrontation is less frequently practiced. Key challenges include emotional escalation (M = 4.44), lack of psychological safety (M = 4.21), and hierarchical barriers (M = 4.09). Correlation analysis reveals a significant relationship between perceived challenges and proposed solutions (r = .305, p < .05), while no significant relationships were found between communication strategies and other variables, suggesting that conflict communication strategies may vary across institutional situations rather than functioning as stable behavioural patterns. The study contributes to an integrative understanding of conflict communication within hierarchical institutional environments and highlights the importance of leadership, communication training, and psychological safety in improving organisational communication practices.

DEATH PERCEPTION AMONG MUSLIM AND CHRISTIAN ELDERS IN MALAYSIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

2026-09-18T21:58:52+08:00

Death perception among different religions arises the acceptance and rejection of afterlife, Hell and Heaven. Muslims have a strong belief of afterlife and this belief is a part of their life. Christians also share the same belief of afterlife and the existence of Heaven and Hell. This belief serves as a relief of being united with the loved ones. Death is something that is promised regardless of age, gender or any other factors. Its perspective is different among every religion and has great impact on their lives. This study is a comparative religious study, aiming to examine the concept of death and the factors which influence the death perception in Islam and Christianity. Further, this study also analyses the similarities and differences regarding death perception of Muslims and Christians in Malaysia. This study is conducted in Malaysia due to the reason that it is a unique Islamic country where 63.5 percent Muslim and 36.5 percent population is non-Muslim. Similarly, Penang is selected because 54.5 percent non-Muslims as compare to 45.5 percent Muslims are living there. Data from 40 elderly respondents were collected through questionnaires, 20 were Muslims and 20 Non-Muslims. Questions related with death beliefs and death perceptions were asked and respondents answered in the light of their religious beliefs, personal feelings and experiences. The results of the study highlight different perceptions about death among Muslim and Christian respondents. However, they all are agreed that by having good health and good quality of life, the fear of death decreases in old age. The results of this study are helpful for health care professionals, and policy makers in designing and promoting special health care support programmes for elders in order to shape positive death perception among them in accordance to their religion and making their lives positive and worth living.

LEGITIMASI FIQH AL-WATAN BERDASARKAN TEORI POLITIK IMAM AL-JUWAYNI DALAM KESULTANAN MELAYU PAHANG

2026-09-25T10:02:16+08:00

Kajian ini bertujuan membina asas legitimasi ilmiah terhadap Fiqh al-Waṭan sebagai kerangka politik Islam tempatan melalui pendekatan triangulasi hermeneutik yang menggabungkan tiga komponen utama: (1) teori politik Imam al-Juwayni melalui Ghiyath al-Umam, (2) Hukum Kanun Pahang (HKP) sebagai teks undang-undang Melayu-Islam yang hidup, dan (3) sejarah Kesultanan Melayu Pahang selama lebih 556 tahun. Melalui gabungan analisis teks, fiqh dan sejarah, kajian ini mendapati bahawa konsep imamah sughra yang dikemukakan al-Juwayni sangat selari dengan realiti politik Melayu, khususnya Pahang, yang telah melaksanakan siyasah shar‘iyyah berteraskan tauhid, syura, keadilan dan maslahah. HKP terbukti sebagai living law yang memadukan fiqh Shafiʿi dan adat, manakala sejarah Pahang memperlihatkan kewujudan institusi ulama, qadi dan pentadbiran maritim yang tersusun. Kajian ini menyimpulkan bahawa Kesultanan Pahang ialah kerajaan Islam wilayah yang sah menurut fiqh klasik, sekali gus memberikan asas epistemologi dan syariat bagi pengembangan Fiqh al-Waṭan sebagai model kenegaraan kontemporari.

This study aims to establish the intellectual legitimacy of Fiqh al-Waṭan as a local Islamic political framework through a hermeneutic triangulation method combining three key components: (1) Imam al-Juwayni’s political theory articulated in Ghiyath al-Umam, (2) the Hukum Kanun Pahang (HKP) as a living Malay-Islamic legal text, and (3) the 556-year history of the Pahang Sultanate. Through integrated textual, fiqh and historical analysis, the study finds that al-Juwayni’s concept of imamah sughra (local Islamic governance) aligns closely with the political reality of the Malay world, especially Pahang, which historically practised siyasah sharʿiyyah rooted in tawhid, shura, justice and maslahah. The HKP is demonstrated to be a living law embodying Shafi’i jurisprudence and local customs, while Pahang’s history reveals strong institutions of ulama, qaḍi and maritime administration. The study concludes that the Pahang Sultanate represents a legitimate Islamic territorial polity according to classical fiqh, providing epistemological and sharia foundations for Fiqh al-Waṭan as a contemporary governance model.

DEEPFAKE TECHNOLOGY AND CYBER HARM: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK LINKING LEGAL REGULATION, ETHICAL COMPLIANCE, AND SOCIAL PROTECTION

2026-09-28T16:08:20+08:00

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has accelerated deepfake technology, which offers new creative possibilities but also raises significant ethical, legal and social issues. The growing misuse of deepfakes as for identity theft, misinformation, cyber harassment, financial fraud, electoral manipulation, and intellectual property infringement has exposed serious deficiencies in current legal systems, which remain fragmented, reactive, and inadequate to address the evolving nature of AI-generated cyber harms. Previous studies have looked at the ethical and legal issues of deepfake technology separately, but few have brought these together into an overarching governance framework to clarify the function of legal regulation in enhancing social protection. Therefore, this study is intended to construct a conceptual framework that connects legal regulation, ethical compliance, and social protection to lessen the adverse effects of deepfake technology in digital environments. The study adopted a narrative review methodology to critically synthesise multidisciplinary literature from the Scopus database on law, artificial intelligence, ethics, cybersecurity, governance and public policy. Thematic analysis of the study identifies three key concepts, namely legal regulation, ethical compliance and social protection, that were integrated into a theoretically grounded framework based on AI Governance Theory. The findings show that statutory regulation is not enough to effectively regulate deepfake technology. Instead, ethical compliance is conceptualised as a mediating mechanism that promotes accountability, transparency, fairness, responsible AI development and institutional governance, thereby increasing the effectiveness of legal regulation and ultimately improving social protection from cyber-related risks. The study contributes to the theoretical framework of AI Governance Theory by integrating ethical and legal governance procedures into a single conceptual paradigm. Practically, it provides guidance to legislators, regulators, technology developers, digital platforms and policymakers who wish to develop comprehensive governance strategies to increase digital trust, protect fundamental rights and improve society’s resilience to the risks posed by deepfake technology.

A REVIEW ON THE DISPOSAL OF UNDERGROUND LAND IN MALAYSIA

2026-09-18T23:07:06+08:00

Underground land development is an alternative for maximising land use for sustainable urban growth in most countries, Malaysia included. In Malaysia, the National Land Code Act 828 (NLC Act 828) was amended to incorporate provisions governing the disposal of underground land under Part Five (A) of the Code, with further support provided through the Circular of the Director General of Lands and Mines No. 1/2008. However, while statutory provisions recognise underground land disposal, legal challenges remain, and the growing demand for underground development may be hindered if these developing concerns remain unresolved. Accordingly, this article seeks to analyse the legal framework regulating the disposal of underground land as well as address the legal challenges associated with its implementation. Through thematic analysis of Malaysian land law, circulars and literature from previous studies, three interconnected aspects were identified, namely depth, surface-subsurface rights, and tenure security. The findings indicate that although Malaysian land law provides a statutory mechanism for underground land disposal, legal and administrative challenges remain in its implementation. Hence, the existing framework could be further strengthened to provide greater legal certainty and facilitate the effective underground land disposal.

REVISITING THE MORAL CORE OF INTEGRITY: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK LINKING MORAL REASONING AND HONESTY IN CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING

2026-09-25T10:53:50+08:00

Despite extensive scholarship on ethical behaviour, the relationship between moral reasoning and honesty remains conceptually fragmented, with limited integration across cognitive-developmental and behavioral ethics perspectives. Existing research often treats honesty as a situational or dispositional outcome without sufficiently examining the underlying moral reasoning processes that shape truthful conduct. Drawing on the cognitive-developmental theory of moral reasoning (Kohlberg, 1984) and the neo-Kohlbergian framework (Rest et al., 1999), alongside contemporary behavioral ethics insights (Treviño et al., 2006; Aquino & Reed, 2002), this conceptual paper proposes an integrative framework positioning moral reasoning as a foundational driver of honesty. The central argument asserts that higher stages of moral reasoning not only enhance ethical judgment but also strengthen internalized moral identity, thereby increasing the likelihood of honest behaviour across contexts. The paper advances a conceptual model that connects moral reasoning, moral identity, and situational moderators (e.g., organizational climate, social norms) to explain variations in honesty. This framework addresses a critical gap by synthesizing traditionally silo-ed theories into a cohesive explanatory structure. The contribution lies in re-conceptualizing honesty as a function of both cognitive moral development and identity-based motivation, offering a more nuanced understanding of ethical conduct. The paper holds significant implications for ethics education, organizational governance, and integrity-based leadership by emphasizing the cultivation of moral reasoning capacities as a pathway to fostering sustainable honesty in complex environments.

PREVENTIVE ORAL HEALTH AS ISLAMIC CIVILISATIONAL PRAXIS: A MAQASID AL-SHARIAH FRAMEWORK FOR PATIENT-CENTRED DENTAL INNOVATION USING DISCLO-LIGHT AS CASE STUDY

2026-10-02T16:30:43+08:00

Islamic civilisation has historically produced a coherent tradition of health stewardship rooted in revealed guidance, Prophetic practice, and jurisprudential reasoning. This paper situates contemporary preventive dental innovation within this living civilisational tradition, arguing that Muslim healthcare practitioners in the Nusantara region carry a moral mandate, inherited from centuries of Islamic medical scholarship, to translate Maqasid al-Shariah principles into accessible, community-centred health tools. Through the case study of Disclo-Light, a portable LED-based plaque disclosure device developed at Klinik Pergigian Seri Iskandar, Perak Tengah, Malaysia, this study demonstrates how the civilisational obligations of hifz al-nafs (preservation of life), al-wiqayah (prevention), and dakwah kesihatan (health outreach as Islamic calling) can be operationalised through low-cost, locally developed healthcare innovation. A Civilisational Innovation Design (CID) methodology was employed, evaluating the innovation against clinical effectiveness, civilisational alignment, and community accessibility. Structured feedback from 21 patients and 8 dental officers, collected through convenience sampling, yielded 100% positive responses across all evaluation criteria (95% Wilson score confidence intervals: 84.5–100% and 67.6–100% respectively). The device received formal replication endorsement from the Perak state dental health division and was deployed in community outreach programmes including mosque-based health initiatives. Limitations relating to self-evaluation bias, sample size, and single-centre scope are discussed. This paper argues that Disclo-Light represents not merely a clinical tool but an expression of Islamic civilisational praxis, and contributes a replicable methodological model for Islamic civilisation scholarship that bridges revelation, jurisprudential tradition, and evidence-based practice.

STANDING IN SEVERAL WORLDS AT ONCE: A THEORY OF MULTI-FIELD CULTURAL LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC AND DIPLOMATIC SETTINGS

2026-09-16T17:49:05+08:00

Cultural intelligence explains how an individual adjusts to one other culture, and boundary-spanning explains how a leader bridges two groups; neither explains the situation of a leader who must act within several cultural fields at once, whose expectations conflict and cannot be satisfied in sequence. This conceptual paper develops multi-field cultural leadership as a concept for that situation, common in diplomatic, public-service and internationalised settings. Synthesising the literatures on cultural intelligence, cross-cultural code-switching, biculturalism, boundary-spanning leadership, the multiple-audience problem and public leadership, it identifies a gap none of them fills, defines the construct, specifies five dimensions, differentiates it from adjacent constructs, and advances seven propositions and boundary conditions. Multi-field cultural leadership is defined as leadership exercised within three or more cultural fields that are simultaneously present and make conflicting claims, where the leader must compose single acts intended to be legible and defensible across plural cultural audiences at once, rather than adapting to each in sequence. Its distinctive demand is simultaneity and reconciliation rather than adjustment. The paper moves beyond the dyadic assumption in cultural intelligence and the two-sided assumption in boundary-spanning, giving cross-cultural public leadership a construct that matches its actual complexity.

VIDEO KAPSUL DAN DAKWAH DIGITAL: PEMBENTUKAN MODEL KOMUNIKASI ISLAM DALAM ERA EKONOMI PERHATIAN

2026-09-25T09:34:26+08:00

Transformasi digital telah mengubah struktur komunikasi manusia, termasuk dalam konteks penyebaran dakwah Islam. Dalam era ekonomi perhatian (attention economy), keberkesanan sesuatu mesej tidak lagi ditentukan semata-mata oleh kandungan, tetapi oleh keupayaan untuk menarik dan mengekalkan fokus penonton yang semakin terhad, di mana kadar tumpuan manusia kini dianggarkan hanya sekitar lapan saat. Kertas kerja konsep ini bertujuan untuk membangunkan satu kerangka konseptual yang mengintegrasikan penggunaan video kapsul sebagai medium dakwah digital yang strategik. Melalui pendekatan konseptual, kertas kerja ini mensintesis literatur dalam bidang komunikasi digital, psikologi kognitif, dan teori dakwah untuk mencadangkan Digital Dakwah Capsule Model (DDCM). Model ini menggabungkan tiga dimensi utama iaitu struktur mesej (Hook-Story-Offer), penglibatan kognitif dan emosi, serta integriti etika dakwah (Ethical Anchoring). Sebagai kesimpulan, tanpa pemahaman terhadap logik komunikasi digital, dakwah berisiko menjadi tidak relevan atau dipermudahkan secara berlebihan. Implikasi kajian ini meliputi pembangunan strategi dakwah digital yang lebih sistematik, beretika, dan berimpak tinggi dalam era kecerdasan buatan.

Digital transformation has reshaped the structure of human communication, including in the context of Islamic dakwah dissemination. In the era of the attention economy, the effectiveness of a message is no longer determined solely by its content, but also by its ability to capture and sustain an increasingly limited audience focus, with the human attention span now estimated to be around eight seconds. This conceptual paper aims to develop a conceptual framework that integrates the use of capsule videos as a strategic medium for digital dakwah. Through a conceptual approach, this paper synthesises literature in digital communication, cognitive psychology, and dakwah theory to propose the Digital Dakwah Capsule Model (DDCM). This model integrates three main dimensions, namely message structure Hook, Story and Offer, cognitive and emotional engagement, and the ethical integrity of dakwah Ethical Anchoring. In conclusion, without an understanding of the logic of digital communication, dakwah risks becoming either irrelevant or overly simplified. The implications of this study include the development of more systematic, ethical, and high impact digital dakwah strategies in the era of artificial intelligence.

THE EVOLUTION OF WAQF IN TURKISH HIGHER EDUCATION: LEGAL AND GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVES

2026-09-28T15:54:14+08:00

The primary aim of this study is to examine the legal framework and governance mechanisms governing waqf in Turkish higher education. While the socio-economic importance of waqf in Turkey is well-documented, previous research has not sufficiently examined the relationship between waqf law, institutional governance, stakeholder roles, and financial transparency. To address this gap, this study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing a targeted document analysis of primary legal sources. Specifically, it analyzes the Turkish Civil Code (Law No. 4721), the Foundations Law (Law No. 5737), and Council of Higher Education (CoHE) regulations spanning from the early Republic era to the present. The findings identify two concrete governance issues: the ongoing administrative tension between decentralized foundation autonomy and centralized CoHE oversight, and the legal ambiguities surrounding financial transparency when state universities collaborate with waqf foundations. Ultimately, this study contributes to the literature by demonstrating how current legal arrangements directly shape stakeholder accountability and institutional autonomy. Based on these findings, the study recommends that policymakers refine existing statutory clauses to clarify financial reporting requirements, thereby allowing universities to strengthen their internal conflict-resolution mechanisms and safeguard waqf assets.

AMALAN KOMUNIKASI KEPIMPINAN WANITA MELAYU DALAM MENYEIMBANGKAN NILAI BUDAYA MELAYU DAN KEPERLUAN ORGANISASI: SUATU KAJIAN FENOMENOLOGI

2026-10-02T17:24:58+08:00

Amalan komunikasi kepimpinan wanita Melayu berlaku dalam keadaan yang menuntut kejelasan keputusan organisasi dan pada masa yang sama memelihara adab, maruah serta hubungan sosial. Walaupun kajian tentang kepimpinan wanita semakin berkembang, bukti tentang cara nilai budaya beroperasi dalam interaksi kepimpinan harian masih terbatas. Kajian ini bertujuan: (i) menghuraikan prinsip komunikasi kepimpinan wanita Melayu berasaskan nilai budaya; (ii) menganalisis penggunaan komunikasi lisan dan bukan lisan dalam amalan kepimpinan; dan (iii) mengenal pasti cabaran komunikasi serta strategi adaptasi ketika nilai budaya Melayu dan keperluan organisasi perlu diseimbangkan. Kajian fenomenologi kualitatif melibatkan lima pemimpin wanita Melayu di Riau yang dipilih secara persampelan bertujuan dengan pengenalpastian peserta turut dibantu melalui rujukan bola salji (snowball) apabila sesuai. Data diperoleh melalui temu bual separa berstruktur, pemerhatian dan dokumen sokongan, kemudian dianalisis secara tematik dengan bantuan NVivo 12. Ketelusan analisis diperkukuh melalui transkripsi verbatim, triangulasi sumber, perbandingan merentas peserta, jejak analisis dan refleksi penyelidik. Empat tema utama dikenal pasti: kesantunan sebagai asas legitimasi; penggunaan komunikasi lisan dan bukan lisan secara bersepadu; adaptasi register formal-tidak formal mengikut khalayak dan generasi serta penggunaan musyawarah, hormat dan amanah terhadap keputusan organisasi. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa kesantunan bukan kelembutan pasif, tetapi strategi untuk mengekalkan ketegasan sambil melindungi maruah dan hubungan. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada literatur komunikasi kepimpinan dengan menunjukkan cara nilai budaya Melayu berfungsi sebagai sumber komunikasi dalam pembinaan autoriti, kepercayaan dan penerimaan organisasi.

Malay women leaders communicate under two simultaneous demands: organisational decisions must remain clear while manners, dignity, and social relationships are preserved. Although scholarship on women's leadership has expanded, evidence showing how local cultural values operate in everyday leadership interaction remains limited. This study aimed to: (i) describe culturally grounded principles of leadership communication among Malay women leaders; (ii) analyse the use of verbal and non-verbal communication in leadership practice; and (iii) identify communication challenges and adaptive strategies used when Malay cultural values and organisational needs must be balanced. A qualitative phenomenological design involved five Malay women leaders in Riau, purposively selected, with participant identification also supported by snowball referrals where appropriate. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews, observation, and supporting documents and were analysed thematically with NVivo 12. Analytical transparency was strengthened through verbatim transcription, source triangulation, cross-participant comparison, an analytic trail, and researcher reflexivity. Four themes were identified: politeness as a basis of leadership legitimacy; integrated verbal and non-verbal communication; adaptation between formal and informal registers across audiences and generations; and the use of deliberation, respect, and trustworthiness in organisational decision-making. The findings showed that politeness was not passive softness but a strategy for maintaining firmness while protecting dignity and relationships. The study contributes to leadership communication scholarship by showing how Malay cultural values can serve as communication resources in constructing authority, trust, and organisational acceptance.

FEDERAL–STATE CONSTITUTIONAL BOUNDARIES IN THE MALAYSIAN PUBLIC SERVICE: PENSION LIABILITY, INSTITUTIONAL AUTONOMY AND ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY

2026-09-18T22:44:44+08:00

Whereas the Federal Constitution provides for separate and distinct constitutional arrangements for both the federal and State public services, with specific institutional functions in the context of the federal constitution of Malaysia, doubts have been raised regarding whether and how the Federation's pension liability could affect the management of the State public service. Specifically, the question is whether the Federal pension liability would enable it to regulate issues related to appointments, qualifications, and conditions of service of the State public service. This article will consider this question through the doctrinal approach based on the analysis of the provisions of the Federal Constitution, legislation, judgments and constitutional materials concerning the history of the development of the public service regime in Malaysia. It will be shown that Articles 112 and 132(2) carry out different functions under the Federal Constitution and, thus, cannot be confused. While Article 112 seeks to protect the financial interests of the Federation due to its pension liability, Article 132(2) seeks to maintain regulatory power of appointments and conditions of service to the States' institutions of constitutional law.

PENDEKATAN BIL ḤIKMAH DALAM MENANGANI KESALAHAN SYARIAH DI JABATAN AGAMA ISLAM MELAKA

2026-09-25T10:41:15+08:00

Penguatkuasaan undang-undang syariah sering disalah erti sebagai hukuman semata-mata, sedangkan aplikasi pendekatan dakwah bil ḥikmah di fasa awal tangkapan masih kurang dikaji. Oleh itu, kajian kes kualitatif ini meneroka pelaksanaan bil ḥikmah di Jabatan Agama Islam Melaka (JAIM) menggunakan analisis tematik terhadap data temu bual bersama dua Pegawai Penguatkuasa Agama (PPA). Dapatan membuktikan bahawa JAIM mengaplikasikan kerangka ini secara praktikal menerusi komunikasi berhemah, etika siasatan tidak menghukum, dan intervensi psiko-pendidikan terhadap Orang Yang Disyaki (OYDS). Bagi mendepani cabaran kedegilan pesalah dan kekangan program semasa, kajian ini mencadangkan pembangunan Modul Pemulihan Standard, pemanjangan tempoh kursus, dan pewajiban latihan resolusi konflik bagi mengimbangi pendekatan berhemah dengan ketegasan undang-undang secara efektif.

Shariah law enforcement is often misconstrued as purely punitive, while empirical studies on the bil ḥikmah (wisdom) approach during early enforcement stages remain limited. Thus, this qualitative case study explores the implementation of bil ḥikmah at the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) using thematic analysis of interviews with two Religious Enforcement Officers (PPA). Findings reveal that JAIM practically applies this framework through tactful communication, non-punitive investigative ethics, and psycho-educational interventions for Suspects (OYDS). To overcome offenders' stubbornness and current program constraints, this study recommends developing a Standard Rehabilitation Module, extending the awareness course duration, and mandating conflict resolution training for officers to effectively balance a tactful approach with legal firmness.

YOUTH, POLITICS, AND CIVIC READINESS: EVALUATING POLITICAL LITERACY AMONG FIRST-YEAR DIPLOMA STUDENTS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

2026-09-28T16:53:06+08:00

Political literacy is essential for empowering youth to participate meaningfully in a country’s political processes and to understand their roles as active citizens. This study assesses youth political literacy, with particular focus on their political knowledge, understanding, and participation. Specifically, the research examines key dimensions of political literacy. It explores the factors that shape young people’s political awareness and engagement, including educational background, access to information, social media exposure, and the influence of family and peers. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews with youths aged 18 to 19. In identifying the factors that support or constrain youth political engagement, this study sheds light on young people's level of political literacy. The findings further reveal gaps in civic education and offer practical directions for enhancing political awareness and understanding among youth. By looking at what encourages or prevents young people from engaging in politics, this study provides a better understanding of their level of political literacy.