Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Jilid 23
Dis 2014
Are Malaysians Nuts About Nuts?:
Theory of Planned Behavior Perspective
ISSN 1511 - 998x
Maisarah Ahmad
Suhaila Abdul Kadir
Mostafa Dehshiri Parizi
The Socio-Economic Factors, Current Financial
Status, Financial Management Practices and
The Future Financial Well-Being among
Government Employees
Noor Diyana Fazan Ahmad
Husniyah Abd. Rahim
Zuroni Md Jusoh, et.al
Amalan Pembelian Produk Halal Dalam
Kalangan Pengguna Islam Di Alor Gajah,
Melaka
Nashaqilla Norlee Rosslee
Elistina Abu Bakar
Amalan Penggunaan Semula Sisa Pepejal
Dalam Kalangan Isi Rumah
Tsunami 2004 Preparedness From The
Perspective of The Penang Community
Pengetahuan, Sikap dan Amalan Pengguna
Terhadap Makanan Lestari
Zuroni Md Jusoh
Farhan Mat Arisah
Mumtazah Othman, et.al
Syakura A Rahim
Aini Mat Said
Elistina Abu Bakar, et.al
Lidiana Lidew
Zuroni Md. Jusoh
Norhasmah Sulaiman, et.al
Jilid 23, Dis 2014
Perlindungan Pengguna Di Bawah Akta
Kawalan Bekalan 1961 (Pindaan 2006)
Afida Mastura Muhammad Arif
An Overview Of Nutritional Status and Food
Consumption Pattern among Malaysian
Population
Shamsul Azahari Zainal Badari
Jayashree Arcot
Jurnal
Pengguna Malaysia
Malaysian Journal of Consumer
Jilid 23
PENYUMBANG ARTIKEL
Dis 2014
ISSN 1511 - 998x
Halaman
Are Malaysians Nuts About Nuts?: Theory of Planned Behavior Perspective
1
Maisarah Ahmad, Suhaila Abdul Kadir and Mostafa Dehshiri Parizi
Afida Mastura Muhammad Arif
Aini Mat Said
Askiah Jamaluddin
Elistina Abu Bakar
Fakhru’l-Razi Ahmadun
Farhan Mat Arisah
Husniyah Abd. Rahim
Jayashree Arcot
Lidiana Lidew
Maisarah Ahmad
Mohd Amim Othman
Mostafa Dehshiri Parizi
Mumtazah Othman
Nashaqilla Norlee Rosslee
Noor Diyana Fazan Ahmad
Norhasmah Sulaiman
Shamsul Azahari Zainal Badari
Suhaila Abdul Kadir
Syakura A Rahim
Zuroni Md Jusoh
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Faculty of Engineering, University of New South Wales, Australia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekonomi dan Pengurusan,Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekonomi dan Pengurusan,Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Ekonomi dan Pengurusan,Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Fakulti Ekonomi dan Pengurusan,Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Fakulti Ekonomi dan Pengurusan,Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
The Socio-Economic Factors, Current Financial Status, Financial Management
Practices and The Future Financial Well-Being among Government Employees
25
Amalan Pembelian Produk Halal Dalam Kalangan Pengguna Islam Di Alor Gajah,
Melaka
38
Amalan Penggunaan Semula Sisa Pepejal Dalam Kalangan Isi Rumah
58
Tsunami 2004 Preparedness From The Perspective of The Penang Community
71
Pengetahuan, Sikap dan Amalan Pengguna Terhadap Makanan Lestari
87
Noor Diyana Fazan Ahmad, Husniyah Abd. Rahim, Zuroni Md Jusoh, Mohd Amim Othman
dan Afida Mastura Muhammad Arif
Nashaqilla Norlee Rosslee dan Elistina Abu Bakar
Zuroni Md Jusoh, Farhan Mat Arisah, Mumtazah Othman, Norhasmah Sulaiman dan
Husniyah Abd Rahim
Syakura A Rahim, Aini Mat Said, Elistina Abu Bakar, Norhasmah Sulaiman and Fakhru’l-Razi
Ahmadun
Lidiana Lidew, Zuroni Md. Jusoh, Norhasmah Sulaiman, Husniyah Abd. Rahim, Elistina Abu
Bakar dan Askiah Jamaluddin
Perlindungan Pengguna Di Bawah Akta Kawalan Bekalan 1961 (Pindaan 2006)
103
125
An Overview Of Nutritional Status and Food Consumption Pattern among
Malaysian Population
114
Afida Mastura Muhammad Arif
Shamsul Azahari Zainal Badari and Jayashree Arcot
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
ii
i
ARE MALAYSIANS NUTS ABOUT NUTS?:
THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR
PERSPECTIVE
Maisarah Ahmad
Suhaila Abdul Kadir
Mostafa Dehshiri Parizi
Faculty of Economics and Management
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Introduction
Nuts have been a staple part of mankind’s diet since pre-agricultural period
(Eaton, Konner & Shostak, 1988). Except for food value in many cultures,
the history of nuts have had symbolism roles (Salas-Salvadó, CasasAgustench & Salas-Huetos, 2011). Many historical evidence confirm nuts
were used as medicine to treat or prevent diseases during past civilizations
(Salas-Salvadó et al., 2011). In the modern age, nuts still keep its position as
a commodity with a wide range of usage. In western omnivorous diet, they
used nuts mostly for snacking or as ingredients to savory and sweet dishes.
Nuts also provide a big portion of the necessary source of protein and other
nutrients for vegetarians. Nuts are usually eaten in different forms; raw,
salted, roasted or buttered. Countries following the Mediterranean diet
usually consume nuts two times more than those following the American diet
(Sabaté, 1993). Findings by Sabate (1993) indicate vegetarians and health
conscious people usually consume more nuts than their counterparts.
Nuts are currently part of many dietary guidelines due to its health benefits
and food values (Haddad, Sabaté & Whitten, 1999). The US food and drug
administration in 2004 issued a health claim for nuts and nut-containing
products due to a scientifically proven connection found between nut
consumption and decrease in heart diseases (Food & Administration, 2003).
In recent years, the food industry has moved towards a more customeroriented approach and provide answers to signals from consumers, who are
now considered as a main part in the food supply chain (Lowe, Phillipson &
Lee, 2008). These days, diet composition is affected by many socioeconomic factors. Some of the most influential factors are culture,
preference, price, social and health concerns, availability, convenience and
environmental factors (Gerbens-Leenes, Nonhebel & Ivens, 2002; McGill,
2009). Health and nutritional perception strongly influence the behavior of
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
1
people in choosing foods. People do not only choose based on the basic
nutritional contents, but they also choose based on images and ideas as well
(Casey, 2009).
Influence on eating behavior can be categorized into two broad categories:
individual and environmental influence. Individual influence means the
influence on eating behavior such as belief, attitude, self-efficacy and
lifestyle (Neumark-Sztainer, Story, Hannan, Perry & Irving, 2002).
Environmental influence refer to the physical environment such as family,
peers and availability of such food (Berg, Jonsson, Conner & Lissner, 2002;
Betoret, Betoret, Vidal & Fito, 2011). Developing a new market for a product
is an expensive process which requires detailed knowledge about the product
and consumers of the product (Betoret et al., 2011). Food choices is highly
influenced by consumption context, whereby as a result both consumers and
marketers pay more and more attention to it (Meiselman, Frewer & Trijp,
2006). A better understanding of a product and its consumer profile may
signify the potential to penetrate to snack’s market. Awareness of consumer’s
perception and attitude toward food attributes can help front office personnels
to fulfill the tangible aspect.
One of the key motives for fruit consumption is healthiness (Sobal, Bisogni,
Devine & Jastran, 2006). According to Lennernäs et al. (1997), eating
healthy is the most important factor for choosing food among European
citizens. But other motives and barriers, such as knowledge, price and
convenience have a significant role in the choice made to consume fresh
fruits (Harker, Gunson & Jaeger, 2003). Lack of convenience, having a
limited durability or a short shelf-life, are barriers for fresh fruits
consumption (Kaufman, Lane & Lindquist, 1991). It is necessary for food
industries to respond to this faster societal pace (Jabs & Devine, 2006).
Although extensive research has been conducted on the attitude and belief
towards nutritional benefits, barriers in consumption, and knowledge of
consumers regarding fresh fruits, little attention has been paid towards nuts.
The awareness of the health benefits of nuts is unclear among Malaysian
consumers especially young adults. Barriers toward eating nuts which are
prevalent among Malaysian young adults are also unknown. This study use a
modified construct of the Theory of Planned Behavior as its theoretical
framework to examine and understand nut- eating behavior in young adults.
The proposed variables are based on the Theory of Planned Behavior,
including attitude towards nut-eating behavior, subjective norm for nut
eating, perceived behavioral control towards nut eating and behavioral
intention to eat nuts which are chosen to predict young adult’s healthy eating
behavior. This study focuses on young adults due to their lack of awareness
on health benefits of nuts compared to the elderly. Apart from lack of
awareness about health related to the intake of nuts, young adults also lack
2
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of consuming nuts.
Objective
The essential objectives of this study is to measure nutritional and health
perceptions of Malaysian young adults toward nut intake. Additionally, this
study is to determine the predictive ability of attitude, subjective norm, and
perceived behavioral control on behavioral intention in consumption of nuts
among young adults.
Literature Review
Studies on benefits of nut intake
Nuts are known as fatty foods, and probably this is why they were
recommended with a great deal of caution. American Heart Association
(1991) warned that nuts are fatty food. However, a lot of research are being
conducted on the effects of nuts on health. Studies have compared between
the effects of diets which are nut rich or a low fat diet or a Mediterranean diet
among different population groups. One example is a study by Fraser et al.
(1992) who looked into the relationship between chronic diseases, like
Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD), and food consumption, which included nut
intake. It was found that individuals who consume nuts more than five times
a week compared to those who take less than once a week, have a decrease of
48% in definite non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and 38% decrease in
definite fatal CHD (Fraser et al., 1992). A similar study by Albert et al.
(2002) found that there is a 30% decrease in fatal CHD risk among men who
take nuts more than twice a week compared to them who take it less than
once in a month. Jiang et al. (2002) found that consumption of nuts and
peanut butter was inversely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. This
was a study conducted to see the relationship between nut intake and the
developing of type 2 diabetes. There was a decrease of 27% risk when nuts
were consumed more than five times a week and a decrease by 21% when
peanut butter was consumed more than five times a week, in comparison to
those who never or almost never consume nuts. Similarly, the study by Fraser
et al. (1992) and Kushi et al. (1996) indicates nut consumption can lead to a
decrease in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. There was
another study conducted by Djoussé, Rudich & Gaziano (2009) to assess the
impact of nut intake on hypertension risk, and it was found that less risk can
be achieved for those who consume nuts frequently. Since discovering the
potential health benefits of nuts in 2002, the International Tree Nut Council
Nutrition Research and Education Foundation (INC NREF) has placed a
request to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to qualify
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
3
tree nuts and peanuts for a health claim that could be used on food labels.
FDA has placed a health claim which reads: Scientific evidence suggests but
does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts as part of a diet
low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease
(FDA, 2009; The International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research &
Education Foundation, 2003).
Effect of nut intake on cardiovascular disease risk factors
Reports have shown that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause
of death in the US (Albert et al., 2002). However, there are studies which
shows a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart
disease (CHD) through intake of nuts, whereby frequent consumption has
resulted in low risk factors for CVD such as cholesterol level, blood lipid
level, inflammation and reduction in blood cholesterol concentrations (Fraser
et al., 1992; Alexiadou & Katsilambros, 2011). Malaysia is a country in
which cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major disease, with the increase
from 7.5% in 1965 to 27.8% in 1997, with doubled mortality rates between
1970 and 1996, from 24.1 to 54.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. This is a worrying
rate, with data showing that admissions into government hospitals have
increased from 278 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1985 to 493 per 100,000 in
1996 (Noor, 2002). As a consequence, the Ministry of Health in Malaysia has
given emphasis on awareness campaigns to promote a healthy living lifestyle,
whereby in May 1991, its first thematic campaign of Healthy Lifestyle
Campaign was launched (ES Tee, 1999). Despite having health benefits, nuts
are known as energy dense food which can cause weight gain and obesity
(Mendoza, Drewnowski, Cheadle & Christakis, 2006). As a result, the
consumption of nuts might be affected because of its weight gaining
characteristic and other possible effects that can negate the beneficial effects
of nuts. These effects have created a public assumption of nuts as fattening
and thus they neglect the advice to consume nuts regularly as a way of
reducing CVD risk (Webb & Dear, 1996). There are studies showing that
regular nut consumers tend to have leaner bodies than those who don‘t
consume nuts (Tey, Brown, Gray, Chisholm & Delahunty, 2011). Besides,
some studies which have focused on the relation with nut consumption and
weight gain or loss, have found that those who practice nut-enriched diet
experienced greater weight loss and greater improvement in CVD risk factors
compared with a low-fat diet, a complex carbohydrate diet or an isocaloric
diet without nuts (Li et al., 2010). Besides, Casas-Agustench et al. (2011)
stated that there are some clinical studies which failed to show an increase in
body weight with regular consumption of different nuts. In fact, according to
Tey (2011), people who consume nuts either daily or more than twice a week
has either no possibility or less possibility of weight gain. Obesity among
youth is another health problem that is increasing rapidly all across the globe
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
(Doll, Paccaud, Bovet, Burnier & Wietlisbach, 2002; Tappy & Lê, 2010).
Tappy & Le (2010) has concluded that it is caused by a continuing imbalance
between energy intake and disbursement. Obesity related to adults is a result
of childhood and adolescence obesity (Goran, 2001). The benefits of nut
intake such as pistachios has shown an adverse effect to weight gain as well
as improving one‘s diet quality (Tey et al., 2011).
The link between cholesterol level and impact of nut intake can be
summarized through research by Chisholm et al. (2005), Griel et al. (2008)
and Gebauer et al. (2008). Their studies found that intake of nuts can lead to
decrease in cholesterol level due to the unsaturated fatty acid found in nuts,
such as on pistachios. There is an inverse relationship between intake of
pistachios and risks of CVD. Another field of research such as by Rogers et
al. (2011) stated that hypertension is a major cause which leads to CVD,
whereby it affects almost 1 billion individuals worldwide and causes the
death of 7.6 million people (Martinez-Lapiscina et al., 2010). However, the
link between nut intake and hypertension is found to be of a reverse
relationship by Djousse et al. (2009). Besides, Jiang et al. (2006) too have
found that nuts have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce
vascular inflammation.
Snack trend
Snacking is defined as the consumption of any food item that is not a meal
(Block, Gillespie, Rosenbaum & Jenson, 2000). Synonymous with snack
food are savory snacks, potato chips, snack nuts and popcorn. Some
researchers divided snacks into two wide groups; healthy and unhealthy
snacks. The consumption of snack food is popular in countries such as the
United States (80%), followed by Germany (74%), United Kingdom (69%)
and Japan (66%) (Euromonitor, 2010). A study by Hassan and Al-Abbad
(2011) on the trend of snack eating in Saudi Arabia, discovered that snack
eating is a habit which occurs between 1 to 4 times a day. 69.8% of the
subjects were children and adolescence, where most (44.3%) had only one to
two main meals a day, indicating that snack eating is a developing trend in
most communities. In 2012, Malaysia’s snack industries had hit the sales
figure of RM200 million (US$66 million), in a report released by FAMA,
with chips sharing a staggering RM102.1 million (34 million USD) of the
market.
Barriers in consumption
There are studies that support the relationship between barriers and behavior
(Dittus, Hillers & Beerman, 1995). Ziebland et al. (1998) stated factors
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
5
influencing an individual’s diet includes availability, cost and time, which
can be seen as external factors. Cost can be seen as a factor which cause
barriers to people of lower income toward healthy eating, whereby high costs
of fruits and vegetables can be a hindrance (Reicks, Randall & Haynes,
1994). Besides, other factors which determine an individual’s fruit and
vegetable consumption include individual’s self-efficacy, the influence of
others, and the availability (Brug et al., 1995). Reicks et al. (1994) stated that
it is important to like the taste of fruits and vegetables (internal factors).
Consumers need to accept the ingredients or content in food, which is linked
to their knowledge and its effects (Jesionkowska, Sijtsema, Konopacka &
Symoneaux, 2009). Reasons identified as barriers of healthy eating, found in
a study by Lopez-Azpiazu et al. (1999) among 1009 Spanish adults, over the
age of 15 were irregular work hours, willpower, and unappealing food,
especially among the younger age group. Besides, other factors include high
cost and high spoilage rate of fruits and vegetables (Yeh et al., 2008). For the
purpose of this research, we choose some of the most common barriers in
consumption of fruits to be elaborated in the case of nuts in Malaysia.
Conceptual Framework and Hypotheses Development
The conceptual framework of the study is designed based on the previous
literature review. Indeed, the modified Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen,
1991) was selected as the conceptual framework of this study. The constructs
of the TPB (ATT, SN, PBC, and INT) are said to account for all factors that
could possibly influence the participation in any behavior (Ajzen, 1991).
This research applied TPB to evaluate Malaysian young adult’s behavioral
intention toward nuts and dried fruits consumption. Consistent with this
literature, the current study propose the following hypothesis:
Attitude
Subjective Norms
Consumption
Intention among
Malaysian Adults
Perceived
Behavioral
Control (Barriers)
Figure 1: Theoretical Framework
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Methodology
This survey was conducted at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The
questionnaires were distributed to a total of 160 Malaysian respondents who
have consumed nuts and dried fruits at least once in their lifetime.
Respondents were chosen conveniently among UKM students. Finally, 147
respondents between 18 to 35 years old in UKM were selected.
Instrument
The questionnaire consists of 43 questions. It includes, the questions on
attitude towards nut eating behavior, subjective norms for nut eating
behavior, and perceived behavioral control to eat nuts. Seventeen items under
the construct of attitude were measured with a scale from Pawlak et al.
(2009). The items for the independent variables (i.e. attitude, subjective
norms, perceived behavioral control and intention) were also developed from
the study of Pawlak et al. (2009). All items were modified to suit for this
research. All questions used a five-point Likert scale (1 indicating “strongly
agree” to 5 indicating “strongly disagree”).
Test of reliability, validity and identification of factors
A reliability test was performed with regard to all variables using SPSS
statistics software version 21. A pilot test was conducted before the actual
survey to ensure consistency between all dimensions of variables. The pilot
test was conducted among 37 respondents and in two different steps between
independent variables and dependent variables.
Reliability test was also done to test the consistency of respondent’s answers.
Firstly, reliability test was run to measure consistency of attitude. The result
from reliability test conducted for attitude is 0.763 which means it is reliable.
The second variable is subjective norms. Reliability test was also performed
for this variable. The value of Cronbach’s Alpha for the variable of
subjective norms is 0.773, which asserts that the test for this variable is also
reliable because it is more than 0.7. The third variable is perceived behavioral
control (Barriers). Likewise, reliability test was run to test this variable, and
accordingly the value of Cronbach’s Alpha for perceived behavioral control
is 0.753 which means that it is reliable since the Cronbach’s Alpha is more
than 0.7. The last variable tested is behavioral intention. The value of
Cronbach’s Alpha is 0.887 which means that it is reliable since the
Cronbach’s Alpha is much higher than 0.7. Lastly, the results show that
behavioral intention with Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.887 is the most reliable
variable in this research and perceived behavioral control with Cronbach’s
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
7
Alpha of 0.753 is the least reliable variable; however, all the variables have
high Cronbach’s Alpha values and as a result, all of them are highly reliable.
Results
Profile of respondents
Descriptive statistics were derived from the demographic part of the
questionnaire which includes 11 questions. Respondents’ profile such as
gender, age, educational level, income, and ethnic was declared by the
frequency analysis (Table 1). Females consisted of the majority of population
with 94 respondents (63.9%) outnumbering the 53 male participants (36.1%).
The population target of research was between the age group of 18 to 35. To
make it more specific, the researcher divided this age group into two sub
groups which include 18 to 24 consists of mostly bachelor students and 25 to
35 consists of mostly master or Ph.D students. Ninety three participants
(63.3%) are between 18 to 24 years old and fifty four (36.7%) are between 25
to 35. The third question elicits ethnicity of the participants. Malays comprise
of the biggest portion of population with 113 respondents (around 80%) and
Chinese and Indians with 28 and 8 respondents, respectively. Three
participants mention their race as Iban and Bidayuh.
Analysis of income of respondents indicates that most of them (43.5%) have
income less than RM2000 per month or do not have an income at all. The
answers for this category were divided into four categories. The first category
was for respondents whose annual income less than RM 2000 (43.5%). The
second category was for respondents whose monthly salary or income more
than RM 2000 and less than RM 5000 (32.7%). The third category was for
respondents whose monthly income between RM 5000 and RM 10,000
(14.3%). The fourth category was intended for respondents with salary higher
than RM 10,000 (9.5%). Education level was another demographic question
posed in the questionnaire. It was divided into 5 different levels.
Interestingly, 42 participants (28.6%) were master or Ph.D students which is
quite highly rated while only 2 of them (1.4%) had less than high school
education. Most of the participants graduated from college (32.7%) and the
rest have some college degree (19.7%) or graduated from high school
(17.7%).
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Table 1: Profile of Respondents
Characteristics
Gender
Age
Ethnic
Education
Level
Annual Income
Male
Female
18-24 years old
25-35 years old
Malay
Chinese
Indian
Less than high school
Graduated from high school
Some college
Graduated from college
Master or Ph.D
Less than RM2000
RM2,000-RM5,000
RM5,000-RM10,000
RM10,000 or more
Frequency
53
94
93
54
113
28
6
2
26
29
48
42
64
48
21
14
%
36.1
63.9
63.3
36.7
76.9
19.0
4.1
1.4
17.7
19.7
32.7
28.6
43.5
32.7
14.3
9.5
More than half of the participants (60.0%) believed they consumed a healthy
diet and the rest of the participants believe they do not practice a healthy diet.
However, only 23.8 percent indicate they ate nuts 1-2 times a week, as shown
in Table 2. This is lower than the findings by London (2011) who found
35.3% of American consume nuts 1-2 times a week. Around 1.4 percent of
participants do not eat nuts and dried fruits at all, while most participants
(45.6%) eat nuts 1-2 times a month.
Table 2: Frequency in Usage
No.
Frequency
%
1.
Never
2
1.4
2.
Less than once a month
30
20.4
3.
1-2 times an month
67
45.6
4.
Once a week
12
8.2
5.
1-2 times a week
35
23.8
147
100.0
Total
How often eat nut
Findings in Table 3 shows that participants are more likely to consume
roasted nuts (34.7%) or salted nuts (20.4%). Around 15.0 percent prefer nuts
in the form of nut butter. Most individuals prefer peanuts, almonds, dates and
raisins.
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9
Table 3: Most Like to Eat
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Total
Most Like to Eat in
Raw
Salted
Roasted
As Nut Butter
None
Frequency
10
30
51
22
4
117
%
6.8
20.4
34.7
15.0
2.7
79.6
Descriptive statistics of the study variables
The following is a description of the major variables in this study: attitude
toward health benefits of nuts, subjective norm for eating nuts, perceived
behavioural control and behavioural intention toward eating nuts. Mean,
frequency and standard deviation are presented in the following sections to
illustrate the descriptive statistics of the study variables.
Descriptive statistics of positive attitude toward eating nuts
Participants answer to all questions regarding attitude toward health benefits
of nuts. The lowest mean belong to ‘nuts are high in nutrients’ and ‘nuts are
high in protein’ with 2.60 and 2.63 respectively, which means these two
beliefs are more accepted by young adults. Conversely, ‘eating nuts help to
look young’ received the highest mean which means it received the highest
level of disagree compared to other dimensions. ‘Nuts are high in calories’
also surprisingly received a mean of 3.28 which means more than half of the
participants disagree with this. About half of the participants strongly agree
or agree about these three characteristic of nuts; nuts are nutrient, nuts are
high in protein and nuts are healthy. Around 38.8% of participants believe
nuts are high in dietary fiber. Approximately 43.0 percent of participants
didn‘t know about the Omega 3 characteristic of nuts. Slightly more than
one-third of the respondents were unaware that frequent nut intake decreases
the risk for heart attacks (32.6%) and about 32.0 percent disagreed that nuts
could perform these effects. About 36.7 percent were unaware of the
hypocholesterolemic effects of nuts and an additional 36.7% disagreed that
nuts exhibit such effects. Around 40.0 percent of participants didn‘t know
about the prevention characteristic of nuts for diabetes and around 30.0
percent disagree that nuts could perform these effects. In converse with fresh
fruits and vegetables, just 18.3 percent of participants eat nuts to look young
and 43.6 percent of participants disagree that eating nuts causes consumers to
look young. ‘Eating nuts help to look young’ received the lowest degree of
acceptance (18.0%), which is the opposite with the consumption of fresh
10
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fruits and vegetables which consumers view as a way to keep young. Just
around 33.3 percent of participants believe by eating nuts, means they take
better care of their bodies. At least one third of participants (30.0%) neither
agree nor disagree with all 12 positive sentences toward nuts and dried fruits
which can be interpreted as lack of knowledge about nuts health benefits.
Descriptive statistics of negative attitude towards eating nuts
The rate of negative attitude toward nuts is quite high. Nearly 52.3 percent of
the participants thought nuts were high in fat; while only 22.5 percent
disagree with this. While approximately 41.5 percent of participants believe
nuts are salty, around 34.0 percent neither agree nor disagree with this.
Around 42.2 percent of participants believe nuts will cause an increase in
cholesterol and just 23.8 percent disagree with this. Although scientific
findings do not indicate that eating nuts will cause weight gain (Bes-Rastrollo
et al., 2007; Sabate, 2003). Just 18.4 percent of participants do not believe
nuts don‘t cause weight gain and around one half of participants believe nuts
will cause weight gain. Moreover, almost half of the participants (49.0%)
believe nuts cause allergies and just 23.1 percent disagree with this. Between
40 to 50 percent of participants either strongly agree or agree with all five
negative attitudinal statements.
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11
12
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
100 147 100 147 100 147 100 147 100
147 100 147
100 147 100 147 100 147 100 147 100
147
Total
147 100
4.8
7
16 10.9
4.1
6
8.2
12
6.1
9
3.4
5
2.7
8
5.4
5
3.4
8
5.4
10
6.8
8.8
28.6 52
42
20.4
21 14.3 30
36.7 59
54
27.2
22.4 21
13
4
30.6 35 23.8 38 25.9 48 32.7 45 30.6
45
28 19.0
20.4
30
35.4
36.7 52 35.4 57 38.8 56 38.1 46 31.3
54
63 42.9
38.1
56
40.1
16.3 29 19.7 32 21.8 23 15.6 39 26.5
24
38 25.9
27.9
41
14.3
6.8
10
2.7
4
9.5
10.2 19 12.9 14
15
8.8
13
10.9
Strongly
Disagree
Frequency
12.2
Percent
18
Frequency
Disagree
Percent
42 28.6 40
Frequency
31.3
Percent
46
Frequency
33
Percent
34
Frequency
56 38.1 50
Percent
16
Frequency
3.4
Percent
Neither
Nuts are healthy
Frequency
34-0
Nuts are high in
nutrients
Percent
50
Nuts are high in
protein
Frequency
Agree
Nuts are filling
Percent
5
Nuts are high in
calories
Frequency
6.8
Nuts are high in
dietary fiber
Percent
10
Nuts are good source
of omega -3 fat
Frequency
15.0
Eating nuts help to
lower cholesterol level
Percent
20 13.6 22
Eating nuts help to
lower risk for heart
attack
Frequency
13.6
Table 4: Frequency of Positive Attitude towards Eating Nuts
Eating nuts help to
lower risk for diabetes
Percent
20
Eating nuts help to
look young
Strongly
Agree
Eating nuts help to
Percent
take better care of my
body
Frequency
Table 5: Frequency of Negative Attitude toward Eating Nuts
Nuts Cause
Allergies
Cause Weight
Gain
Cholesterol
Increase
High in Salt
High in Fat
Frequency
Percent
Frequency
Percent
Frequency
Percent
Frequency
Percent
Frequency
Percent
Strongly
Agree
18
12.2
10
6.8
10
6.8
14
9.5
26
17.7
Agree
59
40.1
5
34.7
52
35.4
56
38.1
46
31.3
Neither
37
25.2
50
34
50
34.0
50
34.0
41
27.9
Disagree
26
17.7
22
15
25
17.0
20
13.6
19
12.9
Strongly
Disagree
7
4.8
14
9.5
10
6.8
7
4.8
15
10.2
Total
147
100 147
100 147 100
147
100 147 100
Descriptive analysis of subjective norms toward eating nuts
The influence from ‘confirmation by authorities’ and ‘doctor’s
recommendation’ has the highest rate with a mean of 2.53 and 2.55
respectively to encourage eating nuts. This finding is consistent with previous
research. Parents and classmates have the lowest influence with a mean of
2.94. High level of acceptance from doctors and authorities by participants
who are mostly students can be linked to their mentality and science
orientation.
According to the frequency result from subjective norms, confirmation from
authorities has the biggest influence on participants with a percentage of 55.7
percent. After ‘confirmation from authorities’, recommendation by doctors
achieve 53.1 percent and suggestion by parents and classmates achieve
approximately 38.1 percent, suggesting quite a big influence. This is
consistent with previous findings which confirm doctors as one of the strong
subjective norms for changing eating behavior (London, 2012). In a research
about consumption of beverage in the US, participants also continuously
emphasize the importance of their doctor’s advice on their beverage choices,
emphasizing the effect of subjective norms on their beverage consumption
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
13
(Krzeski, 2011).
Table 6: Frequency of Subjective Norms toward Eating Nuts
Authorities
confirm
Parents &
classmates
Doctor
recommended
Frequency
Percent
Frequency
Percent
Frequency
Percent
Strongly
Agree
35
23.8
12
8.2
23
15.6
Agree
43
29.3
44
29.9
59
40.1
Neither
34
23.1
46
31.3
36
Disagree
23
15.6
31
21.1
22
15.0
Strongly
Disagree
12
8.2
14
9.5
7
4.8
Total
147
100
147
100
147
100
24.5
Descriptive analysis of perceived behavioral control toward
eating nuts
At least one third of participants neither agree nor disagree with the 7 barrier
statements. The majority (42.9%) of participants strongly disagree or
disagree with the barrier statement, ‘I would eat nuts on most days of a week
if they were in better packaging’ and ‘Eating nuts on most days of a week
would cost me too much money’. Approximately, 46.0 percent of participants
indicate they strongly agree or agree with the statement, ‘I would eat nuts on
most days of a week if they were lower in fat’ and 41.5 percent strongly
agree or agree with ‘eating nuts if they are affordable’. Lack of diversity
(flavor and taste) were another serious barrier in consumption of nuts
(36.1%). It seems packaging and cost are not strong barriers as compared to
being lower in fat and being affordable.
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Table 7: Frequency of Perceived Behavioral Control toward Eating Nuts
Cost Too Much
Money
29.3
9.5
100
43
14
147
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Total
Frequency
29.3
Percent
43
Frequency
Neither
147
9
38
56
Percent
100
6.1
25.9
38.1
23.1
147
5
26
55
39
100
3.4
17.7
37.4
26.5
147
6
45
43
42
7.5
100
4.1
30.6
29.3
28.6
More Flavor
34
Frequency
20.4
Affordable
30
Percent
11
Frequency
15.0
Percent
22
147
1
27
52
48
19
Frequency
6.8
100
.7
18.4
35.4
32.7
12.9
Percent
10
147
20
43
45
26
13
Frequency
Agree
Available in
Grocery Store
100
13.6
29.3
30.6
17.7
8.8
Percent
11.6
Fat is lower
147
13
42
59
24
9
Frequency
17
In Better
Packaging
100
8.8
28.6
40.1
16.3
6.1
Percent
Strongly
Agree
Eat Too
Much Fat
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
15
Affordability, lack of variety and cost were found to be the most important
barriers for eating nuts. It seems respondents are more worried about the
health aspect of nuts and dried fruits rather than its packaging and cost.
Again, the high number of neither agree nor disagree can be interpreted as
lack of knowledge and experience regarding these products. Affordability is
also a barrier for eating other healthy items such as fruits and vegetables
(Pawlak et al., 2009). Almost 60% of respondents either strongly agree or
agree that they would eat nuts if they were affordable. These are the same
barriers in consumption of fruits and vegetables in line with earlier studies
(Betts et al., 1995; Brug, Debie, van Assema & Weijts, 1995).
Discussions and Recommendations
Nut consumption among participants is found to be low, around 46.0 percent
of participants’ intake of nuts is just once or two times per month. Only about
23.8 percent of the participants indicate they consume nuts 1-2 times a week.
The majority of the participants’ intake was less frequent. The recommended
level of nut intake is 1.5 ounces on most days in a week, however, majority
of participants took less. However, 60.0 percent of the participants believed
they have a healthy diet.
Nuts are perceived as food with high fat and calorie content, which can be
one of the reason for the low intake of nuts. However not many are aware of
the beneficial impact of nuts on CVD and diabetes prevention. Educating the
public on the benefits of nuts and the fiber content found in nuts, is essential.
Results of this study indicate that participants are not aware of the benefits of
nuts. The study by Pawlak et al. (2009) also found a large number of
participants of WIC were not aware of the scientific findings regarding health
benefits of frequent nut consumption. Therefore, education and advice from
doctors and healthcare professionals to the public are needed to increase
public awareness on the benefits of nut consumption on CVD and diabetes.
Participants seem to strongly agree or agree that if they receive confirmation
from the authorities or doctors, they would have consumed nuts on most
days. Almost 50.0 percent of the participants indicate that they would follow
doctors’ advice on nut consumption, therefore giving an indication that
doctor’s dietary advice is effective in improving the consumption of nuts.
The findings suggest that physicians can influence student’s behavior to
consume nuts and have a positive impact from the use of these products.
It has also been found that affordability is the largest barrier in nuts and dried
fruits consumption. 41.5 percent indicated affordability as the barrier and
52.3 percent indicated that fat found in nuts (nutrient content) as the barrier
for nut consumption.
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
This study conclude that attitude of young adults toward nut consumption is
negative. This is because more young adults believe that nut consumption can
increase cholesterol and body weight. Therefore, young adults should get
accurate information relating to nut consumption. Without the right
information, wise decisions related to consumption of nuts cannot be
made. Further results also showed that experts or people who have authority
can profoundly influence young adults in their nut consumption. Thus, young
adults should consult a doctor or people who have authority, other than their
parents prior to nut consumption. The study found that packaging and cost
were not the major barriers as compared to lack of variety and cost. Young
adults see more barriers in nut consumption in terms of health. There will no
longer be any barriers to young adults if they have sufficient knowledge
pertaining to the benefits of nut consumption.
In TPB theory, attitude, subjective norms and barriers are alleged to influence
the consumption intention among young adults. The current study found that
the attitude of young adults toward nut consumption was negative because
they thought that nut consumption may increase their cholesterol and body
weight. The results of the study for subjective norms indicate that subjective
norms do influence nut consumption for young adults as well as the barriers
which also affect the consumption of nuts, especially barriers for eating. This
is because young adults are more worried about the health aspect of nuts and
dried fruits rather than the packaging and cost.
This research also found that most respondents do not have adequate
knowledge on the benefits of nuts especially on the aspects related to heart
attack, diabetes and cholesterol. Despite having past research showing that
nuts are in fact a healthy food, Malaysian young adults seem to be unaware
of the health benefits of nuts. One possible explanation for the significant
effect of attitude on intention to eat nuts in this study is that the young adults
in this study put value on the positive outcome of eating nuts. They believe
that eating nuts provide them with many health benefits and they perceive
nuts and dried fruits as healthy food which are high in protein and high in
nutrients. Armitage and Conner (2001) explained the issue of measurement
of subjective norm for intention to healthy eating behavior. They believed the
weak performance of subjective norm in predicting intention was because of
the usage of single-item measure. However in this study, subjective norm for
eating nuts was assessed via 3 items: doctors, authorities and classmates and
parents. Perhaps incorrect combination items were chosen to measure the
subjective norms. Another explanation for this may be the psychological
characteristic of this age group who want to be independent and usually
follow their own preferences.
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
17
Limitations and future directions
This research is solely based on university students, therefore the findings
cannot be generalized to other young adults of similar age who are employed.
They may have different determinants or factors influencing their
consumption of nuts. Therefore, future research should be conducted among
the young adults and university students of different lifestyle to enable us to
understand their consumption of nuts.
Conclusion
The findings of this study suggest that the diet among young adults in
Malaysia needs improvement, especially in terms if their snack choices.
Snack foods which are palatable, inexpensive and low in calories as well as
fat, highly densed in nutrients should be made available for the consumption
of young adults. Nuts have the potential to be used as a healthy snack for all
age groups especially for young adults. Parents, teachers and health
professionals play important roles in creating a positive attitude toward eating
nuts as healthy snacks, since many studies have found attitude to be the
strongest predictor of intention. Public knowledge, especially among young
adults regarding the benefits of nuts especially on diabetes and CVD should
be increased and efforts should be made to educate public about the positive
benefits of nut intake. One effective strategy is to encourage positive attitude
by providing new and various nutritional information about nuts. Individual
awareness of the health benefits of nut consumption can be enhanced through
a combination of strategies to create awareness as well as tackling perceived
barriers. Thus, it is hoped that these strategies can have a positive impact to
young adults on the consumption of nuts as a healthy snack.
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THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS, CURRENT
FINANCIAL STATUS, FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND THE
FUTURE FINANCIAL WELL-BEING AMONG
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
Noor Diyana Fazan Ahmad1
Husniyah Abd. Rahim2
Zuroni Md Jusoh2
Mohd Amim Othman2
Afida Mastura Muhammad Arif2
1
Department of Resource Management and Consumer Studies,
Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM
2
Center of Excellence for Sustainable Consumption,
Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM
Introduction
Every individual wants to be financially adequate to support their needs and
wants. Having a stable income is usually the indicator as to how well off a
person is. If an unforeseen event is to happen which will result in loss of
income, an individual will have to depend on other resources to ensure the
support of their needs which will last either a few months or can last for
several years, depending on how financially fit they are. However, income is
not the only important factor to ensure a better financial state. Overall
subjective well-being is important as it refers to how people evaluate their
lives and includes variables such as life and marital satisfaction, lack of
depression and anxiety and positive moods and emotions (Diener, Suh, &
Oishis, 1998). There are many dimensions of well-being such as job, finance,
house, health, leisure and environmental satisfaction according to Flecther
and Lorenz (1985).
Recent statistics in 2010 by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) show that at
least half of the household income were used for household expenditures
since 1995 to 2009. Therefore, the ratio between income and expenses hasn’t
changed. Consistent with Porter and Garman’s (1993) findings who found
that even though income has increased, 30.8 percent of their respondents
never seem to get ahead. This shows that even if income increases,
expenditure do not decrease. Furthermore, a higher income does not
necessarily ensure a better financial well-being.
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Bankruptcy can also cause problems to an individual as they have high
amount of debts. In Malaysia, anyone with an accumulated debt of minimum
RM30,000 will be declared bankrupt. Even though there is an act to protect
the consumers, it is important to determine what causes bankruptcy and how
it can be avoided. Malaysian Department of Insolvency (2012) reported that
the main causes of bankruptcy in 2012 are due to car hire purchase loans
(25%), followed by other indebtedness (21%), personal loans (13%) and
housing loans (13%). The burden of debt repayment will eventually lead to
low level of future financial well-being. Thus, it is imperative for government
employees to manage their finances well especially in debt repayment to
avoid bankruptcy.
Apart from bankruptcy, insurance is one form of risk management. Life
insurance is one of the many types of insurances available in the market
which is practical during retirement and is known as endowment life
insurance. Current statistics by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) show an
increase in new policies issued with a total of 209,933,000 and 225,105,000
in the year 2009 and 2011 respectively. This is a good sign that Malaysians
are now purchasing this policy. There is an increase of policies issued every
year which indicates consumers are now more aware of insurance and see its
importance for the future especially when an endowment policy is purchased.
This endowment for retirement is essential for retirees especially government
employees as they will have other sources of income besides their pension
which will lead to a better future financial well-being.
Besides risk management, the preparation for retirement is important as it
helps provide a better financial well-being for an individual. Malaysia’s
government employees have a choice of either opting for Employees
Provident Fund (EPF) or a pension scheme during their retirement period. If
they opt for EPF, their savings can only last for 6 to 7 years on average,
provided they spend RM2,000 a month. The data are based on EPF statistics
in 2011. This is worrying as the money saved is not enough especially with
the rising cost of living. Thus, they will need to look for other sources of
income after they have exhausted their EPF savings, and they will need to
spend it wisely. On the other hand, government employees who opted for the
pension scheme will be less vulnerable to loss of income as they will be
provided with a stable income every month.
The main objective of this study is to determine the factors that relates to
future financial well-being of government employees. The specific objectives
of this study are to: 1) investigate the current financial status of the
respondents, 2) explore the financial management practices, and 3) examine
the items of future financial well-being.
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Literature Review
Several variables are used in this study and they include socio-economic
factors, current financial well-being, financial management practices and
future financial well-being. Firstly, the socio-economic factors in this study
are income, age, gender and education level. Income is commonly related to
the financial status of an individual and there have been many past studies
shown to have a positive relationship between income and financial wellbeing (Beh & Folk, 2012; Joo & Grable, 2004; Penn, 2007; Porter &
Garman, 1993).
As for age, most studies found that older individuals are more likely to have a
better financial well-being compared to their younger counterpart. Past
studies by Malone et al. (2009) and Folk et al. (2012) found that financial
well-being increases with age. Gender is also closely related to financial
well-being as there have been several studies reported to have found a
difference in financial well-being between male and female respondents
(Gudmunson & Danes, 2011; Gutter & Copur, 2011; Leach et al., 1999;
Shim, Xiao, Barber & Lyons, 2009).
Education level has also been known to have a relationship with financial
well-being. Many past studies have shown that those holding a degree or
higher in their education tend to have a better financial well-being (Folk et
al., 2012; Headey & Wooden, 2004; Malone et al., 2009). Net worth was also
found to have a significant impact on financial satisfaction according to
Mugenda, Hira and Fanslow (1990). Furthermore, financial adequacy was
used as a measurement of financial satisfaction based on past research
(Chuan, Kok & Chen, 2012; Draughn et al., 1994a; Fernatt & Anderson,
2012; Grable, Cupples, Sumarwan & Hira, 1993). Therefore, since there have
been many past research showing a relationship between the above socioeconomic factors, it is important for this study to investigate the factors that
may have a relationship with future financial well-being of government
employees.
Financial well-being is a broad concept which is measured using more than
one measure. It is a comprehensive, multidimensional concept which
incorporates financial satisfaction, objective status of financial situation,
financial attitude, and behaviour (Joo, 1998). Thus, financial well-being can
be measured using subjective perception, financial satisfaction and financial
behaviour. The subjective perception of financial well-being is divided into
two which are financial attitude, i.e., their perception of either their current or
perceived future financial well-being.
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Financial well-being was also measured by financial management practices
in most of the past studies where they use dimensions such as budgeting,
saving, credit usage behaviour and compulsive behaviour (Gutter & Copur,
2011). There have also been studies that use savings, credit, record keeping,
debt repayment and insurance purchases to determine the financial wellbeing of an individual (Beutler & Mason, 1987; Hira & Mueller, 1987, Jeries
& Allen, 1986; Peck & Stewart, 1985; Titus et al., 1989).
However, for this study, current financial well-being is measured using
subjective perception and future financial well-being is measured using
financial satisfaction with financial emergencies, satisfaction with savings
level, debt level, current financial situation, ability to meet long-term goals,
as well as preparedness to meet financial emergencies and financial
management skills (Chan et. al, 2010; Fazli et al., 2012; Hogarth &
Anguelov, 2004; Joo & Garman, 2004; Joo & Grable, 2004; Kim, Garman, &
Sorhaindo, 2003; Leila & Laily, 2010).
Methodology
This study was conducted among government employees in five states in
Peninsular Malaysia which are Pahang, Kelantan, Johor, Melaka and Negeri
Sembilan using multi-stage random sampling method. States in East
Malaysia were excluded due to constraints of transportation. Each of the
states were chosen according to urban and rural areas. The list of urban and
rural areas are as follows; Pahang consists of Kuantan (28) and Bera (28),
Kelantan consists of Kota Bharu (37) and Gua Musang (51), Johor consists of
Johor Bahru (67) and Segamat (105), Melaka consists of Ayer Keroh (25)
and Alor Gajah (48) and finally Negeri Sembilan consists of Seremban (45)
and Jelebu (29). The list of urban and rural areas was acquired from the
Populations Distribution by Local Authority Areas and Mukims (2010).
Those listed under the administration of Municipal and City Council was
classified as urban areas and those under the administration of the District
Council are classified as rural areas. Two government departments were
drawn randomly for each state based on a list of departments. A total of 472
usable self-structured questionnaires were distributed and collected in 2012.
There are several variables used in this study namely socio-economic factors,
financial management practices, and financial well-being. Socio-economic
factors consist of age, gender, education level, and personal income.
Financial management practices consist of several dimensions and they
include cash-flow, savings, credit management, investment and risk
management dimensions which were based on items previously used by
Husniyah and M. Fazilah (2009). As for current financial status, the items
were measured using perceived net worth and perceived financial adequacy
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based on a past study by Husniyah (2002). Whereas, the measurement for
future financial well-being was adapted from Hira and Mugenda (1999)
consisting of 6 items using Likert scales with a Cronbach alpha value of
0.881. Factor analysis was conducted as it is considered a form of construct
validity and the items were all found to be in one category. A pilot test was
also done to test the validity of the instrument as it is a form of face validity
(Harvey, 2014).
Results and Discussion
Background of respondents
The details on the background of respondents are listed in Table 1. Majority
of the respondents are Malays and two thirds of them are male employees
(66.0%). The respondents are aged between 26-30 years old (20.9%) and 3135 years old whereas the mean age of respondents is 38 years old. As for the
marital status of the employees, majority of the respondents are married
(80.0%). In addition, majority of the respondents are non-graduates (96.0%).
The income of the respondents is mostly between RM 751 and RM 1,500
(33.7%). The precentage of savings is mostly between 0 percent to 20 percent
(60.3%).
Table 1: Background of respondents
Item
Gender
Male
Female
Age (years)
21-25
26-30
31-35
36 and above
Ethnic
Malay
Chinese
Indian
Others
Marital Status
Single
Married
Education Level
Non-Graduate
Graduate
Percentage
66.0
33.8
9.2
20.9
15.5
9.4
96.4
0.6
2.8
0.2
20.0
80.0
96.0
4.0
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Table 1 (continued)
Item
Individual Income
≤ RM 750
RM 751 – RM1,500
RM1,501 – RM2,500
RM2,501 – RM 3,500
≥RM3,501
Percentage of Savings/Income
0%
0% - 20%
20% - 40%
> 40%
Percentage
6.1
33.7
33.5
18.8
7.8
8.9
60.3
25.8
4.8
Current financial status
The current financial status of the government employees were measured
using net worth and financial adequacy.
Net worth
Net worth was measured by comparing the asset and debt value using a
single item measurement listed in Table 2. The respondents answered equally
between the three items except for value of asset equal to debt (35.2%) which
is slightly higher than the other two items. This may be due to the fact that
individuals are not able to identify how to determine the value of their assets.
Thus, it can be summarized that most of the respondents have an equal
amount of wealth to debt.
Table 2: Net Worth
Item
Value of asset is less than debt
Value of asset is equal to debt
Value of asset is more than debt
Percentage (%)
32.5
35.2
32.3
Financial adequacy
Financial adequacy in this study was measured using the items listed in Table
3. Slightly more than half of the respondents have only enough for basic
needs (59.5%) whereas only a small percentage are inadequate financially
(9.8%). There is a small number of respondents who claimed to have enough
to cover even their wants (8.3%). The important result shows that
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respondents only have enough for their basic needs and they are not able to
purchase extra items or durables that can meet their wants.
Table 3: Financial Adequacy
Item
Inadequate
Adequate enough for basic needs
Enough for most things
Enough to buy wants and able to save
Percentage (%)
9.8
59.5
22.4
8.3
Financial management practices
Financial management practices in this study were categorized into 5
dimensions which were cash-flow, credit, savings, investment and risk
management based on factor analysis. The items for each of the dimensions
are shown in Table 4 in their respective section and was measured using a
scale of 1 to 5 ranging from never to very frequently. This study found that
most of the respondents had an average score in terms of their practices in
cash-flow, credit and savings.
The highest practice for cash-flow dimension was paying bills within a
specified duration and planning for long term goals, whereas the least
frequent practice done by respondents was having a complete system for
record keeping. The wide availability of facilities such as the Automatic
Teller Machines (ATM) and online banking simplifies payment of bills and
also in determining the total amount of income. The results suggest
respondents basically have good cash-flow practices but infrequently keep
track of their finances.
As for the credit dimension, the results suggest that the respondents have
good credit management because they plan carefully before committing to
any loans or credit and thus, are able to pay their loans according to schedule.
Similar to cash-flow practices, loans and credit can be managed via online
banking by using the automatic monthly deduction from account specific to
loan payment. Cash Deposit Machines (CDM) in banks also makes it easier
to make payments as it saves time. The respondents were found to frequently
make savings for emergency needs and for long-term goals. Emergency
savings will be used during unexpected events such as during a car
breakdown or for medical needs which requires cash at hand.
As for investment and risk management, it was found to be below average as
these financial practices are not done frequently compared to the other
practices. Investments in unit trusts and company shares are normally done
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
31
only once or twice as a form of long-term investment. Meanwhile, for life
insurance, health insurance and education insurance, it is normally purchased
as one product but paid monthly. Insurance for credit or loans are similar as it
will only be purchased when buying a house or a car which are generally
done once every 10 years.
Table 4: Financial Management Practices
Mean
Standard
Deviation
3.85
3.98
3.12
1.029
1.075
1.187
3.59
3.36
3.45
3.72
1.345
1.177
1.116
1.047
Credit Dimension
Plan before taking any type of credit/loans.
Have a list of debts.
Keep a record for the list of debts.
Payment of credit/loans is done according to
schedule.
3.73
3.21
3.36
3.73
1.211
1.246
1.249
1.235
Savings Dimension
Savings made for emergency needs.
Savings made for long-term goals (e.g: Education,
purchasing a house or for Hajj).
3.76
3.79
1.063
1.156
2.37
2.96
1.83
1.167
1.359
1.113
3.62
3.09
1.251
1.379
2.93
1.391
2.83
1.408
Item
Cash-Flow Dimension
Plan for long-term financial goals.
Pay all bills within specified duration.
Have a complete system for financial record
keeping.
Mentally make financial plans for all expenses.
Manually record financial plans for all expenses.
Determine total amount of income.
Spend according to plan.
Investment Dimension
Invest in multiple investments.
Invest in unit trust.
Invest in company shares.
Risk Management Dimension
Insurance is purchased for house or vehicle.
Life insurance or health insurance is purchased for
myself.
Life/ Education/ Health insurance is purchased for
my family members.
Insurance is purchased for credit or loans.
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Future financial well-being
Future financial well-being in this study was measured using the respondent’s
satisfaction level with 8 items as listed in Table 5. The items were measured
using a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5 where 1 represent very unsatisfied
and 5 represent very satisfied. The highest mean score is for health while the
least mean score is for investment level. Health is found to have the highest
mean score as respondents are financially secured in terms of health due to
the healthcare scheme provided for government employees. This serves their
expectation that their healthcare expenses will be provided for. Similar to
financial management practices where the results show investment level has
the lowest mean. This may be a result of the infrequent practice of investment
in company shares and unit trusts as it is one form of long-term investment.
The respondents are also satisfied with their sense of preparedness in the
future in terms of savings, debt, income, asset and wealth as well as
preparedness for emergencies and expenses level. When one is prepared with
savings and have managed their debt, income, asset and wealth well, they
will expect a better future financial well-being.
Table 5: Future Financial Well-Being
Item
Savings level
Debt level
Investment level
Income level
Asset and wealth level
Health
Preparedness for emergencies
Expenses level
Mean
3.10
3.15
2.93
3.19
3.19
3.46
3.35
3.33
Standard
Deviation
1.013
1.631
1.017
0.973
0.969
0.870
0.900
0.900
Conclusion and Implications
Results from this study found that the respondents have an equal amount of
debt to wealth and their current financial adequacy is only enough for basic
needs. Respondents of this study were also found to have good financial
management practices in terms of paying bills on time and plan before taking
loans or credit. Insurance is not frequently purchased and the respondents did
not partake in investment frequently. As for the future financial well-being of
respondents, the highest item was found to be health as it is a benefit
provided by the government for government employees.
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The implication of this study is that emphasis on credit management and
good cash-flow practices should be encouraged from an early age to ensure a
better future financial well-being. The importance of insurance should also be
rooted as insurance is a form of a safety net in case of emergencies. Apart
from that, having a good form of investment can ensure a better financial
future especially towards retirement as it will be an additional source of
income besides the pension scheme for government employees.
Furthermore, the current financial situation of an individual is important in
determining their future financial well-being especially current financial
adequacy. To be financially prepared in the future, one must be financially
prepared in the present which includes better financial management practices
and help from other parties. Therefore, a combined effort from all parties
such as the government and related agencies such as the Credit Counselling
and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) is important to ensure a healthier
state of future financial well-being.
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AMALAN PEMBELIAN PRODUK HALAL
DALAM KALANGAN PENGGUNA ISLAM DI
ALOR GAJAH, MELAKA
Nashaqilla Norlee Rosslee
Elistina Abu Bakar
Jabatan Pengurusan Sumber dan Pengajian Pengguna
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Pengenalan
Menurut Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia, peratusan penduduk Islam di
Malaysia meningkat dari tahun ke tahun dan telah mencapai lebih separuh
daripada jumlah keseluruhan penduduk negara. Sebagai sebuah negara
majmuk dengan populasi Islam terbesar, tentunya proses pemilihan dan
pembelian produk bagi pengguna Islam adalah berdasarkan ketentuan syariat
(Dianti, 2013). Peningkatan kesedaran dalam kalangan penduduk Islam di
seluruh dunia telah meningkatkan permintaan bagi produk halal (Hasleena,
Zuraini, Normala, & Kamaruzaman, 2013). Walau bagaimanapun, status
halal bukan hanya perlu jelas dalam produk makanan sahaja, malahan apaapa barang yang diguna pakai, seperti produk farmaseutikal dan produk
kosmetik. Hal ini kerana makanan, produk farmaseutikal, kosmetik dan
produk penjagaan diri merupakan tuntutan keperluan manusia yang penting
bagi masyarakat moden hari ini (Mursyidi, 2013).
Pengguna Islam pada hari ini berhadapan dengan pilihan yang luas bagi
produk dan perkhidmatan. Setiap kategori produk menawarkan banyak
jenama yang berbeza-beza, sama ada dari dalam mahupun luar negara. Hal
ini menimbulkan isu status halal bagi produk-produk yang pengguna sendiri
tidak tahu akan kandungan yang terdapat dalam produk tersebut (Syed &
Nazura, 2011). Oleh itu, isu mengenai pemilihan produk halal dilihat
semakin serius dalam kalangan penduduk Malaysia, terutama bagi yang
beragama Islam. Pada tahun 2004, Malaysia telah mengeluarkan standard
Halal MS1500:2004 yang dikatakan yang pertama seumpamanya di dunia.
Standard Halal MS1500:2004 ialah garis panduan dalam penyediaan dan
pengendalian makanan halal atau peraturan asas produk makanan serta
perdagangan atau perniagaan makanan oleh industri makanan. MS1500:2004
dibangunkan mengikut kaedah ISO dan merupakan piawaian halal yang
pertama dibangunkan oleh negara Islam (Nik & Filzah, 2009).
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Dari aspek undang-undang, terdapat peruntukan di bawah Akta Perihal
Dagangan 2011 berhubung dengan pensijilan halal. Jabatan Kemajuan Islam
(JAKIM) dan Majlis Agama Islam Negeri (MAIN) merupakan pihak
berkuasa yang bertanggungjawab untuk memperakukan bahawa mana-mana
makanan, barang atau perkhidmatan adalah halal mengikut Perintah Perihal
Dagangan (Takrif Halal) 2011. Tujuan utama undang-undang ini adalah
untuk memastikan bahawa satu piawaian barang yang tertentu tersedia untuk
pengguna. Undang-undang ini juga adalah untuk melindungi pengguna
daripada membeli barang melalui maklumat palsu atau mengelirukan
berkenaan kualiti, piawaian, kesesuaian untuk digunakan dan ketulenan
(Zakaria, 2008). Hanya logo halal JAKIM sahaja yang dibenarkan untuk
diguna, terutamanya di premis makanan melalui penguatkuasaan perintah ini.
Undang-undang ini turut terpakai untuk semua produk pengguna, seperti
kosmetik dan ubat-ubatan.
Seperti yang dinyatakan oleh mantan Menteri Kesihatan Malaysia, Datuk
Seri Liow Tiong Lai, industri farmaseutikal Malaysia mendapat pengiktirafan
global dengan eksport dijangka berkembang 8% pada tahun 2012 kepada
RM610 juta daripada RM564 juta pada tahun 2011. Pengiktirafan ini perlulah
diperluaskan lagi dengan kehadiran farmaseutikal halal. Salah satu isu
mengenai farmaseutikal yang menjejaskan pengguna Islam ialah penggunaan
gelatin dalam produk ini. Masih ramai pengguna tidak sedar bahawa
sebahagian besar produk farmaseutikal dihasilkan daripada gelatin yang
diperoleh daripada tulang dan kulit haiwan yang tidak diketahui akan status
halalnya (Abdul, Abdullah, Asma, Cheng & Mohamad, 2010). Begitu juga
dalam pengeluaran produk kosmetik. Menurut Abdul et al. (2010), tahap
kesedaran dalam kalangan pengguna mengenai kepentingan kosmetik halal
adalah amat memberangsangkan. Hal ini menunjukkan akan ada gelombang
baharu dalam pasaran kosmetik global yang akan menyebabkan permintaan
untuk produk-produk kosmetik yang memenuhi keperluan agama dan
budaya. Laporan Halal Development Centre (HDC) pada 2011 menyatakan
bahawa terdapat 114 perniagaan tempatan dan sejumlah 3493 produk
penjagaan diri dan kosmetik yang telah diperakui halal.
Oleh itu, objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menganalisis amalan pembelian
dalam kalangan pengguna Islam ke atas produk halal yang berbeza-beza.
Kajian ini menumpukan kepada tiga jenis produk halal iaitu makanan,
kosmetik dan farmaseutikal. Artikel ini seterusnya mengkaji tentang sejauh
mana faktor sensitiviti isu halal, kesan terhadap risiko dan tekanan sosial
mempengaruhi amalan pembelian produk makanan, kosmetik dan
farmaseutikal yang halal di sekitar Alor Gajah, Melaka.
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
39
Kajian Literatur
Kajian ini menggunakan teori Hunt dan Vitell (1986) yang melihat sejauh
mana seseorang itu melakukan amalan yang baik dan dalam konteks ini
merujuk kepada amalan pembelian yang mengutamakan isu halal. Walaupun
teori ini lebih menjurus kepada pihak pengeluar atau pembekal, namun
digunakan juga dalam konteks pengguna, seperti oleh Bone dan Corey (2000)
dalam isu pembungkusan, dan oleh Sturdivant dan Cocanougher (1973)
dalam isu pengiklanan. Menurut teori Hunt dan Vitell, seseorang itu haruslah
peka atau sensitif terhadap sesuatu isu sebelum dia melakukan amalan yang
baik atau sebaliknya. Sebagai contoh, pengguna seharusnya sensitif terhadap
isu halal kerana dengan sensitiviti tersebut akan mendorong pengguna
mengamalkan pembelian yang berlandaskan syariat. Kegagalan untuk sensitif
adalah sangat berbahaya kerana akan menyebabkan seseorang itu melakukan
sesuatu yang melanggar undang-undang atau dalam hal ini merujuk kepada
pengambilan produk yang tidak halal (Ferrell et al., 2010).
Berdasarkan teori Hunt dan Vitell, terdapat teori lain yang menyokong proses
pembuatan keputusan individu. Antara teori yang penting ialah teori Jones
(1991), iaitu berdasarkan teori ini, setiap amalan yang baik dipengaruhi oleh
dua faktor yang penting, iaitu “kesan terhadap risiko” dan “tekanan sosial”.
Faktor kesan terhadap risiko bermaksud cara sesuatu amalan tersebut
memberi kesan kepada diri sendiri atau orang lain. Kajian lepas menunjukkan
hubungan yang positif antara kesan terhadap risiko dengan amalan yang baik
(Hunt & Vasquez-Parraga, 1993). Sebagai contoh, sekiranya sesuatu
perbuatan mendatangkan kemudaratan yang serius, hal ini membuatkan
seseorang itu tidak akan melakukan perbuatan tersebut. Walau
bagaimanapun, sekiranya sesuatu perbuatan itu membawa kesan kemudaratan
yang kecil dan tidak serius, seseorang itu akan melakukan perbuatan tersebut.
Faktor kedua, iaitu tekanan sosial pula bermaksud sejauh mana seseorang itu
merasakan orang di sekelilingnya atau orang yang rapat dengannya
merasakan amalan tersebut wajar dilakukan. Dalam konteks halal, sejauh
manakah seseorang itu merasakan masyarakat dan orang yang hampir
dengannya merasakan amalan pembelian haruslah berlandaskan syariat?
Faktor tekanan sosial ini mencerminkan tanggapan norma sosial bagi sesuatu
isu. Chen, Pan dan Pan (2009) dalam kajian mereka menyatakan bahawa niat
penggunaan sesuatu produk oleh pengguna dipengaruhi oleh isu intensiti
moral. Faktor tekanan sosial contohnya, memperlihatkan tanggapan
masyarakat, khususnya masyarakat Islam terhadap amalan yang baik, iaitu
pembelian produk yang halal. Oleh itu, berdasarkan dua teori ini, terdapat
tiga faktor penting untuk dikaji, iaitu sensitiviti terhadap isu halal, kesan
terhadap risiko, dan tekanan sosial.
40
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Kajian lepas menunjukkan pengguna sensitif terhadap isu halal, terutamanya
isu yang berkaitan dengan makanan halal. Menurut Zainal Abidin dan Rezai
(2008), pengguna lebih berhati-hati dalam menilai kehalalan semua jenis
produk makanan dengan merujuk kepada senarai kandungan bahan bagi
menghasilkan produk tersebut. Arshia (2012) juga menyatakan bahawa
pengguna Islam sensitif terhadap cara sesuatu produk dihasilkan atau bahan
yang digunakan dalam penghasilan sesuatu produk. Hal ini menunjukkan
konsep halal dan kehalalan sebagai isu yang sangat penting bagi pengguna
Islam, terutama dalam aspek makanan, justeru mengambarkan pengguna
sensitif terhadap isu ini.
Walau bagaimanapun, hal ini berbeza dengan sensitiviti pengguna terhadap
produk selain makanan. Hunter (2012) menyatakan bahawa kesedaran
tentang kosmetik halal masih rendah dalam kalangan pengguna Islam.
Ahlam, Azmawani, dan Suhaimi (2015) juga menyatakan bahawa tingkah
laku pembelian pengguna adalah lebih cenderung ke arah produk makanan
berbanding dengan kosmetik halal. Dapatan kajian ini serupa dengan kajian
Mohani et al. (2009), iaitu keprihatinan pengguna terhadap isu halal pada
produk farmaseutikal dan kosmetik masih lagi rendah. Hal ini mungkin
kerana produk kosmetik sifatnya berbeza dengan makanan dan farmaseutikal,
iaitu tidak masuk secara langsung ke dalam tubuh badan, tetapi keraguan
status halal tetap ada (Yusuf, 2013).
Oleh itu, wujudnya keperluan untuk mengkaji amalan pembelian pengguna
dalam tiga produk yang berbeza iaitu makanan, kosmetik dan farmaseutikal
kerana amalan pengguna adalah berbeza-beza berdasarkan produk yang
berlainan.
Metodologi
Kajian ini ialah kajian yang berbentuk deskriptif dan menggunakan borang
soal selidik sebagai cara pengumpulan data. Senarai taman di Mukim Gadek
telah diperoleh daripada Majlis Perbandaran Alor Gajah, Melaka. Walaupun
terdapat enam buah taman perumahan di Mukim Gadek, namun hanya tiga
buah taman perumahan iaitu Taman Pisang Emas, Taman Markisah dan
Taman Ganun Setia sahaja dipilih berdasarkan teknik selang dan nombor
genap. Seramai 50 orang responden dipilih secara sistematik untuk mewakili
setiap taman perumahan dan membawa kepada jumlah 150 orang responden.
Borang soal selidik terdiri daripada tiga bahagian, iaitu Bahagian A,
Bahagian B, dan Bahagian C. Bahagian A ialah latar belakang responden
iaitu berkaitan umur, bilangan isi rumah, tahap pendidikan, status
perkahwinan, pendapatan kasar bulanan, sumber mendapatkan maklumat,
dan isu sensitiviti berkenaan produk halal. Bahagian B mengemukakan
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
41
soalan yang berkaitan dengan intensiti moral, mengukur dimensi “tekanan
sosial” dan “kesan terhadap risiko” yang mempunyai tiga senario, iaitu setiap
satu senario mewakili produk yang berbeza iaitu makanan, kosmetik dan
farmaseutikal. Bahagian C adalah mengenai amalan pembelian produk halal
yang berbeza-beza dan mengandungi 15 soalan dan pilihan jawapan
berbentuk skala Likert.
Latar belakang responden
Jadual 1 menunjukkan taburan responden mengikut maklumat demografi.
Kebanyakan daripada responden terdiri daripada perempuan, iaitu sebanyak
62.7 peratus dan selebihnya ialah lelaki iaitu sebanyak 37.4 peratus.
Pendapatan bulanan penduduk Islam di Gadek, Alor Gajah secara umumnya
adalah antara RM3,001 - RM4,000 yang mewakili 30.9 peratus dan diikuti
rapat oleh responden yang mempunyai pendapatan bulanan antara RM2,000 RM3,000 dengan peratusan sebanyak 24.5 peratus. Hal ini menunjukkan
komuniti di kawasan Gadek, Alor Gajah mewakili penduduk berpendapatan
tetap dan sederhana memandangkan kebanyakan mereka bekerja di syarikat
swasta atau kerajaan.
Kebanyakan responden juga mendapat maklumat tentang produk halal
melalui media elektronik seperti melalui televisyen, Internet dan lain-lain,
iaitu sebanyak 61.2 peratus. Sementara, sumber maklumat daripada keluarga
dan rakan-rakan berkongsi pemilihan daripada jumlah responden yang sama,
iaitu masing-masing sebanyak 11.5 peratus.
Jadual 1: Latar Belakang Responden
Angkubah
Jantina
Lelaki
Perempuan
Pendapatan bulanan
Bawah RM1,000
RM1,001 ̶ RM2,000
RM2,001 ̶ RM3,000
RM3,001 ̶ RM4,000
RM4,001 ̶ RM5,000
RM5,001 ̶ RM6,000
RM6,001 ̶ RM7,000
Atas RM10,000
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Bilangan (n)
Peratus (%)
52
87
37.4
62.7
7
20
34
43
18
7
8
2
5
14.4
24.5
30.9
12.9
5.0
5.8
1.4
Jadual 1 (sambungan)
Angkubah
Sumber maklumat halal
Keluarga
Rakan-rakan
Media elektronik
Media cetak
Bilangan (n)
Peratus (%)
16
16
85
22
11.5
11.5
61.2
15.8
Tahap sensitiviti terhadap isu halal
Rajah 1 menunjukkan bahawa tahap sensitiviti responden di sekitar Gadek,
Alor Gajah terhadap isu halal adalah sangat tinggi, iaitu majoriti atau 41.7
peratus responden sangat sensitif terhadap isu halal. Hanya sebanyak 21.6
peratus responden bersikap sensitiviti sederhana terhadap isu halal. Walau
bagaimanapun, dapat dilihat bahawa tidak seorang pun responden yang
sangat tidak sensitif atau tidak sensitif terhadap isu ini. Hal ini selari dengan
pernyataan Ahmad Sanep et al. (2007) yang mendapati responden yang
beragama Islam amat sensitif terhadap pembelian sesuatu produk halal di
pasaran dan juga kajian oleh Mohani et al. (2009) yang menyatakan bahawa
99.0 peratus daripada responden amat prihatin terhadap penggunaan logo
halal pada produk makanan.
Rajah 1: Tahap Sensitiviti terhadap Isu Halal
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43
“Kesan terhadap Risiko” terhadap amalan pembelian
produk halal
(a) Makanan
Jadual 2(a) menunjukkan dapatan kajian berkaitan “kesan terhadap risiko”
pengguna terhadap amalan pembelian makanan halal. Pemboleh ubah ini
diukur melalui sebuah senario iaitu Ali, seorang pelanggan beragama Islam
mengetahui bahawa restoran makanan tersebut diusahakan oleh penganut
bukan Islam dan restoran tersebut tidak mendapat pengesahan halal daripada
JAKIM. Namun, Ali tetap menjamu selera di restoran tersebut. Kesan
terhadap risiko adalah berdasarkan empat perkara iaitu kesan magnitud,
kesan kebarangkalian, kesediaan sementara dan kesan tumpuan.
Hasil analisis memperlihat sebanyak 47.5 peratus responden sangat tidak
bersetuju bahawa tindakan tersebut akan menyebabkan risiko yang kecil
manakala nilai terendah, iaitu sebanyak 2.2 peratus responden memilih setuju
bagi tindakan tersebut. Hal ini menjelaskan bahawa mereka merasakan
bahawa terdapat risiko pengambilan makanan yang tidak halal. Bagi
pernyataan, “Ada sedikit kemungkinan sahaja bahawa tindakan Ali tersebut
akan menyebabkan bahaya kepada pengguna Islam yang lain.” menunjukkan
kebanyakan responden sangat setuju (26.4%) dan sebanyak 18.7 peratus
sangat tidak setuju akan perkara tersebut. Hal ini menunjukkan responden
dapat menjangkakan kesan bahaya daripada tindakan tersebut kepada
pengguna Islam yang lain. Hanya sebanyak 7.9 peratus responden sangat
bersetuju bahawa tindakan Ali tersebut tidak akan menimbulkan bahaya
dalam jangka masa yang terdekat dan sebanyak 33.1 peratus responden
sangat tidak setuju tentang perkara itu. Oleh itu, ini bermaksud bahawa
responden tahu bahawa kesan daripada tindakan itu akan membawa risiko
kepada pengguna Islam yang lain dalam masa yang terdekat.
Pernyataan terakhir bagi dimensi kesan terhadap risiko menyatakan
“Tindakan Ali tersebut akan membahayakan sedikit orang sahaja, iaitu
dirinya sahaja.” memberikan tindak balas positif responden, iaitu
menunjukkan majoriti atau sebanyak 40.3 peratus responden sangat tidak
bersetuju, dan hanya sebanyak 8.6 peratus responden masing-masing setuju
dan sangat setuju dengan pernyataan tersebut. Hal ini menjelaskan responden
tahu tindakan itu turut melibatkan kesan risiko kepada masyarakat Islam yang
lain.
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Jadual 2(a): “Kesan terhadap Risiko” terhadap Amalan Pembelian
Makanan Halal
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pernyataan
Tindakan di atas akan
menyebabkan risiko
yang kecil.
Ada sedikit
kemungkinan sahaja
bahawa tindakan Ali
tersebut akan
menyebabkan bahaya
kepada pengguna Islam
yang lain.
Tindakan Ali tersebut
tidak akan
menimbulkan bahaya
dalam jangka masa
yang terdekat.
Tindakan Ali tersebut
akan membahayakan
sedikit orang sahaja,
iaitu dirinya sahaja.
STS
Bilangan (n) dan Peratusan (%)
TS
N
S
SS
66
(47.5)
25
(18.0)
38
(27.3)
3 (2.2)
7 (5.0)
26
(18.7)
16
(11.5)
33
(23.7)
27
(19.4)
37
(26.4)
46
(33.1)
27
(19.4)
29
(20.9)
26
(18.7)
11
(7.9)
56
(40.3)
32
(23.0)
27
(19.4)
12
(8.6)
12
(8.6)
(b) Kosmetik
Jadual 2(b) menunjukkan kajian kesan terhadap risiko terhadap amalan
pembelian kosmetik halal. Kesan ini diukur melalui sebuah senario yang
sama seperti makanan tetapi diubah kepada produk kosmetik, iaitu Ali tetap
membeli produk kosmetik walaupun tahu tiada logo halal.
Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahawa lebih separuh daripada responden
(55.4%) sangat tidak bersetuju bahawa tindakan tersebut akan menyebabkan
risiko yang kecil dan hanya sebanyak 1.4 peratus responden sangat setuju
akan pernyataan tersebut. Bagi pernyataan, “Ada sedikit kemungkinan sahaja
bahawa tindakan Ali tersebut akan menyebabkan bahaya kepada pengguna
Islam yang lain.” menunjukkan sebanyak 28.1 peratus responden sangat tidak
bersetuju, manakala sebanyak 27.3 peratus responden lain sangat bersetuju
dengan tindakan tersebut.
Dapatan kajian juga jelas menunjukkan bahawa sebanyak 36.0 peratus
responden sangat tidak bersetuju bahawa tindakan Ali tersebut tidak akan
menimbulkan bahaya dalam jangka masa yang terdekat dan hanya sebanyak
17.2 peratus responden bersetuju dengan tindakan tersebut. Pernyataan
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45
terakhir bagi dimensi kesan terhadap risiko menyatakan “Tindakan Ali
tersebut akan membahayakan sedikit orang sahaja, iaitu dirinya sahaja.”
memberikan tindak balas positif responden, iaitu sebanyak 46.0 peratus
sangat tidak bersetuju dengan tindakan tersebut dan hanya sebanyak 3.6
peratus sangat setuju dengan perkara tersebut.
Jadual 2(b): “Kesan terhadap Risiko” terhadap Amalan Pembelian
Kosmetik Halal
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pernyataan
Tindakan di atas akan
menyebabkan risiko yang
kecil.
Ada sedikit kemungkinan
sahaja bahawa tindakan Ali
tersebut akan
menyebabkan bahaya
kepada pengguna Islam
yang lain.
Tindakan Ali tersebut tidak
akan menimbulkan bahaya
dalam jangka masa yang
terdekat.
Tindakan Ali tersebut akan
membahayakan sedikit
orang sahaja, iaitu dirinya
sahaja.
STS
Bilangan (n) dan Peratusan (%)
TS
N
S
SS
77
(55.4)
28
(20.1)
9
(6.5)
23
(16.5)
2
(1.4)
39
(28.1)
21
(15.1)
22
(15.8)
24
(17.3)
33
(27.3)
50
(36.0)
27
(19.4)
33
(23.7)
10
(7.2)
19
(13.7)
64
(46.0)
37
(26.6)
14
(10.1)
19
(13.7)
5
(3.6)
(c) Farmaseutikal
Jadual 2(c) menunjukkan kajian kesan terhadap risiko pengguna terhadap
amalan pembelian produk farmaseutikal halal. Pemboleh ubah diukur melalui
senario yang sama seperti makanan tetapi diubah kepada produk
farmaseutikal, iaitu Ali tetap membeli ubat di farmasi walaupun tidak
mempunyai pengesahan JAKIM.
Hasil analisis menunjukkan tindak balas positif, iaitu sebanyak 54.7 peratus
responden sangat tidak setuju dengan pernyataan tindakan tersebut akan
menyebabkan risiko yang kecil dan tiada seorang pun responden yang sangat
bersetuju dengan tindakan itu (0.0%). Bagi pernyataan “Ada sedikit
kemungkinan sahaja bahawa tindakan Ali tersebut akan menyebabkan bahaya
kepada pengguna Islam yang lain.” Hal ini menunjukkan majoriti responden
sangat setuju (24.5%) dengan pernyataan tersebut dan hanya sebanyak 12.2
peratus responden tidak setuju.
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Jadual 2(c): “Kesan terhadap Risiko” terhadap Amalan Pembelian
Produk Farmaseutikal Halal
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pernyataan
Tindakan di atas akan
menyebabkan risiko yang
kecil.
Ada sedikit kemungkinan
sahaja bahawa tindakan
Ali tersebut akan
menyebabkan bahaya
kepada pengguna Islam
yang lain.
Tindakan Ali tersebut
tidak akan menimbulkan
bahaya dalam jangka
masa yang terdekat.
Tindakan Ali tersebut
akan membahayakan
sedikit orang sahaja, iaitu
dirinya sahaja.
STS
Bilangan (n) dan Peratusan (%)
TS
N
S
SS
76
(54.7)
23
(16.5)
24
(17.3)
16
(11.5)
0
(0.0)
31
(22.3)
17
(12.2)
30
(21.6)
27
(19.4)
34
(24.5)
43
(30.9)
30
(21.6)
45
(32.4)
2
(1.4)
19
(13.7)
62
(44.6)
25
(18.0)
34
(24.5)
17
(12.2)
1
(0.7)
Bagi pernyataan “Tindakan Ali tersebut tidak akan menimbulkan bahaya
dalam jangka masa yang terdekat.” memperlihat rata-rata responden adalah
neutral (32.4%) bagi pernyataan tersebut dan hanya sebanyak 1.4 peratus
responden bersetuju. Bagi pernyataan “Tindakan Ali tersebut akan
membahayakan sedikit orang sahaja, iaitu dirinya sahaja.” menunjukkan
tindak balas positif, iaitu sebanyak 44.6 peratus responden sangat tidak setuju
dan hanya sebanyak 0.7 peratus responden sangat setuju dengan pernyataan
itu.
Rajah 2 menunjukkan purata nilai bagi kesan terhadap risiko terhadap amalan
pembelian produk halal yang berbeza-beza. Dapatan ini jelas menunjukkan
bahawa kekuatan moral pengguna menjurus kepada produk kosmetik yang
halal, iaitu 14.73 dan diikuti oleh produk farmaseutikal iaitu 14.51 dan purata
kekuatan paling rendah bagi dimensi ini ialah 14.06 iaitu bagi amalan
pembelian produk makanan yang halal. Menurut pengguna, risiko terhadap
penggunaan kosmetik tidak halal adalah lebih tinggi berbanding dengan
produk makanan dan farmaseutikal.Namun, tiada literatur untuk menyokong
kenyataan ini kerana tiada kajian yang dibuat bagi melihat kesan terhadap
risiko pengguna terhadap pengambilan produk halal.
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
47
14.73
14.8
14.51
Purata(n)
14.6
14.4
14.14
14.2
14
13.8
makanan
kosmetik
farmaseutikal
Produk
n=139, Minimum=5.0, Maksimum=20.0
Kesan Terhadap Risiko
Rajah 2: Purata Nilai Bagi “Kesan terhadap Risiko” terhadap Amalan
Pembelian Produk Halal yang Berbeza-beza
“Tekanan Sosial” terhadap amalan pembelian produk halal
(a) Makanan
Jadual 3(a) menunjukkan “tekanan sosial” pengguna terhadap amalan
pembelian makanan halal. Sebuah senario yang sama dengan sebelum ini
digunakan dan Tekanan Sosial diukur melalui dua pernyataan.
Hasil analisis menjelaskan majoriti responden sangat setuju (54.7%) dengan
pernyataan bahawa “Kebanyakan orang akan bersetuju bahawa tindakan Ali
tersebut adalah salah.” dan hanya sebanyak 2.2 peratus responden tidak
bersetuju tentang perkara tersebut. Hasil tindak balas positif oleh responden
juga ditunjukkan melalui pernyataan, “Sekiranya, Ali membeli untuk isteri
dan anaknya, tindakan Ali tersebut adalah salah.” iaitu majoriti responden
sangat bersetuju (48.2%) dan hanya sebanyak 0.7 peratus tidak bersetuju.
Jadual 3(a): “Tekanan Sosial” terhadap Amalan Pembelian Makanan
Halal
48
No.
Pernyataan
1.
Kebanyakan orang akan
bersetuju bahawa tindakan
Ali tersebut adalah salah.
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Bilangan (n) dan Peratusan (%)
STS
TS
N
S
SS
3
(2.2)
7
(5.0)
20
(14.4)
33
(27.3)
76
(54.7)
Jadual 3(a) (sambungan)
No.
2.
Pernyataan
Sekiranya, Ali membeli
untuk isteri dan anaknya,
tindakan Ali tersebut
adalah salah.
Bilangan (n) dan Peratusan (%)
STS
TS
N
S
SS
10
(7.2)
1
(0.7)
26
(18.7)
35
(25.2)
67
(48.2)
(b) Kosmetik
Jadual 3(b) menunjukkan tekanan sosial pengguna terhadap amalan
pembelian kosmetik halal. Senario melalui pernyataan yang sama seperti
sebelumnya diukur, iaitu Ali tetap membeli kosmetik walaupun tidak
mempunyai logo halal.
Hasil analisis yang positif ditunjukkan melalui kedua-dua pernyataan yang
mewakili dimensi intensi moral tersebut. Pernyataan “Kebanyakan orang
akan bersetuju bahawa tindakan Ali tersebut adalah salah.” adalah sangat
dipersetujui (64.0%) oleh majoriti responden dan hanya seorang responden
atau 0.7 peratus tidak bersetuju. Majoriti responden juga sangat setuju
(55.4%) dengan pernyataan “Sekiranya, Ali membeli untuk isteri dan
anaknya, tindakan Ali tersebut adalah salah.” manakala sebanyak 0.7 peratus
tidak bersetuju dengan pernyataan tersebut.
Jadual 3(b): “Tekanan Sosial” terhadap Amalan Pembelian Kosmetik
Halal
No.
1.
2.
Pernyataan
Kebanyakan orang akan
bersetuju bahawa tindakan
Ali tersebut adalah salah.
Sekiranya, Ali membeli
untuk isteri dan anaknya,
tindakan Ali tersebut
adalah salah.
Bilangan (n) dan Peratusan (%)
STS
TS
N
S
SS
6
(4.3)
1
(0.7)
20
(14.4)
23
(16.5)
89
(64.0)
12
(8.7)
1
(0.7)
10
(7.2)
39
(28.1)
77
(55.4)
(c) Farmaseutikal
Jadual 3(c) menunjukkan tekanan sosial pengguna terhadap amalan
pembelian produk farmaseutikal halal. Senario yang sama melalui
pernyataan, iaitu Ali tetap membeli ubat di farmasi walaupun tidak
mempunyai pengesahan JAKIM.
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
49
Hasil analisis kajian memperlihat rata-rata responden sangat bersetuju
(54.7%) dan hanya sebanyak 4.3 peratus sangat tidak setuju dengan
pernyataan “Kebanyakan orang akan bersetuju bahawa tindakan Ali tersebut
adalah salah.” Dalam masa yang sama juga, pernyataan “Sekiranya, Ali
membeli untuk isteri dan anaknya, tindakan Ali tersebut adalah salah.”
mendapat persetujuan yang sangat tinggi (55.4%) dan hanya seorang
responden sahaja tidak setuju dengan perkara tersebut.
Jadual 3(c) : “Tekanan Sosial” terhadap Amalan Pembelian
Produk Farmaseutikal Halal
No.
1.
2.
Pernyataan
Kebanyakan orang akan
bersetuju bahawa tindakan
Ali tersebut adalah salah.
Sekiranya, Ali membeli
untuk isteri dan anaknya,
tindakan Ali tersebut adalah
salah.
Bilangan (n) dan Peratusan (%)
STS
TS
N
S
SS
6
(4.3)
11
(7.9)
31
(22.3)
15
(10.8)
76
(54.7)
10
(7.2)
1
(0.7)
27
(19.4)
24
(17.3)
77
(55.4)
Rajah 3 menunjukkan purata nilai tekanan sosial terhadap amalan pembelian
produk halal yang berbeza-beza. Dapatan jelas menunjukkan bahawa nilai
purata bagi produk kosmetik yang halal ialah 8.56, diikuti oleh produk
makanan (8.3) dan purata kekuatan paling rendah bagi dimensi ini ialah 8.16,
iaitu terhadap amalan pembelian produk farmaseutikal yang halal. Hal ini
menjelaskan bahawa keputusan individu amat mementingkan tanggapan
masyarakat Islam, khususnya dalam amalan pembelian produk kosmetik
yang halal berbanding dengan produk makanan dan farmaseutikal.
Purata (n)
Tekanan Sosial
8.6
8.4
8.2
8
7.8
8.56
8.3
Makanan
Kosmetik
8.16
Farmaseutikal
Produk
n=139, Minimum=2.0, Maksimum=10.0
Tekanan Sosial
Rajah 3: “Tekanan Sosial” terhadap Amalan Pembelian Produk Halal
50
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Amalan pembelian produk halal
Jadual 4 menunjukkan hasil analisis bagi amalan pembelian produk halal
yang berbeza-beza iaitu makanan, kosmetik dan farmaseutikal.
Bagi produk makanan, hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa majoriti responden
selalu (80.6%) menjamu selera di restoran yang mempunyai perakuan logo
halal JAKIM yang sah sahaja dan hanya sebanyak 0.7 peratus responden
jarang memilih untuk menjamu selera di restoran yang mempunyai perakuan
logo halal JAKIM yang sah sahaja. Kemudian, rata-rata responden selalu
(44.9%) memilih untuk membeli makanan di premis bukan Islam yang
mempunyai logo halal yang sah sekiranya mereka menyediakan makanan
berunsur sayur-sayuran sahaja.
Bagi produk kosmetik, hasil analisis memperlihatkan bahawa sebanyak 42.3
peratus responden hanya membeli produk kosmetik yang mempunyai logo
halal sah JAKIM sahaja dan sebanyak 1.4 peratus sahaja yang tidak hanya
membeli produk kosmetik yang mempunyai logo halal sah JAKIM. Selain
itu, analisis menunjukkan kesemua responden membaca label kandungan
bahan sebelum membeli produk kosmetik dan majoriti responden
menyatakan selalu membaca label (61.9%).
Bagi produk farmaseutikal, analisis menunjukkan 49.7 peratus responden
selalu dan 12.2 peratus tidak pernah membeli ubat-ubatan yang dihasilkan di
luar negara yang tidak mempunyai logo halal. Selain itu, majoriti responden
kadang-kadang (49.6%) membaca label kandungan bahan sebelum membeli
sebarang jenis ubat-ubatan dan sebanyak 1.4 peratus jarang melakukannya.
Didapati juga, sebanyak 55.4 peratus responden membeli ubat-ubatan yang
hanya mempunyai pengiktirafan halal oleh JAKIM dan sebanyak 1.4 peratus
tidak pernah melakukannya.
Jadual 4: Amalan Pembelian Produk Halal
No.
1.
2.
Pernyataan
Bilangan (n) / Peratusan (%)
TP
J
K
S
MAKANAN
Saya memerhatikan penggunaan
0
logo halal pada makanan.
(0.0)
Saya menjamu selera di restoran
0
yang mempunyai perakuan logo
(0.0)
halal JAKIM yang sah sahaja.
0
(0.0)
37
(26.6)
102
(73.4)
1
(0.7)
26
(18.7)
112
(80.6)
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
51
Jadual 4 (sambungan)
No.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
52
Pernyataan
Bilangan (n) / Peratusan (%)
TP
J
K
S
MAKANAN
Saya membeli makanan di premis
bukan Islam yang mempunyai logo
23
halal sah, sekiranya mereka
(16.5)
menyediakan makanan berunsur
sayur-sayuran sahaja.
Saya membeli produk makanan
yang mengandungi pewarna dari
14
kod E471 dengan mengetahui secara
(10.1)
mendalam sumbernya.
Saya membeli produk makanan
17
dengan mengenalpasti sama ada
(12.2)
logo halal itu tepat atau tidak.
KOSMETIK
Saya menggunakan kosmetik yang
dihasilkan di luar negara yang
26
mempunyai logo halal negara
(18.7)
tersebut.
Saya membeli produk kosmetik
43
buatan Malaysia yang mempunyai
(30.9)
logo halal yang sah.
Saya menggunakan kosmetik yang
dihasilkan di luar negara yang
27
mempunyai logo halal yang diiktiraf
(19.4)
oleh JAKIM.
Saya hanya membeli produk
2
kosmetik yang mempunyai logo
(1.4)
halal sah JAKIM sahaja.
Saya membaca label kandungan
0
bahan sebelum membeli produk
(0.0)
kosmetik.
FARMASEUTIKAL
Saya tidak membeli ubat-ubatan
17
yang dihasilkan di luar negara yang
(12.2)
tidak mempunyai logo halal.
Saya mementingkan status halal
22
pada ubat-ubatan, juga kualitinya.
(15.8)
Saya tidak membeli dan mengambil
ubat-ubatan yang telah ditetapkan
17
oleh doktor, kerana tidak
(12.2)
mengetahui status halal ubat-ubatan
tersebut.
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
22
(15.8)
29
(20.9)
65
(44.9)
40
(28.8)
31
(22.3)
54
(38.3)
33
(23.7)
29
(20.9)
60
(43.1)
27
(19.4)
28
(20.1)
58
(41.7)
38
(28.1)
29
(20.9)
28
(20.1)
20
(14.4)
41
(29.5)
51
(36.7)
32
(23.0)
45
(32.4)
60
(42.3)
27
(19.4)
26
(18.7)
86
(61.9)
28
(20.1)
69
(49.6)
26
(18.7)
27
(19.4)
64
(46.0)
37
(26.6)
31
(22.3)
54
(38.8)
25
(18.0)
Jadual 4 (sambungan)
No.
14.
15.
Bilangan (n) / Peratusan (%)
TP
J
K
S
FARMASEUTIKAL
Saya membaca label kandungan
0
2
69
68
bahan sebelum membeli sebarang
(0.0)
(1.4)
(49.6)
(48.9)
jenis ubat-ubatan.
Saya membeli ubat-ubatan yang
2
8
52
77
hanya mempunyai pengiktirafan
(1.4)
(5.8)
(37.4)
(55.4)
halal oleh JAKIM.
Pernyataan
Walau bagaimanapun, jika dibandingkan antara soalan 2, 9 dan 15 dalam
Jadual 4, yang menyatakan berkenaan pemilihan pengguna pada produk yang
hanya mempunyai pengiktirafan sah daripada JAKIM sahaja, jelas
menunjukkan peratusan tertinggi adalah bagi produk makanan (80.6%).
Namun, peratusan adalah rendah bagi pemilihan produk kosmetik (42.3%)
dan farmaseutikal (55.4%). Hal ini menjelaskan bahawa pengguna lebih
berhati-hati berkenaan logo halal sah JAKIM bagi produk makanan
berbanding dengan produk kosmetik dan farmaseutikal.
Hal ini selaras dengan dapatan dalam Rajah 4 yang menunjukkan bahawa
amalan pembelian pengguna terhadap makanan halal adalah paling tinggi,
iaitu nilai purata 16.40. Justeru, ini bermaksud bahawa responden amat
menitikberatkan isu halal terhadap produk makanan terutamanya, kerana
dapatan maklumat yang lebih jelas, seperti kandungan ramuan dan
sebagainya. Pada zaman moden ini, dengan adanya sains dan teknologi,
makanan telah mengalami pelbagai proses perkilangan. Trend ini telah
menimbulkan kebimbangan dalam kalangan pengguna Islam kerana terdapat
kemungkinan bahawa makanan yang diproses mengandungi bahan-bahan
haram (Golnaz, 2008).
Sementara itu, skor purata menunjukkan amalan pembelian produk
farmaseutikal yang halal ialah sebanyak 15.86 dalam kalangan responden
sekitar Gadek, Alor Gajah. Menurut kajian Abdul, Abdullah, et.al (2010),
masih ramai pengguna tidak sedar bahawa sebahagian besar produk
farmaseutikal dihasilkan daripada gelatin yang diperoleh daripada tulang dan
kulit haiwan yang tidak diketahui akan status halalnya. Kemudian, skor
purata amalan pembelian kosmetik halal adalah yang paling rendah dalam
kalangan responden, iaitu dengan purata sebanyak 12.30. Hunter (2012)
menyatakan bahawa kesedaran tentang kosmetik halal masih rendah dalam
kalangan pengguna Islam.
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
53
Purata (n)
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
16.4
15.86
14.61
Makanan
Kosmetik
n=139, Minimum=9.0, Maksimum=23.0
Produk
Farmaseutikal
Rajah 4: Purata Amalan Pembelian Produk Halal yang Berbeza-beza
Kesimpulan dan Cadangan
Secara keseluruhan analisis kajian ini mendapati bahawa responden
mempunyai tahap sensitiviti yang tinggi terhadap produk kosmetik yang
halal. Hal ini dijelaskan melalui hasil kajian Ahmad et al. (2007) yang
mendapati responden yang beragama Islam amat sensitif terhadap pembelian
sesuatu produk halal di pasaran. Melalui faktor kesan terhadap risiko, dapatan
kajian menjelaskan bahawa rata-rata responden tahu bahawa pembuatan
keputusannya ke atas pembelian produk kosmetik halal boleh mendatangkan
risiko. Bagi faktor tekanan sosial, kajian menunjukkan responden tahu
bahawa orang di sekelilingnya berpotensi dipengaruhi oleh pembuatan
keputusannya ke atas pembelian produk kosmetik yang halal. Namun, tahap
sensitiviti, kesan terhadap risiko dan tekanan sosial sahaja tidak mencukupi
dalam menggalakkan amalan pembelian kosmetik yang halal oleh responden.
Hal ini kerana rata-rata pengguna Islam menitikberatkan soal halal dalam
produk yang boleh dimakan (makanan dan farmaseutikal) berbanding dengan
produk kosmetik yang hanya digunakan pada bahagian luar badan.
Jelas, seharusnya individu atau institusi keluarga turut menitikberatkan halal
dalam amalan pembelian produk kosmetik. Oleh itu, langkah perlu diambil
oleh ibu bapa, khususnya untuk mendidik anak-anak sedari kecil tentang
amalan pembelian produk kosmetik yang halal. Ibu bapa perlu menekankan
isu sensitiviti, pengaruh kesan terhadap risiko dan tekanan sosial sebagai
pendekatan. Ibu bapa seharusnya menjadi contoh kepada anak-anak dalam
54
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
pemilihan barang halal yang bukan sahaja untuk produk makanan, bahkan
juga untuk produk kosmetik dan farmaseutikal.
Dilihat bahawa program pendidikan kepenggunaan halal adalah signifikan
bagi memperkukuhkan lagi tingkah laku positif ini dengan memberikan
kesedaran tentang kepentingan produk makanan, kosmetik dan farmaseutikal
halal serta tanggungjawab memilih produk halal dalam kalangan pengguna
Muslim. Bagi pengusaha industri halal pula, program pendidikan ini dapat
meningkatkan kefahaman tentang penghasilan produk kosmetik dan
farmaseutikal halal khususnya, dan tanggungjawab pengusaha dalam
menawarkan produk halal sama ada bagi pengguna Muslim dan bukan
Muslim (Jamaludin et al., 2012). Dalam masa yang sama, pengusaha turut
mempergiat lagi usaha ke arah meningkatkan permintaan terhadap kosmetik
halal.
Lambakan pelbagai produk di pasaran, terutamanya dari luar negara
mendatangkan kesukaran kepada pengguna Islam, khususnya untuk membuat
pilihan. Dalam pembelian produk kosmetik dan faramseutikal terutamanya,
dilihat masih kurang amalan pembelian produk yang berstatus halal oleh
pengguna. Sebagai sebuah institusi kerajaan, JAKIM perlu melaksanakan
undang-undang dalam menentukan standard halal yang lebih kukuh, terutama
bagi produk kosmetik dan farmaseutikal dan undang-undang sedia ada perlu
dikaji semula agar pengguna Islam lebih terjamin. Penggunaan logo halal
yang diwajibkan kepada setiap pengusaha dilihat mampu membantu
mempertingkat produk yang dijamin halal dalam pembelian pengguna,
terutama pengguna yang beragama Islam.
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
57
AMALAN PENGGUNAAN SEMULA SISA
PEPEJAL DALAM KALANGAN ISI RUMAH
Zuroni Md Jusoh1
Farhan Mat Arisah1
Mumtazah Othman1
Norhasmah Sulaiman2
Husniyah Abd Rahim1
1
Jabatan Pengurusan Sumber dan Pengajian Pengguna,
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
2
Jabatan Pemakanan dan Dietetik,
Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Pengenalan
Secara umumnya, negara maju mempunyai tahap kualiti hidup yang baik.
Justeru, tahap kualiti hidup yang tinggi merupakan ciri penting bagi
Malaysia, iaitu selaras dengan matlamat untuk mencapai status negara maju
berpendapatan tinggi menjelang tahun 2020. Rakyat Malaysia bukan sahaja
menikmati pertumbuhan ekonomi yang mampan dan pendapatan per kapita
yang lebih tinggi malah menikmati kualiti hidup yang lebih baik. Hal ini
bermakna rakyat Malaysia juga dapat merasai, antaranya perkhidmatan
pendidikan dan kesihatan yang lebih berkualiti, alam sekitar yang lebih
terpelihara, persekitaran kerja yang kondusif serta sistem pengangkutan dan
komunikasi yang cekap. Taraf hidup rakyat juga dipertingkatkan lagi dengan
kediaman yang sesuai dan selesa dalam persekitaran yang harmoni dan
selamat. Sejak Rancangan Malaysia Ketujuh (RMK7), negara telah
meletakkan sasaran yang tinggi untuk membangun secara lestari. Selain itu,
Dasar Pengguna Negara (DPN) juga telah menekankan perlunya pengguna
mempunyai kesedaran tentang aspek penggunaan lestari dan meningkatkan
amalan penggunaan lestari dalam mengurus sumber yang terhad. Menurut
Laporan Kualiti Hidup Malaysia (2011), subindeks alam sekitar meningkat
sebanyak 6.6 mata pada tahun 2010 berikutan peningkatan kualiti air sungai
terpilih dan lebih banyak kawasan mencatatkan kualiti udara yang baik.
Peratusan sungai bersih meningkat daripada 28.0 peratus pada tahun 2000
kepada 51.0 peratus pada tahun 2010. Bagi kualiti udara pula peratusan
stesen yang mencatatkan kualiti udara yang baik meningkat daripada 84.3
peratus kepada 86.1 peratus dalam tempoh tersebut.
Dalam tempoh 2006–2009, kemerosotan subindeks alam sekitar berpunca
daripada masalah jerebu di rantau Asia Tenggara. Pengenalan dan
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
pelaksanaan dasar bagi memulihara alam sekitar, seperti Dasar Alam Sekitar
Negara, Dasar Teknologi Hijau Negara, dan Dasar Perubahan Iklim Negara
menunjukkan komitmen kerajaan ke arah pembangunan yang mampan.
Pelaksanaan Pengurusan Hutan Mampan dan inisiatif lain, seperti projek
Central Forest Spine di Semenanjung Malaysia dan Heart of Borneo di
Sabah dan Sarawak telah meningkatkan kelestarian hutan dan sumber alam
(Laporan Kualiti Hidup Malaysia, 2011).
Walau bagaimanapun, satu daripada masalah penggunaan dalam masyarakat
hari ini ialah kesan buruknya ke atas kelestarian. Kadar penggunaan telah
jauh melebihi kadar penggantian yang berlaku secara semula jadi. Memang
tidak dapat dinafikan tingkah laku manusia ialah punca utama kepada
kemerosotan persekitaran dan kesejahteraan hidup. Hal ini dapat dilihat
melalui tahap kemusnahan yang telah berlaku pada kehidupan manusia sama
ada dari segi fizikal, sosial, ekonomi, psikologi mahupun spiritual.
Penggunaan, eksploitasi ke atas sumber semula jadi dan pencemaran
merupakan antara kesan tingkah laku ke atas persekitaran.
Justeru, diperlukan penerapan amalan lestari dalam kalangan masyarakat
memandangkan senario penggunaan semasa tidak sihat dan bakal
memudaratkan generasi akan datang. Antara amalan penggunaan lestari ialah
mengurangkan (reduce), guna semula (reuse), kitar semula (recycle),
bertindak (react), dan fikir semula (rethink). Menurut Barr (2007), terdapat
tiga tingkah laku pengurusan bahan buangan, iaitu mengurangkan (reduce),
guna semula (reuse), dan kitar semula (recycle) yang harus diberi perhatian
serius. Oleh yang demikian, artikel ini akan membincangkan mengenai
amalan penggunaan semula dalam kalangan masyarakat agar amalan ini terus
dipraktikkan dan dijadikan sebagai gaya hidup bermula, iaitu bermula dari
aspek pembelian, penggunaan hinggalah ke peringkat pelupusan.
Objektif kajian
Secara umumnya, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti amalan guna
semula dalam kalangan isirumah. Analisis kajian dilakukan untuk meneliti
perbandingan amalan guna semula mengikut jantina.
Tinjauan Literatur
Amalan guna semula
Secara purata, sebanyak 800 gram sisa pepejal dibuang oleh setiap rumah
sehari, justeru menjadikan berat sampah yang dihasilkan oleh 27 juta
penduduk Malaysia sekurang-kurangnya 30,000 tan sehari (Berita Harian,
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59
2013). Oleh itu, kaedah pelupusan sampah secara konvensional tidak lagi
praktikal kerana ruang tanah yang semakin terhad di samping menyumbang
kepada masalah pencemaran yang semakin meruncing. Kementerian
Kesejahteraan Bandar, Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan (2014)
melaporkan purata penjanaan sisa pepejal di negara ini ialah 30,000 hingga
35,000 tan sehari, malah RM1.2 bilion dibelanjakan untuk menguruskan
kutipan sisa dari rumah.
Kajian lepas telah banyak membuktikan bahawa kegagalan untuk mengatasi
masalah alam sekitar atau kegagalan untuk menyediakan alam sekitar yang
sihat adalah disebabkan oleh banyak penekanan yang diberikan dalam bidang
teknikal, sosioekonomi dan politik (Tikka, Kuitunen & Tynys, 2000). Kajian
telah menunjukkan bahawa faktor yang paling signifikan mempengaruhi
alam semula jadi bukanlah polisi kerajaan, sebaliknya ialah kesedaran umum
untuk meminimumkan kesan aktiviti mereka kepada persekitaran (Mihalas,
Morse, Allsopp & McHatton, 2009). Situasi ini jelas menunjukkan bahawa
kesedaran masyarakat mengenai kesan aktiviti harian terhadap alam sekitar
sebagai aspek yang perlu dititikberatkan. Hal ini kerana masalah alam sekitar
berkait rapat dengan aktiviti manusia, iaitu melalui pola pengeluaran dan
penggunaan yang diamalkan.
McKeown (2002) dan Wingerter (2000) pula menyatakan trend
pembangunan ekonomi sekarang tidak lestari dan mencadangkan agar
kesedaran awam, pendidikan, dan latihan sebagai kunci untuk mengubah
masyarakat ke arah kelestarian. Justeru, antara alternatif yang boleh diberikan
pertimbangan untuk mengurangkan penjanaan sisa pepejal ialah melalui
penerapan amalan lestari dalam kehidupan seharian. Menurut Nurizan, Laily,
Sharifah, Norhasmah, Aini, dan Naimah (2004), penerapan amalan lestari
penting bagi mencapai kesejahteraan kepada pengguna dan persekitaran.
Konsep penggunaan lestari sering dikaitkan dengan Konsep 3R yang merujuk
kepada mengurangkan (reduce), guna semula (reuse) dan kitar semula
(recycle). Menurut Syuhaily (20l1) pula, amalan 5R + 1C, iaitu
mengurangkan (reduce), guna semula (reuse), kitar semula (recycle), fikir
semula (rethink), baiki semula (repair), dan kompos (composting) adalah
antara contoh amalan lestari.
Justeru, secara ringkasnya, guna semula dirujuk sebagai menggunakan
semula barang yang telah dibeli bagi mengurangkan penghasilan sisa pepejal.
Contohnya, guna semula pakaian lama sebagai alas kaki, penggunaan bekas
kaca atau plastik terpakai untuk menyimpan pelbagai barang dan sebagainya
(Kempen Konsumer Kebangsaan, 2008–2012). Aktiviti guna semula juga
melibatkan penggunaan sesuatu objek yang hendak dibuang tetapi berpotensi
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untuk digunakan dengan cara yang berbeza daripada kegunaan yang asal,
seperti menjadikan botol kaca sebagai pasu bunga (Corral-Verdugo, 2003).
Di Mexico, aktiviti guna semula telah dibangunkan lebih awal berbanding
dengan aktiviti kitar semula. Guna semula boleh difahami sebagai satu
bentuk pengurangan sumber, iaitu berusaha untuk mencegah pencemaran
melalui penghasilan bahan buangan (De Young, 1991). Satu kajian yang
telah dijalankan oleh Corral-Verdugo (2003) mendapati suri rumah luar
bandar Mexico menggunakan barang yang hendak dibuang seperti tin,
kadbod, kaca, kayu dan produk lain manakala di kawasan bandar pula
mereka menggunakan botol kosong untuk mengisi bunga, bijirin atau
makanan. Corral-Verdugo (2003) turut menyatakan amalan guna semula
yang penting ialah guna semula pakaian, iaitu melibatkan baju yang sama
boleh digunakan oleh tiga atau empat orang anak dalam sesebuah keluarga.
Barang lain yang selalunya digunakan semula oleh masyarakat di Mexico
ialah komponen besi kereta, basikal, perabot dan kertas (Corral-Verdugo,
2003).
Berdasarkan dapatan kajian yang dijalankan dalam kalangan 384 guru di
Kelantan, kebanyakan responden selalu mengamalkan guna semula beg
plastik untuk mengisi bahan buangan (79.2%) dan untuk menyimpan
pelbagai barang (68.2%) (Farhan, Mumtazah & Syuhaily, 2013). Hasil kajian
ini turut mendapati lebih separuh daripada jumlah responden (63.0%) tidak
pernah menggunakan sampul terpakai, iaitu dengan menampal alamat baharu
di atas alamat yang lama. Dapatan kajian ini merumuskan bahawa amalan
penggunaan semula adalah pada tahap sederhana atau diwakili oleh sebanyak
57.6 peratus responden kajian.
Walaupun kebanyakan dapatan kajian mengenai kesan ciri demografi
terhadap kesedaran persekitaran adalah bertentangan antara satu sama lain
(Roberts, 1996), namun perbezaan ini membawa kesan yang penting kerana
dapat membantu para penyelidik meramal angkubah yang paling
mempengaruhi tingkah laku mesra persekitaran dalam kalangan pengguna.
Angkubah seperti gender, umur, pendidikan, tempat tinggal dan pegangan
politik biasanya menunjukkan perhubungan yang kuat dengan persekitaran
(Zelezny, Chua & Idrich, 2000).
Berdasarkan kajian lepas, golongan perempuan didapati lebih cenderung
untuk mempraktikkan amalan yang mesra alam (Holbert, Kwak & Shah,
2003). Dapatan kajian ini disokong melalui kajian yang telah dilakukan oleh
Farhan et al. (2013) yang menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan (t
= -2.284, p ≤ 0.05) antara responden lelaki dengan perempuan bagi amalan
guna semula (reuse). Perbezaan ini menunjukkan bahawa responden
perempuan lebih kerap melakukan amalan guna semula (reuse) berdasarkan
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61
purata skor (18.79) yang lebih tinggi berbanding dengan purata skor yang
dicatatkan oleh responden lelaki (18.03). Dapatan kajian ini juga
berkemungkinan besar disebabkan oleh emosi perempuan yang lebih sensitif
dan prihatin terhadap kebajikan diri mahupun orang lain (Robinson &
Howard-Hamilton, 2000).
Metodologi
Bahagian ini menggariskan metodologi penyelidikan yang digunakan. Kajian
ini menggunakan kaedah tinjauan kaji selidik. Tumpuan perbincangan
bahagian ini ialah instrumen penyelidikan, tatacara persampelan dan tatacara
pengumpulan data.
Instrumen
Instrumen penyelidikan bagi kajian ini ialah borang soal selidik yang terdiri
daripada dua bahagian, iaitu Bahagian 1 untuk mengukur ciri demografi
responden seperti umur, jantina, etnik, tahap pendidikan tertinggi, taraf
perkahwinan, bilangan individu yang tinggal bersama-sama di rumah,
pekerjaan dan anggaran jumlah pendapatan isi rumah. Dalam Bahagian 2,
soalan berbentuk tertutup (closed-ended) diberikan. Sebanyak 11 pernyataan
yang menggunakan skala Likert yang berkaitan dengan amalan guna semula
dikemukakan. Responden diminta menyatakan tahap persetujuan mereka
terhadap setiap pernyataan, 1 = Tidak pernah, 2 = Kadang-kadang, 3 =
Selalu. Tiga contoh pernyataan tersebut ditunjukkan seperti di bawah:
 Menggunakan semula beg kertas terpakai.
 Menggunakan semula beg plastik terpakai.
 Menggunakan semula surat khabar lama.
Tatacara persampelan dan pengumpulan data
Kajian ini melibatkan seramai 304 wakil isi rumah di negeri Selangor, iaitu
dari daerah Gombak, Hulu Langat, Petaling dan Klang dengan menggunakan
kaedah persampelan rawak mudah. Melalui kaedah ini, isi rumah yang
terpilih telah dikunjungi dan diberikan borang soal selidik untuk
dilengkapkan.
Hasil Kajian
Latar belakang responden
Jadual 1 menunjukkan taburan sosiodemografi responden. Paling ramai
responden didapati berada dalam lingkungan umur 18–29 tahun dan 30–41
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tahun apabila masing-masing mencatatkan 33.4 peratus. Sebahagian besar
responden (67.0%) terdiri daripada perempuan dan selebihnya lelaki (33.0%).
Majoriti responden berbangsa Melayu (89.4%), diikuti Cina (6.0%), India
(4.0%) dan lain-lain (0.7%). Dari segi tahap pendidikan tertinggi pula,
dapatan menunjukkan hampir separuh daripada responden (47.7%) memiliki
Ijazah Sarjana Muda dan hanya sebilangan kecil sahaja (0.3%) yang tidak
mempunyai pendidikan rasmi. Sementara itu, dari segi taraf perkahwinan
pula dapatan menunjukkan majoriti responden (72.7%) mempunyai status
berkahwin manakala sebanyak 24.7 peratus adalah bujang. Jadual 1 turut
memaparkan bahawa kebanyakan responden (46.8%) mempunyai bilangan
individu yang tinggal bersama-sama kurang daripada empat orang. Dari segi
anggaran jumlah pendapatan bulanan isi rumah pula, didapati hampir satu
pertiga daripada responden berada dalam lingkungan pendapatan RM3,000
ke bawah dan RM3,001–RM6,000 apabila masing-masing mencatatkan
peratusan sebanyak 33.9 peratus.
Jadual 1: Maklumat Latar Belakang Responden
Angkubah
Umur (tahun)
18 –29
30–41
≥ 42
Jantina
Lelaki
Perempuan
Etnik
Melayu
Cina
India
Lain-lain
Tahap pendidikan tertinggi
Tiada pendidikan rasmi
UPSR
PMR/SRP/LCE
SPM/MCE
STAM/STPM
Sijil
Diploma
Ijazah Sarjana Muda
Ijazah Sarjana
Ijazah Doktor Falsafah (Ph.D)
n (%)
101 (33.4%)
101 (33.4%)
100 (33.1%)
100 (33.0%)
203 (67.0%)
270 (89.4%)
18 (6.0%)
12 (4.0%)
2 (0.7%)
1 (0.3%)
4 (1.3%)
10 (3.3%)
50 (16.6%)
8 (2.6%)
13 (4.3%)
31 (10.3%)
144 (47.7%)
38 (12.6%)
3 (1.0%)
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63
Jadual 1 (sambungan)
Angkubah
Taraf perkahwinan
Bujang
Berkahwin
Duda
Janda
Bilangan individu yang tinggal bersama
(orang)
<4
4–5
≥6
Anggaran jumlah pendapatan isirumah
(bulanan)
≤ RM3,000
RM 3,001 ̶ RM6,000
≥ RM6001
n (%)
74 (24.7%)
218 (72.7%)
3 (1.0%)
5 (1.7%)
137 (46.8%)
64 (21.8%)
92 (31.4%)
96 (33.9%)
96 (33.9%)
91 (32.2%)
Amalan guna semula
Bahagian ini bertujuan untuk meneliti tahap amalan guna semula dalam
kalangan responden. Terdapat 11 pernyataan amalan guna semula yang telah
dikemukakan dalam bahagian ini. Setiap amalan ini diwakili oleh tiga pilihan
respon bagi menentukan kekerapan responden melakukan amalan-amalan
tersebut. Jadual 2 menunjukkan taburan responden mengikut kekerapan
mereka dalam melakukan amalan guna semula. Hasil kajian mendapati
terdapat hanya dua amalan yang tidak pernah dilakukan oleh responden.
Sebanyak 13.8 peratus responden menyatakan mereka tidak pernah
mendermakan buku dan majalah dan hanya sebilangan kecil responden
(9.9%) sahaja yang mengumpul/menjual kertas terpakai.
Seterusnya, bagi kekerapan kadang-kadang, terdapat empat pernyataan yang
mencatatkan peratusan tertingginya, justeru menunjukkan kebanyakan
responden menyatakan mereka secara kadang-kadang mendermakan buku
dan majalah (46.4%), menggunakan barang yang boleh diguna dan diisi
semula (contoh: pen berdakwat/pensil mekanikal/cecair pencuci/sabun)
(45.1%), menggunakan semula kotak terpakai (41.4%), dan mendermakan
pakaian yang tidak mahu dipakai (40.5%). Dapatan kajian jelas menunjukkan
amalan guna semula barang sememangnya telah dilakukan dan ini membantu
dalam mengurangkan penghasilan bahan buangan di samping barang tersebut
boleh digunakan pada tahap yang optimum.
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Jadual 2: Amalan Guna Semula
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Pernyataan
Menggunakan semula beg
kertas terpakai.
Menggunakan semula beg
plastik terpakai.
Menggunakan semula sampul
surat terpakai.
Menggunakan semula kertas
terpakai.
Menggunakan semula surat
khabar lama.
Menggunakan semula beg
seminar terpakai.
Menggunakan semula kotak
terpakai.
Mengumpul/menjual kertas
terpakai.
Menggunakan barang yang
boleh diguna dan diisi semula
(contoh: pen berdakwat/pensil
mekanikal/cecair
pencuci/sabun).
Mendermakan pakaian yang
tidak mahu dipakai.
Mendermakan buku dan
majalah.
TP
n (%)
19
(6.3%)
13
(4.3%)
25
(8.2%)
17
(5.6%)
19
(6.3%)
14
(4.6%)
17
(5.6%)
30
(9.9%)
Kekerapan
KK
n (%)
102
(33.6%)
82
(27.0%)
118
(38.8%)
110
(36.2%)
98
(32.2%)
102
(33.6%)
126
(41.4%)
119
(39.1%)
S
n (%)
183
(60.2%)
209
(68.8%)
161
(53.0%)
177
(58.2%)
187
(61.5%)
188
(61.8%)
161
(53.0%)
155
(51.0%)
15
(4.9%)
137
(45.1%)
152
(50.0%)
23
(7.6%)
42
(13.8%)
123
(40.5%)
141
(46.4%)
158
(52.0%)
121
(39.8%)
Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat empat amalan mengguna semula yang selalu
dilakukan oleh lebih daripada 60.0 peratus responden, iaitu guna semula beg
plastik terpakai (68.8%), beg seminar terpakai (61.8%), surat khabar lama
(61.5%) dan beg kertas terpakai (60.2%). Selain itu, penggunaan semula
plastik khususnya, wajar dilakukan kerana plastik ialah bahan yang tidak
terbiodegradasi dan memakan masa yang lama untuk diuraikan (Siddique,
Khatib & Kaur, 2008). Justeru, situasi ini jelas menunjukkan bahawa
responden tidak hanya mementingkan diri sendiri malah turut sama
merasakan kesan perbuatan mereka ke atas flora dan fauna yang terdapat
dalam sistem ekologi.
Seterusnya, analisis tahap amalan penggunaan semula dilakukan dengan
mengira (compute) kekerapan responden ketika melakukan amalan bagi
kesemua 11 pernyataan dalam bahagian ini. Skor kemudian digunakan untuk
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65
memperoleh tahap amalan guna semula dan dikategorikan kepada tiga
kategori, iaitu “1 = rendah”, “2 = sederhana” dan “3 = tinggi”. Purata skor
bagi amalan penggunaan semula yang diperoleh responden ialah 27.32. Skor
minimum dan skor maksimum yang diperoleh responden ialah masingmasing 11 dan 33. Merujuk Jadual 3, hasil kajian menunjukkan kebanyakan
responden (35.6%) mempunyai tahap amalan penggunaan semula yang
sederhana, iaitu jumlah skor mereka adalah antara 26–31, manakala sebanyak
33.3 peratus responden lagi mempunyai tahap amalan penggunaan semula
yang rendah dengan mencatatkan jumlah skor antara 11–25 dan sebanyak
31.0 peratus lagi mempunyai amalan guna semula yang tinggi dengan
mencatatkan jumlah skor ≥ 32.
Jadual 3: Tahap Amalan Guna Semula
Tahap
Peratus (%)
Rendah (skor 11–25)
33.3
Sederhana ( skor 26–31)
35.6
Tinggi (skor > 32)
31.0
Jadual 4 pula menunjukkan amalan guna semula dalam kalangan responden
mengikut jantina. Hasil kajian menunjukkan lebih daripada 60.0 peratus
responden perempuan selalu melakukan enam daripada 11 pernyataan amalan
guna semula. Situasi ini dapat dilihat apabila majoriti responden perempuan
selalu menggunakan semula barang terpakai seperti beg plastik (73.4%),
diikuti surat khabar lama (67.0%), beg kertas (66.0%), beg seminar (64.0%),
kertas (61.6%) dan menderma pakaian yang tidak mahu dipakai (60.1%).
Dapatan kajian ini secara tidak langsung memberikan gambaran bahawa
responden perempuan lebih kerap melakukan amalan guna semula
berbanding dengan responden lelaki.
Namun begitu, amalan guna semula yang selalu dilakukan oleh kebanyakan
responden lelaki dan perempuan adalah bagi pernyataan “Menggunakan
semula beg plastik terpakai”, iaitu masing-masing (59.0%) dan (73.4%).
Amalan ini wajar dilakukan memandangkan plastik ialah bahan yang tidak
terbiodegradasi dan memakan masa yang lama untuk diuraikan (Siddique et
al., 2008). Sementara itu, terdapat satu pernyataan tidak pernah yang
mencatatkan peratusan tinggi berbanding dengan pernyataan yang lain, iaitu
“Mendermakan buku dan majalah.” dengan catatan sebanyak 23.0 peratus
bagi responden lelaki dan 9.4 peratus bagi responden perempuan. Dapatan
kajian ini jelas menunjukkan bahawa amalan mendermakan buku dan
majalah kurang diamalkan oleh responden yang dikaji.
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67
Menggunakan semula kotak terpakai.
Mengumpul/menjual kertas terpakai.
7.
8.
L
*Petunjuk:TP
= Tidak pernah
= Lelaki
KK
P
L
n (%)
10
(10.0%)
9
(9.0%)
13
(13.0%)
12
(12.0%)
10
(10.0%)
5
(5.0%)
8
(8.0%)
14
(14.0%)
7
(7.0%)
13
(13.0%)
23
(23.0%)
= Kadang-kadang
= Perempuan
Mendermakan buku dan majalah.
Menggunakan semula beg seminar terpakai.
6.
11.
Menggunakan semula surat khabar lama.
5.
Mendermakan pakaian yang tidak mahu dipakai.
Menggunakan semula kertas terpakai.
4.
10.
Menggunakan semula sampul surat terpakai.
3.
Menggunakan barang yang boleh diguna dan diisi semula
(contoh: pen berdakwat/pensil mekanikal/cecair pencuci/sabun).
Menggunakan semula beg plastik terpakai.
2.
9.
Menggunakan semula beg kertas terpakai.
Pernyataan
1.
No.
TP
P
n (%)
9
(4.4%)
4
(2.0%)
12
(5.9%)
5
(2.5%)
9
(4.4%)
9
(4.4%)
9
(4.4%)
16
(7.9%)
8
(3.9%)
10
(4.9%)
19
(9.4%)
S
= Selalu
Kekerapan
KK
L
P
n (%)
n (%)
42
60
(42.0%) (29.6%)
32
50
(32.0%) (24.6%)
41
77
(41.0%) (37.9%)
37
73
(37.0%) (36.0%)
20
58
(40.0%) (28.6%)
38
64
(38.0%) (31.5%)
46
80
(46.0%) (39.4%)
43
76
(43.0%) (37.4%)
54
83
(54.0%) (40.9%)
52
71
(52.0%) (35.0%)
51
89
(51.0%) (43.8%)
Jadual 4: Perbandingan Amalan Penggunaan Semula Berdasarkan Jantina
L
n (%)
48
(48.0%)
59
(59.0%)
46
(46.0%)
51
(51.0%)
50
(50.0%)
57
(57.0%)
46
(46.0%)
43
(43.0%)
39
(39.0%)
35
(35.0%)
26
(26.0%)
S
P
n (%)
134
(66.0%)
149
(73.4%)
114
(56.2%)
125
(61.6%)
136
(67.0%)
130
(64.0%)
114
(56.2%
111
(54.7%)
112
(55.2%)
122
(60.1%)
95
(46.8%)
Kesimpulan
Dalam kajian ini, amalan guna semula dalam kalangan isi rumah dapat
dikenal pasti dan senario sebenar amalan yang dilakukan oleh responden
dapat disimpulkan. Walaupun terdapat beberapa perbezaan amalan guna
semula dari segi jantina, namun secara keseluruhannya dapat disimpulkan
bahawa amalan guna semula dalam kalangan isi rumah masih berada pada
tahap sederhana. Situasi ini boleh dilihat apabila banyak amalan yang tidak
dilakukan oleh kebanyakan isi rumah. Walau bagaimanapun, amalan guna
semula ini boleh diperbaiki, ditambah baik dan diperkasakan melalui usaha
dan komitmen pihak kerajaan serta pertubuhan yang berkaitan dari semasa ke
semasa. Akan tetapi, peranan yang dimainkan oleh individu itu sendiri perlu
ditekankan kerana perubahan yang kecil, namun dilakukan oleh semua rakyat
Malaysia akan menghasilkan impak yang cukup besar.
Oleh sebab responden mempunyai tahap amalan yang berbeza-beza, maka
amalan ini perlu ditanam dan dipertingkatkan lagi agar seiring dengan
kempen alam sekitar yang giat dijalankan. Sikap dan tingkah laku perlu
sejajar dengan amalan bagi memastikan konsep ini benar-benar dipraktikkan
dan mencapai objektifnya. Oleh itu, amalan guna semula oleh rakyat
Malaysia perlu dipraktikkan dan dijadikan gaya hidup, iaitu bermula dari
aspek pembelian, penggunaan hinggalah ke peringkat pelupusan. Justeru,
program ke arah meningkatkan amalan penggunaan semula perlu dibentuk
dan dilaksanakan dengan lebih terancang. Hal ini dapat membentuk seluruh
rakyat Malaysia khususnya, supaya mengamalkan gaya hidup lestari sebagai
satu budaya.
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Holbert, R.L., Kwak, N., & Shah, D.V. (2003). Environmental concern,
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(2014). Dimuat turun pada 3 Febuari 2014 dari laman web,
http://www.kpkt.gov.my
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Cultivating Caring relationships between teachers and secondary students
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S. (2004). Penggunaan lestari: Pemahaman konsep asas dan pengetahuan
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Future: A Paradigm of Hope for the 21st Century. New York: Kluwer
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differences in environment. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 443-457.
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TSUNAMI 2004 PREPAREDNESS FROM THE
PERSPECTIVE OF THE PENANG
COMMUNITY
Syakura A Rahim1
Aini Mat Said1
Elistina Abu Bakar1
Norhasmah Sulaiman2
Fakhru’l-Razi Ahmadun3
1
Department of Resource Management and Consumer Studies,
Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM
2
Department of Nutrition and Dieteties,
Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, UPM
3
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, UPM
Introduction
It has been 10 years since the 2004 Sumatera-Andaman earthquake which
was the largest earthquake in 40 years with a moment magnitude of Mw=9.2
with seismicity travelling 1600 km along the entire Andaman fault. SumatraAndaman earthquake affected 12 countries across the Indian Ocean (Lay et
al., 2005). The epicentre was about 100km from Aceh. The accurate number
is unknown (Thomas, 2001) but an estimated number of 250 000 deaths was
reported, 51 000 missing and around 1.5 million were displaced swept by the
force of the tsunami wave. Property and economic damage were estimated to
be worth billions of USD (Rodriguez, Wachtendorf, Kendra & Trainor,
2006).
Peninsular Malaysia lies in the shadow of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Besides
extreme heat, storm, flood and the consequences of heavy rain, other natural
disasters are as foreign as snow falling in the tropics. Although light tremors
are felt from Indonesian earthquake but there is no devastating impact as
Peninsular Malaysia is protected by Sumatera in the west and Borneo in the
east. The unprecedented event is a wake-up call indicating Malaysia is no
longer a natural disaster threat free country.
Malaysia was caught off guard facing the unforeseeable encounter with 2004
tsunami. The first tsunami wave hit Langkawi shoreline between 12.00 to
12.30 (local time) in the afternoon and between 1.00pm to 1.30pm along 200
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71
km coastal line from Kedah, Penang to Selangor, implicating people by the
beach causing 68 reported deaths, 6 declared missing, 91 hospitalized, 276
received treatment and 10,564 evacuated to safety (Aini, Fakhru'l-Razi,
Ahmad Rodzi & Fuad, 2011). Penang reported the highest death toll of 54
lives which is 79 percent out of the total loss of life in Malaysia.
Research centres were established to conduct studies on tsunami, earthquake
and other disasters as well as to promote scientists to collaborate on future
studies. Simulation software was developed to explore the devastation of
tsunami by calculating the force of tsunami wave and the magnitude of
impact (Koh, Teh, Liu, Ismail & Lee, 2009; Teh, Koh, Liu, Ismail & Lee,
2009). The shallow waters of the Straits of Malacca and mangroves
surrounding the island and peninsular act as natural barriers reducing the
force, slowing down tsunami waves (Alongi, 2008; Hashim, Kamali, Tamin
& Zakaria, 2010). Research conducted by Fisheries Research Institute
Malaysia found the quantity of fishes remained normal with non-threatening
level of bacteria in seafood (Ean, Siow & Ali, 2005).
In Malaysia, the magnitude of tsunami devastation was greater on rural
coastline communities as most of them have low income and depend on the
sea for their livelihood (Stobutzki & Hall, 2005) leaving psychological and
socio economic impacts (Chamhuri, Mohd Zaki, Halina & Roslina, 2006;
Horton et al., 2008; Krishnaswamy, Subramaniam, Indran & Low, 2012;
Stobutzki & Hall, 2005) in the lives of many. Total value of property and
economic damage is estimated to be around USD 55 million. The fisheries
and aquaculture sector suffered greatly, affecting 7,721 fishermen and 232
fish farmers with a reported loss of 3,626 boats, vessels and aquaculture
farms worth more than USD 17 million. Most of the victims were fishermen
and settlements living near the water edge. According to Ibrahim et al. (2005)
the average loss per home destroyed is estimated to be around USD 13,000 to
USD 15,000. The ramification of the 2004 tsunami is alarming as many
became homeless and lost their source of income (Asmawi & Ibrahim, 2013;
Chamhuri et al., 2006; Horton et al., 2008). Minimal research has been
conducted to explore the issues and challenges faced from a community’s
perspective. The community’s first-hand experience with tsunami provides
valuable information from which lessons can be garnered to improve the
effectiveness of future disaster response.
The main objective of the study is to ameliorate community preparedness by
exploring the effectiveness of tsunami 2004 disaster response from the
perspective of local community. The specific aim of this paper is to explore
the challenges and lessons learnt during the 2004 tsunami as well as the
involvement of villagers and agencies in disaster response and recovery.
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Another objective, among others is to identify actions taken by locals to
prepare for future tsunami events.
Literature Review
Disaster is an event concentrated in time and space in which society or its
subdivision undergoes physical harm, social disruption with essential being
impaired (Lindell, 2013). Disaster and emergency management activities are
generally divided into three phases: preparedness, response and recovery.
In any disaster, government leaders (district, state, federal) will be the
responsible group to oversee all emergency management tasks (response,
mitigation, recovery, preparedness) and initiate funding for disaster recovery
(Shaw, 2014). Navigating emergency management during disaster response is
complex as it requires coordinating multiple agencies with hundreds of staff
hence a systematic preparedness approach is needed to cater the complexity.
Emergency responders under Directive 20 will be deployed immediately to
ground zero for search and rescue. However, the community as the first
responder needs to know and be prepared to evacuate and survive as timing is
crucial before responding agencies arrive. For an emergency response to be
effective, disaster preparedness must start locally.
Planning for a moderately sized disaster to kick start disaster preparedness is
more realistic and achievable. Lack of funding or financial instability often
results to apathy. It is important to start with limited interest and make-do
with what is available before jumping into full swing disaster preparedness to
engage and maintain interest within the community towards disaster
preparedness. It is arduous to overcome apathy but by recognizing the
community’s need, it is possible to cultivate disaster preparedness attitude.
Preparedness is the first step in emergency management, being in a state of
readiness to respond to disaster, crisis and emergency situation (Haddow,
Bullock & Coppola, 2007). Preparedness focusses on sustaining the viability
of the community by protecting lives, properties and government services.
The navigation of a grave emergency management is very complex that
involves inter-agency coordination with hundreds of staff. Out of this need,
the preparedness cycle recognizes four major components: planning,
equipment, training and exercise that is applicable to individual, household,
business, government agencies and other entities (Haddow, Bullock &
Coppola, 2011).
The planning phase involves tweaking and understanding the vulnerability of
the emergency management, communities and individuals, to determine
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resources, capabilities and weaknesses at hand. Emergency management
planners will be able to foresee areas exposed to hazard risks and areas that
will most likely bear heavy impact and identify appropriate measures to
respond. Lessons learned (final step in preparedness cycle) from disaster
response depicts emergency response capabilities, resources and limits as
well as the community’s susceptibility towards disaster hazard which is vital
to improve future iterations. There is a gap when it comes to comparing
natural disaster response, disaster recovery and impact of tsunami in the
Malaysian context to the local community.
In 2005, the Inter-Agency Committee for Tsunami and Earthquake Risk
Management (IACETRM) endorsed Seismic and Tsunami Hazard and Risk
Study in Malaysia. The Academy of Sciences Malaysia was appointed to
coordinate, manage and monitor the implementation of the research with an
allocation of RM4 million to initiate a study to assess seismic related activity,
mapping, structural behaviour and public awareness in Malaysia. The study
continued venturing further in-depth with grant allocation from MOSTI
under E-Science Fund, and the establishment of more research centres (Koh,
Teh, Taksiah, Lau & Fauziah, 2012).
To reduce death tolls, property damages and disruptions of life, Hyogo
Framework of Action was born through UN World Conference on Disaster
Reduction in 2005, emphasizing on the Five Priorities; 1) Making disaster
risk reduction a priority; 2) Improving risk information and early warning; 3)
Building a culture of safety and resilience; 4) Reducing risks in key sectors,
and 5) Strengthening preparedness for response.
The framework not only stresses on disaster risk reduction but also the
importance of disaster preparedness to save lives, livelihood and sustainable
social and economic development, to ensure the community can recover and
re-bounce as soon as possible.
Community based approach recognizes the importance of reducing local
vulnerabilities and develop into resilient community. Factors taken into
account when implementing Community Based Disaster Management
(CBDM) include mandate of the organizations involved, the community’s
socio-cultural and economic context as well as political structure. CBDM
approach and guidelines complements Hyogo Framework of Action, assisting
government officials, NGO’s, civil society organizations and community
leaders to formulate a programme tailored for their community hence
improving the overall quality and effectiveness of the concept. Community
Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) approach is diverse due to the
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various traits of a community but still bearing the same concept and
underlying goal.
Various on-going efforts and collaborations have been made by UNISDR,
Asian Disaster Reduction Centre, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and international organization supporting
CBDRM to mobilize and integrate activities as well as policies into national
and state jurisprudence in ministries, government bodies and departments.
The main aim of CBDM is to create and develop a resilient community in a
resilient environment within a resilient country by applying risk reduction
measures, reducing the consequences of loss of lives, properties, injuries and
identify patterns that can stall or become a hurdle to a prominent recovery.
CBDM approach is based on the following principles: 1) Priority to the role
the community will play, 2) Priority to the highest level of risk, 3) To
differentiate the difference between risk and capabilities, 4) Multi-sectorial
approach and discipline area, 5) Integrating disaster risk management in the
process of local development, 6) Priority to disaster risk reduction, and 7) To
take into account global issues such as climate changes, epidemics, etc.
Unlike most conventional disaster management, decision making comes from
the top (top-down) while CBDM applies the opposite approach of bottom-up
whereby the community participates in identifying the hazard risks and
solutions in their area by working hand in hand with agencies to build a
resilient community. Disaster management is not a single combat issue
because society and culture are deeply rooted in a community. Therefore it is
important to incorporate socioeconomic activities of the people into
community-based activities to create a sense of belonging, enabling them to
express their needs, priorities, life hurdles and concerns (Shaw, 2012). People
of the community consist of residents, schools, local associations, business
entities, government agencies (National Security Council, Police Force, Fire
and Rescue, Department of Public Works, etc.) and non-governmental
agencies (Red Crescent, Mercy etc.). The local community has the highest
stakes when it comes to disaster impact as they will be the first to be hit
regardless of the size of the impact and the most vulnerable to hazard, and at
the same time the first to gain from the outcome of being disaster prepared.
Penang is an exceptionally urbanized island with the highest population
density in Malaysia that is rapidly developing along the shoreline. Coastal
reclamation is also a favourite option to build high-rise buildings. New
coastal reclamation projects have been approved by the Penang government
to build high-rise mix complexes (resident area, office and shopping
complex) on 3 man-made islands just off the shoreline of Jalan Tokong, an
area that was swept by the 2004 tsunami. In general, tsunami is a household
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75
term but community are oblivious to the devastation of the impact and
ignorant to take precaution, partly because it is a rare natural disaster. Posters
and brochures were dispersed throughout the community, complemented by
workshops and disaster drills conducted by government agencies (e.g:
National Security Council and District Office) as well as non-governmental
organization (e.g: Red Crescent) to create awareness.
The most vulnerable areas based on the 2004 tsunami were fishing villages,
business entities and settlements by the shore, and tourist areas along the
beach. Most of the household are in the below and low income category with
little to zero knowledge on tsunami response. In 2004, the first tsunami wave
hit Penang shore between 1.00pm to 1.30pm killing 54 people, destroying
615 homes, 1161 boats, 79 aquaculture projects and sea farms amounting to
RM50 million in Penang alone. The time interval provide more than enough
time to evacuate compared to the Islanders of Simeulu Island who had only
about 8 minutes before the first wave of 10 metres hit the shore. Lessons
learned from previous disasters act as a bench mark for the government and
other entities to avail from the experience to develop a comprehensive
organizational structure and develop a disaster response and preparedness
programme.
Methodology
Focus group discussion was the chosen method for conducting the study.
This is to provide a dimension for the target participants to interact among
each other, to exchange ideas, point of views and to acquire knowledge,
perspectives and perceptions that can explain a certain behaviour which is
considered more accessible to share in-depth exploration of the theme topic
compared to a one to one interview (Wong, 2008).
The location of the study consists of two districts, North West and South
West of Penang that was badly affected by the recent tsunami. It was
estimated to have about 6590 families residing about 100 metres to 2
kilometres away from the shoreline from Pantai Pasir Panjang, Balik Pulau to
the end border of Batu Ferringhi. The highest tsunami wave to hit was about
6 metres high (Ibrahim et al., 2005).
The focus group discussion was conducted among 17 agencies under the
Penang District Disaster Management and Relief Committee as well as key
community leaders amounting to a total of 34 participants. Agencies involved
include uniformed bodies such as local police, firemen, civil defence and
maritime enforcement and responding agencies which include the district and
land office, health department, Red Crescent, welfare department, road works
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department, education department and the broadcasting department. Key
community leaders from the area were also contacted to represent the
community. Representatives from each of the agencies and community were
invited and were divided into two groups according to their roles which
were responding agencies (25 representatives) and community (19
representatives).
All the members of the team were present during the group discussion with
two researchers acting as moderators for each group and the others as
observers. The focus group discussion took about 90 to 120 minutes. Notes
were taken and the discussion for each group was videotaped and audio
recorded with the permission of the participants and later transcribed
verbatim. Their responses were then analysed and a thematic analysis was
done to group the responses according to the themes that emerged.
The questions asked were in the form of open ended question to elicit their
experience during the 2004 disaster response and lessons learned. A list of
questions to steer the FGD taken from Aini et al. (2011) are listed below:
 Describe your experience in responding to 2004 tsunami;
 Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the tsunami 2004
emergency response and suggest ways for improvement;
 Explain the roles and responsibilities of your agency in handling the
2004 tsunami disaster.
 How do you rate your agency in terms of its level of preparedness to
disaster response in general and which areas need to be enhanced?
 Give your opinion on the comprehension and implementation of
Directive 20 in disaster response and relief efforts; and
 Describe efforts undertaken by your agency in enhancing public
awareness to disaster and suggest ways to achieve it.
Findings and Discussion
From the raw data obtained, seven themes were extracted after analysis and
interpretations were done using the codes that were assigned to identify overt
and covert contents.
Collaboration
The 2004 tsunami was the first experience for all disaster responders and an
epitome when facing an unknown disaster. Personnel from responding
agencies and local authorities reported that they did not know the person in
charge to contact from other agencies to collaborate for the search and
rescue. Approvals and decision making took time as the approach was topJurnal Pengguna Malaysia
77
down and decision makers had to refer to a specialist. Responsibilities of
each agency were unclear with ambiguity on the roles played and the chain of
command, leading to miscommunication. The lack of understanding of the
nature of tsunami itself made it difficult to inform the community and to
guide them to safety. Flood shelter was used as a temporary tsunami shelter.
Community leaders claimed they had issues in the opening of the shelters.
For example, a) the key to open the shelter was missing, b) the shelter key
bearer failed to be contacted, c) had to get formal approval to open shelter.
These issues could have been avoided with better communication.
Communication
The village headman reported during the discussion that there are warning
towers along the beach equipped with hailer but the towers were empty
almost all the time. Due to the topography of the island, warning sounds via a
hailer or sirens can only be heard around the beach and is not within the
hearing of residential areas along the coastal line. Community leaders and
local head of village propose the placement of more sirens nearer to
residential areas.
Emergency responders expressed difficulty finding clear reception and proper
frequency to communicate with other emergency responders using radio
control. A common frequency was also non-existent, making it very
challenging to change one frequency to another. Action plans were unclear,
due to the inexperience of tsunami participants from responding agencies
who admitted that they were stunned and did not know how to respond
appropriately.
Early warning
There are many international hotels in Batu Ferringhi, full of patrons all year
round. According to one of the head of hotel security, who was also one of
the participants in the discussion, they received tsunami warning from the
hotel’s branch in Thailand. Note that international hotels with extensive
network successfully warned their patrons to vacate the beach to higher
ground. Early warning and immediate action had saved the lives of tourists in
the area as there were no casualties among foreign visitors. Warnings were
given to them by their sister hotels in Thailand. Hotels in Batu Ferringhi
aided the surrounding community in relief efforts as part of their Corporate
Social Responsibility Programme.
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Disaster Evacuation Centres
Tsunami evacuation centre was non-existent. According to the participants,
houses were either swept away or badly damaged. They were put up in
schools nearby, cramped for a few weeks before they were moved to a
temporary shelter. There is a difference in criterion between flood and
tsunami evacuation centre due to the nature of disaster where tsunami is a
forceful wave with a sudden increase in height and run-up (Suppasri et al.,
2012). Buildings in high grounds or are vertically structured are ideal as
evacuation centres. Disaster Evacuation Centre which is located in a tsunami
safe zone should act as a final destination for safety, must be equipped with
food, medical supplies and basic necessities. Every evacuation route will
have its own evacuation centre spread out to cater for the community evenly.
Evacuation routes
Participants reported there is only one main road connecting coastline
communities to main town. Emergency responders mentioned they had a
difficult time reaching ground zero to bring medical supplies and extract
victims to seek medical attention. An alternative exit needs to be identified to
transport emergency supplies from the main town to the villages.
Recovery
Participants spoke of difficulty to sustain their life after the loss of their
source of income. Many suffered from sleep disorder and anxiety. A family
who lost all their children secluded themselves from society until today.
Awareness
As the back bone of a family, women as mothers and wives have strong
influence and play an important role in educating their household members.
Women spend more time at home, being in charge of the family when their
husbands are out to work. Awareness campaign and adequate training
involving women increases awareness in the household and promotes the
importance to be prepared for emergencies (Kapucu, 2008).
Malaysia had a fair share of natural hazards in the form of periodic monsoon
causing landslide, flash flood, flood and drought eliciting extreme heat and
haze but nothing prepared Malaysia for tsunami. Albeit there was
information received from international agencies and organizations, it did not
reach the community and no warning was issued to minimize the impact from
the disaster. International hotel chains received tsunami warning from their
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79
siblings in Thailand. Malaysian authorities failed to generate effective
tsunami warnings. Prior to the 2004 Great Sumatera Andaman tsunami, there
was no tsunami warning system installed in the Indian Ocean to monitor
underwater earthquake movement to warn of potential tsunami threat (Aini et
al., 2011; Athukorala & Resoudarmo, 2005; Horton et al., 2008). A public
warning system consists of three subsystems: a detection subsystem, a
management subsystem, and a public response subsystem (Mileti & Peek,
2000). The communication process begin with the reception of information,
how it is interpreted and responded. A warning consists of two parts: a
description of the hazard or threat about to occur and how it threatens public
safety. It is the responsibility of the authority to warn the public. Timely
access to accurate information is the key to a successful emergency response
that could save lives. A common problem cited by many responders is radio
interoperability (Manoj & Baker, 2007).
A comprehensive approach to handle tsunami disaster was non-existent to
guide responding agencies at the district, state and federal level. Every
agency has a unique standard operation procedure and a chain of command to
approve decisions made. Without approval from top management, agencies
are withheld from taking any action that requires a sign-off. The absent of an
appointed commander to lead and delegate the agencies’ task on a neutral
platform during a disaster emergency, created further complications posing
misunderstanding and friction among search and rescue personnel. In the
midst of the chaotic atmosphere, communication plays an important role in
keeping the situation under control. Federal government had to formulate an
action plan ad-hoc to manage the disaster, formulate an action, evaluate a
plan and assist to salvage and contain the situation.
Malaysia National Security Council under the Prime Minister's Department is
responsible for managing threats toward the country. The National Security
Council Directive 20 was formed, a decree comprising of 29 titles and 19
appendixes that acts as a guideline focusing solely on the management of
land disasters including the responsibility and function of numerous agencies
that has been placed in the emergency management system. The primary
function of Directive 20 is to formulate a comprehensive emergency
management system with the aim to; a) extenuate the impact of various
hazards, b) to take measures to conserve life and reduce damage to the
environment at minimum level, c) to respond and provide during emergency
effectively, and d) to establish a recovery system that will return the affected
community to normalcy as soon as possible. Alas, on 26 December 2004
tsunami was non-existent in the decree. Tsunami disaster was met without
any counter measure efforts. Later in 2005, tsunami was added into Directive
20.
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Agencies must be in symphony working on a neutral platform, and establish
an emergency frequency so that all responders can tune in during
emergencies to form a cohesive response plan. Tabletop exercises among
responding agencies provide insights on the strengths and weaknesses of the
role they should play and at the same time act as a networking platform to get
to know each other (Dausey, Buehler & Lurie, 2007). A regularly revised
compilation of names and contact numbers of the person to be contacted
during a crisis should be exercised in all the relevant agencies. A close interagency relationship is important during intense situations so as to respond
effectively, and to be able to integrate an immediate search and rescue
mission.
A crucial factor to consider when designing an evacuation route is the
amount of time it takes to reach the disaster evacuation centre as well as the
condition of the proposed path since after the tsunami warning is given, it
takes around 20-40 minutes for the first wave to reach coastline (Lammel et
al., 2010). Input from the community in designing an evacuation route is of
great significance to identify and verify by in-site examination, the best route
as they are well versed with the surrounding (Lammel et al., 2010).
Tsunami awareness among the community is a crucial factor in order for
them to be prepared and to evacuate before help arrives. Participating
agencies commented that giving warning through patrol cars, television,
radio and public address system are deemed effective. Early warning gives
time for people to respond in a timely manner and to evacuate the area (Aini
et al., 2011). Welfare departments in charge of handling emergency
sheltering need to identify a safe location for tsunami victims. The shelter
should be equipped with basic facilities, infrastructure and well prepared for
emergencies. Psychosocial support for the victims soon after the disaster in
the form of counselling, funeral services, prayers and religious activities,
family reunification as well as financial aids to start economic activities
raises hope and provides emotional support, expedites the return to normalcy
and reduces the probability of posttraumatic stress disorders (Krishnaswamy
et al., 2012). Compensations and housing schemes were encompassed to aid
the victims who have lost their homes. Small businesses were encouraged to
diversify their source of income (Horton et al., 2008).
Conclusion and Implications
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first focus group discussion
examining the perception of responding agencies and communities during the
Sumatra Andaman 2004 tsunami to improve tsunami emergency response
and prepare the community for future tsunami disaster. As an initiative from
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81
the government, research grants have been given to aid research in preparing
the community. The current study which is funded by a grant from the
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia is the first stage
to create an emergency response plan that is viable to implement and flexible
to fit the affected community.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET) under the Ministry of
Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) has undertaken various
measures to heighten mitigation and intensify preparedness such as the public
awareness campaign by MET which centres around topics on extreme
weather hazards like flood, haze and bushfire. In 2007, the module was
upgraded to earthquake, tsunami and extreme weather public awareness
campaign. The programme is held throughout the country but focuses more
on earthquake and tsunami prone areas in North West of Peninsular Malaysia
and East Sabah. Tsunami occurrence in Malaysia is so rare, the general
public needs to continuously be reminded of the natural signs of tsunami,
how to respond to tsunami warning, and what to do to be tsunami prepared in
order to evacuate in a timely manner during critical moments. MET in
collaboration with the National Security Council Malaysia aims to create
awareness, as well as to spark interest that can lead to action to prepare for
any disaster. The campaign is still on-going with participants from the
community, media, government agencies and private sectors.
To monitor seismological activity, Seismological Division of Malaysian
Meteorological Department was established in 1974, and later in 2007 was
upgraded and renamed as the Geophysics and Tsunami Division. Following
the 2004 tsunami under the watchful management of Geophysics and
Tsunami Division, the Malaysian National Tsunami Early Warning System
(MNTEWS) was set up to monitor real-time earthquake activities and
tsunami occurrences on a 24-hour basis throughout the year with linkages to
distant-source tsunami warning centres, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre
(PTWC), Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Indian Ocean Tsunami
Warning Centre (IOTWS). Using the system’s seismic sensor and tide gauge
stations, the division will detect tsunamigenic earthquake occurrences and
will disseminate informative bulletins (after careful analysis) to responsible
agencies, authorities and entities within 15 minutes of the earthquake and
other possible disaster threat through short messaging system, telefax,
broadcasting system and public announcement using sirens and alarms.
MET is currently operating 17 seismological stations, 10 motion stations, 6
gauge stations, 3 operational deep water buoys, 4 operational coastal cameras
with 18 to be installed in phases and 13 operational sirens installed in highly
populated coastal areas with 18 more to be installed in phases. Tsunami
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warning will be issued through a siren along the beach carrying messages,
warning the community depending on the magnitude. There are two types of
messages, i.e., Beware (avoid all beach activities) and Warning (evacuation
will be ordered; follow instructions from authorities).
There is also a need for a neutral ground for all agencies to discuss, mingle
and collaborate, to be equipped with an understanding of the roles they play
and responsibilities to be carried out. Outlining roles, expectations from the
outcome and studying the Penang District Disaster Management and Relief
Committee help focus on the objectives as a team of responders rather than
government departments.
Identifying tsunami safe zones and buildings based on tsunami inundation
map is critical as tsunami inundation is different from flooding. Preparing an
evacuation map and implementing the 30 minutes timeline to reach tsunami
safe zone using the shortest route involving the community is an advantage as
they are well versed with the area, and will promote community
empowerment. A list of key person handling corporate social responsibility
accounts and suppliers who can be contacted during an emergency for
emergency aid kits, food and medications need to be tabled and updated.
Awareness among community by spreading information (tsunami warning
signal, evacuation zone and route) and knowledge using association, religious
places, appointed community leaders and conducting tsunami awareness
campaign need to be created as well. Although using social capital
(community-based skills, network, resources) as an approach to post-disaster
relief and recovery is time consuming, the result is significant and satisfying.
Providing and promoting small and medium businesses among the local
community helps diversify income and can act as a cushion to minimize any
psychological impact.
Preparedness plays a critical role in disaster management from pre-disaster,
during disaster to post-disaster. Disaster prevention planning, action and
management, starts at the local level from the community, business entities,
local authorities and agencies before a tsunami disaster strikes. Themes
derived from the thematic analyses which are collaboration, communication,
early warning, disaster evacuation centres, evacuation routes, recovery and
awareness are the highlighted key areas critical for preparedness that need to
be addressed. Long term endeavour, campaigns and investments in disaster
prevention are essential (Haddow et al., 2007) to prepare communities for
future disasters.
Preparedness programs and disaster drills organized by National Security
Council, NGOs and other agencies must involve government agencies, local
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83
residents, hoteliers, and business entities. Reiterating the importance of
evacuating and responding in a timely manner and how to be prepared is a
continuous and an on-going process. The involvement of government
agencies, NGO’s local responders, hoteliers, schools and community leaders
has enabled the researchers to explore the community’s experience and
challenges they faced, giving insight to identify the weaknesses and hurdles
to create an emergency response plan for the Penang community.
Acknowledgement
This research is funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and
Information Malaysia under the EScience Grant Scheme.
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PENGETAHUAN, SIKAP DAN AMALAN
PENGGUNA TERHADAP MAKANAN LESTARI
Lidiana Lidew1
Zuroni Md. Jusoh1,2
Norhasmah Sulaiman3
Husniyah Abd. Rahim1,2
Elistina Abu Bakar1,2
Askiah Jamaluddin1,2
1
Jabatan Pengurusan Sumber dan Pengajian Pengguna,
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia
2
Pusat Kecemerlangan Penyelidikan Penggunaan Lestari,
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia
3
Jabatan Pemakanan dan Dietetik,
Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Pengenalan
Seiring dengan arus pembangunan dunia dari segenap sudut, pasaran dan
pengguna turut mengalami impak yang menyebabkan perubahan dalam corak
penggunaan dan pasaran. Makanan merupakan keperluan paling utama bagi
semua benda hidup bagi menjalani kehidupan seharian (Phuah, 2012).
Makanan penting bagi memberi tenaga kepada manusia amnya dan menjamin
kesihatan manusia dengan membekalkan keperluan nutrien yang diperlukan
oleh badan (Lam & Zuroni, 2013). Oleh itu, pengguna mempunyai hak untuk
memilih makanan yang selamat untuk dimakan dan baik untuk tubuh badan.
Menurut Fraser (2001), terdapat tiga faktor utama dalam pemilihan makanan
iaitu keselamatan makanan, perlindungan alam sekitar dan kebajikan haiwan.
Kepesatan ekonomi semasa dan corak penggunaan dan perlakuan pengguna
serata dunia kini menjadi punca utama kepada masalah alam sekitar (Phuah,
2012). Masalah alam sekitar bukanlah perkara baharu, malahan menjejaskan
alam sekitar telah menjadi sebahagian daripada kehidupan manusia bukan
sahaja pada peringkat individu tetapi juga pada peringkat negara (Khwaja,
2008). Permasalahan ini telah menjurus ke arah keprihatinan terhadap alam
sekitar, iaitu kepada pemasaran lestari oleh pengeluar dan peniaga demi
mencapai masa depan yang lestari (Schlegelmilch et al., 1996). Maka muncul
idea makanan lestari yang menjadi salah satu inisiatif bagi mencapai masa
depan lestari selaras dengan permintaan pasaran (Lin, 2006).
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Namun begitu, Malaysia kini kian membangun dengan populasi yang lebih
berpendidikan, prihatin terhadap alam sekitar, keselamatan makanan dan
kebajikan haiwan (Mahesh, 2013). Tambahan, dengan kewujudan pelbagai
penyakit merbahaya akibat pengambilan makanan yang tidak sihat maka
pengguna kini, penduduk Malaysia khasnya lebih rela untuk berbelanja lebih
demi mendapatkan makanan yang sihat dan menjamin kesejahteraan hidup
mereka. Oleh itu, lebih banyak permintaan terhadap makanan yang
dihasilkan dan dikeluarkan dengan selamat, berkualiti, berkhasiat, dan yang
dihasilkan berlandaskan prinsip pembangunan lestari.
Perubahan trend dalam pengambilan makanan yang lebih memenuhi
keperluan dan kehendak pengguna ini sedikit banyak telah memberikan
tekanan kepada pengeluar, pengilang, dan pemasar bagi mengeluarkan
makanan lestari. Makanan lestari semakin mendapat perhatian masyarakat
kerana ciri-cirinya yang bertepatan dengan cita rasa pengguna kini.
Dalam usaha melindungi dan memperkasakan pengguna daripada terdedah
kepada makanan yang tidak sihat serta memudaratkan, amat penting untuk
mengetahui pengetahuan, sikap dan amalan pengguna terhadap makanan
lestari. Pengeluar dan pemasar perlu tahu perkaitan antara pengetahuan,
sikap, dan amalan pengguna terhadap makanan lestari dengan kesejahteraan
hidup pengguna. Hal ini kerana pihak pengeluar dan pemasar
bertanggungjawab untuk memenuhi segala permintaan dalam pasaran dengan
menawarkan produk mereka.
Objektif Kajian
Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan pengetahuan, sikap, dan amalan
terhadap makanan lestari dalam kalangan pengguna.
Tinjauan Literatur
Makanan lestari boleh didefinisikan sebagai makanan yang selamat untuk
dimakan, mempunyai kualiti yang baik, berkhasiat, mengambil kira kebajian
haiwan dan sihat yang dihasilkan berlandaskan prinsip pembangunan lestari
(Liu, 2003). Di Malaysia, industri makanan telah mengalami perubahan dari
masa ke masa demi memenuhi keperluan dan kehendak masyarakat yang
berbilang kaum. Hal ini mendorong ke arah proses penghasilan makanan
yang luas bagi memenuhi keperluan dan kehendak kini. Selain kepelbagaian
etnik yang menyumbang ke arah penghasilan makanan lestari, perbezaan
demografi lain dan struktur ekonomi juga sedikit banyak mempengaruhi
penghasilan makanan lestari di Malaysia (Rezai, 2011).
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Pengetahuan pengguna terhadap makanan lestari
Maklumat ialah perkara yang amat penting untuk membantu pengguna dalam
proses membuat pilihan pembelian produk makanan lestari dan membantu
membuat keputusan. Jadi, amat penting untuk memahami cara maklumat
dibekalkan kepada pengguna untuk menambah pengetahuan pengguna dalam
memberi informasi berkaitan sesuatu produk. Hubungan antara pengetahuan
dengan sikap bergantung pada sumber maklumat yang diperoleh (Mario et
al., 2009).
Makanan lestari menjadi satu cara yang bermanfaat kepada pengguna dalam
usaha mengecapi kesejahteraan kesihatan. Sharf et al. (2012) menyatakan
bahawa faktor utama yang menyumbang kepada masalah kesihatan adalah
kerana kurangnya pengetahuan tentang pemakanan. Berkemungkinan besar
pengguna tidak memahami akan label nutrisi makanan yang disediakan
(Phuah et al., 2011).
Sikap pengguna terhadap makanan lestari
Teori ekonomi menyatakan bahawa sikap individu dalam membeli
dipengaruhi oleh rasa dan ciri-ciri produk (Mario et al., 2009). Kepercayaan
dan sikap pengguna telah menjadi dua faktor yang boleh memberi kesan
kepada penggunaan. Pengguna akan membeli makanan lestari apabila
keperluan dan kehendak utama mereka terhadap kualiti, kesediaan,
kemudahan, prestasi, dan kemampuan tercapai (Ottman, 1992). Pengguna
juga hanya akan membeli produk lestari apabila mereka sedar yang produk
lestari mampu mengurangkan isu alam sekitar yang kini kian meruncing
(Mahesh, 2013). Roberts (1996) telah mengenal pasti bahawa kesedaran
mengenai persekitaran dan pengguna yang menjalankan aktiviti lestari boleh
membantu untuk mengurangkan isu alam sekitar dan hal ini ialah tingkah
laku pengguna lestari. Soonthorsmai (2007) mendapati individu yang sedar
dan prihatin mengenai isu alam sekitar dikenali sebagai pengguna lestari.
Amalan pengguna terhadap makanan lestari
Chris (2008) melaporkan bahawa pengguna yang sejak awalnya menjalani
kehidupan yang lestari, akan menjadi lebih mesra alam dan prihatin
mengenai kesihatan serta menpunyai keinginan untuk memakan makanan
lestari. Pengguna Malaysia menjadi lebih tertarik kepada produk mesra alam
seperti makanan organik untuk meningkatkan permintaan terhadap bekalan
yang terhad (Ahmad & Juhdi, 2010). Bekalan yang terhad ini
berkemungkinan berkait rapat dengan kurangnya pemahaman dalam
kalangan pemasar di Malaysia terhadap sikap dan amalan pengguna terhadap
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89
fenomena yang sentiasa berubah-ubah, dan ini menggambarkan bahawa
pengetahuan, sikap dan amalan pengguna tidak difahami sebaik-baiknya
(Saleki, 2012).
Metodologi
Kajian yang dijalankan ini melibatkan 600 orang responden berumur 20
tahun ke atas dan dipilih secara persampelan rawak mudah. Pemilihan
responden adalah berdasarkan empat kawasan yang telah dikenal pasti di
sekitar Lembah Klang iaitu Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah
Persekutuan Putrajaya, Ampang dan Subang Jaya. Lokasi dan persampelan
kajian ditunjukkan dalam Jadual 1.
Jadual 1: Lokasi Persampelan
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lokasi
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya
Ampang
Subang Jaya
Jumlah
Bil. Responden
383
16
30
171
600
Bagi tujuan perbincangan, hanya pengguna yang berpendapatan lebih
RM2,000 dan ke atas sahaja dibuat perbandingan antara pengetahuan, sikap
dan amalan pengguna terhadap makanan lestari. Responden terdiri daripada
pelbagai jantina, etnik dan tahap pendidikan. Borang soal selidik digunakan
sebagai instrumen kajian untuk pengumpulan data. Terdapat lima bahagian
dalam borang soal selidik iaitu Bahagian 1 tentang maklumat demografi iaitu
latar belakang responden. Bahagian 2 berkaitan pengetahuan berhubung
makanan lestari. Terdapat 15 pernyataan dengan pilihan jawapan “Ya” atau
“Tidak”. Bahagian 3 dan Bahagian 4 pula berkaitan sikap (10 pernyataan)
dan amalan (sembilan pernyataan) makanan lestari. Skala Likert dengan
pilihan jawapan “Sangat Tidak Setuju”, “Tidak Setuju”, “Neutral”, “Setuju”,
dan “Sangat Setuju” digunakan untuk mengukur sikap manakala aspek
amalan pula diukur dengan pilihan jawapan “Tidak Pernah”, “Jarang-jarang”,
“Kadang-kadang”, “Selalu”, dan “Sangat Selalu”. Maklumat dikumpul
dengan cara mengedarkan borang soal selidik dan diisi sendiri oleh
responden. Analisis deskriptif melalui program Statistical Package for the
Social Science (SPSS) digunakan untuk penganalisisan data.
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Analisis data
Data yang telah terkumpul telah dianalisis dengan menggunakan statistik
deskriptif. Statistik yang berbentuk purata, median, dan sisihan piawai
digunakan untuk menentukan maklumat yang diperlukan daripada sampel
kajian menerusi analisis deskriptif pengetahuan, sikap dan amalan pengguna
terhadap makanan lestari.
Hasil Kajian dan Perbincangan
Latar belakang responden
Kajian ini melibatkan 600 responden dan taburan responden mengikut
kawasan adalah di Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (63.8%), Wilayah
Persekutuan Putrajaya (2.6%), Ampang (5%), dan Subang Jaya (28.5%).
Jumlah ini diperoleh daripada 2, 491, 692 jumlah populasi penduduk di
kawasan tersebut (Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia 2010).
Seperti yang dipaparkan dalam Jadual 2, profil responden yang mengambil
makanan lestari terdiri daripada 39.7 peratus lelaki dan 60.3 peratus
perempuan. Purata umur responden ialah 34 tahun dan minimum umur ialah
20 tahun serta maksimum umur adalah 72 tahun. Bagi kumpulan etnik pula,
kumpulan etnik terbesar ialah etnik Melayu/Bumiputra iaitu sebanyak 63.7
peratus responden berbanding dengan Cina (27.7%) dan India (8.7%). Hal ini
kerana kawasan Lembah Klang ialah kawasan yang mempunyai lebih ramai
penduduk Melayu berbanding dengan etnik lain.
Bagi tahap pendidikan pula, sebanyak 29.5 peratus responden mempunyai
Ijazah Sarjana Muda atau majoriti responden dalam kajian ini. Sebanyak 26.0
peratus daripada jumlah responden mempunyai pendidikan tahap Sijil dan
Diploma, 20.7 peratus berpendidikan tahap sekolah menengah tinggi, 14.5
peratus berpendidikan tahap sekolah menengah rendah, 7.0 peratus
berpendidikan tahap sarjana atau PhD, 2.2 peratus berpendidikan tahap
sekolah rendah, dan lain-lain 0.2 peratus Jelasnya, tidak terdapat seorang pun
daripada responden yang tidak bersekolah.
Pendapatan tertinggi responden kajian adalah dalam lingkungan RM3,000–
RM4,000 iaitu mencatatkan peratusan sebanyak 40.5 peratus diikuti
responden berpendapatan RM2,000 ̶ RM2,999 (30.2%), RM4,001–RM9,000
(18.2%) dan RM9,001-RM20,000 (4.2%). Purata min pendapatan responden
ialah RM3,846. Jumlah pendapatan ini berkait rapat dengan status pekerjaan
responden kajian yang majoritinya terdiri daripada kakitangan swasta
(45.2%) dan diikuti oleh kakitangan kerajaan (24.8%). Dari sudut kategori
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pekerjaan, kebanyakannya adalah dalam bidang pengurusan dan profesional
(24.8%).
Jadual 2: Latar Belakang Responden
Angkubah
Jantina
Lelaki
Perempuan
Umur (tahun)
20 ̶ 30
31 ̶ 40
41 ̶ 50
51 ̶ 60
61 ̶ 72
Kedudukan responden dalam keluarga
Ketua isi rumah
Pasangan
Ahli isi rumah
Etnik
Melayu/Bumiputera
Cina
India
Bil. isi rumah
1̶4
5̶7
8 ̶ 12
Tahap Pendidikan
Sekolah Rendah
Sekolah Menengah Rendah
Sekolah Menengah Tinggi
Pendidikan Sijil dan Diploma
Ijazah Sarjana Muda
Sarjana atau Ph.D
Lain-lain
Status Perkahwinan Responden
Berkahwin
Bujang
Lain-lain
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n
%
238
362
39.7
60.3
311
150
81
48
10
51.8
25.0
13.5
8.0
1.7
170
193
237
28.3
32.2
39.5
382
166
52
63.7
27.7
8.7
301
253
46
50.2
42.2
7.7
13
87
124
156
177
42
1
2.2
14.5
20.7
26.0
29.5
7.0
0.2
362
215
23
60.3
35.8
3.8
Jadual 2 (sambungan)
Angkubah
Status Pekerjaan
Kakitangan kerajaan
Kakitangan swasta
Ahli perniagaan/bekerja sendiri
Suri rumah/tidak bekerja
Pesara
Kategori Pekerjaan
Pengurusan dan professional
Teknikal dan perkhidmatan
Staf sokongan
Pekerja am
Lain-lain
Skip
Pendapatan bulanan (RM)
2,000 ̶ 2,999
3,000 – 4,000
4,001–9,000
9,001 ̶ 20,000
n
%
149
271
86
65
16
24.8
45.2
16.5
10.8
2.7
149
139
125
70
43
74
24.8
23.2
20.8
11.7
7.2
12.3
181
285
109
25
30.2
47.5
18.2
4.2
Tahap pengetahuan terhadap makanan lestari
Jadual 3 menunjukkan nilai skor keseluruhan bagi setiap pernyataan. Tahap
pengetahuan terhadap makanan lestari diukur dengan menggunakan soalan
tertutup, iaitu responden hanya diberi pilihan jawapan “Ya” atau “Tidak”.
Jadual 3: Pengetahuan Terhadap Ciri-ciri Makanan Lestari
No.
Pernyataan
Ya
n (%)
1.
Tiada penggunaan racun rumpai.
481 (80.2)
2.
Bebas GMO.
389 (64.8)
3.
Tumbesaran menggunakan baja kimia.
198 (33.0)
4.
Makanan lestari adalah baik untuk kesihatan.
529 (88.2)
5.
Makanan lestari adalah lebih mesra alam.
529 (88.2)
Tidak
n (%)
119
(19.8)
211
(35.2)
402
(67.0)
71
(11.8)
71
(11.8)
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Jadual 3 (sambungan)
Pernyataan
No.
Ya
n (%)
6.
Tiada penggunaan racun serangga.
490 (81.7)
7.
Pertumbuhan secara semulajadi.
484 (80.7)
8.
Tiada kandungan vitamin/mineral.
496 (82.7)
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Makanan organik juga dikenali sebagai
makanan lestari.
Makanan lestari dihasilkan di bawah standard
alam sekitar, teknologi pengeluaran, dan
standard yang sihat.
Makanan lestari melibatkan pengubahsuaian
genetik.
Kita boleh menilai makanan lestari atau tidak
dengan ciri-ciri luaran makanan tersebut.
Makanan lestari mempunyai kandungan
nutrien yang lebih tinggi daripada makanan
konvensional.
Makanan lestari mementingkan kebajikan
haiwan.
Makanan lestari terdiri daripada makanan
berwarna hijau.
526 (87.7)
516 (86.0)
400 (66.7)
388 (64.7)
510 (85.0)
396 (66.0)
404 (67.3)
Tidak
n (%)
110
(18.3)
116
(19.3)
104
(17.3)
74
(12.3)
84
(14.0)
200
(33.3)
212
(35.3)
90
(15.0)
204
(34.0)
196
(32.7)
Hasil kajian mendapati majoriti responden mempunyai pengetahuan yang
baik terhadap semua pernyataan, kecuali bagi beberapa pernyataan. Dua
daripada 15 pernyataan yang disenaraikan pernyataan iaitu “Makanan lestari
adalah baik untuk kesihatan.” dan “Makanan lestari adalah lebih mesra
alam.” mencatatkan nilai pernyataan tertinggi . Sebanyak 529 (88.2%) orang
responden menjawab betul bagi pernyataan ini. Hal ini menunjukkan bahawa
pengguna tahu bahawa makanan lestari memberikan kesihatan yang baik
kepada pengguna dan mesra alam.
Jadual 4 menunjukkan skor keseluruhan bagi tahap pengetahuan. Tahap
tinggi, sederhana dan rendah diperoleh dengan mendapatkan jumlah markah
keseluruhan bagi jawapan kepada soalan berkenaan pengetahuan yang
ditanya kepada responden kajian. Terdapat 15 soalan yang ditanya dan diberi
kod 1 = ya dan 2 = tidak. Hal ini bermakna jumlah markah ialah 30 dan
dibahagi kepada tiga bahagian. Oleh yang demikian, nilai yang diberi untuk
tahap rendah ialah 15–20, tahap sederhana 21–25, dan tahap tinggi ialah 26–
30. Hasil analisis yang ditujukkan dalam Rajah 1 menggambarkan bahawa
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sebahagian besar responden mendapat skor rendah (80.2%) dan diikuti oleh
markah sederhana (15.7%).
Jadual 4: Skor Tahap Pengetahuan terhadap Makanan Lestari
Rendah
(15-20)
Sederhana
(21-25)
Tinggi
(26-30)
Min = 18.77
S.d =3.17
Minimum = 15.00
Maksimum = 30.00
600
500
n
%
481
94
25
80.2
15.7
4.2
80.2%
400
300
200
15.7%
100
0
4.2%
Rendah
Sederhana
Tinggi
Rajah 1: Tahap Pengetahuan terhadap Makanan Lestari
Tahap sikap terhadap makanan lestari
Jadual 5 menunjukkan nilai purata yang diperoleh daripada setiap pernyataan
yang diajukan. Pernyataan “Saya percaya makanan lestari mempunyai
kandungan nutrien yang tinggi.” (nilai min= 3.86) merupakan pernyataan
tertinggi yang dicatatkan daripada 10 pernyataan yang disenaraikan.
Sebanyak 2.0 peratus responden sangat tidak setuju dan sebanyak 5.5 peratus
responden tidak setuju dengan pernyataan ini. Responden yang menyatakan
makanan lestari mempunyai kandungan nutrien yang tinggi, menunjukkan
sikap menitikberatkan kesihatan dalam pemilihan makanan yang tinggi.
Begitu juga, skor min sebanyak 2.44 dicatatkan bagi pernyataan “Saya rasa
makanan lestari mahal.” menunjukkan responden tidak sanggup membayar
lebih untuk mendapatkan makanan lestari.
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10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
No.
Penggunaan makanan lestari tidak
membantu melindungi alam sekitar.
Saya tidak berminat dengan
makanan lestari.
Saya yakin makanan lestari lebih
berkualiti.
Saya percaya makanan lestari
mempunyai kandungan nutrien
yang tinggi.
Saya sukar mengenal pasti makanan
lestari.
Saya bersedia membeli makanan
lestari.
Saya tidak kisah membelanjakan
pendapatan saya untuk membeli
makanan lestari.
Saya percaya terhadap keselamatan
makanan lestari.
Saya rasa makanan lestari mahal.
Saya yakin harga makanan lestari
adalah berpatutan walaupun mahal.
Pernyataan
28 (4.7)
28 (4.7)
9 (1.5)
20 (3.3)
12 (2.0)
32 (5.3)
12 (2.0)
17 (2.8)
161 (26.8)
57 (9.5)
38 (6.3)
52 (8.7)
64 (10.7)
50 (8.3)
76 (12.7)
33 (5.5)
36 (6.0)
141 (23.5)
138 (23.0)
n (%)
n (%)
222 (37.0)
Tidak
setuju
Sangat
tidak
setuju
269 (44.8)
222 (37.0)
189 (31.5)
242 (40.3)
235(39.17)
241 (40.2)
152 (25.3)
165 (27.5)
203 (33.8)
148 (24.7)
n (%)
Neutral
Jadual 5: Sikap Terhadap Makanan Lestari
191(31.8)
194(32.3)
229(38.2)
193(32.2)
201(33.5)
175(29.2)
232(38.7)
215(35.8)
79 (13.2)
64 (10.7)
n (%)
Setuju
55 (9.2)
118(19.7)
121(20.2)
81(13.5)
102(17.0)
76 (12.7)
171(28.5)
167(27.8)
169(26.7)
28 (4.7)
n (%)
Sangat
setuju
3.31
2.44
3.67
3.42
3.55
2.69
3.86
3.80
3.59
3.77
Min
Walaupun kajian ini menunjukkan banyak pengguna bersikap positif
terhadap makanan lestari, namun disebabkan kriteria yang tidak mampu
dipenuhi seperti harga yang mahal, telah mengekang mereka untuk bersikap
lebih positif terhadap makanan lestari.
Jadual 6 menunjukkan skor keseluruhan bagi tahap sikap. Tahap tinggi,
sederhana dan rendah untuk sikap diperoleh dengan mendapat jumlah markah
keseluruhan bagi jawapan kepada soalan berkenaan pengetahuan yang
ditanya kepada responden kajian. Terdapat 10 soalan yang ditanya dan diberi
kod 1 = sangat tidak setuju, 2 = tidak setuju, 3 = neutral, 4 = setuju, dan 5 =
sangat setuju. Hal ini bermakna jumlah markah ialah 50 dan dibahagi kepada
tiga bahagian. Oleh yang demikian, nilai yang diberi untuk tahap rendah ialah
15 ̶ 25, tahap sederhana 26–37, dan tahap tinggi ialah 38–50. Secara
keseluruhannya, majoriti atau sebanyak 417 (69.5%) orang responden
bersikap sederhana terhadap makanan lestari dan hanya sebanyak 28 (4.7%)
orang responden yang menunjukkan sikap negatif.
Jadual 6: Tahap Sikap terhadap Makanan Lestari
Rendah
(15-25)
Sederhana
(26-37)
Tinggi
(38-50)
Min = 34.1
s.d = 5.47
Minimum = 15.00
Maksimum = 50.00
n
28
417
155
%
4.7
69.5
25.8
Hal ini menunjukkan bahawa sikap pengguna terhadap makanan lestari boleh
dikatakan amat baik kerana kedudukan kawasan kajian yang strategik dan
mudah untuk mendapatkan makanan lestari di pasar raya yang berdekatan.
Terdapat banyak pasar raya di sekitar kawasan kajian yang menawarkan
makanan lestari dan ini sekali gus mendedahkan pengguna dengan makanan
lestari. Pendapatan juga didapati memainkan peranan kerana dapatan kajian
membuktikan bahawa pengguna mempunyai kuasa membeli dan
mendapatkan makanan lestari.
Tahap amalan terhadap makanan lestari
Jadual 7 menunjukkan sembilan keputusan bagi setiap pernyataan yang
berkaitan dengan amalan terhadap makanan lestari. Berdasarkan Jadual 8,
kajian ini mendapati bahawa nilai min skor keseluruhan bagi amalan
penggunaan lestari ialah 28.02 manakala sisihan piawai ialah 5.5. Nilai
maksimum yang diperoleh dalam kajian ini ialah 45 manakala nilai minimum
ialah 10.
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Saya mengelak daripada membeli
makanan lestari.
Saya membeli makanan lestari.
Saya mengambil makanan lestari.
Saya tidak bersedia membayar lebih
untuk makanan lestari.
Saya mencadangkan makanan lestari
kepada orang lain.
Saya mencari maklumat mengenai
makanan lestari.
Saya mempertimbangkan untuk
membeli makanan lestari walaupun
mahal.
Saya membaca label sebelum
membeli makanan lestari.
Saya menyertai aktiviti berkaitan
makanan lestari (contoh: Promosi
makanan lestari).
1.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
2.
3.
4.
Pernyataan
No.
171 (28.5)
30 (5.0)
35 (5.8)
71 (11.8)
128 (21.3)
80 (13.3)
98 (6.3)
94 (15.7)
83 (13.8)
122 (20.3)
78 (13.0)
54 (9.0)
75 (12.5)
74 (12.3)
46 (7.7)
44 (7.3)
149 (24.8)
n (%)
n (%)
95 (15.8)
Jarangjarang
Tidak
pernah
192(32.0)
188(31.3)
271(45.2)
225(37.5)
233(38.8)
267(44.5)
303(50.5)
279(46.5)
271(45.2)
n (%)
Kadangkadang
Jadual 7: Amalan terhadap Makanan Lestari
83 (13.8)
207(34.5)
154(25.7)
151(25.2)
174(29.0)
109(18.2)
137(22.8)
164(27.3)
72 (12.0)
n (%)
Selalu
26 (4.3)
95 (15.8)
42 (7.0)
59 (9.8)
56 (9.3)
24 (4.0)
39 (6.5)
39 (6.5)
13 (2.2)
n (%)
Sangat
selalu
2.44
3.43
3.12
3.06
3.16
3.20
3.08
3.13
3.40
Min
Walaupun nilai min yang diperoleh berada tahap amalan yang baik, namun
masih terdapat responden yang tidak mempraktikkan amalan baik dalam
aktiviti harian mereka seperti yang tercatat dalam Jadual 8, iaitu hanya
sebanyak 83 (13.8%) orang responden yang mempunyai amalan yang baik
manakala majoritinya adalah sederhana 429 (71.5%) responden.
Antara sembilan pernyataan yang ditunjukkan dalam Jadual 7 di atas,
pernyataan “Saya membaca label sebelum membeli makanan lestari.” (nilai
min= 3.43) memperoleh nilai min tertinggi, justeru ini menunjukkan label
makanan memainkan peranan penting dan menjadi rujukan kepada pengguna
sebelum membeli sesuatu makanan.
Malangnya, menerusi Jadual 7 juga didapati satu pernyataan, iaitu “Saya
menyertai aktiviti berkaitan makanan lestari (contoh: Promosi makanan
lestari).” mencatatkan nilai min yang rendah, iaitu 2.44. Hal ini
menggambarkan bahawa responden tidak memberi komitmen mutlak dalam
melibatkan diri dengan sebarang aktiviti yang berkaitan dengan makanan
lestari.
Jadual 8: Tahap Amalan Terhadap Makanan Lestari
Rendah
Sederhana
Baik (34-45)
(10-22)
(23-33)
n
%
88
429
83
14.7
71.5
13.8
Min = 28.02
s.d = 5.5
Minimum = 10.00
Maksimum = 45.00
Apabila membandingkan amalan secara keseluruhan, kajian ini mendapati
bahawa sebanyak 14.7 peratus responden mengamalkan amalan makanan
lestari yang tidak baik dan hanya sebanyak 813.8 peratus responden yang
mempunyai amalan terhadap makanan lestari yang baik. Berdasarkan Jadual
8 juga, didapati majoriti responden mengamalkan secara sederhana terhadap
makanan lestari, iaitu sebanyak 71.5 peratus responden.Tahap baik,
sederhana dan rendah untuk amalan pula diperoleh dengan mendapat markah
jumlah keseluruhan bagi jawapan kepada soalan berkenaan pengetahuan yang
ditanya kepada responden kajian. Terdapat sembilan soalan yang ditanya dan
diberi kod 1 = tidak pernah, 2 = jarang-jarang, 3 = kadang-kadang, 4 = selalu,
dan 5 = sangat selalu. Hal ini bermakna jumlah markah ialah 45 dan dibahagi
kepada tiga bahagian. Oleh yang demikian, nilai yang diberi untuk tahap
rendah ialah 10 ̶ 22, tahap sederhana 23–33, dan tahap tinggi ialah 34–45.
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Kesimpulan dan Cadangan
Berdasarkan dapatan kajian ini, jelas menunjukkan bahawa tahap
pengetahuan dan sikap sederhana pengguna terhadap makanan lestari di
Malaysia berpunca daripada kurangnya pendedahan terhadap makanan lestari
berbanding dengan luar negara. Oleh yang demikian, setiap pihak iaitu
pengguna, pengeluar atau peniaga, dan kerajaan harus memainkan peranan
dan merangka aktiviti bagi meningkatkan kesedaran pengguna terhadap isu
alam sekitar yang tercemar, keselamatan makanan, dan kebajikan haiwan.
Sekiranya amalan pemakanan lestari tidak diamalkan, hal ini akan memberi
kesan negatif bukan sahaja terhadap alam sekitar bahkan juga kepada
individu dan keluarga, terutamanya terhadap kesihatan mereka. Kajian
seterusnya dicadangkan agar dijalankan dengan skala populasi yang lebih
besar, iaitu merangkumi seluruh negeri di Malaysia.
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PERLINDUNGAN PENGGUNA DI BAWAH
AKTA KAWALAN BEKALAN 1961
(PINDAAN 2006)
Afida Mastura Muhammad Arif
Pusat Kecemerlangan Kajian Penggunaan Lestari
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Pengenalan
Kebelakangan ini banyak isu yang timbul tentang bekalan makanan yang
tidak mencukupi untuk pengguna. Para pengguna pernah berhadapan dengan
isu kekurangan gula, tepung, beras, ayam dan minyak masak yang menjadi
keperluan asas pengguna. Justeru, artikel ini ingin mengupas lebih lanjut
mengenai undang-undang yang mengawal bekalan makanan dan barangbarang untuk pengguna. Undang-undang yang berkaitan ialah Akta Kawalan
Bekalan 1961 (Pindaan 2006) Akta 122 (‘Akta 122’) dan Peraturan-peraturan
Kawalan Bekalan 1974. Undang-undang ini bertujuan untuk memberi kuasa
kepada kerajaan untuk mengawal dan mencatu bekalan barang-barang
apabila keadaan memerlukan. Terdapat pelbagai faktor yang mempengaruhi
penawaran bekalan makanan dan barang-barang pengguna, seperti kenaikan
harga bahan mentah dunia, pergolakan politik dan bencana alam. Akta ini
memastikan wujudnya keseimbangan dalam pasaran, iaitu barang-barang
kawalan ini mudah didapati dan dijual pada harga yang berpatutan dalam
setiap keadaan. Justeru, menjadi satu kesalahan di bawah Akta 122 ini jika
barang-barang kawalan disorok, dihentikan pengeluaran tanpa sebab yang
munasabah, enggan dijual atau dikenakan syarat yang tidak berpatutan. Akta
ini dikuatkuasakan oleh Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi
dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK). Pelaksanaan Akta 122 ini juga dilihat
sebagai satu cara untuk menyokong salah satu hak pengguna, iaitu untuk
mendapat keperluan asas.
Barang-barang kawalan di bawah akta
Akta 122 memperuntukkan kuasa menetapkan barang-barang kawalan, iaitu
makanan dan keperluan asas untuk keperluan pengguna bagi tujuan
pemantauan dan pengawalan di pasaran. Apabila sesuatu barang
diisytiharkan sebagai barang kawalan atau catuan, kerajaan akan mengawal
pengeluaran, pengedaran, penjualan dan pensetoran barang tersebut. Hal ini
bertujuan untuk mengelakkan berlakunya aktiviti memanipulasi bekalan
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103
barang-barang oleh golongan yang tidak bertanggungjawab. Walau
bagaimanapun, tidak semua barang keperluan disenaraikan sebagai barang
kawalan. Akta 122 dan Peraturan-peraturan Kawalan Bekalan 1974 telah
menetapkan tiga jenis barang kawalan, iaitu barang kawalan sepanjang masa,
barang kawalan berjadual dan barang kawalan musim perayaan.
Barang-barang kawalan sepanjang masa
Tujuan barang-barang ini dikawal sepanjang masa adalah untuk memastikan
barang-barang ini mudah didapati dan untuk mencegah kegiatan menyorok
barang-barang. Melalui kegiatan ini, para peniaga yang tidak beretika mampu
mengaut keuntungan yang berlipat ganda kerana menyebabkan harga barang
di pasaran melambung naik ekoran permintaan yang tinggi. Barang-barang
kawalan ini juga bermaksud untuk menstabilkan harga barang-barang perlu.
Senarai barang-barang tersebut adalah seperti yang berikut:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
104
Gula
Susu termasuk susu pekat, susu tepung atau susu kering dan susu
cair
Garam
Tepung gandum
Minyak masak
Baja
Racun serangga
Cuka getah atau apa-apa cuka lain yang digunakan untuk
membekukan getah
Minyak tanah
Ikan yang disedia atau diawet di dalam bekas kedap udara
Beras dari semua jenis (Sabah sahaja)
Padi (Sabah sahaja)
Petrol, spirit motor dan gasolin motor dari semua gred
Bahan api diesel
Gas petroleum cecair (LPG)
Semua jenis roti
Ayam (sama ada segar, disejukkan atau dibekukan)
Minyak bahan api
Kayu getah bagi negeri-negeri Kedah, Perlis, Pulau Pinang dan
Perak
Simen dan klinker
Bar bulat keluli lembut
Topeng muka (pembedahan/perubatan)
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Pengedaran barang-barang tersenarai di atas dikawal sepanjang masa kerana
melibatkan keperluan asas pengguna. Pada tahun 2009 contohnya, topeng
muka menjadi barang-barang kawalan serta-merta berikutan wabak selesema
babi (H1N1) dan permintaan yang tinggi terhadap topeng ini untuk menutup
mulut dan hidung.
Barang-barang kawalan berjadual
Barang-barang kawalan berjadual pula merujuk kepada barang-barang
keperluan yang lebih kritikal, iaitu para pengilang dan pengedar dikehendaki
mendapatkan lesen untuk menjual barang-barang tersebut. Langkah ini
bertujuan untuk memastikan bahawa stok simpanan dan pengedaran barangbarang kawalan dapat diawasi oleh kerajaan. Terdapat 11 barang kawalan
berjadual yang disenaraikan oleh Peraturan-peraturan Kawalan Bekalan, yang
bekalannya dikenal pasti menimbulkan masalah. Barang-barang tersebut
adalah seperti yang berikut:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Gula
Tepung gandum
Minyak masak
Baja kimia
Minyak tanah
Petrol, spirit motor dari semua gred
Bahan api disel
Bar bulat keluli lembut
Simen
Gas petroleum cecair
Roti
Ayam
Barang-barang kawalan musim perayaan
Pada musim perayaan, pengguna berasa risau jika bekalan barang keperluan
tidak mencukupi. Bagi mengelakkan perkara ini berlaku, sebanyak 25 jenis
barang telah dikenal pasti sebagai barang-barang kawalan musim perayaan.
Para pegawai penguatkuasa KPDNKK menjalankan pemeriksaan di semua
premis perniagaan, termasuk di kedai runcit menjelang musim perayaan
untuk memastikan bekalan barang-barang keperluan pengguna ini sentiasa
mencukupi. Barang-barang tersebut adalah seperti yang berikut:
1.
2.
3.
Semua jenis mentega
Semua jenis keju
Semua jenis majerin
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105
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Semua jenis minuman kotak dan botol yang halal
Semua jenis ragi dan esen membuat kuih-muih dan gula-gula
Jeli dan agar-agar
Daging dan jeroan mentah atau jeruk
Ayam, itik dan burung-burung lain
Telur belum berkupas kulit dan telur jeruk
Buah-buahan yang diimport – mentah segar atau dijeruk
Bawang besar dan bawang merah
Bawang putih
Cili kering
Lada hitam dan semua jenis rempah
Kelapa, sebiji atau yang diparut
Semua jenis kacang
Semua jenis kacang tanah
Cendawan dan kulat
Minyak sapi
Asam jawa
Makanan dari laut dikeringkan atau dijeruk
Tepung beras
Tepung beras pulut
Tepung jagung
Ubi kentang
Akta 122 bertindak memastikan bekalan barang kawalan seperti yang
disenaraikan di atas mencukupi untuk pengguna pada sepanjang musim
perayaan. Di samping bekalan yang mencukupi, KPDNKK juga memantau
harga barang kawalan ini di kawasan pasar yang menjadi tumpuan pengguna
di seluruh negara melalui Skim Kawalan Harga Musim Perayaan (SKHMP).
SKHMP telah dilaksanakan sejak tahun 2000 di bawah Akta Kawalan Harga
dan Antipencatutan 2011 (dahulunya dikenali sebagai Akta Kawalan Harga
1946). Melalui skim ini, harga maksimum ke atas barang kawalan seperti di
atas telah ditetapkan supaya pengguna mudah mendapatkan bekalan barang
tersebut pada harga yang terkawal.
Peruntukan di bawah Akta 122
Akta ini mengandungi 30 seksyen. Fokus utama Akta 122 ialah kuasa
Pengawal1 dan kesalahan-kesalahan di bawah Akta. Hal ini selaras dengan
tujuan Akta 122 untuk memastikan pengguna mudah mendapatkan barangbarang kawalan. Dalam keadaan tertentu pula, seperti bencana alam dan
1
Pegawai Pengawal merupakan seorang penjawat awam yang dilantik sebagai
Pengawal Bekalan di bawah Akta 122.
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sebagainya, Akta 122 boleh digunakan sepenuhnya bersama-sama kuasakuasa yang diperuntukkan di bawah Akta Kawalan Harga dan Antipencatutan
2011 untuk menentukan bekalan mencukupi pada harga yang berpatutan.
Berikut ialah perbincangan tentang peruntukan penting dalam Akta 122, iaitu
berkenaan pelesenan, penguatkuasaan Akta 122 dan kesalahan-kesalahan
serta hukuman yang diperuntukkan.
Pelesenan
Sistem pelesenan ialah elemen penting untuk menyokong sesuatu undangundang dan untuk memastikan keberkesanannya. Borrie (1982) menyatakan
bahawa pelesenan memastikan sesuatu perniagaan mematuhi syarat-syarat
tertentu sebelum menjalankan perniagaan. Hal ini bertujuan untuk
memastikan bahawa pengguna berurusan dengan peniaga yang jujur dan
tidak mengeksploitasi mereka. Seksyen 7 Akta 122 dan Peraturan-peraturan
Kawalan Bekalan 1974 menggariskan bahawa pengilang, pemborong dan
penjual runcit barang-barang kawalan berjadual hendaklah mempunyai lesen
untuk menjual barang-barang tersebut. Seperti yang dibincangkan di atas,
terdapat 11 barang kawalan berjadual yang bekalannya sering mendatangkan
masalah. Lesen Barang-barang Berjadual dikeluarkan oleh Pengawal Bekalan
mengikut Peraturan-peraturan Kawalan Bekalan 1974. Jumlah yuran untuk
lesen adalah berbeza-beza, bergantung pada pihak yang memohon. Pengilang
harus membayar yuran RM50 untuk tempoh lesen selama setahun. Jumlah
maksimum ialah lima tahun dengan yuran sebanyak RM250. Yuran tahunan
untuk pengedar ialah RM25 sementara penjual runcit RM10. Selepas
memegang lesen selama lima tahun, pengilang, pengedar dan penjual runcit
haruslah memohon lesen baharu.
Menurut Perintah Kawalan Bekalan (Pengecualian) 1991, penjual runcit
barang-barang berjadual seperti gula, tepung gandum, minyak masak, minyak
tanah dan baja kimia dikecualikan daripada pelesenan. Bagi roti pula hanya
pengilang sahaja yang perlu mendapatkan lesen. Walalu bagaimanapun,
pengecualian ini telah ditarik balik pada tahun 2010 dan semua peniaga yang
menjual barang kawalan termasuk gula dan minyak masak secara runcit
diwajibkan memiliki lesen runcit barang-barang kawalan. Langkah ini
diambil untuk memastikan bekalan barang-barang kawalan tidak diseleweng
oleh mana-mana pihak. Oleh itu, peruncit yang menjual barang-barang
kawalan perlu mempunyai lesen yang dikenakan bayaran RM10 setahun.
Apabila lesen dikeluarkan oleh Pengawal Bekalan, pengilang, pengedar atau
peniaga runcit hendaklah berupaya untuk menunjukkan lesen tersebut apabila
diminta oleh Pengawal Bekalan. Justeru, menjadi satu kesalahan dan boleh
dikenakan hukuman jika pengilang, pengedar atau peniaga runcit gagal untuk
menunjukkan lesen tersebut.
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107
Menurut Seksyen 7(2) Akta 122, Pengawal Bekalan mempunyai kuasa untuk
mengeluarkan atau memperbaharu lesen. Pengawal juga boleh mengubah
sebarang syarat yang difikirkan perlu, menggantung, membatalkan atau tidak
memperbaharu lesen atau permit pada bila-bila masa tanpa perlu memberikan
sebarang penjelasan (Seksyen 7(5)). Walau bagaimanapun, Pengawal
Bekalan hendaklah menggunakan budi bicaranya dengan adil. Jika ada pihak
yang tidak berpuas hati dengan keengganan Pengawal Bekalan untuk
mengeluarkan atau memperbaharu lesen, mereka boleh merayu terhadap
keputusan ini kepada Menteri. Keputusan yang dibuat Menteri adalah
muktamad (Seksyen 7(6)).
Penguatkuasaan Akta
Peranan pegawai penguatkuasa sangat penting untuk menguatkuasakan
undang-undang. Oleh itu, pegawai penguatkuasa di bawah Akta 122 diberi
kuasa untuk memasuki premis dan memeriksa serta menyita barang-barang.
Mereka juga menjalankan penyiasatan dan mempunyai kuasa untuk
menangkap orang yang disyaki melakukan kesalahan di bawah Akta.
Sistem penguatkuasaan
Penguatkuasaan yang efektif ialah elemen yang terpenting dalam undangundang perlindungan pengguna. Tanpa penguatkuasaan, Akta yang digubal
dengan baik pun boleh dianggap sia-sia (Goode, 1989). Menurut Rachagan
(1997) serta Howells dan Weatherill (2005), kritikan terhadap undangundang pengguna di kebanyakan negara membangun adalah terhadap
penguatkuasaan yang tidak berkesan. Sistem penguatkuasaan seharusnya
disokong oleh tenaga kerja yang mencukupi dan oleh pegawai-pegawai yang
terlatih untuk menjalankan tugas penguatkuasaan (Mohd. Said, 1990).
Kuasa untuk mendapat maklumat
Di bawah Seksyen 8 Akta 122, Pengawal Bekalan atau pegawai bekalan
boleh memohon secara bertulis untuk mengarahkan sesiapa untuk
memberikan maklumat berkaitan pembekalan, termasuklah kuantiti dalam
kawalan, kos yang dibelanjakan, harga yang dikenakan dan maklumat lain
yang diperlukan. Penguatkuasa juga boleh menyiasat dokumen-dokumen
yang berkaitan dengan bekalan.
Kuasa untuk memasuki premis
Pegawai penguatkuasa mempunyai kuasa untuk memasuki premis dengan
kebenaran bertulis untuk menyiasat lebih lanjut jika mempercayai kesalahan
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
di bawah Akta 122 telah dilakukan di premis tersebut (Seksyen 9). Manamana pihak yang menghalang para penguatkuasa daripada menjalankan
tugasnya dianggap melakukan kesalahan di bawah Akta 122 ini.
Kuasa untuk menangkap, merampas, menyiasat dan
mendakwa
Kuasa untuk menangkap, merampas, menyiasat serta mendakwa ialah satu
bidang kuasa yang sangat besar dalam sesuatu penyiasatan. Akta 122 juga
mempunyai peruntukan sedemikian. Malah, kuasa ini diperluaskan bukan
sahaja kepada Pengawal Bekalan atau pegawai bekalan tetapi juga kepada
pegawai polis berpangkat inspektor ke atas dan pegawai kastam jika diberi
kuasa secara bertulis oleh Pengawal (Seksyen 10). Pihak ini boleh
menangkap tanpa menggunakan waran jika dipercayai suspek telah
melakukan kesalahan di bawah Akta. Jika suspek ditahan, kes suspek
hendaklah dikendalikan di bawah Kanun Prosedur Jenayah (Akta 593).
Selain kuasa menangkap tanpa waran, mandat juga diberi untuk merampas
bekalan yang disyaki boleh menjadi bukti. Menurut Seksyen 11, Pengawal
Bekalan atau pegawai bekalan juga mempunyai kuasa untuk mengambil hak
milik barang kawalan termasuk juga kenderaan dan kapal jika dipercayai
kenderaan atau kapal tersebut digunakan untuk melakukan kesalahan yang
terdapat dalam Akta.
Kesalahan-kesalahan dan hukuman
Terdapat sembilan jenis kesalahan yang disenaraikan di bawah Akta 122,
seperti yang diringkaskan dalam Jadual 1 di bawah.
Jadual 1: Kesalahan-kesalahan di bawah Akta 122
Seksyen
14
15
16
16A
17
Kesalahan
Menjual barang-barang kawalan melebihi kuantiti yang
dibenarkan.
Menyorok atau memusnahkan barang-barang kawalan supaya
barang-barang kawalan tersebut disekat daripada memasuki
pasaran.
Menjual barang-barang kawalan tanpa mempunyai lesen yang
sah.
Penafian palsu memiliki atau enggan menjual barang-barang
kawalan.
Peruncit yang tidak mempamerkan lesen serta senarai barangbarang kawalan dan catuan.
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Jadual 1(sambungan)
Seksyen
18
19
20
21
Kesalahan
Sesiapa yang memperolehi atau cubaan untuk memperolehi
makanan catuan untuk penggunaan isi rumah.
Peruncit yang membekalkan atau cuba untuk membekalkan
makanan catuan untuk penggunaan isi rumah.
Meletakkan syarat-syarat yang menyalahi undang-undang
semasa menjual barang-barang kawalan.
Memindahkan barang-barang kawalan daripada premis
perniagaan.
Menyimpan barang-barang kawalan selain di premis yang
tercatat di dalam lesen.
Memiliki barang-barang kawalan secara menyalahi undangundang.
Jenis-jenis kesalahan yang disenaraikan di atas adalah seiring dengan
matlamat Akta untuk mengawal aktiviti mencatu bekalan. Oleh itu,
pemantauan dijalankan dari aspek kuantiti barang-barang yang dibenarkan
dan menghalang kegiatan menyorok atau memunsnahkan bekalan. Barangbarang kawalan dan catuan hendaklah dimiliki dengan cara yang sah. Justeru,
aspek pelesenan amat ditekankan dan para penjual mesti mempunyai lesen
yang sah. Barang-barang kawalan juga mestilah disimpan di premis yang
dinyatakan dalam lesen dan tidak boleh dialih ke tempat lain. Peruncit pula
bertanggungjawab untuk mempamerkan lesen asal mereka di tempat yang
mudah dilihat oleh para pengguna. Di samping itu, peruncit juga perlu
mempamerkan senarai barang-barang kawalan atau catuan kepada pengguna.
Senarai tersebut hendaklah ditulis dalam bahasa Malaysia dan bahasa
Inggeris. Pengawal juga berhak untuk mengarahkan agar senarai tersebut
diterjemah ke apa-apa bahasa yang lain.
Sesiapa yang melakukan kesalahan-kesalahan di atas boleh didakwa di
Mahkamah dan jika didapati bersalah boleh didenda atau dipenjarakan.
Individu yang didapati bersalah boleh dihukum denda tidak melebihi
RM100,000 atau penjara tidak melebihi tiga tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali.
Bagi kesalahan yang seterusnya, pesalah boleh didenda tidak melebihi
RM250,000 atau penjara tidak melebihi lima tahun atau kedua-duanya. Bagi
syarikat pula, jika disabit kesalahan boleh didenda tidak melebihi
RM250,000 dan bagi kesalahan yang berikutnya tidak melebihi RM500,000.
Denda yang dikenakan ini telah dinaikkan jumlahnya semasa pindaan pada
tahun 2006. Sebelum pindaan tahun 2006, jumlah asal bagi kesalahan yang
dilakukan oleh individu hanyalah RM15,000 bagi kesalahan pertama dan
RM25,000 bagi kesalahan seterusnya. Bagi syarikat pula, denda asal
hanyalah RM25,000 dan RM50,000 bagi kesalahan seterusnya. Kenaikan
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denda yang amat tinggi dan berbelas-belas kali ganda daripada jumlah asal
menunjukkan betapa seriusnya kesalahan-kesalahan yang dilakukan di bawah
Akta 122 ini. Selain itu, tindakan ini juga boleh menjadi pengajaran yang
sewajarnya kepada para peniaga.
Apabila seseorang itu disabitkan dengan kesalahan di bawah Akta 122,
Mahkamah yang mensabitkannya itu boleh mengarahkan agar lesennya
dibatalkan atau melarang individu/syarikat daripada mendapatkan lesen
baharu pada suatu jangka masa yang ditentukan atau selama-lamanya.
Mahkamah juga boleh menggantung lesen bagi satu jangka waktu yang
ditetapkan.
Kompaun
Ada juga kesalahan di bawah Akta 122 yang boleh dikompaun. Pengawal
Bekalan atau pegawai bekalan yang diberi kuasa boleh mengkompaun
kesalahan dengan menerima bayaran kompaun daripada mereka yang
melakukan kesalahan. Apabila bayaran telah diterima, tindakan tidak boleh
diambil lagi terhadap kesalahan tersebut. Jika ada barang-barang yang
dirampas berkaitan kesalahan tersebut, barang-barang tersebut hendaklah
dipulangkan dengan syarat-syarat yang ditetapkan.
Perundangan subsidiari di bawah Akta 122
Akta 122 juga mempunyai peruntukan subsidiari yang berupa peraturanperaturan yang menyokong dan memperjelaskan lagi Akta 122.
 Peraturan-peraturan Kawalan Bekalan 1974 [ P.U (A)103/74]
Peraturan bertujuan mengawal pengeluaran, pengedaran, simpanan
dan jualan barang-barang kawalan melalui pelesenan. Peraturan ini
mewajibkan semua pengilang, pengedar, pemborong dan penjual
runcit barang-barang kawalan tersebut mempunyai lesen yang
dikeluarkan di bawah peraturan ini.

Peraturan-peraturan Kawalan Bekalan (Pengkompaunan
Kesalahan-kesalahan) 2001 [ P.U (A) 176/2001]
Peraturan ini menetapkan prosedur pengkompaunan kesalahan di
bawah Akta 122.

Peraturan-peraturan Kawalan Bekalan (Larangan Eksport)
2000
[ P.U (A) 367/2000]
Peraturan ini melarang pengeksportan tepung gandum dan bahan api
diesel (melebihi 20 liter) kecuali bagai pengilang untuk memenuhi
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111
obligasi kontrak dengan mana-mana orang di luar Malaysia dan
mestilah mendapatkan surat kebenaran untuk mengeksport daripada
Pengawal Bekalan.

Peraturan-peraturan Kawalan Bekalan (Ayam) 1996 [ P.U (A)
18/96]
Peraturan ini bertujuan untuk menstabilkan bekalan ayam melalui
pelesenan. Semua pemborong dan penjual runcit ayam diwajibkan
mempunyai lesen yang dikeluarkan di bawah peraturan ini dan
mematuhi syarat-syarat yang dinyatakan di dalam lesen tersebut.

Perintah Kawalan Bekalan (Penandaan Barang-barang
Kawalan) 2006
[P.U (A) 379/06]
Perintah ini bertujuan untuk membenteras penyelewengan minyak
diesel bersubsidi dengan melaksanakan program Nanotag.
Peranan Pengguna
Akta 122 memastikan keseimbangan dalam pasaran dan bekalan barang
keperluan yang cukup untuk pengguna. Hal ini selari dengan hak pengguna
untuk mendapat keperluan asas. Dalam pada itu, pengguna juga harus
menjalankan tanggungjawab sebagai seorang pengguna untuk menegakkan
hak ini. Pertama, pengguna harus melibatkan diri dan mengambil tahu akan
hal ehwal semasa berkenaan dengan kepenggunaan. Jika isu berhubung
dengan kawalan bekalan timbul, pengguna haruslah bertindak secara rasional.
Sebilangan pengguna bertindak terburu-buru memborong barang-barang
keperluan tersebut apabila terjadinya masalah bekalan dan ini akan
menimbulkan rasa panik dan memburukkan keadaan. Kedua, jika pengguna
mempunyai maklumat tentang kegiatan menyorok barang-barang kawalan,
laporkan kepada pihak KPDNKK secepat mungkin supaya tindakan dapat
diambil. Ketiga, pengguna harus bersatu padu kerana inilah tindakan yang
paling berkesan dan boleh menambah kekuatan serta suara pengguna.
Ikutilah arahan kerajaan dengan baik kerana kerajaan mempunyai pelan
tindakan jika berhadapan dengan masalah bekalan barang-barang keperluan.
Penutup
Isu kekurangan bekalan barang-barang keperluan pengguna di pasaran adalah
isu bermusim yang timbul ekoran pelbagai faktor yang kadangkala tidak
dapat dielakkan. Terdapat tiga jenis barang kawalan iaitu barang kawalan
sepanjang masa, barang kawalan berjadual dan barang kawalan musim
perayaan yang telah ditetapkan di bawah Peraturan Kawalan Bekalan untuk
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
memastikan bekalan yang cukup kepada pengguna sepanjang masa.
Penguatkuasaan Akta 211 memainkan peranan penting untuk membenteras
aktiviti penyelewengan bekalan seperti menyorok barang. Di samping itu,
pengguna juga mempunyai peranan untuk menyokong usaha KPDNKK
dengan menjalankan tanggungjawab sebagai pengguna yang bijak.
Rujukan
Borrie, G.J. (1982). Legal and administrative measures of consumer
protection in the United Kingdom,” in Eastham, N. & Krivy, B. (edit). The
Cambrigde Lectures 1981. Toronto: Butterworths.
Goode, R.M. (1989). Consumer Credit Law. London: Butterworths.
Howells, G. & Weatherill, S. (2005). Consumer Protection Law, 2nd ed.
Hants: Ashgate.
Mohd Said Md Zin. (1990). The Role of Enforcement, Ministry of Trade and
Industry. A paper presented at the National Complaints Handling Workshop.
4-6 May 1990. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Rachagan, S. (1997). Consumer protection in the rapidly developing
economies of South-East Asia: A case study from Malaysia. Ramsay, I.
(edit). Consumer Law in the Global Economy: National and International
Dimensions. Hants: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
113
AN OVERVIEW OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS
AND FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERN
AMONG MALAYSIAN POPULATION
Shamsul Azahari Zainal Badari1, 2
Jayashree Arcot3
1
Department of Resource Management and Consumer Studies,
Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.
2
Sustainable Consumption Research Centre, Universiti Putra Malaysia
3
Food Science and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Introduction
Food is one of the basic human needs. Humans need food to live. However,
food is not only used to live, but also serve as a luxury item. According to the
Malaysia Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) for 2009/10,
food and non-alcoholic beverages is the second highest expenditure among
Malaysians with 20.3 percent of average total expenditure (Malaysia
Department of Statistics, 2012). Furthermore, the overeating of food among
Malaysians has increased the prevalence of obesity and overweight. The
World Health Organisation (WHO) (2013) reported that Malaysia was ranked
as the sixth in Asia for the highest adult obesity rate. This is caused by the
imbalance diet and high consumption of energy-dense food and low intake of
vegetables and fruits. Furthermore, the study by Norimah et al. (2008)
showed that 97 percent of Malaysian adults consume rice, marine fish and
sweetened condensed milk daily whereby this type of food were reported as
energy-dense. Even though rice is the staple food for Malaysians, but rice
contributes more energy than other food in Malaysia. Zainal Badari et al.
(2012) also reported that typical Malaysian diet consists mainly of proteinbased and energy-based food and low intake of fruits and vegetables. In order
to know more about the pattern of Malaysian food intake, several factors
need to be clarified, such as household income, food expenditure, nutritional
status and eating pattern. This paper will provide a clear overview of the
factors that contribute to the nutritional status and food consumption pattern
of the Malaysian population.
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The Malaysian situation
The Malaysian population in 2010 was 28.3 million, with the proportion of
racial groups being 67.4 percent Bumiputera, 24.6 percent Chinese, 7.3
percent Indian, and 0.7 percent others. The Malays were the predominant
ethnic group in Peninsular Malaysia (63.1%). The total population in the
working age group (15-64 years old) was 19.1 million, of which 72.8 percent
were from urban areas while the rest were from rural areas (Malaysia
Department of Statistics, 2011). This number represents the human resources
of Malaysia for the country’s development and growth. In the past decade,
Malaysia has been enjoying rapid growth and a low inflation rate. However,
at the beginning of 2004, the consumer price index (CPI), which measures
the inflation showed an increase due to the increases in fuel price.
Consequently, the imbalance in income among Malaysians has increased
since 2005, especially in the rural and urban areas, albeit in 2009, the overall
income distribution was more balanced (Malaysia Prime Minister’s
Department, 2010). The household income categories for Malaysians were
based on the monthly income of less than MYR2300 (lower-income),
MYR2301-MYR5599 (middle-income) and equal or more than MYR5600
(higher-income). In 2012, 40.0 percent of Malaysian households had a
monthly income of less than MYR2300, with the mean for monthly income
being MYR1847. Of this total, 90.6 percent were lower-income households.
Based on the strata, the distribution of lower-income households between
rural (48.6%) and urban (51.4%) areas was evenly distributed (Malaysia
Prime Minister’s Department, 2014).
At the same time, Malaysia plans to reduce the poverty rate among the
population to 0.0 percent by year 2020. The poverty rate declined from 8.7
percent in 1995 to 6.0 percent in 2002, and continued to decline to 1.7
percent in 2012. The hard-core poverty rate also reduced from 2.0 percent in
1995 to 0.2 percent in 2012 (Malaysia Department of Statistics, 2014). It
seems that the incidence of poverty and hard-core poverty among rural
households was also reduced from 14.8 percent in 1999 to 3.4 percent in
2012 and 3.6 percent to 0.6 percent respectively, within the same period
(Malaysia Prime Minister’s Department, 2014). The incidence of poverty
was based on the poverty line where those who had a monthly income below
than MYR720 (Peninsular Malaysia; urban: MYR740; rural: MYR700),
MYR830 (Sarawak; urban: MYR860; rural: MYR810), and MYR960
(Sabah; urban: MYR970; rural: MYR940) were considered poor (Malaysia
Prime Minister’s Department, 2006). The poverty line of Malaysia is divided
into two categories: food poverty line and non-food poverty line. The food
poverty line refers to the energy requirement of individuals based on the
nutritional balance from cereals and cereal products, chicken, eggs, fish,
milk, fat and oils, sugar, fruits and vegetables, and legumes. Starting from
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115
2005, the food poverty line for Peninsular Malaysia was MYR430 (urban:
MYR420; rural: MYR440), Sarawak (MYR520; urban: MYR530; rural:
MYR500), and Sabah (MYR540; urban: MYR540; rural: MYR540).
Households with a monthly income below this line were considered as hardcore poor (Malaysia Prime Minister’s Department, 2006).
For the non-food poverty line, the components are clothes, housing,
transportation and other expenses based on the household expenditure survey.
A household income below MYR663 (urban) and MYR657 per month (rural)
for Peninsular Malaysia; MYR881 (urban) and MYR897 (rural) for Sabah;
MYR777 (urban) and MYR753 (rural) for Sarawak for non-food poverty line
is considered poor (Malaysia Prime Minister’s Department, 2006). Based on
these lines, the household income are not enough, especially between the
lower-income and middle-income group, to satisfy their nutrient intake due to
the increase in food prices.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the changes in food price. The
CPI calculates the percentage change in the cost of purchasing a constant
basket of goods and services in a specified time period (Malaysia Department
of Statistics, 2012). The CPI for Malaysia represents the expenditure pattern
of Malaysian households and is collected by the Malaysian Department of
Statistics every year. The CPI of the food basket for the base period (every
five years) was assigned a value of 100.0. Since 2003, the CPI for food and
non-alcoholic beverages has increased (Malaysia Department of Statistics,
2012) as shown in Table 1. For 2004, the CPI for food and non-alcoholic
beverages increased 2.0 percent compared to 2003, and the incremental
increase in this category from 2005-2009 was 20.7 percent The increase in
CPI is due to the increase in petrol and diesel fuel prices. Other factors that
contribute to the increment of CPI include the freight rates, insurance
premiums and other transportation-related costs (Jinap, Mad Nasir & Mohd
Salim, 2003).
Even though socio-economic development has increased since Malaysia’s
independence in 1957, the economic downturn in 1997 and again in 2007 has
decreased the spending power among Malaysians, especially for those in the
lower-income group. Some efforts have been made to sustain consumer
spending. For example new technologies, new brands developed for local
products, and the increasing use of biotechnology through the Ministry of
Agriculture (Jinap et al., 2003). Based on these efforts, there are many
opportunities for the food industry and agricultural sectors to increase their
production, and, at the same time, reduce food prices in the market.
Consumers can spend less to buy healthier food, which will provide many
advantages for lower income households. However, a report by the Malaysia
Department of Statistics (2011) showed that food and non-alcoholic beverage
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expenditure among Malaysian households between 2004/05 and 2009/10
increased by 13.0% due to the increase in the food prices. This is likely to
have increased the budget constraints of lower-income households in
Malaysia (Heng & Guan, 2007).
Table 1: Consumer Price Index (2005=100; 2010=100) by Food and Nonalcoholic Beverages and Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Group,
2003-2011, Malaysia
Year
Total
Group
Food & non-alcoholic
beverages
Alcoholic beverages &
tobacco
Weight
(2005 &
100
31.4
2010=100)
2003
95.7
94.4
2004
97.1
96.4
2005
100.0
100.0
2006
103.6
103.4
2007
105.7
106.5
2008
111.4
115.9
2009
112.1
120.7
2010
100.0
100.0
2011
103.2
104.8
Source: Malaysia Department of Statistics (2012)
1.9
79.0
87.8
100.0
106.9
115.2
123.6
131.1
100.0
104.6
The nutritional status of the Malaysian population
The nutritional status of Malaysians is undergoing a transition (Khor et al.,
2002). Changes in lifestyle, including food production, food preferences,
dietary habits, and other factors related to food are associated with the
changes in the health and disease patterns of Malaysians (Khor et al., 1998).
The health statistics show that heart disease and diseases of pulmonary
circulation (16.5%) are the major causes of death for Malaysians in 2008
(Malaysia Ministry of Health, 2009). At the same time, the prevalence of
obesity and overweight among children is increasing (Kasmini et al., 1997;
Ismail & Tan, 1998; Ismail & Vickneswary, 1999), which will lead to risk
factors for type two diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity when
they become adults (He & Evans, 2007).
Lifestyle changes in adults lead to unhealthy eating habits, socioeconomic
pressure, and smoking and decreased physical activity, which will lead to an
increase in chronic disease risk factors (Lam & Khor, 1997). The principle
causes of death in Malaysia among men and women aged 15-64 years old in
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
117
2007 were ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease (Malaysia
Ministry of Health, 2009), which are assumed to increase yearly. Some
research shows that these diseases are related to unhealthy food intake.
Another study shows that poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles were
the major weight gain contributors (Norlaila, 2008).
The causes of overweight and obesity are complex and are subject to many
contributory factors. In this case, genetic make-up, activity levels, age,
gender, behaviour, environment, culture and energy intake (Williams, 2004)
are some of the factors that contribute to the prevalence of obesity and
overweight among adults. The changes in lifestyle also lead to the changes in
energy requirements of the individuals. Even though some people need to
consume higher energy food because of their active lifestyle, most of them
lead inactive lifestyle, and, therefore, need fewer calories. In addition, they
need to cut their energy intake to maintain their ideal weight (Williams,
2004). However, the high intake of energy-dense food and sedentary lifestyle
among Malaysians (Noor, 2002) have increased the problem of overweight
and obesity among them.
The problem of overweight and obesity among adults in Malaysia is higher
than most of the other Asian countries except for South Asian countries
where the overweight rate was 17.4 percent and is higher in women (26.0%)
than men (7.2%) (Kee et al., 2008). Overweight and obesity are related to
cardiovascular disease, depression and diabetes (Burke et al., 2005). The
results from the Malaysian Third National Health and Morbidity Survey
(NHMS III) in 2006 showed that 29.1 percent of the adults were overweight
(BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) and 14.0 percent of the adults were obese (BMI ≥
30.0 kg/m2). In addition, women have higher obesity prevalence (17.4%) than
men (10.0%). Based on these results, it seems that the level of overweight
and obesity among adults has increased three times compared to the results
from Malaysian NHMS II in 1996 (Noor Safiza et al., 2008). However, the
Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) in 2003 reported that the energy
intake among adults was lower than RNI 2005, which suggests that the
underestimation of dietary intake in some people may reflect on the energy
intake of the population (Mirnalini et al., 2008). Chee, Ismail and Zawiah
(1997) in their study showed that, in general, Malaysian adults have
increased their fat derived energy intake from 23.0 percent to 27.0 percent
while the energy intake from carbohydrates decreased from 63.0 percent to
59.0 percent.
Narayan and Abdul Rashid (2007), in their research of body mass index and
nutritional status among adults in two rural villages in Malaysia, showed that
the prevalence of underweight was 9.8 percent, overweight 25.9 percent and
obesity 17.0 percent. This study also showed that women, especially
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housewives, were obese and that half of them had hypertension. Besides
hypertension, other conditions such as diabetes are also common. Another
study showed that the prevalence of overweight among men was 51.0 percent
and 35.0 percent in women, while obesity was present in 27.0 percent of
women and 22.0 percent of men. It was pointed out that overweight and
obesity are potential health problems among adults, especially in the rural
areas (Norimah & Haja Mohaideen, 2003).
Some studies have been conducted to determine the nutritional status among
children and the elderly in Malaysia. Suriah et al. (1996) found that the mean
energy intake among the elderly were below the Recommended Dietary
Allowance (RDA). The percentage of carbohydrates from total calories was
higher than fat and protein, while there were no respondents who consumed
less than 1/3 RDA of protein in this study. The study by Zalilah et al. (2000)
among schoolchildren from low-income families in Kuala Lumpur showed
that 52.0 percent of the children were underweight, 50.0 percent were
stunted, and 30.0 percent of them were borderline wasted. This study also
showed that more boys were underweight, stunted, wasted, and overweight
compared to the girls. Even though there were cases of under-nutrition, many
studies have shown that children tend to be overweight and obese in Malaysia
(Ismail & Tan, 1998; Ismail & Vickneswary, 1999; Chee et al., 2002;
Lekhraj Rampal et al., 2007).
From the literature collected so far, the nutritional status of the Malaysian
population seems to show a trend towards over nutrition. According to Tee
(1999), the fat and protein intake from 1961 to 1997 increased, and appear to
increase every year. Data on the food balance sheet for Malaysia, taken from
the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2012) showed an incremental
increase in energy intake from food supply (kcal/capita/day) every five years
starting from 1980 to 2009 (Table 2). From 1980 to 2009, the energy intake
from food supply increased gradually from 2765 kcal/capita/day to 2902
kcal/capita/day. In 1995, the intake was highest (2943 kcal/capita/day). The
total fat and protein intake for the same period also showed an incremental
increase.
The total fat supply for 1980 increased from 77.4 g/capita/day to 84.7
g/capita/day in 2009. For protein, the supply increased from 59.1 g/capita/day
in 1985 to 79.0 g/capita/day in 2009. The percentage of total supply from
plant sources for fat in this period increased from 51.2 percent to 53.8 percent
with the highest percentage in 1985 (Figure 1). For protein supply, it showed
a gradual increment, except for the years 1985-1995 (FAO, 2012). However,
the fat and protein supply from animal sources increased year by year. Based
on this data, it shows that Malaysians get more energy from animal sources,
which has led to the increased risk of chronic diseases. As reported by Khor
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119
(2012), the calories obtained from animal products rose about 82.0 percent
from 1967 to 2007, even though there was a noticeable decline during that
period.
Table 2: Food Balance Sheet Data by Food, Fat and Protein Supply,
1980-2009, Malaysia
Item
1980
Food Supply
2765
(kcal/capita/day)
Fat Supply
77.4
(g/capita/day)
Protein Supply
59.1
(g/capita/day)
Source: FAO (2012)
2000
2005
2009
2671
2656
2943
2864
2820
2902
92.1
90.1
89.3
84.4
83.8
84.7
58.6
63.0
76.0
76.0
77.1
79.0
Animal products (protein)
Plant products (fat)
Plant products (protein)
66.1
56
44.3
34
20
0
Year
1995
71
51.4
48.5
29.3
66
55
45.1
34.4
58.2
58
42
65.4
54.2
45
35
63 63.5
52.3
48.5 52.5
47.3
37.1 37
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Percent (%)
40
1990
Animal products (fat)
80
60
1985
Year
Source: FAO (2012)
Figure 1: Percentage of Fat and Protein from Animal and Plant
Products based on The Food Balance Sheet of Malaysia, 1980-2009
Based on previous studies, overweight and obesity among Malaysians
become a challenging trend for the public's health. The latest survey shows
the pre-obese and obese among Malaysian adults were 33.3 percent and 27.4
percent respectively, while 3.9 percent of Malaysian children were obese
(Malaysia Ministry of Health, 2011). Furthermore, obesity is a core risk
factor for several chronic diseases. Therefore, the government should take the
necessary action by developing policies and programs that can reduce the
problems of overweight and obesity among Malaysian.
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Food consumption pattern of the Malaysian population
The food consumption survey is normally used to assess the food
consumption at the national, household or individual level, with the data
being expressed in terms of nutrient and/or food (Gibson, 2005). The food
balance sheet was used to assess the food available nationally, and the data
were presented based on a per capita basis using population estimation. The
food balance sheets were also used to monitor food consumption trends over
certain periods within an individual country and to compare the supply of
food available between countries (Gibson, 2005). Many studies have been
conducted to measure the food consumption pattern of Malaysians. Chee et
al. (1996) reported that Malay estate workers consumed a lot of rice, cooking
oil and sugar, while Indian estate workers consumed more rice, cooking oil
and instant coffee. These food items were the main source of energy in their
diet. The source of protein mainly comes from fish while meat, poultry and
fish products were consumed among these workers.
Other studies reported low intake of micronutrients and vitamins, such as
calcium, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin, due to the low
consumption of meat, fruits, vegetables and milk among rural adults in
Malaysia and higher intake of meat and chicken among urban adults resulting
in the higher intake of fat in their diet (Chee et al., 1997). The study by Khor
(2012) also reported that rice, anchovies and marine fish were highly
consumed by Malay rural households, and contributed to the energy and
protein in their diet. The same results were obtained by Norimah et al. (2008)
in the MANS, which showed rice, marine fish, green vegetables and
sweetened condensed milk are among the foods that were highly consumed
by adults. Rice and sugar were excessively consumed by urban adults in
Malaysia while green vegetables, chicken and sweetened condensed milk
were consumed moderately in the current study of food consumption pattern
in Malaysia (Zainal Badari et al., 2012).
It seems that from 1996 to 2012, energy-dense foods, such as rice, were
consumed in higher amounts among Malaysians, while milk, vegetables and
fruits were consumed moderately or in low amounts. However, the intake of
rice per capita of Malaysians decreased about 15.0 percent from 1990 to 2005
even though rice is a major staple food, while the consumption of poultry and
meat products increased within the same period (Warr, Rodriguez & Penm,
2008). The increased consumption of poultry and meat products increases the
intake of fat and protein in the diet and is one of the risk factors of
overweight and obesity among Malaysians (Norlaila, 2008; Kee et al., 2008;
Noor Safiza et al., 2008). The demand for wheat based products and rice
among Malaysian (Sheng et al., 2008) also increased the factors of
overweight and obesity.
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
121
The food balance sheet data from FAO shows the increasing trend
availability per capita of the macronutrient calories, fat and protein of
Malaysia (FAO, 2012). The steady decline of calories from complex
carbohydrates, and unchanged availability of fruits and vegetables were also
shown in this data. The rise of intake of fat and protein foods that provide
high calories can result in overweight and obesity among Malaysian. As the
intake of food varies widely in previous studies among Malaysia, other
factors should be taken into account such as food preferences and
socioeconomic factors to measure the food consumption among Malaysians.
Conclusion
Although many studies have been conducted to measure the nutritional status
and food consumption pattern of the Malaysian population, several factors
need to be considered as well for future research, such as household income,
poverty line, consumer price index, prevalence of overweight and obesity and
type of food consumed. This paper can be used as a reference for researchers
interested in the food consumption pattern and food expenditure pattern of
Malaysian population. In addition, this paper can be used as a guideline in
developing studies related to food consumption by households, either in
urban or rural areas. The factors described above should be given special
attention in the methodology development of food consumption studies.
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Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia
Dr. Syuhaily binti Osman
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Dr. Husniyah binti Abdul Rahim
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Datin Nor Rashidah binti Zainal
Fakulti Pengurusan Perniagaan
Universiti Teknologi Mara
Dr. Elistina binti Abu Bakar
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Pn. Leylawati binti Joremi
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Prof. Madya Fauziah binti Abu Bakar
Fakulti Pengurusan Perniagaan
Universiti Teknologi Mara
Dr. Norhasmah binti Sulaiman
Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains Kesihatan
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Dr. Afida Mastura Muhammad Arif
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Ketua Editor)
Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia mengalu-alukan
sumbangan manuskrip berkaitan isu ekonomi
pengguna dan keluarga samada di dalam
Bahasa Melayu atau Bahasa Inggeris.
Manusip akan dinilai oleh embaga
Pengarang. Sila kemukakan artikel anda
berdasarkan garis panduan berikut kepada
Ketua Pengarang Jurnal Pengguna Malaysia,
Fakulti Ekologi Manusia, Universiti Putra
Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor. Email:
macfea@upm.edu.my
Penulisan dan Kertas Kerja
Manuskrip perlu ditaip selang dua baris
menggunakan kertas A4 dengan 1” margin
untuk bahagian atas muka surat, 1.5” kiri dan
1” kanan. Bilangan muka surat tidak melebihi
15 muka surat. Semua teks mesti
menggunakan saiz 12 dan Times New Roman.
Tajuk
Tajuk artikel, nama pengarang dan pengarang
yang lain, alamat lengkap institusi dan email
perlu dinyatakan. Tajuk atau sub-tajuk
menggunakan fon 14. Sila kemukakan dua
salinan kertas manuskrip dan satu salinan
lembut untuk tujuan pengeditan.
Kata kunci
Berikan antara tiga hingga lima kata kunci dan
letakkan di bahagian bawah abstrak.
Jadual
Kesemua jadual perlu diletakkan di akhir
manuskrip selepas rujukan dan menggunakan
angka Arab. Setiap jadual perlu dinyatakan
dan perlu diberi penjelasan dalam teks.
Ilustrasi
Ilustrasi termasuk gambarajah-gambarajah
dan graf-graf perlu dinyatakan di dalam teks.
Kesemua foto yang sesuai perlu dicetak hitam
dan putih. Ilustri perlu dicetak pada kertas
yang berasingan.
Ejaan dan pengukurn
Bagi merujuk ejaan, Kamus Bahasa Inggeris
Oxford dan Kamus Dewan Bahasa yang
terkini hendaklah digunan. Unit - unit metrik
mesti digunakan untuk ukuran empirikal.
Rujukan
Rujukan ditulis mengikut gaya penulisan
APA.