Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

Cultural Preservation Through ICT amongst Ethnic Minorities in Malaysia

Choo Yeong Khong, Sarjit S. Gill, Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah, A. T. Talib

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i11/11665

Open access

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has gradually evolved into a necessity for all members of society, whether in urban or rural areas. As ICT has penetrated almost every aspect of human daily lives, its impact on the culture and identity of ethnic minorities has been widely debated in recent years. On the one hand, ICT has been labelled as the catalyst that eroded the culture of the ethnic minorities; on the other hand, it has the potential to play a critical role in preserving the ethnic minorities’ endangered culture. This is worth pondering as many ethnic minorities in Malaysia are facing the threat of losing their cultural identity through various means such as being assimilated into mainstream society, can ICT be a beneficial instrument for cultural preservation to enhance the ethnic minorities’ cultural survival, or is it simply a rhetorical thought? Therefore, this article is significant as it endeavours to discuss the factors for the decline of the ethnic minorities’ cultural identity and aims to broaden perspectives on ICT and ethnic minorities’ cultural research in Malaysia.

Ac?lar, A. (2011). Exploring the aspects of the digital divide in a developing country. Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, 8, 231-244.
Ali, H. M. B. M. (2010). The maintenance of Malaysia's minority languages. [Paper presentation]. International Conference on Minority and Majority: Language, Culture and Identity, Sarawak, Malaysia http://irep.iium.edu.my/9829/4/ICMM2010_p27.pdf
Apulu, I., & Latham, A. (2011). Drivers for information and communication technology adoption: A case study of Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises. International Journal of Business and Management, 6(5), 51-60.
Arabestani, M., & Edo, J. (2011). The Semai’s response to missionary work: From resistance to compliance. Anthropological Notebooks, 17(3), 5-27.
Arrawatia, M. A., & Meel, P. (2012). Information and communication technologies & woman empowerment in India. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET), 1(8), 99-104.
Ashraf, M. M., Grunfeld, H., & Quazi, A. (2015). Impact of ICT usage on indigenous peoples’ quality of life: Evidence from an Asian developing country. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 19, 1-16.
Bhawna. (2019). A study on digitalization of education through understanding ICT. Globus Journal of Progressive Education, 8(2), 4-6.
Borgmann, A. (2006). Technology as a cultural force: For Alena and Griffin. The Canadian Journal of Sociology, 31(3), 351-360.
Carey, I. (1976). Orang Asli: The aboriginal tribes of Peninsular Malaysia. Oxford University Press.
Castleton, A. (2018). Technology and Inuit identity: Facebook use by Inuit youth. Alternative, 14(3), 228–236.
Chikonzo, A. (2006). The potential of information and communication technologies in collecting, preserving and disseminating indigenous knowledge in Africa. The International Information & Library Review, 38(3), 132-138.
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2018). Malaysia Digital Economy 2018. https://dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/ctheme&menu_id=b0pIV1E3RW40VWRTUkZocEhyZ1pLUT09&bul_id=UERrcjExbnRKd3NwQ0Y3V011RngyQT09#
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2019). ICT Use and Access by Individuals and Households Survey Report 2019. https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/pdfPrev&id=SFRacTRUMEVRUFo1Ulc4Y1JlLzBqUT09
Dyson, L. E. (2004). Cultural issues in the adoption of information and communication technologies by Indigenous Australians. In F. Sudweeks & C. Ess (Eds.), Proceedings of the Cultural Attitudes towards Communication and Technology (pp. 58-71). Perth: Murdoch University.
Economic Planning Unit Malaysia. (2001). Eighth Malaysia Plan, 2001-2005. http://www.epu.gov.my/en/eighth-malaysia-plan-2001-2005
Economic Planning Unit Malaysia. (2006). Ninth Malaysia Plan, 2006-2010. http://www.epu.gov.my/en/ninth-malaysia-plan-2006-2010
Edo, J., Awang, S. N., Fadzil, K. S., Zainol, R., & Ibrahim, W. S. W. (2013). Pendidikan dan hak asasi kanak-kanak: Satu tinjauan cabaran dan hala tuju pendidikan awal kanak-kanak Orang Asli di Kompleks Belum-Temenggor. Man and Society, 23, 1-18.
Ekeanyanwu, N. T. (2010). Theorizing cultural development vis-à-vis cultural imperialism theory. Critique and Application of Communication Theories, 28-49.
Fernandis, G. (2003). The Portuguese community at the periphery: A minority report on the Portuguese quest for Bumiputera status. Kajian Malaysia, 21(1), 285-301.
Gill, S. S., Amir Zal W. A., & Ma’rof, R. (2009). Jurang digital belia Orang Asli di Bukit Lanjan. Malaysian Journal of Youth Study, 1(1), 69-97.
Gill, S. S., Talib, A. T., & Kunasekaran, P. (2015). Social issues and identity threat of the Sikh minority community in Malaysia. Asian Culture and History, 7(2), 47-51.
Gill, S. S., Talib, A. T., Khong, C. Y., & Kunasekaran, P. (2016). Exploring the role of resources in ethnic minorities’ adoption of information and communication technology in preserving their cultural identity in Malaysia. Asian Culture and History, 8(1), 69-75.
Goulding, A., Campbell-Meier, J., & Sylvester, A. (2020). Indigenous cultural sustainability in a digital world: Two case studies from Aotearoa New Zealand. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 66-75.
Harris, C. A., & Harris, R. W. (2011). Information and communication technologies for cultural transmission among indigenous peoples. The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 45(1), 1-19.
Hashim, R., Idris, K. S., Ustadi, Y. A., Merican, F. M., & Fuzi, S. F. S. M. (2012). Digital inclusion and lifestyle transformation among the Orang Asli: Sacrificing culture for modernity. Asian Social Science, 8(12), 80-87.
Hunt, A. W. (1998). Orang Asli dan cabaran pembangunan. In H. M. Nor (Eds.). Warga pribumi menghadapi cabaran pembangunan (pp. 76-87). Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Ishak, M. S., & Hassan, M. A. (2007). Keengganan memiliki computer dan Internet di rumah: Satu persoalan jurang digital dalam kalangan masyarakat Malaysia. [Paper presentation]. International Conference on Media and Communication, Malaysia.
Kaware, S. S., & Sain, S. (2015). ICT application in education: an overview Sudhir. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Approach and Studies, 2(1), 25-32.
Khong, C. Y. (2015). Adoption of ICT and its impact on cultural identity sustainability of ethnic minorities in Peninsular Malaysia. [Unpublished Master dissertation]. Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Kijai, J. (2012). Factors related to language shift among the Tindal population in Ratau, Kota Belud, Sabah. Human Behavior, Development and Society, 7(1), 4-13.
Lee, S. K. (2008). The Peranakan Baba Nyonya culture: Resurgence or disappearance? SARI: Jurnal Alam dan Tamadun Melayu, 26, 161-170.
Lieberman, A. E. (2003). Taking ownership: Strengthening indigenous cultures and languages through the use of ICTs. http://www.guidestarinternational.org/documents/Takingownership-Strengthening Indigenous Cultures and Languages through the Use ICTs.pdf
Liu, J. (2021). Proselytising the indigenous majority: Chinese Christians and interethnic relations in East Malaysia, Anthropological Forum, 31(3), 1-19.
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (2014). Internet Users Survey. https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf/Internet-Users-Survey-2014.pdf
Masron, T., Masami, F., & Ismail, N. (2013). Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia: population, spatial distribution and socio-economic condition. J Ritsumeikan Soc Sci Humanit, 6, 75-115.
Menon, J., & Fink, A. (2019). The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Its Implications for Regional Economic Integration in ASEAN. Journal of Asian Economic Integration, 1(1), 32–47.
Michael, K., & Dunn, L. (2006). The use of information and communication technology for the preservation of aboriginal culture: The Badimaya people of Western Australia. In L. Dyson (Eds.), Information Technology and Indigenous People. (pp. 170-174). Idea Group Publishing.
Ministry of Education Malaysia (2013). Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025. https://www.moe.gov.my/menumedia/media-cetak/penerbitan/dasar/1207-malaysia-education-blueprint-2013-2025/file
Moorthy, R. (2009). The evolution of the Chitty community of Melaka. Jebat: Malaysian Journal of History, Politics & Strategic Studies, 36, 1-15.
Mufwene, S. S. (2002). Colonisation, globalisation, and the future of languages in the twenty-first century. International Journal of Multicultural Societies. 4(2), 1-48.
Mustafa, K. O. C. (2006). Cultural identity crisis in the age of globalization and technology. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 5(1), 37-43.
Ngcobo, K. M., & Obono, S. E. (2013). Modelling ICT adoption factors for the preservation of indigenous knowledge. International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, 7(1), 223.
Nickerson, M., & Kaufman, J. (2005). Aboriginal culture in the digital age. Policy, Politics & Governance, 10, 1-8.
Nicholas, C. (1996). The Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia. In C. Nicholas, & R. Singh (Eds.), Indigenous peoples of Asia: Many peoples, one struggle. Asia Indigenous Pact.
Nicholas, C. (2000). The Orang Asli and the contest for resources: Indigenous politics, development and identity in Peninsular Malaysia. International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs.
Nobuta, T. (2007). Islamization Policy toward the Orang Asli in Malaysia. Bulletin of the National Museum of Ethnology, 31(4), 479-495.
Oh, Y., Razak, N. F. A. H. A., Wee, D. H. T., Ching, E. L., & Rahman, Z. (2019). The development of Nyonya cuisine in the Malay Archipelago: Penang and Malacca Nyonya cuisine. Journal of Ethnic Foods, 6(1), 1–10.
Osman, M. N. (2007). The digital divide issues: is the gap getting bigger? Malaysian Journal of Communication, 23, 1-13.
Pillai, S., Soh, W. Y., & Yusuf, Y. Q. (2015). Perceptions about one's heritage language: The case of the Acehnese in Kampung Aceh and Malacca Portuguese-Eurasians in the Portuguese settlement in Malaysia. Kemanusiaan: The Asian Journal of Humanities, 22(2), 67-92.
Pinto, R. (2019). The effect of Western formal education on the Ghanaian educational system and cultural identity. The Journal of Negro Education, 88(1), 5-16.
Reid, A. (1997). Endangered identity: Kadazan or Dusun in Sabah (East Malaysia). Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 28(1), 120-136.
Resta, P. (2011). ICTs and Indigenous People. UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education.
Rosnon, M. R., & Talib, M. A. (2019). Indigenous education rights: The Malaysian case. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(10), 149-167.
Roztocki, N., Soja, P., & Weistroffer, H. R. (2019). The role of information and communication technologies in socio-economic development: towards a multi-dimensional framework. Information Technology for Development, 25(2), 171-183.
Samaras, K. (2005). Indigenous Australians and the ‘digital divide’. Libri, 55(2-3), 84-95.
Sawyer, R., & Chen, G. M. (2012). The impact of social media on intercultural adaptation. Intercultural Communication Studies, 21, 151-169.
Sintang, S., Hambali, K., Baharuddin, A., Ahmad, M., Nor, M. R. M., & Kadir, N. A. A. (2014). Conversion to Islam and interfaith marriage in" Sabah", Malaysia. The Ahfad Journal, 31(1), 46.
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333-339.
United Nations (2003). Tools for development: Using ICT to achieve the millennium development goals.
http://www.itu.int/net/wsis/stocktaking/docs/activities/1103056110/ICTMDGFinal.pdf
UNESCO (2011). Atlas of the world’s languages in danger.
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001924/192416e.pdf
Wurm, S. A. (1991). Language death and disappearance: Causes and circumstances. Diogenes, 39(153), 1-18.
Yamamichi, M. (2011). The role of mobile-enabled social media in social development. World Bank.
Zabecki, K. (2019). Promoting and preserving indigenous languages and cultures in the Americas through video games. Handbook of the Changing World Language Map, 1-18.
Zuppo, C. M. (2012). Defining ICT in a boundaryless world: The development of a working hierarchy. International journal of managing information technology, 4(3), 13-22.

In-Text Citation: (Khong et al., 2021)
To Cite this Article: Khong, C. Y., Gill, S. S., Samah, A. A., & Talib, A. T. (2021). Cultural Preservation Through ICT amongst Ethnic Minorities in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(11), 1848–1861.