JATI - JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES

JATI, VOL.30(2), 2025: Content & Abstracts

Editor in Chief EIC — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800

FIFTY YEARS OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES IN MALAYSIA: NAVIGATING PEDAGOGIES, PERSPECTIVES AND PRACTICES

Mala Rajo Sathian — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800

The article discusses the development of Southeast Asian Studies or more broadly area studies in Malaysia through the lens of the Department of Southeast Asian Studies at the Universiti Malaya. The experiences and trajectories of the department as a pioneer institute in the region offering a degree program in Southeast Asian Studies merits a close analysis. Through the intersections of pedagogies, perspectives and practices implemented by the Department of Southeast Asian Studies, the article delineates key achievements and challenges for area studies, both at the national and regional levels. The article concludes with some observations to move area studies forward, suggesting a region-plus framework that embraces existing and emerging subregions in the region and wider East and South Asian regions.

(RE)MEASURING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN MALAYSIA

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800

The Orang Asli are frequently associated with poverty, but conventional unidimensional measures like the Poverty Line Income (PLI) fail to capture the full scope of their complex deprivation. This study employs the UNDP-Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the profound socio-economic challenges faced by the Batek community in Taman Negara Pahang, with a specific focus on severe deprivation in the dimensions of standard of living, education, and health. Through in-depth interviews and field observations with 17 informants, the research reveals the community grapples with severe deficiencies in their standard of living, lacking basic necessities such as adequate housing, clean water, and sanitation. These material shortfalls coexist with and exacerbate significant, persistent barriers in accessing equitable education and healthcare services, creating an interlocking cycle of disadvantage. The study documents a nuanced reality; while the establishment of village clinics has demonstrably improved healthcare access and utilisation, substantial obstacles remain. The findings underscore the critical need for collaborative, multidimensional interventions from policymakers, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organisations. These interventions must be specifically tailored to the community's unique cultural context to prioritise holistic development and effectively break the cycle of poverty.

WORKPLACE MEALS AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS: TAIWANESE FACTORIES IN VIETNAM

Khoa Le Toan Vu — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Vietnam is a nation in significant transition, characterised by a youthful, dynamic population with high literacy rates and substantial human capital potential for sustained economic growth. Since the implementation of the “Đổi Mới” economic reforms, Vietnam attracted significant foreign direct investment (FDI). However, the influx of FDI has presented both opportunities and challenges, including labour disputes and strikes, particularly in foreign-invested enterprises. This study explores the importance of meals at work as a focal point of labour strikes, examining the broader implications for industrial relations, Taiwanese factory management practices, and the role of trade unions in Vietnam. The study draws on data from in-depth interviews with 25 Vietnamese informants and 13 Taiwanese informants, who have been working in Binh Duong province. The study shows that, with changes in Vietnamese government policies, the context of globalisation, and the shortage of unskilled labour, industrial relations and the management policies of Taiwanese factories in Binh Duong province have changed. This research emphasises the need for improved meal quality for workers, urging factories to select better meal providers to help reduce strikes. It also recommends that government agencies strengthen grassroots trade unions by providing legal training and helping mediate between workers and employers to reduce conflicts and prevent strikes.

LOCAL TOURISTS’ PERCEPTION OF ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN LABUAN MARINE PARK, MALAYSIA

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Marine parks in Malaysia are designated protected areas where human activities are restricted to conserve marine ecosystems. These parks promote ecotourism and increase public awareness of the marine environmental importance. Understanding local tourists’ perceptions of ecotourism development in marine parks is essential for balancing conservation objectives with visitor expectations. This study investigates local tourists’ perceptions of ecotourism development in Labuan Marine Park (LMP) using a questionnaire survey. Data were analysed with SPSS employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The results indicate that most respondents recognised the park’s conservation purpose, and approximately half strongly agreed that Labuan Marine Park had deteriorated due to surrounding development. While respondents expressed general satisfaction with ecotourism services in LMP, they recommended improvements to certain infrastructure. Therefore, marine park development should be carefully planned and regulated to align with tourist expectations while safeguarding the ecosystem. The study highlights the potential of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to enhance marine ecotourism in LMP.

A PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION’S IMPACT ON VIETNAM’S SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL LIFE

Nga Thi Khuat, Ha Van Thi Ta — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is transforming Vietnam’s economic, cultural, and spiritual landscape through the accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence, automation, and pervasive digital connectivity. This article investigates how key 4IR dynamics—global cultural flows, platform-mediated communication, data-driven governance, and shifts in labour regimes—intersect with Vietnam’s philosophical and cultural traditions rooted in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Marxist humanism. Drawing on an integrative qualitative thematic review of peer-reviewed literature and policy documents (2015–2025), combined with interpretive philosophical analysis, the study identifies four overarching themes: first, tensions between cultural continuity and the commodification of heritage; second, changing youth values and the emergence of digital subjectivities; third, ethical challenges associated with automation, datafication, and surveillance; and (4) the mediating influence of education and cultural policy. The findings argue that while 4IR poses significant risks of cultural erosion, it also presents opportunities for renewal through digitisation, creative industries, and community-centred cultural technologies. The paper introduces a Vietnam-specific analytical framework that links technological drivers, institutional mediators (education, policy, and digital platforms), and resulting impacts on cultural identity and spiritual well-being. It concludes with recommendations for human-centred AI governance, curriculum reform integrating digital citizenship and cultural literacy, strengthened support for the digitisation of intangible heritage, and community partnerships that sustain spiritual practices in hybrid online–offline forms. Achieving a balance between modernisation and cultural stewardship is essential if Vietnam is to harness the benefits of 4IR without compromising the values that underpin its social cohesion and spiritual life.

BEHIND THE WALLS OF PESANTREN: A REVIEW OF THE HIDDEN PSYCHOLOGICAL AND ACADEMIC IMPACTS OF BULLYING IN INDONESIA

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Bullying is still a significant problem in Indonesia, especially in pesantren (Islamic boarding schools), in which hierarchical structures and cultural norms contribute to its prevalence. This study aims to systematically review the psychological and academic impacts of bullying and identify its contributing factors. Using a thematic review approach, this study synthesised findings from 48 scholarly articles across academic databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Lens, applying rigorous selection criteria and thematic analysis. The findings discover that peer influence, seniority-junior hierarchy, family instability, and cultural acceptance of aggression exacerbate bullying behaviour in pesantren. Additionally, consequences for victims include increased anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and academic decline, highlighting the need for more effective anti-bullying policies. Despite existing interventions, law enforcement remains inadequate; thus, it requires a more comprehensive, community-inclusive approach that integrates parental involvement, mental health support, and cultural transformation in pesantren. This study also provides critical insights into the underlying mechanisms of bullying in pesantren, emphasising the urgency of developing appropriate policy frameworks and interventions to mitigate bullying.

THE IMPACT OF ANGKLUNG ART-BASED INTERVENTION ON THE HEALTH OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN MALAYSIA

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800

This study explores the therapeutic potential of angklung a traditional bamboo musical instrument as an art-based intervention to enhance the well-being of senior citizens in Malaysia. Despite angklung being commonly played for recreational purposes in group settings, its specific health applications remain underexamined. Thus, this study aims to identify the benefits of angklung as an art-based activity for the elderly and to analyse its impact on their physical, psychological, cognitive, and social well-being. This study employed the qualitative descriptive method, and data were collected through literature review and semi-structured interviews. Participants included angklung experts, medical professionals, caregivers and elderly residents from two care centres in Penang. The Angklung Healing Art Project was used as the primary intervention. The collected data were then analysed thematically using the WHOQOL framework, and purposive sampling was employed to ensure sampling diversity. The findings revealed that angklung activities helped improve the participants’ physical and psychological health, independence, social interactions and their overall engagement in daily life. The elderly participants expressed enjoyment, increased motivation, and a sense of accomplishment after being involved in the sessions. Some also reported reduced anxiety and improved memory recall following the intervention. In this light, despite cognitive limitations faced by some of the participants, most were able to participate meaningfully, demonstrating the angklung's accessibility. The melodic and calming tones of the angklung, along with its lightweight and easy-to-play design, make it a suitable tool for therapeutic and recreational purposes in aged care environments. This study has highlighted the importance of incorporating culturally relevant, low-barrier, and enjoyable musical activities into elderly care programs. It also recommends the development of assistive tools to support angklung use among older adults with physical or cognitive limitations.

BEYOND RELIGIOUS MOTIVATION: SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDENTS’ ARABIC LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800

This study aims to examine the motivation of international students from Asia in choosing Brunei Darussalam as a destination for learning Arabic. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study design. Informants in this study include students from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines who are enrolled in Arabic language programs at Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University. The results show that Southeast Asian students choose Brunei for its high-quality education, conducive multicultural environment, socio-political stability, and strong Islamic influence. Despite the gap between initial expectations (such as educational modernisation and Western cultural influence) and the reality on the ground, most students were able to adapt and achieve their learning goals. This is supported by various effective strategies, such as joining study groups, interacting with native speakers, using digital resources, and participating in Arabic extracurricular activities. These strategies not only improve linguistic competence but also strengthen motivation and confidence. These results confirm that the combination of factors that encourage interest, local adaptation, and appropriate learning strategies makes Brunei an attractive and practical destination for Arabic language learning, while also contributing to the development of Arabic language education policy in ASEAN.

FACTORS AND ACTORS FOR STRENGTHENING AND SUSTAINING PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION IN CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA

Restu Lanjari, Eny Kusumastuti Kusumastuti, Hartono, Halimah Agustina — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800

In the face of modernisation and technological advancement, traditional performing arts (theatre, puppetry, mime, music, and dance) education has faced challenges, and even its survival is at stake in Java, Indonesia. The local Javanese population has been taking measures to strengthen and sustain traditional performing arts education on the island. However, this research lacks information on local traditional factors, measures, or practices for improving and sustaining traditional performing arts education in Indonesia, especially on Java Island. Therefore, this research aims to identify and examine factors and actors that strengthen and sustain traditional performing arts education. To address this question, the research used a qualitative research approach, specifically in-depth interviews and participant observations in schools in the Yogyakarta and Central Java regions of Indonesia. It also used secondary data. The findings show that local Javanese communities are using traditional arts education local wisdom, which significantly strengthens students' character. In this educational process, values such as gotong royong (cooperation), tepa selira (harmony), ungguh-ungguh (respect), and nguri-uri kabudayan (cultural preservation) are taught and inculcated. The research also underlines the current state of performing arts education, relevant local wisdom values, and collaborative strategies to maintain the relevance and sustainability of arts learning in formal, non-formal, and informal settings. This research also found that multi-stakeholder collaboration, integration of local elements into the curriculum, contextual learning approaches, and selective use of digital technology were key to sustainability