2026-02-28
Elham Abu Freiha, Saher Hamad Al-Qaralleh
Background and Purpose: This paper introduces a detailed linguistic and discursive analysis of a presidential speech by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan to explore the linguistic role of presidential speeches as a resource for building a sense of unity and nationalism and to represent a positive presidential style. Under the theoretical background of Positive Discourse Analysis (PDA), this contribution aims to position the linguistic study of presidential speeches at the point where the study of political leadership meets linguistic and discursive analysis to explore the positive linguistic and discursive representation of the moral foundations of identity at the level of the nation state of Jordan. Methodology: This study uses a qualitative method of interpretive analysis that employs PDA to analyze a speech by His Majesty at the opening of the Eighteenth Parliament. This method uses the three evaluative criteria of attitude, engagement, and graduation to analyze the text to monitor the construction of moral alignment and inclusive nationalism. This study collected information from an official version of the speech presented by the Royal Hashemite Court and was informed by literature concerning the discourse of a monarch and political communication issues for the Middle East. Findings: The findings indicate that the rhetoric uses positive evaluative vocabulary to convey a moral and emotional perception of the nation. Through the utilization of inclusive pronouns and positive moral appeals, the King portrays a moral nationalist project of cooperation and hope. Not only does this analysis indicate that the words and impact of hope are morally persuasive for a moral nationalist project of cooperation, but also that the King’s words serve to morally transform the meaning of history while being morally linked to Palestine to create a moral nationalist perception of hope for a united future. Contributions: This research contributes to knowledge about political communication in Jordan by demonstrating the performance of unity and moral authority instead of dominance by means of language. This context widens the theory of PDA for the examination of speeches by a monarch to demonstrate that the discourse of value and affiliation supports emotional legitimacy for a constitutional monarchy. This analysis contributes to further discussions related to leadership public rhetoric by explaining the relationship between linguistic positivity and civic/national belonging. Keywords: Royal speech, King Abdullah II, Jordan, Positive Discourse Analysis (PDA), linguistic analysis, Palestinian cause, nationalism. Cite as: Abu Freiha, E., & Al-Qaralleh, S. H. (2026). Positive discourse and national unity in Jordan: A contextual pragmatic analysis of King Abdullah II’s address to the eighteenth parliament. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 11 (1), 315-329. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol11iss1pp315-329
2026-02-28
Mohd Safri Mohammed Na’aim, Rohaida Nordin, Ramalinggam Rajamanickam
Background and Purpose: Human trafficking is a serious global issue, including in Malaysia, where victims often comprise illegal immigrants, making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation. In 2010, section 61A was introduced through the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Act 2010 (Act A1385) to allow for the admissibility of depositions made by trafficked persons or smuggled migrants who cannot be found during court proceedings. With the introduction of this provision, human trafficking offences may be proven not only through the oral testimony of illegal immigrants in court but also by way of depositions, subject to the prescribed statutory conditions. This expands the modes of proof and addresses practical challenges in securing their physical presence during trial. However, the use of depositions raises important concerns relating to the accused’s right to a fair trial. This research aims to examine the legality of the use of depositions under section 61A of the ATIPSOM 2007 in proving human trafficking related offences. Methodology: This research employed doctrinal legal research by conducting a thorough analysis of relevant laws, namely the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM 2007) (Act 670), the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) and the Federal Constitution. In addition to statutory analysis, an examination of case law was undertaken to gain insights into the court’s stance on the use of depositions in human trafficking offences. Scholarly writings in this field were also examined to provide a thorough understanding of the subject. Findings: The research found that section 61A of the ATIPSOM 2007 allows for the admissibility of depositions made by trafficked persons who cannot be found during court proceedings. The provision aims to ensure that crucial evidence is not lost due to the removal or unavailability of such persons. While the use of depositions has been debated for potentially infringing on the accused’s right to a fair trial under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution (FC) and compromising their right to equality under Article 8 of the FC, the Federal Court in Ketheeswaran Kanagaratnam & Anor v. Public Prosecutor [2024] 2 CLJ 341 upheld the constitutionality of section 61A of the ATIPSOM 2007. Contributions: This research contributes to the corpus of legal knowledge on the use of depositions in court for human trafficking offences in Malaysia within the legal framework of the criminal justice system. Keywords: Human trafficking, Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, deposition, evidence, fair trial. Cite as: Mohammed Na’aim, M. S., Nordin, R., & Rajamanickam, R. (2026). The use of depositions in court for human trafficking offences in Malaysia. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 11 (1), 232-245. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol11iss1pp232-245
2026-02-28
Suraya Ahmad, Wan Noor Hazlina Wan Jusoh, Nurul Masirah Mustaffa, Ahmad Azrin Adnan, Muhammad Hamdan Syafieq Ahmad
Background and Purpose: Zakat aims at alleviating poverty through the equitable dissemination of wealth and the fostering of a prosperous Muslim community. To fulfil zakat divine objectives, zakat distribution issues in the contemporary system must be properly identified and discussed to safeguard the welfare of both zakat recipients and zakat payers. This study focuses on uncovering the publication trend in the zakat distribution field. In addition, this study explores the most influential source titles and publications. Lastly, this study also examines the profiling of author themes in zakat distribution research, its evolution and the co-occurrence of the themes. Methodology: This study conducted bibliometric analysis using biblioMagika® and VOSViewer. The Scopus database serves as the primary data source. OpenRefine, was used to clean, harmonize, and transform unstructured Scopus data that corrects discrepancies in English, including synonyms, spellings, and plural. The analysis on the publication trend, source title, publication and authors theme was performed using biblioMagika®. VOSviewer software is subsequently employed in the study to identify the co-occurrence and clusters of the themes. Findings: 136 publications were included in the study after screening, cleaning and harmonization process. It is found that the number of publications and citations fluctuates between the year 2011 and 2025. The highest publications were in the year 2024, while the highest citations were in the year 2020. Jurnal Pengurusan is the most influential source title, while “Zakat Institutions in Malaysia: Problems and Issues” is the most cited publication in the study. The analysis using biblioMagika® reveals that “zakat”, “zakat distribution”, “asnaf”, “zakat institutions” and “Malaysia” are the author themes stated in more than 10 publications. “Zakat”, “zakat distribution” and “asnaf” are influential and well-established themes with over two hundred citations. These themes are viewed as mature and ongoing, with most related research published around the year 2018. The network visualisation map depicts that “zakat”, “zakat distribution”, and “asnaf” are closely connected to each other, with “zakat” listed as the core topic in zakat distribution studies. The VOSviewer further clustered the themes into eight clusters, each consisting of between three and seven themes that construct a research structure. Contributions: The review provides information on the evolution of the authors’ theme in zakat distribution, which provides future insights into zakat distribution issues. Keywords: Zakat distribution, bibliometric, author themes, temporal and citation impact, cluster visualization. Cite as: Ahmad, S., Wan Jusoh, W. N. H., Mustaffa, N. M., Adnan, A. A., & Syafieq Ahmad, M. H. (2026). Profiling zakat distribution literatures: A bibliometric lens. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 11 (1), 174-192. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol11iss1pp174-192
2026-02-28
Siti Daleela Mohd Wahid, Wan Mohd Hirwani Wan Hussain, Vijayaletchumy Krishnan, Neeta Jayabalan, Perengki Susanto
Background and Purpose: While university support is widely acknowledged as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, its role in shaping social entrepreneurship intention (SEI) remains debated in literature. Some studies report strong links between institutional support and SEI, while others find minimal or inconsistent influence. This study aims to address this ambiguity by examining the relationship between university support and SEI among Indonesian university students. The broader purpose is to better understand how different forms of perceived institutional support contribute to shaping the social entrepreneurial mindset in emerging economies like Indonesia, particularly within a youth and higher education context. Methodology: This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional survey approach using structured questionnaires administered to 318 Indonesian university students, selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via AMOS to assess the direct and indirect effects of university support on SEI, with attitudes toward social entrepreneurship (ATSE) as a mediating variable. The measurement model was validated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), ensuring construct reliability and validity before hypothesis testing. Findings: Findings indicate that university support has both direct and indirect effects on SEI. However, university support does not significantly influence ATSE, suggesting that other psychosocial or familial factors may be more critical in shaping attitudes. This points to the complexity of SEI formation, where institutional support may trigger intention through pathways other than attitudinal shifts. Contributions: This study contributes a contextualized SEI model specific to Indonesian youth and higher education. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, universities, and SME stakeholders seeking to build robust ecosystems for nurturing future social entrepreneurs. Keywords: University support, social entrepreneurship, intention, higher education, AMOS software. Cite as: Mohd Wahid, S. D., Wan Hussain, W. M. H., Krishnan, V., Jayabalan, N., & Susanto, P. (2026). Beyond university support: How family business background shapes social entrepreneurship intention in Indonesia? Journal of Nusantara Studies, 11 (1), 19-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol11iss1pp19-32
2026-02-28
Nurul Aimi Razali, Muhamad Helmy Sabtu
Mahathir Mohamad writes about the political comeback of Malaysia's longest-serving leader during its most turbulent time in Capturing Hope: The Struggle Continues for a New Malaysia from 2018 to 2020. The book documents Mahathir’s reflections as Malaysia’s seventh Prime Minister after spearheading Pakatan Harapan (PH) to victory in the 14th General Election, which ended six decades of Barisan Nasional’s dominance. The text combines Mahathir's life story with political analysis through his dual role as a memoirist and political commentator. The text combines Mahathir's story of his 92-year-old political comeback with his analysis of corruption and governance, coalition politics, and reform. Central to the account is the fragile nature of PH’s multiracial coalition, Mahathir’s uneasy reconciliation with Anwar Ibrahim, and the eventual collapse of the government following his resignation in 2020. The book shows that Mahathir believed that strong leadership was needed to achieve reform and stability, but his approach was often seen as authoritarian. Mahathir presents himself as both a reformist and a pragmatist who wants to create a Malaysia without corruption, ethnic divisions, and institutional weaknesses. Through its blend of inspiration and controversy, Capturing Hope offers valuable insights into the complexities of Malaysia’s democratic transition and leadership challenges. Cite as: Razali, N. A., & Sabtu, M. H. (2026). Review of the book Capturing hope: the struggle continues for a new Malaysia by Mahathir Mohamad. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 11 (1), 311-314. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol11iss1pp311-314
2026-02-28
Wirawani Kamarulzaman, Hasniza Ibrahim
Background and Purpose: This study examines how reflective journaling can enhance critical thinking skills among undergraduate students enrolled in an Educational Testing and Assessment course. It explores students' reflective experiences through qualitative analysis, focusing on how structured journaling supports the development of critical thinking dispositions. Methodology: A qualitative research design was employed involving 45 undergraduate students who completed reflective journals at three intervals throughout the semester. Each journal entry responded to guided questions related to specific course topics. In total, 135 reflective journals were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, themes, and indicators of critical thinking dispositions. Findings: The analysis revealed seven critical thinking dispositions reflected in students' writing: cognitive maturity, analyticity, self‑confidence, systematicity, open‑mindedness, truth‑seeking, and inquisitiveness. Students demonstrated increasingly meaningful and analytical reflections across the three journaling cycles, indicating deeper engagement with course concepts and enhanced metacognitive awareness . Contribution: This study highlights reflective journaling as an effective assessment strategy for fostering critical thinking in higher education. The identified themes provide insight into how reflective practices shape students' cognitive development and reveal their underlying dispositions. The study also acknowledges limitations and proposes directions for future research to further examine the role of reflective journaling across diverse educational contexts. Keywords: Reflective journals, critical thinking, undergraduate students, qualitative research, thematic analysis, educational testing and assessment. Cite as: Kamarulzaman, W., & Ibrahim, H. (2026). Uncovering critical thinking dispositions through reflective journaling: A qualitative study of Malaysian undergraduates. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 11 (1), 291-310. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol11iss1pp291-310
2025-07-31
Hasniza Ibrahim, Wirawani Kamarulzaman, Halim Ismail, Nur Syaza Afrina Muhamad Sani
Background and Purpose: This study aims to examine the levels of mathematics attitudes and creative thinking among Malaysian secondary school students and to explore the relationship between these two factors. The goal is to provide valuable insights and recommendations to enhance the overall quality of mathematics education in Malaysia. Methodology: A quantitative research design was adopted, using a survey as the primary method of data collection. Data were collected from 531 secondary school students in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur through a validated instrument that is Mathematics Attitude and Creative Thinking Scale (MACTS). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS. Findings: The findings indicate that the overall levels of mathematics attitude (M = 3.26, SD = 0.71) and creative thinking (M = 3.28, SD = 0.69) among Malaysian secondary school students were at a middle high level. Additionally, the study revealed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.70, p < 0.001) between students' attitudes toward mathematics and their creative thinking skills. Contributions: This study provides significant contributions to both theory and practice in mathematics education. Theoretically, it enriches the existing literature by exploring the relationship between mathematics attitudes and creative thinking skills within the Malaysian secondary school context. Practically, it provides valuable information for teachers, curriculum developers, and policymakers. Keywords: Mathematics attitudes, creative thinking, mathematics education, STEM education, secondary school students.
2025-07-31
Yesisca Hana Gunawan, Sutarti Sutarti, Mohd Taufik Mohd Suffian, Salwa Zolkaflil
Purpose: Air pollution in Indonesia poses serious health risks, as current air quality fails to meet WHO standards. This issue impacts environmental, social, and economic conditions, raising public concern over corporate activities. While prior research has examined the relationship between corporate governance and sustainability reporting, results have been inconsistent. This study aims to investigate this association specifically in Indonesia's mining sector. Methodology: Corporate governance was evaluated using board characteristics (size, independence, gender diversity, and financial expertise) and audit committee attributes (size, financial expertise, and meeting frequency). Sustainability reporting was scored from 0 to 4, with the highest score reflecting assurance by an external provider. The study analyzed 20 mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2017 to 2022 using multiple regression analysis. Findings: Board commissioners and the audit committee positively impacted sustainability reporting, except for board size and gender diversity which have negatively impacted the sustainability reporting. However, only board independent, board expertise and audit committee meetings have a significant influence on sustainability reporting. Contributions: The findings suggest that the board of commissioners and audit committee do not significantly influence the social, economic, and environmental outcomes of company activities. Companies are advised to restructure their boards to enhance oversight and improve sustainability reporting. Keywords: Corporate governance, sustainability report, environmental pollution, mining industry, Indonesia stock exchange.
2025-07-31
Siti Hirdayu Mohd Radzi, Rahayu Abdul Rahman, Mohd Hadli Shah Mohamad Yunus, Norzarina Noordin, Nur Aima Shafie
Background and Purpose : The swift advancement of internet technology, particularly accelerated by Covid-19 pandemic, has transformed the lifestyle of Muslims and introduced various digital zakat options. The purpose of this study is to explore the determinants influencing willingness of muzakkis (zakat payers) to fulfil their zakat obligations using digital platform. Methodology : Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Technology Readiness (TR) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study incorporates prior exposure with zakat digitalization alongside core constructs; innovativeness, optimism, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. Data have been obtained using structured questionnaires distributed to 230 Malaysian muzakkis (Muslim zakat contributors). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the gathered data in order to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings : The results show that innovativeness, perceived usefulness, and previous exposure to digital zakat services significantly and positively affect zakat payers' desire to use online payment methods. In contrast, optimism and perceived ease of use were not significant factors of such intentions. Contributions : This study enhance our knowledge of factors shaping online zakat payment adoption among Muslim payers. Notably, it is among the first to combine the Technology Readiness and Acceptance frameworks with prior digital exposure to predict zakat payers’ adoption behavior regarding online payment technologies. Keywords : Online zakat payment service, theory of technology readiness, theory of acceptance model, prior exposure, zakat payer’s adoption intention .
2025-07-31
Zaharah Abdullah, Nor Aishah Mohd Ali, Siti Fatimah Noor Minha, Khairiah Ahmad, Nurul Hidayah Ahamad Nawawi, Eley Suzana Kasim, Dej-anan Bungkilo
Background and Purpose: Web-based environmental, social, and governance (ESG ) reporting is becoming increasingly important in religious institutions, particularly within the State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs) in Malaysia. This paper explores the role of this reporting in ensuring the sustainability of religious institutions in the country. Methodology: To gain insights into the essential elements for formulating a coherent web-based sustainability reporting framework, a multi-site qualitative research approach comprising 13 religious institutions was employed. A total of 27 semi-structured interviews were conducted with heads of departments, information technology officers, webmasters, and administrative staff. Findings: The findings advocate for a framework integrating ESG elements, viz., environmental stewardship, stakeholders’ engagement, transparency and accountability, supported with data management, tailored to the unique context of religious institutions. Salient implications of adopting a digitalized, unified sustainability reporting method were discussed, potentially guiding SIRCs through the complexities of ESG reporting. Contributions: This paper provides a foundational framework for policymakers, offering a lens through which the reporting framework can be evaluated and refined to promote enhanced stakeholder collaboration, transparent communication, and evidence-based decision-making in pursuing sustainability goals within religious institutions. The integrated framework presents a novel approach to empower religious institutions via ESG reporting. Keywords: Sustainability reporting, framework, website disclosure, content analysis, religious institutions.