Population growth is a global issue that contributes to the changes in the distribution and concentration of population. Population growth affects the sustainable development of an area from both a social and spatial point of view. To relate the global problem to a local issue, this research investigates one of the Malaysian government policies addressed as the New Economic Policy (NEP) because the policy may be linked to long-term spatial demographic changes in Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in the distribution of people. Back in 1970, the policy was implemented after an unwanted incident on 13 May 1969. Its goals were to eradicate poverty regardless of race and to restructure society by eliminating the identification of race with economic functions. To measure the successfulness of the policy, two indicators that were derived from the goals are the long-term spatial changes of both racial and occupational segregation. The magnitude for both segregations was calculated using the Entropy Index (H). The values were then carried forward to evaluate the relationship between these two variables. The final analysis was conducted using the Local Bivariate Relationships application of a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool. The outputs then reflect the two sustainable goals that are, (i) reduced inequalities, and (ii) sustainable cities and communities in Peninsular Malaysia.
The main purpose of this paper is to clarify the similarities and differences in agricultural practices among the Iban people who live in geographically adjacent areas but different countries, Malaysia and Indonesia. The research areas are Lubok Antu in Sarawak, Malaysia and Lanjak in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. As the Iban people in these areas are of the same ethnicity, their traditional ways of shifting cultivation have been similar. However, at present, the two areas differ considerably in farming area, rice yield and application of fertilizers and agrochemicals. This may be partly due to intensification of agricultural practices and the resulting decline in soil fertility, but is largely due to economic disparities between the two areas. The effects of economic and political factors are analyzed and insights gained by the investigation of additional agricultural and economic activities such as cash crop production, wage-earning jobs and family expenditures in the research areas.
This study explored the conservation values of communally reserved forests (CRFs), which local indigenous communities deliberately preserve within their area of shifting cultivation. In the current landscape of rural Borneo, CRFs are the only option for conservation because other forested areas have already been logged or transformed into plantations. By analyzing their alpha and beta diversity, we investigated how these forests can contribute to restore regional biodiversity. Although CRFs were fragmented and some had been disturbed in the past, their tree species diversity was high and equivalent to that of primary forests. The species composition of intact forests and forests disturbed in the past did not differ clearly, which indicates that past logging was not intensive. All CRFs contained unique and endangered species, which are on the IUCN Red List, Sarawak protected plants, or both. On the other hand, the forest size structure differed between disturbed and intact CRFs, with the disturbed CRFs consisting of relatively smaller trees. Although the beta diversity among CRFs was also high, we found a high contribution of species replacement (turnover), but not of richness difference, in the total beta diversity. This suggests that all CRFs have a conservation value for restoring the overall regional biodiversity. Therefore, for maintaining the regional species diversity and endangered species, it would be suitable to design a conservation target into all CRFs.
This paper examines the living strategies of the indigenous rural-urban migrants in Sarawak, Malaysia, by observing their social, economic, and political activities. In the study area, Sibu town, the population of the Iban increased rapidly in the 1980s locating mainly in squatter areas. Although their organizing ability was not strong, they did conduct profitable negotiations with the administration for their housing condition in cooperation with other ethnic groups. Consequently, they acquired new housing lots in a resettlement scheme, which helped them establish more stable lives in the urban area. However, most of them, including those employed in the formal sector, still intend to return home after retirement and maintain their various rights to property in home villages. Some urban dwellers have a flexible interpretation of their custom to remain as a member of the original village. The strong tie with home village community, however, does not necessarily shackle the urban dwellers. Their choice of staying in a local town is the core of their living strategies, which enable them to continue circulating between urban and rural areas, and make careful preparations for their future life after retirement.
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