YOUTH CENTRE KUALA LUMPUR

Memorandum

TO: KAPT (R) Nurhaslinda binti Dato’ Yaacob

FROM: P KDT Mohd Rosminizam bin Mohd Daud
DATE: 6 April 2007
SUBJECT: Social Problem among the Youth in Malaysia: Factors that
contribute and the prevention strategies. Putra World
Trade Central (PWTC) 4-5 April 8, 2007.

1. INTRODUCTION
This is report of above conference that has been organized by the Malaysia Youth
Community Council in Kuala Lumpur and had attracted many university students and
high school students around the Malaysia. It was held by our Deputy Prime Minister of
Malaysia Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak. The aim of this report is to
highlight the social problems among the youth in the Malaysia, factors that contribute to
this issues and the planning to cure this problem. Some ideas from the student have being
discussed and it will become the solution to prevent the social problems among the youth.

2. FINDINGS

2.1 What is social problem?

Many definitions have been offered.
Social problems can be defined as the loss of an aim or object in life such as life
values or moral values. From this definition we can simplified that social problem is a
decline of moral values1. According to Al-Ghazali this social problem happens when
there is an inverse relationship between prosperity and moral decline. Its occurrence
influenced by hedonistic worldview and lifestyle2 . From that statement we can say that
moral decay or moral incline happens when wealth, physical and emotional satisfaction
and pleasures become as the fundamental goals in our lives.

1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_problem
2 http://www.stephen-knapp.com/spiritual_enlightenment_a_cure_for_social_ills.htm

1
2.2 Type of Social Problem

2.21 Loitering

In Malaysia we speak of budaya lepak, which refers to the phenomenon of teenagers

hanging out at shopping complexes, malls, supermarkets and transportation terminals.
The loitering culture has become a national concern; in particular of the Ministry of
Youth and Sports which has said it wants to launch a campaign to arrest its growth3.

2.22 Gangsterisme

In our country youth gangs exist throughout the world and are frequently associated with
violence. For example, fights between gang members erupted after drinking, alcohol was
used prior to fights to build confidence; alcohol use occurred after fights as a seal of gang
unity, alcohol and violence were linked4.

2.23 Alcoholisms

In Malaysia alcohol is a controlled item. However the youth in Malaysia nowadays have
been influenced by the western culture that drinking alcohol is the usual habit. This is risk
factors both for being victimized and perpetrating youth violence. The victims and
perpetrators alike are young people, and the consequences of youth violence can be
devastating. The impact of youth violence reaches all sectors of society, placing huge
strains on public services and damaging communities. Reducing harmful alcohol use and
violence among young people should thus be considered a priority for policy makers5.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik said that party leaders should go to places
like pubs and discos to get a first hand look at problems among the youth6.

3
Bishan Singh is Executive Director of MINSOC, 2441 Jalan Merpati, 1st Floor, 25300 Kuantan, Pahang
Darul Makmur, Malaysia, Fax (60-9) 514-982, a columnist for The Sun in Malaysia, and a contributing
editor of the People-Centered Development Forum. This column was prepared and distributed by the
PCDForum.
4
www.marininstitute.org/Youth/alcohol_youth.htm
5
www.freeessays.cc/db/44/smu237.shtml
6
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n662/a05.html

2
2.24 Vandalism

Vandalism is the conspicuous defacement or destruction of a structure, a symbol or

anything else that goes against the will of the owner/governing body. Private citizens
commit vandalism when they willfully damage or deface the property of others or the
commons. Some vandalism qualifies as culture jamming or sniggling — it is artistic in
nature as well as being carried out illegally or without the property owner's permission.
Examples include at least some graffiti art, billboard liberation and possibly crop circles.
Criminal vandalism has many forms; graffiti on public property is common in many inner
cities as part of a gang culture7

2.25 Rump-it

A Mat Rempit is a Malaysian term for 'an individual who participates in illegal street
racing', usually involving underbone motorcycles (Kapcai) or scooters. Minah Rempit
can refer to either the female counterpart, or a female companion of a Mat Rempit. Not all
Mat Rempits involve in street racing, some of them just ride their motorcycles
dangerously on public roads. Mat Rempits usually travel in groups and race in bustling
city centres on weekend nights. As of recently, Mat Rempits have been linked to
gangsterism, gang robbery, fighting, vandalism, thefts and bullying. Most motorcycles
used by the Mat Rempits do not meet standard specifications, or have been modified
extensively. Additionally, some Mat Rempit do not have valid licenses, do not pay road
taxes, and ride stolen motorcycles. More and more housing estates were turned into
racing tracks. It is estimated that there are about 200,000 Mat Rempits in Malaysia8.

2.26 Drug addiction

The MCA has set up a committee to tackle rising social-ills among youths, particularly
drug abuse. Committee chairman Datuk Chor Chee Heung said the problems included
taking Ecstasy pills and gambling9. Drug addiction is a condition characterized by
compulsive drug intake, craving and seeking, despite negative consequences associated
7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandalism
8
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat_Rempit
9
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n662/a05.html

3
with drug use. The phenomenon of drug addiction has occurred to some degree
throughout recorded history though modern agricultural practices, improvements in
access to drugs, advancements in biochemistry, and dramatic increases in the
recommendation of drug usage by clinical practitioners have exacerbated the problem
significantly in the 20th century10. Improved means of active biological agent
manufacture and the introduction of synthetic compounds, such as methamphetamine are
also factors contributing to drug addiction. According to Bernama, Supt Hasbie said
Bukit Aman and state Narcotics Departments had made several arrests and raided
premises processing Ecstasy pills throughout last year and early this year11.

2.3 Factors contribute to the social problem

2.41 Family Ties
The family is the most important institution in the formation of a human who is
physically and mentally healthy. The functions form and role of the family institution
changes owing to the current physical and communication developments in the country.
The obsession in pursuing material gains has caused a rift in family ties. Spiritual ties
among family members have become eroded and as a result some members suffer
from emptiness in life and this will result in more serious social problems12.

2.32 Family Residence

The size of the family residence is another contributing factor to juvenile misconduct.
Based on the experience and factors collected at Henry Gurney Schools, a majority of the
social degradation cases among adolescents are those who live in small and overcrowded
homes which have an insufficient number of rooms. The discomfort of living in such a
residence causes the occupants to seek comfort outside the home particularly in shopping
complexes and places of entertainment which encourage the freedom to mix among
adolescents13. The Government has made it a policy that housing projects of either
medium or lower projects must have three rooms.
10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/drug_addiction
11
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n662/a05.html
12
Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan, (28th February 2004) Lets strengthen our ethical practices,
http://www.ikim.gov.my/bm/paparmedia.php?key=419
13
Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan, (28th February 2004) Lets strengthen our ethical practices,
http://www.ikim.gov.my/bm/paparmedia.php?key=419

4
2.33 Religious Education
A staunch belief in God is the main instrument in managing lustful drives. This can be
achieved through the internalization and practice of religious values as every religion
demands its followers to do well and to avoid all evils. Based on the experience with and
observation of juvenile detainees, the Prison Department of Malaysia found superficial
religious knowledge to be a contributing factor to juvenile misconduct, where 80% of the
juveniles have a weak foundation in religious knowledge, 18% have secondary level
religious education and 2% tertiary level religious education14.

2.34 D. The Individual

The individual factors, namely attitude, low self-esteem, mental and physical health
problems, a low level of education, the inability to cope with stress and to solve
problems, drug abuse and pornography are contributing factors to social deviance among
adolescents. This is due to the fact that adolescents require guidance and support in the
process of developing their identity and in determining their goals in life15.

2.35 The Environment

The environment refers to a wide area. Individuals live and depend on the environment in
determining their way of life. The environmental factors which encompass the high rate
of poverty, weak social support system, community tolerance of crimes, limited social
amenities, peer group influence, social rejection and the influx of criminal sources,
particularly pornography, are contributing factors to criminal behaviors in society16.

2.36 Poverty

14
Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan, (28th February 2004) Lets strengthen our ethical practices,
http://www.ikim.gov.my/bm/paparmedia.php?key=419
15
Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan, (28th February 2004) Lets strengthen our ethical practices,
http://www.ikim.gov.my/bm/paparmedia.php?key=419
16
Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan, (28th February 2004) Lets strengthen our ethical practices,
http://www.ikim.gov.my/bm/paparmedia.php?key=419

5
Poverty is closely connected with criminal misconduct. The strain of financial burdens is
often used as an excuse by offenders to commit crimes such as stealing and snatching.
The experience and observation of young prisoners and juveniles who are serving prison
sentences shows that a majority of them come from families with a monthly income
below RM1000 and with four to seven siblings17.

2.37 Peer Group Influence

Peer group influence is another contributing factor to social deviance among adolescents
and juveniles. The urge to try something new and provocation from the peer group often
result in adolescents being involved in criminal activities. The habit of imitating a certain
culture, for example the punk and skinhead cultures, without evaluating the good and bad
of the culture concerned, can also lead adolescents to involve themselves in social
deviance. In the process of searching for their self-identity, adolescents often in
their choice of a role model. They are more inclined to be influenced by their peer group
and treat advice and criticisms from their family as something that restricts and bores
them18.

2.38 Academic Background

Statistics at the Henry Gurney schools and the Prison Department of Malaysia show that
122 (30%) of the inmates received a primary education and 410 (70%) received a
secondary education. Of the total, 310 of them left school after lower secondary
education19.

2.4 Recommendation and Suggestion to Overcome Social Problems

17
Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan, (28th February 2004) Lets strengthen our ethical practices,
http://www.ikim.gov.my/bm/paparmedia.php?key=419
18
Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan, (28th February 2004) Lets strengthen our ethical practices,
http://www.ikim.gov.my/bm/paparmedia.php?key=419
19
Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan, (28th February 2004) Lets strengthen our ethical practices,
http://www.ikim.gov.my/bm/paparmedia.php?key=419

6
2.41 School and Teacher
There is several method and approaches and way to prevent these issues. Firstly that the
secondary school should enforce a rule that is compulsory to every student to join a
minimum of one co-curriculum activity. This can served as a prevention to stop the youth
from becoming gangsters. The disciplinary department in school should be more active in
inculcating and imparting knowledge about social problem among the youth in the
school.

2.42 Families and Neighbors

As a parental institution, family member must play their role in making the great happy
family. Parent must control their children by take an act in create their children attitude.
For example by limit their children time outside the house and try to know who their
children friends are. Parent must strengthen the religious education among the family
members so this can prevent their children become wild. The neighbors also must look
after and also help the other to report every social problem in their area. So the police can
take action to stop this before it happen.

2.43 Government and NGOs Engagement

2.431 Ministry of Home Affairs

Together with the Ministry of Health, this ministry initiated a prevention and
control program in all prisons and drug rehabilitation centers.

2.432 Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development

This ministry is intensively involved in conducting courses on family
development, which includes training on parenting, adolescent development
and healthy lifestyles.

2.433 The role of public health

7
 The public health approach to violence prevention uses a wide range of data
and research to provide a better understanding of the extent, causes and risks
of violence and to implement effective interventions through collective action.
For alcohol-related youth violence.

2.434 NGOs
In line with the national policy, more than 14.2 million Malaysian ringgit
(about US$3.8 million) has been provided to NGOs to support their efforts in
social problem prevention and control the youth violent. It also provides
counseling, outreach programs, training, support and care services, education,
and awareness rising.

2.435 Mass Media

There must be the media campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the
social problem among the Malaysian youth. These have been broadcast on
television and radio as well as through posters and booklets distributed
through various channels. The government, NGOs, and the private sector are
involved in this effort.

3. Conclusion

Youth is the future leaders of the nation. They will become somebody and will
conduct our country to the mission 2020. So if the social problem among the youth can’t
be control this is the bad situation to the country. As the citizen we must try as hard as
possible to prevent from the social problem spread among our beloved teenager. We must
stand together to stop this problem happen to our children and teenagers. This conference
is the first step to find some solution to prevent this problem among our teenagers
become worst. This need full commitment of all party to stop this so we can build the
successful and harmony country.