DOCSLIB.ORG

A Study on Malaysian Child Act (2001) Faizah Haji Mas'ud

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

“Malaysianisation” of Malaysian Social Policy Development: A Study on Malaysian Child Act (2001) Faizah Haji Mas’ud “BSc. (Human Development), Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, 1993: MSW (Applied), Massey University, 1997” “This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Western Australia” 2012 ABSTRACT Social policy development in Malaysia has gone through various stages and influences due to many factors, including the country‘s historical experiences and global policy. Social policy is formulated by the State according to a particular welfare model and to pursue intended political goals set forth for the country. In this study, the Malaysian Child Act (2001) (MCA 2001) has been selected to exemplify the development of social policy in Malaysia. The study seeks to examine what social, political, and economic circumstances in Malaysia have influenced the development of Malaysian social policy with reference to the MCA 2001. Working from an ‗insider-outsider‘ perspective in qualitative inquiry, the research employs a thematic approach in the textual analysis of the MCA 2000, and is supported by relevant laws and information gathered from interviews with selected participants. In this research, the importance of text (statute) is acknowledged as a representation of the exercise of power in the social reality. To ensure a valid account of the phenomena, MCA 2001 is connected with other texts (laws and policy) and the local participants. This research has included interviews with stakeholders who are involved directly and indirectly with the formulation or implementation of the Act. The MCA 2001 endorsed a change of direction away from a problem-solving agenda to a preventive approach. The study reveals how the Act was formulated as the means to achieve ‗Malaysianisation‘ in social policy, and at the same time adheres to the development of international social policy, in particular the United Nation Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC). The formulation of the MCA 2001 facilitated the State‘s aims to achieve the status of a developed nation in Malaysian Vision 2020. Thus, the Act was utilised to deliver the State agenda in nation-building and at the same time corroborated the country‘s development plan. To do this, the multicultural population was homogenised by the MCA 2001 to achieve a universal standard of child welfare. This study highlights three main functions of the Act in Malaysia social policy: formalising the partnership between the State and the family in the protection and regulation of children‘s behaviour; merging child protection law and corrective justice into one law; and continuation of a residual approach to the protection and regulation of children's behaviour from the previous laws, especially for children in at-risk situations. i The thesis concludes with an argument that it is critical for social policy in Malaysia to be formulated only after a full consideration of the population it addresses, and how time, place, context and policies can be effectively used to achieve policy objectives. There should be a formal evaluation of social policy through various bodies of the State to evaluate effectiveness, and to provide input about achievement of future policy. ii TABLE OF CONTENT ABSTRACT ................................................................................................... i TABLE OF CONTENT ............................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES..................................................................................... vii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................... viii GLOSSARY OF MALAY WORDS AND TERMS .................................... x ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................ xii THESIS DECLARATION ......................................................................... xiii CHAPTER ONE: OVERVIEW ................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Malaysia and Child Welfare Policy .............................................................................. 3 The Research Questions ................................................................................................ 6 Thesis Outline ............................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER TWO: THE RESEARCH JOURNEY: MEANING MAKING IN SUBJECTIVITY ...................................................................................... 8 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 8 Methodological Perspectives ........................................................................................ 9 Theory and Methods of Qualitative Inquiry ............................................................... 10 Research on Social Policy ....................................................................................... 10 iii The Research ............................................................................................................... 12 Self-in-Research Methodology ............................................................................... 14 The ‗Outsider‘ Perspective ...................................................................................... 16 The ‗Insider‘Perspecetive..... ...................................................................................18 The‘Insider-Outsider‘ Perspective......... ................................................................19 Data Collection ........................................................................................................... 22 Textual Analysis ..................................................................................................... 22 Conversations with Stakeholders ............................................................................ 24 Meaning-Making of Information ............................................................................ 25 Ethical Consideration .............................................................................................. 28 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 28 CHAPTER THREE: SOCIAL POLICY DISCOURSE: TOWARDS ‗MALAYSIANISATION‘ FROM A BRITISH COLONY TO A DEVELOPED NATION ............................................................................. 30 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 30 The Development of Malaysian Social Policy ............................................................ 31 Issues in Social Policy; Internal and External Preoccupation ..................................... 36 ‗Malaysianisation‘: From social work to social policy to social work .................. 44 A System of Binary Law versus the Universal Standard ............................................ 57 Malaysian Syariah Law: Internal and External Fusions ......................................... 59 Child Welfare Policy in Malaysia ............................................................................... 64 iv Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 73 CHAPTER FOUR : FORMALISING THE ROLE OF FAMILY FOR CHILDREN AT-RISK: ALLIANCE OF THE STATE, THE FAMILY AND THE CHILD ...................................................................................... 75 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 75 A Merger of Protection and Corrective Justice: For the Welfare of the Child ........... 76 The Social Construction of a ‗Child in-Need and at-Risk‘ ......................................... 78 Social Construction of ‗The Family‘ ........................................................................... 80 The Social Construction of ‗At- Risk Family‘ ........................................................ 85 The State: Power and Knowledge ............................................................................... 95 The Child - In Reality and in Social Policy .............................................................. 105 Children as Future Citizens ................................................................................... 109 Individuals of Innocence ....................................................................................... 111 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 113 CHAPTER FIVE: CORRECTIVE JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AT-RISK: FOR THE PEACE AND HARMONY OF A NATION........................... 115 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 115 Regulation of a Child and Family and Society ......................................................... 116 The Social Construct of Corrective Justice in the MCA 2001 .................................. 120 Beyond Control ..................................................................................................... 128 Inappropriate
Recommended publications
  • Constitutional Review and Separation of Powers

    Constitutional Review and Separation of Powers

    CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW AND SEPARATION OF POWERS Sixth Conference of Asian Constitutional Court Judges 2009 Copyright © 2009 by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Singapore Editor Clauspeter Hill Publisher Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung 34 Bukit Pasoh Road Singapore 089848 Tel: +65-6603 6171 Fax: +65-6603 6170 All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Layout and Design Hotfusion 7 Kallang Place #04-02 Singapore 339153 www.hotfusion.com.sg Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Singapore Constitutional Review and Separation of Powers Sixth Conference of Asian Constitutional Court Judges 2009 CONTENTS Preface __________________________________________________ 7 The Constitutional Court is an Important Institution ______________________ 11 in the Mongolian State System Hon. Prof. Dr. J. Byambadorj The Relation between Constitutional Review Organs, Governments __________ 20 and the Ordinary Judiciary – Malaysian Perspective Rt. Hon. Justice Arifin Bin Zakaria The Relation between Constitutional Review Organs, Governments __________ 38 and the Ordinary Judiciary – Cambodian Perspective H.E. Top Sam The Constitutional Court of Kyrgyzstan ________________________________ 43 Hon. Justice Svetlana Sydykova Constitutional Jurisdiction and Legislation ______________________________ 49 Hon. Justice Prof. Dr. Rudolf Mellinghoff The Binding Effect of the Decision of Unconstitutionality on the Legislature ____ 60 - Whether we should allow repetitive enactment by the legislature - Hon. Justice Dong-Heub Lee The Indonesian Constitutional Court and its Important Roles _______________ 71 Hon. Justice Dr. Harjono, S.H., MCL Constitutional Adjudication and Judicial Reforms in Uzbekistan _____________ 81 Hon. Justice Sayyora Khakimova The Relation between Constitutional Review Organs, Governments __________ 89 and the Ordinary Judiciary - Thailand Hon.
  • Convention on the Rights of the Child

    Convention on the Rights of the Child

    UNITED CRC NATIONS Convention on the Distr. Rights of the Child GENERAL CRC/C/MYS/1 22 December 2006 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION Initial report of States parties due in 1997 MALAYSIA * [20 December 2006] * In accordance with the information transmitted to States parties regarding the processing of their reports, the present document was not formally edited before being sent to the United Nations translation services. GE.06-46021 CRC/C/MYS/1 page 2 CONTENTS Paragraphs Page PART I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................. 1 - 63 3 Chapter 1 General Background ........................................................... 1 - 24 3 Chapter 2 General Political Structure.................................................. 25 - 63 9 PART II. THE REPORT .................................................................... 64 - 373 20 Chapter 3 General Measures of Implementation................................. 64 - 130 20 Chapter 4 Definition of the child......................................................... 131 - 132 35 Chapter 5 General principles............................................................... 133 - 155 40 Chapter 6 Civil Rights and Freedoms ................................................. 156 - 173 45 Chapter 7 Family Environment and Alternative Care......................... 174 - 237 50 Chapter 8 Basic Health and Welfare ................................................... 238 -
  • Judgment of Abdul Hamid Mohamad, Pca

    Judgment of Abdul Hamid Mohamad, Pca

    DALAM MAHKAMAH PERSEKUTUAN MALAYSIA (BIDANG KUASA RAYUAN) RAYUAN JENAYAH NO. 05-46-2007(W) ANTARA PENDAKWA RAYA … PERAYU DAN … RESPONDEN KORAM: AHMAD FAIRUZ SHEIKH ABDUL HALIM, CJ ABDUL HAMID MOHAMAD, PCA ALAUDDIN MOHD SHERIFF, CJ (M) RICHARD MALANJUM, CJ (S&S) ZAKI TUN AZMI, FCJ JUDGMENT OF ABDUL HAMID MOHAMAD, PCA The Respondent who was 12 years and 9 months old at the time of the commission of the offence was charged in the High Court for the offence of murder punishable under section 302 of the Penal Code. He was convicted and ordered to be detained during the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong pursuant to section 97(2) of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611) (“the Child Act”). He appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction but set aside the sentence imposed on him and released him from custody 2 on the sole ground that section 97(2) of the Child Act was unconstitutional. The Public Prosecutor appealed to this court. On what ground did the Court of Appeal hold section 97(2) of the Child Act to be unconstitutional? From the judgment of the Court of Appeal, it can be seen that that court had arrived at that conclusion on the following premises: (i) The doctrine of separation of powers is an integral part of the Constitution; (ii) Judicial power of the Federation vests in the courts; (iii) By section 97(2) of the Child Act, Parliament had consigned the power to determine the measure of the sentence that was to be served to the Yang di- Pertuan Agong in the case of an offence committed in the Federal Territories, or to the Ruler or the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, if the offence is committed in the State.

  • Title Constructing Juvenile Delinquency

    Title Constructing juvenile delinquency: An analysis of news media coverage and government response to youth crime in Malaysia By Kamsiah Ali M.A (Hons), B.A (Sociology) Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales March 2012 ORIGINALITY STATEMENT ‘I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.’ Signed …………………………………………….............. Date …………………………………………….............. i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my parents Ali and Timah as well as my sisters and brothers. Without their continued support and encouragement throughout my life, I would have never made it to this point. I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. Jane Bolitho, Dr. Alyce McGovern, and my previous co- supervisor, Prof. Chris Cunneen, for their guidance in helping me through this learning process. In addition, I would like to thank the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for granting me a government scholarship without which I would not have been able to undertake this important stage of learning.
  • Brand New Day

    Brand New Day

    Jan-Mar 2013 www.malaysianbar.org.my Chronicle of the Malaysian Bar Brand New Day PLUS The Stench of Criminal Justice CPD – Creating a Competitive Edge Blue-eyed Girl from the “Pedalaman” In collaboration with For Malaysian Bar circulation only Contents PRAXIS Contents CHRONICLE OF THE MALAYSIAN BAR President’s Message Editorial Readers’ Comments Features/Articles 6 The Malaysian Bar Interviews the Chief Justice, BAR COUNCIL MALAYSIA Tun Arifin Zakaria BAR COUNCIL 18 The Stench of Criminal Justice 15 Leboh Pasar Besar 50050 Kuala Lumpur 20 Continuing Professional Development – Creating a Competitive Tel No: (603) 2050 2050 Fax No: (603) 2026 1313 / (603) 2034 2825 / (603) 2072 5818 Edge for Malaysian Lawyers Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.malaysianbar.org.my 24 Speech by Lim Chee Wee, President of the Malaysian Bar – Opening of the Legal Year 2013 MEMBERS OF BAR COUNCIL MALAYSIA 2012/2013 Events President: Lim Chee Wee Vice-President: Christopher Leong Secretary: Tony Woon Yeow Thong 32 Siri Pemikiran Kritis Forum: Section 114A of the Treasurer: Steven Thiru Evidence Act 1950 Abdullah Hamzah | Ahmad Taufiq b Baharum | Andrew Khoo Chin Hock | Brendan Navin Siva 33 Thinking like a Business Ninja — Revenue Generation Desmond Ho Chee Cheong | Dipendra Harshad Rai | Faridah Yusoff | George Varughese Gnasegaran s/o Egamparam | Hendon Mohamed | Hon Kai Ping | Indran V Kumaraguru 34 Formula NYLC Interstate Go-Kart Challenge: K Anandaraj Krishnasamy | K Mohan K Kumaran | Kanarasan Ghandinesen | Karen Cheah Yee Lynn Kuthubul
  • Is There a Basis for a Rights Based Argument for Diversion in Malaysia?’ 3

    Is There a Basis for a Rights Based Argument for Diversion in Malaysia?’ 3

    Children in conflict with the law: Is there a basis for a rights-based argument for diversion in Malaysia? Paul Linus Andrews Law School Lancaster University June 2018 DECLARATION This thesis is submitted to fulfil the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. It is my own work and no part of it has been submitted in substantially the same form for the award of a higher degree elsewhere. Elements of Chapter 1 have been published in Andrews, P.L. (2018). The Malaysian Legal System in Trakic, A. et al Law for Business. Kuala Lumpur: Sweet and Maxwell Asia. Signed: Paul Linus Andrews Date: June 2018 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work could not have come to completion had it not been for the unwavering support, professional guidance, and scholarly engagement of my supervisors Dr Ian Paylor and Dr Luca Follis, Lancaster University. Thank you for making this journey less mythical than what others ordinarily endure. I am deeply indebted to Sunway University, Malaysia and Lancaster University for institutional scholarships that facilitated this study. I am profoundly grateful to my friends and colleagues at the Centre for Commercial Law and Justice, Sunway University for their support, encouragement and patience during my periods of residency in Lancaster. I would also like to thank the various individuals who shared their time to talk to me. To the boys in the Henry Gurney School, Puncak Borneo, Sarawak; I am humbled by your honesty and willingness to share your stories with me. I owe much gratitude to my family and loved ones who provided personal support and inspiration when it mattered most especially my mum, Mrs.