ABSTRACT
The implementation of a movement control order (MCO) in Malaysia due to the COVID-19 pandemic has widely affected the majority of small-scale economic activities, including the food and beverage (F&B) sector. This paper aims to analyse the impact of MCO implementation on small-scale F&B activities in Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri (MBIP), Johor, Malaysia. Descriptive and inferential analyses were employed to analyse the impact of MCO implementation via a questionnaire sampling of 60 small-scale F&B operators across the case study. The research found that the movement restrictions had a massive influence on the economy of most of the businesses, particularly on their income generations. The MCO also obstructed a smooth economic recovery of any business, including the small-scale F&B activities, despite the various initiatives being addressed to minimise the economic impact of pandemic and sustain the business activities and income generations. Hence, a planning approach should be taken to manage the chain impact of a health crisis, such as movement restrictions, in reducing the economic impacts of small-scale F&B activities. © 2022 by MIP.
ABSTRACT
From the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 until now, the Malaysian government has implemented various steps in curbing the spread of the virus in order to reduce the infection risk in all regions as well as among rural communities. The implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) by the government;designed to control intra- and inter-state and/or district movements and travels has been accepted and accustomed as the new norm in curbing the transmission of infection. This is especially among the vulnerable community groups i.e., elderly people and people with chronic diseases. Although MCO is crucial to curb the virus, this restriction of movement has also inhibited the activities of many important economic sectors especially on transportation of goods and other services. With a consideration that there is a dearth of studies, specifically about the impact of COVID-19 on the socioeconomic condition of the rural communities in specific context;a comprehensive study has been conducted involving 39 selected rural settlements for the whole Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 504 respondents/head of households had participated in the questionnaire survey. Research findings have shown the majority of respondents experienced socioeconomic impacts from MCO and the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly between 50% to 75% income reductions. This is contributed by two main factors: the MCO which hindered them to go out for work and carry out business activities as well as declining sales of produce or livestock. The research findings also reveal that 15% to 25% of the rural communities experienced food supply disruption. This is categorised as low to moderate level. It is important to note that since majority of the respondents are having low income, they are highly vulnerable to this volatile situation. Outcomes of this research could offer meaningful information regarding the current socioeconomic condition of rural communities in relation to the MCO and prolongation of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the way forward, there should be a more inclusive Build Back Better (BBB) strategies for creating a future more resilient rural community to pandemic.
ABSTRACT
The prolongation of the Pandemic COVID-19 has undermined the healthcare system and negatively impacted the economy and social development on a global and regional scale. At the human settlement level, responding to the pandemic situation has altered the broad spectrum of our daily routine down to the family and individual levels. Prior to the lockdown popularly known as the Movement Control Order (MCO), which the government introduced, the public was urged to limit outdoor movements and stay at home hence, encouraging the adoption of Work From Home (WFH) for employees and Home-based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) for the academic community and school students. Other than technological readiness for online working and teaching, the new normal also prompted new challenges for households in utilizing indoor spaces at home, especially for quarantine as well as for WFH and PdPR activities. In this light, a series of household surveys using questionnaires to determine the preference and usage of indoor space among households have been conducted in 39 locations/settlements across peninsular Malaysia. A total of 504 respondents participated and fieldwork and interview processes. Findings of the study indicated a majority of respondents have to designate indoor spaces/rooms for home quarantine (58%), and the three indoor spaces, in particular, have been monitored regularly by respondents during the pandemic, namely living areas (39%), kitchen (25%) and bedroom (21%). During MCO, most of them spent 1 to 4 hours per day for PdPR (43%), and 47% of respondents have a designated learning space at home for PdPR. In summary, pandemic COVID-19 has raised awareness among households regarding the selection and usage of indoor space to conduct various activities while they have to stay at home.
ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the entire world dramatically. The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has widely impacted on Malaysia’s economy, especially towards the small-scale economic activities related to the small medium enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, this paper aims to determine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic towards the resilience of SMEs in Johor, Malaysia. The research methodology employed a quantitative method through a survey method via questionnaire sampling of 60 owners involved in SMEs operators across the case study. The research finding indicated that the Covid-19 pandemic had a massive influence on the economy of the majority of SMEs operators, especially on their income generations which average losses in revenue of more than 50 percent during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to 2019. This resulted from the shutdown of their business activities to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Other findings highlighted that the government’s initiatives to address the economic impact of SMEs yet insufficient to sustain business activities and income generations for instance access to financing facilities, product marketing opportunities and others. Therefore, required immediate initiatives should be made by all the stakeholders to reduce the economic impacts among the SMEs.
ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the socio-economic well-being of people either in urban or rural areas. The Covid-19 cases and fatalities that concentrated in major urban areas in Malaysia. However, as the pandemic progressed, the rural community faced health vulnerability due to the Covid-19 pandemic threat. Among the significant impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic are income generation, economic activity work, and health vulnerability, especially the rural community involved in rural economic activities such as agriculture and fishery. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the socio-economic well-being of rural communities in Malaysia. The case study selection is in Mersing, Pontian and Batu Pahat involving three villages using GIS mapping. The methodology used is quantitative research through a household survey conducted using 182 heads of households based on the economic and social dimensions. The finding reveals that most of the target group experienced a decline in income generation, economic activity restriction, and education issues. Furthermore, there are also decreasing in the economically active population (age 15-60) in the village. As a result, this study is essential in formulating a post-Covid-19 recovery plan regarding socio-economic well-being impacts and the revival of rural community well-being in Malaysia through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping.
ABSTRACT
Since the 'Coronavirus Disease 2019' (COVID-19) struck the world and Malaysia, the general attention of the media and leaders has been focused on the high population density areas that have high infection rates and deaths. This article aims to rethink population density in urban development policy, thus providing development for policy direction in the post-COVID-19 era in Malaysia. The available national development planning policies in Malaysia, i.e., the National Physical Plan and the National Urbanisation Policy, and scholarly articles related to the population density topic were investigated through a scoping literature review and a keyword analysis. The findings showed mixed results in terms of the relationship between dense areas causing higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death rates. This article argues that policies related to spatial urban planning should continuously advocate dense city planning in considering how to achieve economic, social, and environmental sustainability and human quality of life. To this extent, this article contributes to the densification topic in spatial urban planning policies in terms of their application in the post-COVID-19 era, which needs urgent direction and clarification. © 2021 by MIP.