Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become more prevalent globally. The disorder is predominantly characterised by low social skills noted explicitly in people with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD). The individuals usually possess a normal or superior intelligence quotient (IQ) but the disability impedes the achievement of their actual high potential, hence compromising their quality of life (QoL). Managing adversities encountered by children with HFASD often compromises the QoL of the entire family. Thus, this study aimed to identify specific domains of QoL among mothers of high-functioning autistic adolescents. The study assessed seven mothers of adolescents with HFASD using a semi-structured interview format. A thematic qualitative analysis was conducted to analyse the data. The results suggested that mothers perceived their QoL based on physical and emotional well-being, material well-being, interpersonal relationship, and environmental well-being. Intervention for HFASD is multidisciplinary, which targets a broad spectrum of symptoms and skills deficits and customises the programme to meet each individual’s different needs. Nonetheless, intervention facilities in Malaysia are seriously limited, particularly in supporting QoL for children with HFASD. Therefore, by identifying the domains of QoL would improve the mothers’ resilience in raising their children with HFASD.

During the pandemic, the lives of B40 single mothers were severely affected, especially in terms of social, economic, and psychological factors. The reduction of income caused by the crisis has forced single mothers and their children to live frugally and without luxury. They also had to perform more than one job at a time during the pandemic to meet their children’s needs. A qualitative study has been conducted to explore the perceptions of quality of life during the pandemic among B40 single mothers. Respondents were selected based on demographic characteristics established before the study. A focus group discussion has been conducted on ten (10) B40 single mothers in Balik Pulau, Penang. Single mothers were selected based on purposive sampling. They had to meet the inclusive criteria required to participate in the study, specifically: aged between 20 and 60 years old, belonged to the B40 income category, had children under 18 years old living together, and became single mothers due to divorce or death of husbands. The focused group discussion explored issues related to qualities of life during the pandemic. B40 single mothers expressed their concern about access to health facilities, security in residence, children’s education, and economic stability. These areas of life quality have been significantly affected especially during Movement Control Order (MCO). In short, the quality of life of these single mothers has been significantly affected by the pandemic. Their vulnerability towards stress, anxiety, and depression have worsened due to financial issues. Besides the need for emotional and social support, this study found that these single mothers entail financial support.

“Bantulah Kami untuk Rasa Selamat”; Cabaran Mahasiswa OKU di Universiti Awam

Good and effective political leadership is important to create a strong and credible political organization or institution. This is because good management depends on solid political leadership, trusted and trusted. The issue of gender in leadership became a hot discussion among politicians and society. However, both men and women as leaders have their own strengths and at the world level it is proven that national leadership is led by both sexes. Therefore, it is the purpose of writing this article to analyze gender character traits in political leadership. The data of this study was produced through 399 respondents from questionnaires, 5 interview informants and observations in the field in selected states in Malaysia by region, namely in Selangor for the Western region, Kedah for the Northern region and Kelantan for the Eastern region. The results of the study found that for male leadership, the majority of respondents stated that bravery was the most dominant characteristic of the gender while for female leadership, the majority of respondents stated that helpfulness was dominant for them. As for the criteria a leader must have, fair criteria is the most important for a leader. As for the general statement about women's politics, the majority of respondents agreed that women's participation in politics can be further increased if there is support from all parties. Thus, men and women complement each other in ensuring that political leadership is in a good, stable and excellent condition from time to time.

Kekesalan ke atas kegagalan kebanyakan parti politik di Malaysia untuk mengiktiraf wanita sebagai pemimpin dan ditampilkan sebagai calon bagi PRU15 yang lalu telah disuarakan oleh Jawatankuasa Pemantauan PRU15 (PantauPRU15). Parti politik seharusnya bertanggungjawab untuk meningkatkan jumlah wanita yang dicalonkan untuk bertanding dalam PRU. Oleh itu, satu kajian telah dijalankan untuk menilai persepsi pengundi terhadap kepimpinan wanita dan pencalonan dalam pilihan raya. Kajian ini dijalankan melalui soal selidik secara atas talian ke atas pengundi-pengundi di enam buah negeri yang telah terlibat dalam Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN) 2023 iaitu Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pulau Pinang, Kelantan, Kedah dan Terengganu. Pengundi-pengundi dari negeri-negeri ini telah dipilih secara persampelan bertujuan bagi menjawab persoalan kajian. Jumlah responden yang telah terlibat dalam kajian ini ialah seramai 399 orang responden. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa majoriti pengundi mempunyai persepsi positif terhadap kepimpinan wanita dan pencalonan wanita dalam pilihan raya. Lebih dari separuh responden bersetuju bahawa wanita harus diberikan lebih banyak jawatan dalam politik. Manakala kebanyakan dari reponden pula berpandangan bahawa lebih ramai wanita perlu dicalonkan sebagai ADUN. Sejumlah besar juga percaya bahawa wanita boleh memberikan komitmen yang tinggi sekiranya dilantik sebagai ADUN. Secara keseluruhannya, pengundi mempunyai persepsi yang positif dan keyakinan terhadap pemimpin wanita. Ramai yang berpandangan bahawa calon ADUN wanita boleh menjadi pemimpin yang efektif jika diberikan latihan dalam kepimpinan. Dapatan ini boleh memberi input yang penting kepada kerajaan serta agensi-agensinya untuk terus menggiatkan usaha bagi menyediakan latihan dan sokongan kepada bakal pemimpin-pemimpin politik wanita di Malaysia.

Sebelum kemunculan wabak COVID-19, ibu tunggal B40 telah menghadapi pelbagai kesukaran dalam membesarkan anak-anak tanpa bantuan dan sokongan suami. Walau bagaimanapun, keadaan telah menjadi lebih teruk apabila pandemik COVID-19 menjejaskan kehidupan ibu tunggal B40 secara mendadak terutamanya dari segi ekonomi. Majoriti ibu tunggal B40 telah kehilangan punca pendapatan disebabkan oleh pelaksanaan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP). Satu kajian kualitatif telah dijalankan bagi meneroka cabaran ekonomi yang dialami oleh ibu tunggal B40 semasa pandemik COVID-19. Informan kajian ini telah dipilih berdasarkan pensampelan bertujuan dengan menetapkan kriteria-kriteria inklusif seperti ibu tunggal yang bekerja untuk menyara keluarga, berpendapatan dalam kategori B40, mempunyai anak yang masih bersekolah dan bergelar ibu tunggal kerana bercerai atau kematian suami. Kajian ini telah menggunakan kaedah perbincangan kumpulan berfokus (FGD) sebagai kaedah pengumpulan data. Perbincangan kumpulan berfokus ini telah melibatkan 20 orang ibu tunggal B40 di Selangor yang kemudiannya telah dipecahkan kepada empat kumpulan kecil. Hasil perbincangan kumpulan berfokus mendapati tiga subtema cabaran ekonomi yang dialami oleh ibu tunggal B40 semasa pandemik COVID-19 iaitu penutupan perniagaan, pemotongan gaji atau elaun dan tiada simpanan kecemasan. Hasil kajian ini boleh dijadikan rujukan kepada kajian masa hadapan dan pihak-pihak serta agensi yang tertentu dalam menitikberatkan kesihatan mental ibu tunggal B40 semasa krisis dunia dengan mengambil kira cabaran-cabaran ekonomi yang dihadapi oleh mereka.