Development for Urban Poor Housing ( Sociology and Welfare Development).
SOCIOLOGY AND WELFARE
DEVELOPMENT
Edited by:
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
Centre for Socioglobal Studies
Padjadjaran University
Foreword by:
Dr. Afriadi Sjahbana Hasibuan, MPA, M.Com (Ec)
Head of Research & Development
Ministry of Home Afairs, Republic of Indonesia
SOCIOLOGY AND WELFARE DEVELOPMENT
© 2015 Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin et. al.
First Published May, 2015
Published By
Centre for Socioglobal Studies
Padjadjaran University
In Cooperation With
Penerbit Samudra Biru (Member of IKAPI)
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Banguntapan Bantul Yogyakarta Indonesia 55198
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E-mail/FB: [email protected]
ISBN: 978-602-9276-56-5
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
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mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
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Sociology and Welfare Development
CONTENTS
Contents ...................................................................................
iii
List of Contributors .................................................................
v
Acknowledgement ....................................................................
ix
Foreword ..................................................................................
xi
Introduction .............................................................................
xiii
Welfare Development: Meanings, Issues and
Challenges
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin .................................
1
Poverty and Social Development
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Ali Maksum, Indri
Indarwati ........................................................
19
The Emergence of Jakarta-Bandung MegaUrban Region and Its Future Challenges
Agung Mahesa Himawan Dorodjatoen,
Forina Lestari and Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin ....
39
Development for Urban Poor Housing
Mohd Haizzan Yahaya, Muhamad Fadhil
Nurdin, Hery Wibowo and Mohd Tauik
Mohammad .....................................................
69
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Sociology and Welfare Development
iii
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
iv
Baitul Mal wat Tamwil: a Sociological
and Social Welfare Movement ?
Hery Wibowo & Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin ........
Environmental Participation among Youth:
Challenges, Issues and Motivating Factors
Lim Jen Zen & Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin .........
79
97
Indonesian Workers Health Condition:
A Sociological Analysis
Bintarsih Sekarningrum, Desi Yunita
and Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin ........................... 125
he Delivery System of Education Programs
Mahathir Yahaya, Ali Maksum,
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin and Azlinda Azman ... 135
Child Brides, Not Our Pride:
Looking Into Child Marriage Incidences in
Malaysia
Mitshel Lino, Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin and
Azlinda Azman ................................................
143
Concluding Remarks
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin .................................. 151
Sociology and Welfare Development
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
Agung Mahesa Himawan Dorodjatoen, is a PhD candidate at West
Australia University, Perth – Australia. He is a Planning Staf, Directorate
of Spatial Planning and Land Afairs, Indonesia National Development
Planning Agency (Bappenas). He is a Best Graduate Student in Regional
and Planning Department, Bandung Institute of Technology (2006)
and Utrecht Excellence Scholarships Awardee 2007-2009 on Research
Master Human Geography & Planning, Faculy of Geoscience, Utrecht
University.
Ali Maksum, is a Ph.D candidate at the Centre for Policy Research
and International Studies (CenPRIS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.
His current project is about the Indonesia-Malaysia relations from
defensive realism perspective. He has written articles have been published
in such publisher as Kajian Malaysia: Journal of Malaysian Studies,
Springer (ISI), Indonesia national newspapers and conferences.
Azlinda Azman, Ph.D is an Associate Professor and Head of Social
Work Programme at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains
Malaysia (USM), Penang, Malaysia. She is also the Convenor of the
AIDS Action and Research Group (AARG), USM. She was a Fulbright
Scholar and obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Clinical
Social Work from New York University. Her ields of expertise include
social work education and practice, theory and methods in social work
and social work research. Her areas of research interest include poverty,
Sociology and Welfare Development
v
HIV/AIDS and drug related issues.
Bintarsih Sekarningrum, a leturer at Social Welfare Departement
in Social and Political Sciences Faculty, University of Padjadjaran. She
obtained Bachelor degree, master degree and Doctoral degree from
University of Padjadjaran. Some scientiic papers had been published
at national or international level. Currently, he is focusing on waste
management problem in society who life near the Cikapundung river at
Bandung City.
Desi Yunita, oicially join the Departemen of Sociology at Social
and Political Science Faculty University of Padjadjaran since 2014. She
got Magister degree in Sociology also from University of Padjadjaran and
focusing the research on development and environmental problem.
Forina Lestari, obtained B.Sc.Eng. (ITB, 2006), MSc in Housing,
School of Housing, Building and Planning, University of Science Malaysia
(USM, 2008). Lecturer at Indonesian Institute of Technology (ITI). She
has published a book: Alam Takambang Jadi Guru: Merajut Kearifan
Lokal dalam Penanggulangan Bencana di Sumatera. Consultant and
expertise at Directorate of Rural and Urban Afairs, Indonesia National
Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and Directorate General of
Spatial Planning, Ministry of Public Works (2013), Directorate General
of Regional Development Assistance, Ministry of Home Afairs and
Expert, Deputy of the Area Development, Ministry of Public Housing
(2012), Expert Staf, Commission V (Infrastructure), he Indonesian
House of Representatives (DPR, 2011). Junior Expert, Directorate of
Rural and Urban Afairs, Indonesia National Development Planning
Agency (Bappenas, 2010).
Hery Wibowo, S.Psi, MM, PhD is a leturer at Departement of Social
Welfare Faculty of Social and Political Science, Padjadjaran University.
Indri Indarwati, is PhD candidate in Social Work at Universiti Sains
Malaysia (USM). Since 1999 she has been attached as a civil servant in
the Ministry of Social Afairs. Her research areas are study of social work,
gender and community development.
vi
Sociology and Welfare Development
Mitshel Lino is a Master of Social Sciences (Psychology) candidate
under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Intan Hashimah Mohd
Hashim from the Department of Social Work, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Her research interest surrounds the ield of Social Psychology. She was
a Graduate Assistant, serving as a Psychology tutor in the university.
She was invited to the Golden Key International Honour Society for
academic excellence and awarded Second Upper Class Honours from her
undergraduate. Her past researches included the area of Multicultural
Psychology and Child Marriage in Malaysia, collaboration project with
UNICEF.
Mohd. Haizzan Yahaya MSW is Ph.D scholars from University
Sains Malaysia. He is currently researching on Urban Poor Housing
and being supervised by. Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, PhD and associate
professor Azlinda Azman, PhD
Mohd Tauik Mohammad is a Ph.D scholar at the Social Work
Programme, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. His
current Ph.D studies regarding on Specialization Social Work, Forensic
Social Work/Victims’ Studies/Restorative Justice, being supervised by
associate professor Azlinda Azman, PhD.
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, MA and Ph.D. from University of
Malaya. He is a leturer at Departement of Social Welfare (1982-2011)
and Departement of Sociology (2011-present), Head Departement
of Sociology in Faculty of Social and Political Science, Padjadjaran
University (2014- present). Visiting Associate Professor at University
of Malaya (2008) and Visiting Associate Professor at Univerisiti Sains
Malaysia (2012- present).
Tia Devianty, S.IP., MPA, is a PhD candidates at Universitas
Padjadjaran, and a master’s degree graduate from Public Policy, Faculty
of Public Policy and Management, Flinders University, Australia. Now,
a lecturer at Ahmad Yani University, Bandung - from september 1996
– present Teaching, Researching, and Public Servicing. Current Researches
are mainly about Capacity Building For Decentralization (2008-now).
Sociology and Welfare Development
vii
Current Public Services are Facilitator, Comprehensive Maternal Village
Program in West Java, West Java Province Health Department (2006 –
2008), Facilitator for Sustainable Capacity Building for Decentralization
(SCBD) Project in Bau-bau City and Buton Regency (2008 – 2012),
District Advisory Team Capacity Building Program Minimum Service
Standard Basic Education at Sorong West Papua (2014-2016), tdevianty@
rocketmail.com.
Tofan Rakhmat Zaky, S.Ip MA is a researcher at the Department of
International and Strategic Studies, Universiti Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
He is activist in Art Movement in Malaysia.
viii
Sociology and Welfare Development
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdulillah. hanks to Allah SWT, whom with His willing
giving me the opportunity to complete this book entitled Sociology and
Welfare Development. he publication of this book would not have
been possible without the guidance and knowledge wich I have acquired
from my honourable professors; Professor A.D Saefullah - University of
Padjadjaran and Professor Abd. Hadi Zakaria - University of Malaya. I
would also like to dedicate this book to my beloved wife, Tuty Tohri and
our lovely children Tofan Rakhmat Zaky, Forina Lestari, Fitaha Aini and
Tamal Arief Ihsan - their support in my life.
he publication of this book would not be possible without the
assistance and cooperation that we have received over the years from
the many individuals and organization in various parts of the world.
In particular, we wish to thank our team, all authors - Department of
Sociology Padjadjaran University and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Specially
thanks especially to Ali Maksum for his excellent assistance during the
editorial process of this book. Dr. Arry Bainus the Dean of Faculty of
Social and Political Sciences, Padjadjaran University. All of my MastersPhD students and colleagues at Padjadjaran University as well as USM
whom I would like to thanked for providing continuous support towards
my success.
Wassalam.
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
Sociology and Welfare Development
ix
x
Sociology and Welfare Development
FOREWORD
Dr. Afriadi Sjahbana Hasibuan, MPA, M.Com (Ec)
Head of Research & Development
Ministry of Home Afairs, Republic of Indonesia
First of all, I am honored to write this foreword and to give my
warm endorsement to this book edited by my colleague Muhamad Fadhil
Nurdin, Ph.D. In my point of view, Indonesian harmony is urgent and
should be achieved soon. he government and all stakeholders are pushed
to react and formulate a strong policy to reach the national goals.
his book provides a comprehensive assessment regarding sociology
and welfare development discourses with a new paradigm and approaches
to build Indonesian future. his compilation chapter divided into ifteen
chapters, conclusion and also given constructive policy recommendations.
Although, all authors in this book are depart from various background
and issues, yet they produce and extent some challenges should become
serious attention especially the government. I can argue that this book is
very multidisciplinary and discussed from various angle.
Personally, as practitioner and based on my professional experiences,
I am strongly recommend this book to be read speciically by civil servant,
professional, academicians and those who engage in the social welfare
tasks. One of the important recomendation given by this book is a good
public policy totally need tough cooperation among individuals, groups,
and institutions. I am also impressed that this book which emphasized on
Sociology and Welfare Development
xi
welfare development discourses is smartly promoting the ideas of “spiritual
development” which in some extent isolated from main discussion. his
is important and also to alerting as well as to underscore that Indonesia
is a religious country.
Finally, I am pleased to congratulate to Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin,
PhD which successfully publish this book and demonstrated that he
is a productive scholar. As academician, lecturer and researcher he has
more than thirty years professional experiences in the ield of social and
political sciences in Indonesia as well as recognized in the broad. I hope,
the collaboration between the agency of research and development in
the Ministry of Home Afairs of the Republic Indonesia with the Centre
for Socioglobal Studies - Padjadjaran University become more efective,
fruitful and sustain in the future.
hank you and Wassalam.
Jakarta, 2014
xii
Sociology and Welfare Development
INTRODUCTION
In the Name of God, the Most Gracioeus, the Most Merciful
his book provides a thematic issues and challenges in the new era,
sociology to develop human welfare. he main objective of the Sociology
and Welfare Development is to present an integrated analysis of how
the discipline of sociology can contribute to our wider understanding
of the variety of welfare development issues, practices and institutions
approachs, policies and philosophy wich exist in our society and countries.
his explanatory chapters expected to examine and understand as well as
ofer choices for human beings in the dinamics world to build a human
welfare.
his book depart from the point of view that sociology is as applied
social science can contribute to the development of human life through
many perspectives. he various theme have been selected are discussed
from philosophy to policy models. Each chapter attempt to understand
with a core idea namely welfare development.
In the irst chapter, the main theme related to welfare development
is regarding the global presence in knowledge body. In this chapter
demonstrate that there have gap and diferences between modern and
spiritual concept of welfare development. Chapter two focus on poverty
phenomena in Indonesia as a serious problem. Some have observed
that poor family are marginalized and obtain small attention, while
many also has seen that the problems are the policy makers. It has to
recognized that some assistants and stimulus packages has given by
government to the poor family. However, it has to recognized also that
there were existed some problems regarding inefective management,
Sociology and Welfare Development
xiii
policy implementation, bureaucracy and corruption. Yet, all indicates
that Indonesian government has taken a serious strategic action in order
to struggle to eradicate poverty as well as eradication policy against
chronic of corruption. Related with poverty phenomena, in the chapter
nine, concern on historical and inherited problems such as the disabled
people, the pursuit of full employment in urban areas and overstaing
in the public sector, were important causes for urban poverty. However,
these historical problems did not result in serious poverty under the well
planned economic system. he number of poor people inherited from
the previous period was also relatively small.
In the third chapter focus on human geography and planning as part
of human life. Sociologically, this study concludes that the relationships
between two adjacent metropolitan centres are two geographical
phenomena occurred in the Jakarta-Bandung Mega-Urban Region
(JBMUR). However, a rapid urbanization process has also been occurring
in the corridor area between both metropolitan centers. here are both
direct and indirect relations between these two geographical phenomena
which inally lead to the emergence of the Jakarta-Bandung mega-urban
region. In the fourth chapter, that in addition, the struggle of urban poor
communities in Malaysia for housing and land rights is closely related
to the development and history of the country. After the British colonial
period, Malaysia’s priority was to develop its economy by focusing on
the manufacturing and export industry in urban areas. his resulted
when people from rural areas migrating from village to the city, in search
of opportunities and to ill the workforce demand. Most of the urban
migrants would build their own house near the manufacturing factories,
because the surrounding lands were unoccupied and unused. With hard
work and their own resources they would clean the area (wilderness) and
build houses; this would encourage the development in the area and
hence they are known as urban pioneers.
In the ifth chapter the author analyzes the social-welfare fund
called Baitul Mal wat Tamwil (BMT). he authors believe that BMT in
particular and microinance institutions in general is one of the social
welfare movement, getting stronger if you see the development of BMT
in Indonesia, as have been reported by Reuters. he growth of Islamic
microinance institutions (LKMS) in Indonesia is increasingly signiicant.
he main objective of the micro and super micro which is generally being
located in rural areas, LKMS transformed into a small people mover a
tough economy. Currently, there are about three million customers who
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Sociology and Welfare Development
obtained inancial assistant from micro LKMS or BMT.
Chapter six examines the environmental destruction of young
generation to protect and conserve the natural environment. As such,
the key actors in engaging youth participation in environmental action,
be it the government, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) or
the community, should address the multi-dimensional issues that are
obstacles towards the involvement of the young and come up with
strategies to develop a more intrinsically-motivated participation.
Generally, environmental awareness among youth worldwide is at an
adequate level but it is the translation into action that is still lacking. A
review of the implementation strategies of current environmental action
programs involving youth should be done by the respective organizers
in order to create programs that are fun, hands-on and allows as well
as entrusts youth to apply their environmental knowledge and personal
skills to make key decisions for the future of then environment which
they shall inherit from the present. Hence, there is a need to move
beyond the present, traditional top-down institutionalized approach of
implementing programs towards a more dynamic and lexible approach
in which youth are viewed stakeholders, knowledge sharers and leaders,
and not mere passive participants who carry out the aims dictated by the
organizers.
concentrates on socio-cultural diferences between
hometown and destination areas of Indonesian migrant workers and the
impact towards their health condition. It involves the diferences physical
environment, social, and culture. he diferences of physical environment
involve climate change as well as socio-culture between hometown (Peteuy
Condong Village) and destination (Saudi Arabia). hese diferences
inluence towards the workers health condition related job. Social
diferences are related with social economic status between employers
and workers, that impact to the mental depression of the workers.
Culture diferences are cultures diferentiation between hometown and
destination country. Arabian cultures are introvert and over protected. It
emerge diiculties to access health services. While in the chapter eight,
discuss speciic theme about how to develop any rural community it can
be achieve through the dissemination on the importance of education to
all family members in the rural area. his method is expected to transform
the communities towards appreciating education better. he recognition
of society towards education only, is not enough to enhance the living
standards. Yet, it should be incorporated a the positive attitudes of the
Chapter seven
Sociology and Welfare Development
xv
rural community towards education as a strategy for improving life. At
the same time, the delivery system of the education programs must be
enhanced and it is all depend on the commitment of the school and
teachers of the rural schools as well.
Finally, the last chapter focus on the incidences of child marriage are
no longer pertinent only for less developed country; it actually happens
extensively in diferent parts of the world. Due to psychological and
biological immaturity, children are insuiciently mature to make an
informed decision about a life partner.
his book examines the welfare development issues in the broader
“sociology of welfare development” perspective. It is compiled from
travelers and knowledge experiences in international seminars, talks and
forum of researchers, supervisions and other discussion with my PhD and
Master students. hat experiences, together with their personal values and
interests extremely inluence to all authors in this book. Personally, I hope
that those who engage and read this book will obtain fruitful knowledge.
All errors are the author’s responsibility.
Wassalam.
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
xvi
Sociology and Welfare Development
Chapter
Development for
Urban Poor Housing
4
Mohd Haizzan Yahaya, Muhamad Fadhil
Nurdin, Hery Wibowo and Mohd Tauik
Mohammad
Readers guide
his chapter discusses urban housing
reform in Penang has dramatically changed the
urban landscapes and has impacted the social
dynamic. In addition, it has also contributed to
the uneven efect on urban housing population.
While the living standard of a signiicant
proportion of urban residents has improved, a
sizeable group of households has been left behind
and became a new social class - the urban poor.
here is a close association between poverty and
housing needs. Along with job security, housing is
the most important element of the social welfare
system. In this, the linkage between urban
poverty and housing has been largely overlooked.
he major concern of this paper is on coping
strategies of the urban poor in transition and the
associated problem of urban poverty due to the
Development for Urban Poor Housing
69
non-afordable housing. his paper aims to look into the social development
changes brought forward in Penang, mainly on the Island as well as focusing
on the problem of urban poor and low-income communities in Penang.
Introduction
Home as a Necessity
One of life’s basic needs, like food and water, is shelter. he provision
of housing and associated services does extends across virtually all of social
work’s various arenas of endeavor, from providing foster care to neglected,
inding homes for persons leaving treatment facilities, helping refugees
ind their “place” in a new country and on addressing homelessness itself.
Social work research related to housing relects the wide array of interest
in the ield in inding the best way to meet housing needs while helping
client build a new sense of belonging, pride of ownership, and sense of
self-suiciency.
Perhaps nowhere else are both the micro and macro social work
approaches to meet human needs by addressing both people and their
environment better displayed than in the housing services ield. Housing
or lack thereof relects the individual’s economic environment, and
quality housing relects the level of a community’s social development.
he provision of housing needs is a further relection of society’s meeting
the needs of its most vulnerable residents.
Helping to provide well-brought-up housing for urban poor and low
income household is a worldwide challenge to a government especially in
countries where citizens are well educated. However, it would be suitable
to use the term strategies on donating the public policies concerning
the housing situations in most countries particularly dominated by free
markets (Downs, 1969). Authorities simply do not have well reasons,
realistic, long-range policy on coping with housing needs. Nevertheless,
for the purpose of analysis, it is useful to view the public efort to improve
the housing of the urban poor in each nation as resulting from at least an
unspoken strategy.
Social Development
here are numerous clear statements by the Malaysian government
calling for a balanced development which will bring about holistic
development. However, for a majority of policy drafters and maker’s the
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Sociology and Welfare Development
thrust is only mainly focusing on economic growth and returns. here
is therefore an urgent need to recapture the balanced approach in social
development especially in Penang. Holding this balance at the level of
policy formulation and direct implementation is necessary in making a
diference for Penangites.
Social development is central to national and community
development. Authors believed that each and every community in Penang
would love to share the state prosperities and strive for the attainment of
a better quality of life. Social development is used in a broad sense to
encompass economic, educational and social wellbeing. he orientation
is not so much welfare focused but one that advocates for social justice
and equal opportunities especially for the urban poor in Penang.
As in this, there is an urgent need for the state to strengthen the
institutional capacities of agencies and institutions to ensure that the
social development agenda is further enhanced for all Penangite. Perhaps,
these would include creating new avenues for urban poor to have a say
especially in social development and be efectively able to participate in
social welfare dialogues.
Urban Poverty
Issues of urban poverty have attracted increasing attention among
Penangites and academics in the last few years. Studies have been carried
out to establish the links between unemployment and urban poverty
(Zhu, 1998; Zhang, 1999). Regional variations in urban poverty, the
relationship between poverty and family income, employment types and
economic sectors have also been investigated. hese studies have led to
new policy development and some change in social welfare provision. At
the international level, the literature on urban reform and transition has
also grown rapidly over the last few years. Published material addresses a
wide range of issues, including:
• he economic and industrial changes occurring in cities as part of
the country’s reemergence on the world stage (Solinger, 1993)
• he physical and cultural transformation of Chinese societies
(Davis et al., 1995)
he theme of poverty especially urban poor and low incomers also
has been one of the major areas of authors concern in this paper. Penang
Development for Urban Poor Housing
71
has made tremendous progress in this area of poverty reduction, but it
seems to be the policy makers are refusing ‘to see the new trends and
dimensions especially in highly urbanized and modernized nations of
Penang’.
hroughout some articles, the indings of two urban poverty
conferences and the impact of urban poverty lays a strong claim that
urban poverty must be urgently and seriously addressed in society, six
key areas have been heavily debated and many innovative policies and
programmes have been launched by the Malaysian Federal Government
(Jayasooria, 2008). Academicians and civil society leaders have been part
of the deliberations.
he irst is the National Social Policy. his was formulated as
an umbrella policy giving a balance between economic and social
development, between infrastructure and human capital development.
Second is PINTAS which is a social action plan which provides the
framework for integrating the various components of social development
in the country. his social action plan was developed by Prof Dato Dr
Wan Halim and his team. Millions of ringgit had been spent as well as a
pilot project was launched at the district level. However, the sad reality is
that there is not even a single reference of PINTAS in the 9MP. It was a
major highlight in the 8MP and even in the Mid Term Review.
hird is the Social Referral Centre (Pusat Rujukan Sosial). he
original intention was for these centres to be located in ‘high risk
neighbor hoods’. Fourth is the Social Impact Assessment (SIA). Field
research was undertaken and foreign consultants recruited to provide
input and framework. However while the reports were being done and
the policy formulated, this dimension was not given much emphasis in
the implementation.
Fifth are the professional development of social workers and the
recognition of social work as a profession. Even teachers and nurses are
certiied but any one can be a social worker or can even use this term.
While anyone can be a volunteer but due to the complex nature of social
problems and issues, there are basic competencies needed for social work
practice. Only trained social workers are best equipped to handle complex
social situations. While sixth aspect is the National Social Institute and its
role in not only undertaking research but also to train social workers with
the basic competencies required. he institute must provide the content
for professional development.
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Sociology and Welfare Development
here is an urgent task to recapture all the work done in the above
six areas. One major step would be to recall all the academicians, civil
servants and civil society people who were involved in conceptualizing
the social agenda. he attempt will be to form a resource team of experts
to truly provide the intellectual base for fostering a social agenda which
will truly bring about balanced on social development.
Housing the Urban Poor
Housing and living conditions are important indicators of household
poverty. Housing provision in Penang looks had been dominated by the
private sector developers. In this, along with job security, housing was the
most important element of the welfare system. As a result of insuicient
investment, housing conditions were generally poorer over the period.
Since a part of the urban economic reform and the transition to a market
economy, important changes had been made to urban housing provision
system. Commercial property developers emerged as the main housing
providers. Many urban families now live in purpose-built lats. he reality
is that the key problem of urban housing reform was the material linkage
between housing and employment.
Housing the Urban Poor in China
As in China, in order to speed up the process of housing
commercialization and monetary distribution, a major decision was
made by central government in 1998 to stop public sector employers’
role in direct housing allocation. A deadline was set up to allow current
housing building projects to inish. hereafter, the housing needs of all
public sector employees were to be met directly by property developers or
the housing market rather than by employers. Employers, however, were
allowed to issue housing subsidies to help employees to buy their house
in the market or through the government-supported afordable housing
scheme (Wang, 2000).
Afordable housing was identiied as a key source of new housing
for low- and middle-income groups. he government planned to make
this type of housing accessible to most urban residents (70–80 per
cent). Higher-income households in urban areas (10–15 per cent) were
encouraged to obtain high standard housing through the market; and
poor urban families (about 10–15 per cent) were to be given subsidized
Development for Urban Poor Housing
73
rented housing by their employers or the city government (State Council,
1998). hese reform policies have brought important changes in urban
housing provision. A few years ago, most new commercial housing was
bought by employers and then distributed to their employees. By 2002,
80 per cent of public housing had been sold to the occupiers. About 95
per cent of new housing was sold directly to individual families.
While housing for the poor moved forward very slowly, high-standard
and sometimes luxury commercial housing for the rich dominated housing
developments in large cities, though there had been serious oversupply
of this type of housing. In September 2003, ive years after the 1998
policy document, the State Council issued new policies which aimed to
rebalance the market development and provision system. Strict controls
were to be imposed on the development of luxury villas and cottages. More
emphasis would be given to the development of ordinary commercial
housing, government-supported afordable housing and social-rental
housing (State Council, 2003). Despite this policy change, afordable and
social-rental housing required more government investment and efective
regulation of the housing market. Under the liberal market economic
philosophy and the continuous pursuit of commercialization of housing
provision, a large scale increase in public housing investment and social
housing stock in the near future are unlikely.
Social Support and Policies
For a betterment of arrangement on coping strategies for urban
poor housing in Penang, authors believed that social support and policies
need to be highlight as soon as possible. Under this arrangement, state
government could efectively decentralize the social welfare services to
the sub-potential parties. In this, perhaps it will minimize the burden
and the functions of state government and can focus more related to
production management than service provision. With the introduction of
the arrangement, welfare provision by work units will reduce substantially
in order to improve production of urban poor housing efective and
eiciently.
On the other hand, new social support policies should be introduced
to ill some of the gaps between the old and the new policies. hese
included policies aimed at creating more job opportunities to reduce
urban unemployment, and several social security systems established to
protect the weak and unemployed in the cities.
Furthermore, public policy can make a radical diference. Unlocking
74
Sociology and Welfare Development
land banks for afordable housing is critical to reducing the price of houses
for the urban poor, whom are increasingly being driven out of the city
environs. Beyond supply of house, government enforcement of existing
laws against house proiteering would be a valuable start and long-term
home mortgage inance for the urban poor a breakthrough.
Making markets like informal housing more eicient and efective for
the urban poor. Markets that they are already tapping, is a better approach
than destroying markets through large indiscriminate subsidies that are
not sustainable. A major part of the solution is building institutions’ that
work for the urban poor and enable them to enter the formal economy
– reducing their cost of living and doing business and expanding their
opportunity for creating new social welfare.
In addition, enabling small group of communities to have a role in
investing in the markets looks to be very necessary. his will in return,
enable them to create social wealth and have a boost in their social welfare
as indirect.
he Future and Struggle of Urban Poor
Historical and inherited problems such as the disabled people, the
pursuit of full employment in urban areas and overstaing in the public
sector, were important causes for urban poverty. However, these historical
problems did not result in serious poverty under the well planned economic
system. he number of poor people inherited from the previous period
was also relatively small.
In addition, the struggle of urban poor communities in Malaysia for
housing and land rights is closely related to the development and history
of the country. After the British colonial period, Malaysia’s priority was
to develop its economy by focusing on the manufacturing and export
industry in urban areas. his resulted when people from rural areas
migrating from village to the city, in search of opportunities and to ill
the workforce demand. Most of the urban migrants would build their
own house near the manufacturing factories, because the surrounding
lands were unoccupied and unused. With hard work and their own
resources they would clean the area (wilderness) and build houses; this
would encourage the development in the area and hence they are known
as urban pioneers.
Reform and the marketization of the urban social welfare and
Development for Urban Poor Housing
75
economy, particularly the reduction of universal beneits and rising
unemployment, are new causes of increased incidents of urban poverty.
Adult unemployment, laid-of workers and poverty among pensioners
were all related to the process of marketization and the reform in the old
state-owned public sectors. To project the future of urban poverty, we
need to focus on the main factors, which determine the future course of
urban development.
References
Davis, D.S., Kraus, R., Naughton, B. and Perry, E. (1995) Urban Spaces
in
Contemporary China: he Potential for Autonomy and Community in
Post-Mao China, Cambridge: Woodrow Wilson Center Press and
Cambridge University Press.
Downs. A (1969) Housing the Urban Poor: he Economic of Various
Strategies vol: 59 (p 646-651). he American Economic Review, American
Economic Association.
Jayasooria, D. (2008) Social Development & Indians in Malaysia: An
Agenda for Social Inclusion, Yayasan Strategik Sosial (YSS), KL.
Solinger, D.J. (1993) China’s Transition from Socialism: Statistic Legacies
and Market Reforms, 1980–1990, Armonk, NY: M.E.Sharpe.
State Council (1998) he Notice on Further Reform of Urban Housing
System and Speeding up Housing Development, Document No. 23, 3
July 1998.
State Council (2003) On Promoting Sustainable Development of Housing
and Real Estate Market, Document No. 18, 12 August 2003.
Wang, Y.P. (2000) ‘Housing reform and its impacts on the urban poor in
China’, Housing Studies, 15(6):845–64.
Zhang, J.D. (1999) Informal Institution in the Process of Market
76
Sociology and Welfare Development
Transformation, Beijing, Wenwu Press.
Zhu, G.L. (1998) Analysis of All Social Strata in Modern China, Tianjin:
Tianjin People’s Press.
Development for Urban Poor Housing
77
78
Sociology and Welfare Development
DEVELOPMENT
Edited by:
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
Centre for Socioglobal Studies
Padjadjaran University
Foreword by:
Dr. Afriadi Sjahbana Hasibuan, MPA, M.Com (Ec)
Head of Research & Development
Ministry of Home Afairs, Republic of Indonesia
SOCIOLOGY AND WELFARE DEVELOPMENT
© 2015 Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin et. al.
First Published May, 2015
Published By
Centre for Socioglobal Studies
Padjadjaran University
In Cooperation With
Penerbit Samudra Biru (Member of IKAPI)
Jomblangan Gg. Ontoseno Blok B No 15 Rt 12/30
Banguntapan Bantul Yogyakarta Indonesia 55198
Telp. (0274) 9494 558
E-mail/FB: [email protected]
ISBN: 978-602-9276-56-5
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
ii
Sociology and Welfare Development
CONTENTS
Contents ...................................................................................
iii
List of Contributors .................................................................
v
Acknowledgement ....................................................................
ix
Foreword ..................................................................................
xi
Introduction .............................................................................
xiii
Welfare Development: Meanings, Issues and
Challenges
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin .................................
1
Poverty and Social Development
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Ali Maksum, Indri
Indarwati ........................................................
19
The Emergence of Jakarta-Bandung MegaUrban Region and Its Future Challenges
Agung Mahesa Himawan Dorodjatoen,
Forina Lestari and Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin ....
39
Development for Urban Poor Housing
Mohd Haizzan Yahaya, Muhamad Fadhil
Nurdin, Hery Wibowo and Mohd Tauik
Mohammad .....................................................
69
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Sociology and Welfare Development
iii
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
iv
Baitul Mal wat Tamwil: a Sociological
and Social Welfare Movement ?
Hery Wibowo & Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin ........
Environmental Participation among Youth:
Challenges, Issues and Motivating Factors
Lim Jen Zen & Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin .........
79
97
Indonesian Workers Health Condition:
A Sociological Analysis
Bintarsih Sekarningrum, Desi Yunita
and Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin ........................... 125
he Delivery System of Education Programs
Mahathir Yahaya, Ali Maksum,
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin and Azlinda Azman ... 135
Child Brides, Not Our Pride:
Looking Into Child Marriage Incidences in
Malaysia
Mitshel Lino, Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin and
Azlinda Azman ................................................
143
Concluding Remarks
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin .................................. 151
Sociology and Welfare Development
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
Agung Mahesa Himawan Dorodjatoen, is a PhD candidate at West
Australia University, Perth – Australia. He is a Planning Staf, Directorate
of Spatial Planning and Land Afairs, Indonesia National Development
Planning Agency (Bappenas). He is a Best Graduate Student in Regional
and Planning Department, Bandung Institute of Technology (2006)
and Utrecht Excellence Scholarships Awardee 2007-2009 on Research
Master Human Geography & Planning, Faculy of Geoscience, Utrecht
University.
Ali Maksum, is a Ph.D candidate at the Centre for Policy Research
and International Studies (CenPRIS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.
His current project is about the Indonesia-Malaysia relations from
defensive realism perspective. He has written articles have been published
in such publisher as Kajian Malaysia: Journal of Malaysian Studies,
Springer (ISI), Indonesia national newspapers and conferences.
Azlinda Azman, Ph.D is an Associate Professor and Head of Social
Work Programme at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains
Malaysia (USM), Penang, Malaysia. She is also the Convenor of the
AIDS Action and Research Group (AARG), USM. She was a Fulbright
Scholar and obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Clinical
Social Work from New York University. Her ields of expertise include
social work education and practice, theory and methods in social work
and social work research. Her areas of research interest include poverty,
Sociology and Welfare Development
v
HIV/AIDS and drug related issues.
Bintarsih Sekarningrum, a leturer at Social Welfare Departement
in Social and Political Sciences Faculty, University of Padjadjaran. She
obtained Bachelor degree, master degree and Doctoral degree from
University of Padjadjaran. Some scientiic papers had been published
at national or international level. Currently, he is focusing on waste
management problem in society who life near the Cikapundung river at
Bandung City.
Desi Yunita, oicially join the Departemen of Sociology at Social
and Political Science Faculty University of Padjadjaran since 2014. She
got Magister degree in Sociology also from University of Padjadjaran and
focusing the research on development and environmental problem.
Forina Lestari, obtained B.Sc.Eng. (ITB, 2006), MSc in Housing,
School of Housing, Building and Planning, University of Science Malaysia
(USM, 2008). Lecturer at Indonesian Institute of Technology (ITI). She
has published a book: Alam Takambang Jadi Guru: Merajut Kearifan
Lokal dalam Penanggulangan Bencana di Sumatera. Consultant and
expertise at Directorate of Rural and Urban Afairs, Indonesia National
Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and Directorate General of
Spatial Planning, Ministry of Public Works (2013), Directorate General
of Regional Development Assistance, Ministry of Home Afairs and
Expert, Deputy of the Area Development, Ministry of Public Housing
(2012), Expert Staf, Commission V (Infrastructure), he Indonesian
House of Representatives (DPR, 2011). Junior Expert, Directorate of
Rural and Urban Afairs, Indonesia National Development Planning
Agency (Bappenas, 2010).
Hery Wibowo, S.Psi, MM, PhD is a leturer at Departement of Social
Welfare Faculty of Social and Political Science, Padjadjaran University.
Indri Indarwati, is PhD candidate in Social Work at Universiti Sains
Malaysia (USM). Since 1999 she has been attached as a civil servant in
the Ministry of Social Afairs. Her research areas are study of social work,
gender and community development.
vi
Sociology and Welfare Development
Mitshel Lino is a Master of Social Sciences (Psychology) candidate
under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Intan Hashimah Mohd
Hashim from the Department of Social Work, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Her research interest surrounds the ield of Social Psychology. She was
a Graduate Assistant, serving as a Psychology tutor in the university.
She was invited to the Golden Key International Honour Society for
academic excellence and awarded Second Upper Class Honours from her
undergraduate. Her past researches included the area of Multicultural
Psychology and Child Marriage in Malaysia, collaboration project with
UNICEF.
Mohd. Haizzan Yahaya MSW is Ph.D scholars from University
Sains Malaysia. He is currently researching on Urban Poor Housing
and being supervised by. Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, PhD and associate
professor Azlinda Azman, PhD
Mohd Tauik Mohammad is a Ph.D scholar at the Social Work
Programme, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. His
current Ph.D studies regarding on Specialization Social Work, Forensic
Social Work/Victims’ Studies/Restorative Justice, being supervised by
associate professor Azlinda Azman, PhD.
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, MA and Ph.D. from University of
Malaya. He is a leturer at Departement of Social Welfare (1982-2011)
and Departement of Sociology (2011-present), Head Departement
of Sociology in Faculty of Social and Political Science, Padjadjaran
University (2014- present). Visiting Associate Professor at University
of Malaya (2008) and Visiting Associate Professor at Univerisiti Sains
Malaysia (2012- present).
Tia Devianty, S.IP., MPA, is a PhD candidates at Universitas
Padjadjaran, and a master’s degree graduate from Public Policy, Faculty
of Public Policy and Management, Flinders University, Australia. Now,
a lecturer at Ahmad Yani University, Bandung - from september 1996
– present Teaching, Researching, and Public Servicing. Current Researches
are mainly about Capacity Building For Decentralization (2008-now).
Sociology and Welfare Development
vii
Current Public Services are Facilitator, Comprehensive Maternal Village
Program in West Java, West Java Province Health Department (2006 –
2008), Facilitator for Sustainable Capacity Building for Decentralization
(SCBD) Project in Bau-bau City and Buton Regency (2008 – 2012),
District Advisory Team Capacity Building Program Minimum Service
Standard Basic Education at Sorong West Papua (2014-2016), tdevianty@
rocketmail.com.
Tofan Rakhmat Zaky, S.Ip MA is a researcher at the Department of
International and Strategic Studies, Universiti Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
He is activist in Art Movement in Malaysia.
viii
Sociology and Welfare Development
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdulillah. hanks to Allah SWT, whom with His willing
giving me the opportunity to complete this book entitled Sociology and
Welfare Development. he publication of this book would not have
been possible without the guidance and knowledge wich I have acquired
from my honourable professors; Professor A.D Saefullah - University of
Padjadjaran and Professor Abd. Hadi Zakaria - University of Malaya. I
would also like to dedicate this book to my beloved wife, Tuty Tohri and
our lovely children Tofan Rakhmat Zaky, Forina Lestari, Fitaha Aini and
Tamal Arief Ihsan - their support in my life.
he publication of this book would not be possible without the
assistance and cooperation that we have received over the years from
the many individuals and organization in various parts of the world.
In particular, we wish to thank our team, all authors - Department of
Sociology Padjadjaran University and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Specially
thanks especially to Ali Maksum for his excellent assistance during the
editorial process of this book. Dr. Arry Bainus the Dean of Faculty of
Social and Political Sciences, Padjadjaran University. All of my MastersPhD students and colleagues at Padjadjaran University as well as USM
whom I would like to thanked for providing continuous support towards
my success.
Wassalam.
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
Sociology and Welfare Development
ix
x
Sociology and Welfare Development
FOREWORD
Dr. Afriadi Sjahbana Hasibuan, MPA, M.Com (Ec)
Head of Research & Development
Ministry of Home Afairs, Republic of Indonesia
First of all, I am honored to write this foreword and to give my
warm endorsement to this book edited by my colleague Muhamad Fadhil
Nurdin, Ph.D. In my point of view, Indonesian harmony is urgent and
should be achieved soon. he government and all stakeholders are pushed
to react and formulate a strong policy to reach the national goals.
his book provides a comprehensive assessment regarding sociology
and welfare development discourses with a new paradigm and approaches
to build Indonesian future. his compilation chapter divided into ifteen
chapters, conclusion and also given constructive policy recommendations.
Although, all authors in this book are depart from various background
and issues, yet they produce and extent some challenges should become
serious attention especially the government. I can argue that this book is
very multidisciplinary and discussed from various angle.
Personally, as practitioner and based on my professional experiences,
I am strongly recommend this book to be read speciically by civil servant,
professional, academicians and those who engage in the social welfare
tasks. One of the important recomendation given by this book is a good
public policy totally need tough cooperation among individuals, groups,
and institutions. I am also impressed that this book which emphasized on
Sociology and Welfare Development
xi
welfare development discourses is smartly promoting the ideas of “spiritual
development” which in some extent isolated from main discussion. his
is important and also to alerting as well as to underscore that Indonesia
is a religious country.
Finally, I am pleased to congratulate to Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin,
PhD which successfully publish this book and demonstrated that he
is a productive scholar. As academician, lecturer and researcher he has
more than thirty years professional experiences in the ield of social and
political sciences in Indonesia as well as recognized in the broad. I hope,
the collaboration between the agency of research and development in
the Ministry of Home Afairs of the Republic Indonesia with the Centre
for Socioglobal Studies - Padjadjaran University become more efective,
fruitful and sustain in the future.
hank you and Wassalam.
Jakarta, 2014
xii
Sociology and Welfare Development
INTRODUCTION
In the Name of God, the Most Gracioeus, the Most Merciful
his book provides a thematic issues and challenges in the new era,
sociology to develop human welfare. he main objective of the Sociology
and Welfare Development is to present an integrated analysis of how
the discipline of sociology can contribute to our wider understanding
of the variety of welfare development issues, practices and institutions
approachs, policies and philosophy wich exist in our society and countries.
his explanatory chapters expected to examine and understand as well as
ofer choices for human beings in the dinamics world to build a human
welfare.
his book depart from the point of view that sociology is as applied
social science can contribute to the development of human life through
many perspectives. he various theme have been selected are discussed
from philosophy to policy models. Each chapter attempt to understand
with a core idea namely welfare development.
In the irst chapter, the main theme related to welfare development
is regarding the global presence in knowledge body. In this chapter
demonstrate that there have gap and diferences between modern and
spiritual concept of welfare development. Chapter two focus on poverty
phenomena in Indonesia as a serious problem. Some have observed
that poor family are marginalized and obtain small attention, while
many also has seen that the problems are the policy makers. It has to
recognized that some assistants and stimulus packages has given by
government to the poor family. However, it has to recognized also that
there were existed some problems regarding inefective management,
Sociology and Welfare Development
xiii
policy implementation, bureaucracy and corruption. Yet, all indicates
that Indonesian government has taken a serious strategic action in order
to struggle to eradicate poverty as well as eradication policy against
chronic of corruption. Related with poverty phenomena, in the chapter
nine, concern on historical and inherited problems such as the disabled
people, the pursuit of full employment in urban areas and overstaing
in the public sector, were important causes for urban poverty. However,
these historical problems did not result in serious poverty under the well
planned economic system. he number of poor people inherited from
the previous period was also relatively small.
In the third chapter focus on human geography and planning as part
of human life. Sociologically, this study concludes that the relationships
between two adjacent metropolitan centres are two geographical
phenomena occurred in the Jakarta-Bandung Mega-Urban Region
(JBMUR). However, a rapid urbanization process has also been occurring
in the corridor area between both metropolitan centers. here are both
direct and indirect relations between these two geographical phenomena
which inally lead to the emergence of the Jakarta-Bandung mega-urban
region. In the fourth chapter, that in addition, the struggle of urban poor
communities in Malaysia for housing and land rights is closely related
to the development and history of the country. After the British colonial
period, Malaysia’s priority was to develop its economy by focusing on
the manufacturing and export industry in urban areas. his resulted
when people from rural areas migrating from village to the city, in search
of opportunities and to ill the workforce demand. Most of the urban
migrants would build their own house near the manufacturing factories,
because the surrounding lands were unoccupied and unused. With hard
work and their own resources they would clean the area (wilderness) and
build houses; this would encourage the development in the area and
hence they are known as urban pioneers.
In the ifth chapter the author analyzes the social-welfare fund
called Baitul Mal wat Tamwil (BMT). he authors believe that BMT in
particular and microinance institutions in general is one of the social
welfare movement, getting stronger if you see the development of BMT
in Indonesia, as have been reported by Reuters. he growth of Islamic
microinance institutions (LKMS) in Indonesia is increasingly signiicant.
he main objective of the micro and super micro which is generally being
located in rural areas, LKMS transformed into a small people mover a
tough economy. Currently, there are about three million customers who
xiv
Sociology and Welfare Development
obtained inancial assistant from micro LKMS or BMT.
Chapter six examines the environmental destruction of young
generation to protect and conserve the natural environment. As such,
the key actors in engaging youth participation in environmental action,
be it the government, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) or
the community, should address the multi-dimensional issues that are
obstacles towards the involvement of the young and come up with
strategies to develop a more intrinsically-motivated participation.
Generally, environmental awareness among youth worldwide is at an
adequate level but it is the translation into action that is still lacking. A
review of the implementation strategies of current environmental action
programs involving youth should be done by the respective organizers
in order to create programs that are fun, hands-on and allows as well
as entrusts youth to apply their environmental knowledge and personal
skills to make key decisions for the future of then environment which
they shall inherit from the present. Hence, there is a need to move
beyond the present, traditional top-down institutionalized approach of
implementing programs towards a more dynamic and lexible approach
in which youth are viewed stakeholders, knowledge sharers and leaders,
and not mere passive participants who carry out the aims dictated by the
organizers.
concentrates on socio-cultural diferences between
hometown and destination areas of Indonesian migrant workers and the
impact towards their health condition. It involves the diferences physical
environment, social, and culture. he diferences of physical environment
involve climate change as well as socio-culture between hometown (Peteuy
Condong Village) and destination (Saudi Arabia). hese diferences
inluence towards the workers health condition related job. Social
diferences are related with social economic status between employers
and workers, that impact to the mental depression of the workers.
Culture diferences are cultures diferentiation between hometown and
destination country. Arabian cultures are introvert and over protected. It
emerge diiculties to access health services. While in the chapter eight,
discuss speciic theme about how to develop any rural community it can
be achieve through the dissemination on the importance of education to
all family members in the rural area. his method is expected to transform
the communities towards appreciating education better. he recognition
of society towards education only, is not enough to enhance the living
standards. Yet, it should be incorporated a the positive attitudes of the
Chapter seven
Sociology and Welfare Development
xv
rural community towards education as a strategy for improving life. At
the same time, the delivery system of the education programs must be
enhanced and it is all depend on the commitment of the school and
teachers of the rural schools as well.
Finally, the last chapter focus on the incidences of child marriage are
no longer pertinent only for less developed country; it actually happens
extensively in diferent parts of the world. Due to psychological and
biological immaturity, children are insuiciently mature to make an
informed decision about a life partner.
his book examines the welfare development issues in the broader
“sociology of welfare development” perspective. It is compiled from
travelers and knowledge experiences in international seminars, talks and
forum of researchers, supervisions and other discussion with my PhD and
Master students. hat experiences, together with their personal values and
interests extremely inluence to all authors in this book. Personally, I hope
that those who engage and read this book will obtain fruitful knowledge.
All errors are the author’s responsibility.
Wassalam.
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
xvi
Sociology and Welfare Development
Chapter
Development for
Urban Poor Housing
4
Mohd Haizzan Yahaya, Muhamad Fadhil
Nurdin, Hery Wibowo and Mohd Tauik
Mohammad
Readers guide
his chapter discusses urban housing
reform in Penang has dramatically changed the
urban landscapes and has impacted the social
dynamic. In addition, it has also contributed to
the uneven efect on urban housing population.
While the living standard of a signiicant
proportion of urban residents has improved, a
sizeable group of households has been left behind
and became a new social class - the urban poor.
here is a close association between poverty and
housing needs. Along with job security, housing is
the most important element of the social welfare
system. In this, the linkage between urban
poverty and housing has been largely overlooked.
he major concern of this paper is on coping
strategies of the urban poor in transition and the
associated problem of urban poverty due to the
Development for Urban Poor Housing
69
non-afordable housing. his paper aims to look into the social development
changes brought forward in Penang, mainly on the Island as well as focusing
on the problem of urban poor and low-income communities in Penang.
Introduction
Home as a Necessity
One of life’s basic needs, like food and water, is shelter. he provision
of housing and associated services does extends across virtually all of social
work’s various arenas of endeavor, from providing foster care to neglected,
inding homes for persons leaving treatment facilities, helping refugees
ind their “place” in a new country and on addressing homelessness itself.
Social work research related to housing relects the wide array of interest
in the ield in inding the best way to meet housing needs while helping
client build a new sense of belonging, pride of ownership, and sense of
self-suiciency.
Perhaps nowhere else are both the micro and macro social work
approaches to meet human needs by addressing both people and their
environment better displayed than in the housing services ield. Housing
or lack thereof relects the individual’s economic environment, and
quality housing relects the level of a community’s social development.
he provision of housing needs is a further relection of society’s meeting
the needs of its most vulnerable residents.
Helping to provide well-brought-up housing for urban poor and low
income household is a worldwide challenge to a government especially in
countries where citizens are well educated. However, it would be suitable
to use the term strategies on donating the public policies concerning
the housing situations in most countries particularly dominated by free
markets (Downs, 1969). Authorities simply do not have well reasons,
realistic, long-range policy on coping with housing needs. Nevertheless,
for the purpose of analysis, it is useful to view the public efort to improve
the housing of the urban poor in each nation as resulting from at least an
unspoken strategy.
Social Development
here are numerous clear statements by the Malaysian government
calling for a balanced development which will bring about holistic
development. However, for a majority of policy drafters and maker’s the
70
Sociology and Welfare Development
thrust is only mainly focusing on economic growth and returns. here
is therefore an urgent need to recapture the balanced approach in social
development especially in Penang. Holding this balance at the level of
policy formulation and direct implementation is necessary in making a
diference for Penangites.
Social development is central to national and community
development. Authors believed that each and every community in Penang
would love to share the state prosperities and strive for the attainment of
a better quality of life. Social development is used in a broad sense to
encompass economic, educational and social wellbeing. he orientation
is not so much welfare focused but one that advocates for social justice
and equal opportunities especially for the urban poor in Penang.
As in this, there is an urgent need for the state to strengthen the
institutional capacities of agencies and institutions to ensure that the
social development agenda is further enhanced for all Penangite. Perhaps,
these would include creating new avenues for urban poor to have a say
especially in social development and be efectively able to participate in
social welfare dialogues.
Urban Poverty
Issues of urban poverty have attracted increasing attention among
Penangites and academics in the last few years. Studies have been carried
out to establish the links between unemployment and urban poverty
(Zhu, 1998; Zhang, 1999). Regional variations in urban poverty, the
relationship between poverty and family income, employment types and
economic sectors have also been investigated. hese studies have led to
new policy development and some change in social welfare provision. At
the international level, the literature on urban reform and transition has
also grown rapidly over the last few years. Published material addresses a
wide range of issues, including:
• he economic and industrial changes occurring in cities as part of
the country’s reemergence on the world stage (Solinger, 1993)
• he physical and cultural transformation of Chinese societies
(Davis et al., 1995)
he theme of poverty especially urban poor and low incomers also
has been one of the major areas of authors concern in this paper. Penang
Development for Urban Poor Housing
71
has made tremendous progress in this area of poverty reduction, but it
seems to be the policy makers are refusing ‘to see the new trends and
dimensions especially in highly urbanized and modernized nations of
Penang’.
hroughout some articles, the indings of two urban poverty
conferences and the impact of urban poverty lays a strong claim that
urban poverty must be urgently and seriously addressed in society, six
key areas have been heavily debated and many innovative policies and
programmes have been launched by the Malaysian Federal Government
(Jayasooria, 2008). Academicians and civil society leaders have been part
of the deliberations.
he irst is the National Social Policy. his was formulated as
an umbrella policy giving a balance between economic and social
development, between infrastructure and human capital development.
Second is PINTAS which is a social action plan which provides the
framework for integrating the various components of social development
in the country. his social action plan was developed by Prof Dato Dr
Wan Halim and his team. Millions of ringgit had been spent as well as a
pilot project was launched at the district level. However, the sad reality is
that there is not even a single reference of PINTAS in the 9MP. It was a
major highlight in the 8MP and even in the Mid Term Review.
hird is the Social Referral Centre (Pusat Rujukan Sosial). he
original intention was for these centres to be located in ‘high risk
neighbor hoods’. Fourth is the Social Impact Assessment (SIA). Field
research was undertaken and foreign consultants recruited to provide
input and framework. However while the reports were being done and
the policy formulated, this dimension was not given much emphasis in
the implementation.
Fifth are the professional development of social workers and the
recognition of social work as a profession. Even teachers and nurses are
certiied but any one can be a social worker or can even use this term.
While anyone can be a volunteer but due to the complex nature of social
problems and issues, there are basic competencies needed for social work
practice. Only trained social workers are best equipped to handle complex
social situations. While sixth aspect is the National Social Institute and its
role in not only undertaking research but also to train social workers with
the basic competencies required. he institute must provide the content
for professional development.
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here is an urgent task to recapture all the work done in the above
six areas. One major step would be to recall all the academicians, civil
servants and civil society people who were involved in conceptualizing
the social agenda. he attempt will be to form a resource team of experts
to truly provide the intellectual base for fostering a social agenda which
will truly bring about balanced on social development.
Housing the Urban Poor
Housing and living conditions are important indicators of household
poverty. Housing provision in Penang looks had been dominated by the
private sector developers. In this, along with job security, housing was the
most important element of the welfare system. As a result of insuicient
investment, housing conditions were generally poorer over the period.
Since a part of the urban economic reform and the transition to a market
economy, important changes had been made to urban housing provision
system. Commercial property developers emerged as the main housing
providers. Many urban families now live in purpose-built lats. he reality
is that the key problem of urban housing reform was the material linkage
between housing and employment.
Housing the Urban Poor in China
As in China, in order to speed up the process of housing
commercialization and monetary distribution, a major decision was
made by central government in 1998 to stop public sector employers’
role in direct housing allocation. A deadline was set up to allow current
housing building projects to inish. hereafter, the housing needs of all
public sector employees were to be met directly by property developers or
the housing market rather than by employers. Employers, however, were
allowed to issue housing subsidies to help employees to buy their house
in the market or through the government-supported afordable housing
scheme (Wang, 2000).
Afordable housing was identiied as a key source of new housing
for low- and middle-income groups. he government planned to make
this type of housing accessible to most urban residents (70–80 per
cent). Higher-income households in urban areas (10–15 per cent) were
encouraged to obtain high standard housing through the market; and
poor urban families (about 10–15 per cent) were to be given subsidized
Development for Urban Poor Housing
73
rented housing by their employers or the city government (State Council,
1998). hese reform policies have brought important changes in urban
housing provision. A few years ago, most new commercial housing was
bought by employers and then distributed to their employees. By 2002,
80 per cent of public housing had been sold to the occupiers. About 95
per cent of new housing was sold directly to individual families.
While housing for the poor moved forward very slowly, high-standard
and sometimes luxury commercial housing for the rich dominated housing
developments in large cities, though there had been serious oversupply
of this type of housing. In September 2003, ive years after the 1998
policy document, the State Council issued new policies which aimed to
rebalance the market development and provision system. Strict controls
were to be imposed on the development of luxury villas and cottages. More
emphasis would be given to the development of ordinary commercial
housing, government-supported afordable housing and social-rental
housing (State Council, 2003). Despite this policy change, afordable and
social-rental housing required more government investment and efective
regulation of the housing market. Under the liberal market economic
philosophy and the continuous pursuit of commercialization of housing
provision, a large scale increase in public housing investment and social
housing stock in the near future are unlikely.
Social Support and Policies
For a betterment of arrangement on coping strategies for urban
poor housing in Penang, authors believed that social support and policies
need to be highlight as soon as possible. Under this arrangement, state
government could efectively decentralize the social welfare services to
the sub-potential parties. In this, perhaps it will minimize the burden
and the functions of state government and can focus more related to
production management than service provision. With the introduction of
the arrangement, welfare provision by work units will reduce substantially
in order to improve production of urban poor housing efective and
eiciently.
On the other hand, new social support policies should be introduced
to ill some of the gaps between the old and the new policies. hese
included policies aimed at creating more job opportunities to reduce
urban unemployment, and several social security systems established to
protect the weak and unemployed in the cities.
Furthermore, public policy can make a radical diference. Unlocking
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Sociology and Welfare Development
land banks for afordable housing is critical to reducing the price of houses
for the urban poor, whom are increasingly being driven out of the city
environs. Beyond supply of house, government enforcement of existing
laws against house proiteering would be a valuable start and long-term
home mortgage inance for the urban poor a breakthrough.
Making markets like informal housing more eicient and efective for
the urban poor. Markets that they are already tapping, is a better approach
than destroying markets through large indiscriminate subsidies that are
not sustainable. A major part of the solution is building institutions’ that
work for the urban poor and enable them to enter the formal economy
– reducing their cost of living and doing business and expanding their
opportunity for creating new social welfare.
In addition, enabling small group of communities to have a role in
investing in the markets looks to be very necessary. his will in return,
enable them to create social wealth and have a boost in their social welfare
as indirect.
he Future and Struggle of Urban Poor
Historical and inherited problems such as the disabled people, the
pursuit of full employment in urban areas and overstaing in the public
sector, were important causes for urban poverty. However, these historical
problems did not result in serious poverty under the well planned economic
system. he number of poor people inherited from the previous period
was also relatively small.
In addition, the struggle of urban poor communities in Malaysia for
housing and land rights is closely related to the development and history
of the country. After the British colonial period, Malaysia’s priority was
to develop its economy by focusing on the manufacturing and export
industry in urban areas. his resulted when people from rural areas
migrating from village to the city, in search of opportunities and to ill
the workforce demand. Most of the urban migrants would build their
own house near the manufacturing factories, because the surrounding
lands were unoccupied and unused. With hard work and their own
resources they would clean the area (wilderness) and build houses; this
would encourage the development in the area and hence they are known
as urban pioneers.
Reform and the marketization of the urban social welfare and
Development for Urban Poor Housing
75
economy, particularly the reduction of universal beneits and rising
unemployment, are new causes of increased incidents of urban poverty.
Adult unemployment, laid-of workers and poverty among pensioners
were all related to the process of marketization and the reform in the old
state-owned public sectors. To project the future of urban poverty, we
need to focus on the main factors, which determine the future course of
urban development.
References
Davis, D.S., Kraus, R., Naughton, B. and Perry, E. (1995) Urban Spaces
in
Contemporary China: he Potential for Autonomy and Community in
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Downs. A (1969) Housing the Urban Poor: he Economic of Various
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Jayasooria, D. (2008) Social Development & Indians in Malaysia: An
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Sociology and Welfare Development
Transformation, Beijing, Wenwu Press.
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