SUBJECTIVE LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG URBAN
MALAY CIVIL SERVANTS: THE CASE OF
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITI
TEKNOLOGI MARA MALAYSIA (UiTM), SHAH ALAM
BY
NOR HAFIZAH BT. MOHAMED HARITH
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and
Human Sciences
International Islamic University Malaysia
JANUARY 2014
ii
ABSTRACT
Empirical data for the measure of quality of life in Malaysia has largely employed
objective indicators (MQLI, 2004) and are used mainly in quantitative research. This
situation has left research on subjective life satisfaction or well-being largely
unexplored or limited. In light of the above, one may ask: if the MQLI has shown
high score on the objective indicators, how far does this score reflect upon the
people’s subjective life satisfaction. Adopting a case study design, this study focuses
on exploring subjective life satisfaction among urban Malay civil servants in
Malaysia. Being qualitative in nature, the research is concerned mainly with the emic
than the etic views and perspectives (Merriam, 2009). Framed within a modified
Allardt’s theory of need and MQLI, the study among others explores the factors that
contribute to the life satisfaction among staff members of a Malaysian public
university namely Universiti Teknologi MARA or UiTM. Sixteen respondents from
four different categories of the University’s administrative staff working at its main
campus in Shah Alam, Selangor were engaged in the research. Data collected via in-
depth interviews were later verified through Written Feedback Validation (WFV)
form. The main findings have shown that: 1) Most respondents were satisfied with
their life with moderation being the major theme revealed, 2) The factors that
determine the subjective life satisfaction were centered around three major themes
namely; a) satisfying living condition needs, b) satisfying non-living condition needs
and c) satisfying spiritual comfort need, with the last two being the main priority of
the respondents. 3) The meaning of life satisfaction among the respondents was
centered around three major themes; the need for spiritual development, the need for
economic satisfaction and the social needs with the economic need being the main
concern of the lower and middle class participants. 4) In general, gender, social class
and working experiences have no significant bearing upon respondents’ satisfaction.
Nonetheless, the findings have revealed that most female respondents perceived their
working life to be a factor that enhanced their SWB. In addition, respondents of
different social class showed slightly different coping ability to cope with urban life.
These findings have significant bearing upon development policy in Malaysia.
iii
MQLI, 2004
.
MQLI
9002 Allardt
MQLI
UiTM
WFV 1
9
3
4
SWB
iv
ABSTRAK
Data empirikal untuk mengukur kualiti hidup di Malaysia sebahagian besarnya
didominasi oleh indikator objektif (Indek Kualiti Hidup Malaysia (IKHM), 2004) dan
digunakan terutamanya dalam penyelidikan kuantitatif. Keadaan ini telah menjadikan
sebahagian besar penyelidikan tentang kepuasan dan kesejahteraan hidup subjektif
samada belum diterokai dan terhad. Oleh yang demikian, jika IKHM telah
menunjukkan skor yang tinggi melalui petunjuk objektif, sejauh mana skor ini dapat
menjelaskan kepuasan hidup subjektif. Dengan mengaplikasi kaedah kualitatif,
khususnya menerusi reka bentuk kajian kes, kajian ini memberi tumpuan kepada
makna kepuasan hidup subjektif di kalangan penjawat awam Melayu bandar di
Malaysia. Kajian ini menekankan kepada pandangan emic daripada etic (Merriam,
2009). Dirangka dalam teori Allardt dan IKHM, kajian ini antara lain mengkaji faktor-
faktor yang menyumbang kepada kepuasan hidup di kalangan kakitangan sebuah
universiti awam iaitu Universiti Teknologi MARA atau UiTM Malaysia. Enam belas
orang responden daripada empat kategori kakitangan pentadbiran Universiti yang
bertugas di kampus Shah Alam telah terlibat dalam penyelidikan ini. Data dikumpul
melalui temu bual mendalam yang kemudiannya disahkan melalui maklum balas
bertulis (WFV). Dapatan kajian telah menunjukkan bahawa: 1) Kebanyakan
responden berpuas hati dengan kehidupan mereka dengan kesederhanaan menjadi
tema utama, 2) Faktor yang menentukan kepuasan hidup subjektif tertumpu di sekitar
tiga tema utama iaitu: a) kepuasan terhadap keperluan material, b) kepuasan terhadap
keperluan bukan material dan c) kepuasan memenuhi keperluan rohani, dengan b)
dan c) menjadi keutamaan kepada responden. 3) Maksud kepuasan hidup di kalangan
responden berkisar sekitar tiga tema utama; keperluan untuk pembangunan rohani,
keperluan untuk kepuasan ekonomi dan keperluan sosial; dimana keperluan ekonomi
menjadi keutamaan utama di kalangan responden kelas rendah dan sederhana. 4)
Gender, kelas sosial dan pengalaman bekerja tidak mempunyai kesan yang besar ke
atas kepuasan hidup responden. Walau bagaimanapun, penemuan telah mendedahkan
bahawa responden wanita berpendapat bahawa perkerjaan merupakan satu faktor yang
meningkatkan tahap kepuasan hidup mereka. Di samping itu, responden dari kelas
sosial yang berbeza menunjukkan keupayaan yang berbeza dalam menjalani
kehidupan di bandar. Penemuan ini mempunyai kesan yang besar ke atas dasar
pembangunan di Malaysia.
v
APPROVAL PAGE
The dissertation of Nor Hafizah Mohamed Harith has been approved by the following:
__________________________
Hazizan Md. Noon
Supervisor
__________________________
Jamil Farooqui
Internal Examiner
__________________________
Mohd Taib Hj. Dora
External Examiner
__________________________
Moussa Larbani
Chairman
vi
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this dissertation is the result of my own investigations, except
where otherwise stated. I also declare that is has not been previously or concurrently
submitted as a whole for any other degrees at IIUM or other institutions.
Nor Hafizah Mohamed Harith
Signature: ………….………..………… Date: …...……………………….
vii
INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
DECLARATION OF COPYRIGHT AND AFFIRMATION
OF FAIR USE OF UNPUBLISHED RESEARCH
Copyright 2014 by International Islamic University Malaysia. All Rights Reserved
SUBJECTIVE LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG URBAN CIVIL SERVANTS:
THE CASE OF EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
MALAYSIA (UiTM), SHAH ALAM
I hereby affirm that The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) holds all
rights in the copyright of this Work and henceforth any reproduction or use in any
forms or by means whatsoever is prohibited without the written consent of IIUM. No
part of this unpublished research may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording
or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Affirmed by Author’s Name
……………………………….. ……………………….
Signature Date
viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Syukur Alhamdulillah, my first and foremost debt of gratitude is to ALLAH the
ALMIGHTY. There is just too much of His blessing in this life and without Allah’s
permit, this would not be possible. Thank you Allah.
Personally, I would extend my thanks to those who have contributed to a great
extent to the completion of this dissertation:
Firstly, my deepest appreciation goes to my supervisor, Associate Professor
Dr. Hazizan Md. Noon for his invaluable guidance, time, patience, ideas and support
to supervise me throughout my study years.
My thanks would also go to all lecturers at the Department of Sociology and
Anthropology Department, IIUM especially to Professor Jamil Farooqui, Dr Pute
Rahimah Makol-Abdul and others who had imparted valuable knowledge and who
were very helpful and had inspired me during my study in IIUM. I am privileged to be
your student.
My appreciation and thanks to the Ministry of Higher of Education, Malaysia
who had financially sponsored my PhD study, my employer Universiti Teknologi
MARA (UiTM) who has given me the opportunity to develop myself and to my
faculty; the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Shah Alam
especially the ex-Deans, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noraini Mohamed Ismail and Assoc.Prof.
Dr Jasmine Ahmad who had supported and facilitated my study. I also owe a very
debt of gratitude to the sixteen participants of UiTM administrative staffs who
voluntarily participated in this study.
I also want to express my sincere gratitude to my dearest family especially to
my husband, Zamzuri Bin Hassan and my four lovely kids: Aina Najihah, Aisyah
Afiqah, Muhammad Imran Ariff and Anis Batrisyia whom without their prayers,
patience, sacrifices, understanding and encouragement, this would not be an easy
journey for me. All of you are my source of inspirations.
This work is also especially dedicated to my beloved late mother
Allahyaharmah Hajah Zakina Bt Husain who departed in the middle of my PhD’s
struggle. May Allah place her amongst the Sholehah, Amin. Not forgetting my father
Hj. Mohamed Harith bin Hj Zainal Abidin who has always been supportive. Special
thanks also for my beloved Grandmother Hajah Mariahtun bt. Abd Hamid, my
siblings; Nor Hashikin, Mohamed Azhar and Nor Hashimah and my in-laws for their
prayer and support rendered.
May Allah SWT bless all of you. Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin.
ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract .................................................................................................................... ii Abstract in Arabic .................................................................................................... iii
Abstract in Bahasa Malaysia .................................................................................... iv
Approval Page .......................................................................................................... v Declaration ............................................................................................................... vi
Declaration of Copyright ......................................................................................... vii
Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. viii List of Tables ........................................................................................................... xii List of Figures .......................................................................................................... xiii
List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................... xiv
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................. 1 1.1 Statement of the Problem ....................................................................... 3
1.2 Research Goal and Objectives ............................................................... 8
1.3 Research Questions ................................................................................ 9 1.4 Significance of Study ............................................................................. 10
1.4.1 Contribution to Knowledge .......................................................... 10 1.4.2 Contribution to Practice ............................................................... 11
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study ....................................................... 13
1.6 Definitions of Key Terms ....................................................................... 14 1.6.1 Objective Indicators ..................................................................... 14
1.6.2 Subjective Indicator/Subjective Well-Being (SWB) ................... 14
1.6.3 Malay ........................................................................................... 15
1.6.4 UiTM Civil Servant ..................................................................... 15 1.7 Summary ................................................................................................ 15
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................... 16 2.1 Definition of Quality of Life .................................................................. 17 2.2 Distinction between Objective and Subjective Indicators ..................... 20
2.3 Definition and Significance of Subjective Well-Being .......................... 25 2.4 Previous Research on Subjective Well-Being (SWB) ........................... 29 2.5 Review on the Important Domains of Life Satisfaction and their
Relations with Life Satisfaction ................................................................... 39 2.6 Gender and Life Satisfaction .................................................................. 42
2.7 Income and Life Satisfaction ................................................................. 45
2.8 Spirituality and Life Satisfaction ........................................................... 49
2.9 Islamic View and Western Views on Meaning of Happiness ................ 50 2.10 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................ 54 2.11 Summary .............................................................................................. 60
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ........................................................... 61 3.1 The Philosophical Assumptions of the Research ................................... 61 3.2 Research Design ..................................................................................... 62 3.3 Rationale for Case Study ........................................................................ 65
x
3.3.1 Single Case Study with Embedded Multiple Unit Analysis. ....... 67
3.4 Research Setting ..................................................................................... 67 3.5 Research Area ........................................................................................ 68
3.6 The Sampling Method and the Subject of Study ................................... 69 3.7 Procedures of Data Collection ............................................................... 71 3.8 Techniques of Data Collection ............................................................... 72
3.8.1 In-Depth Interviews ..................................................................... 72 3.8.1.1 Interview Schedule ............................................................. 74
3.8.1.2 Key/Opening Questions ..................................................... 75 3.8.1.3 Follow-Up Questions ......................................................... 75 3.8.1.4 Application of the Strategy ................................................ 76
3.8.2 Written Feedback Validation (WFV) ........................................... 77 3.9 Data Analysis Procedures ...................................................................... 77
3.10 Data Analysis Using Nvivo .................................................................. 81
3.11 Issues of Reliability and Validity ......................................................... 82
3.12 Ethical Considerations ......................................................................... 84 3.13 Summary .............................................................................................. 85
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS ........................................................................... 86 4.1 Description of Respondents ................................................................... 87 4.2 Findings .................................................................................................. 113
4.2.1 Findings 1 ..................................................................................... 113 4.2.1.1 Ability to fulfill the basic needs ......................................... 114 4.2.1.2 Ability to maintain the current standard of living .............. 115
4.2.1.3 Ability to improve in quality of life ................................... 115 4.2.1.4 Ability to maintain a simple lifestyle ................................. 116
4.2.1.5 Being grateful to God with the “rezeki” ............................ 117
4.2.2 Findings 2 ..................................................................................... 117
4.2.2.1 Satisfying Living Condition Needs .................................... 122 4.2.2.2 Satisfying Non-living condition needs ............................... 136 4.2.2.3 Satisfying Spiritual Comfort Needs ................................... 149
4.2.3 Findings 3 ..................................................................................... 152
4.2.3.1 The Need for Spiritual Development ................................. 154 4.2.3.2 The Need for Economic Satisfaction ................................. 155 4.2.3.3 The Social Needs ............................................................... 156
4.2.4 Findings 4 ..................................................................................... 158 4.2.4.1 Gender Comparison ........................................................... 159
4.2.4.2 Social Class Comparison ................................................... 164 4.2.4.3 Working Experience Comparison ...................................... 166
4.3 Conclusion .............................................................................................. 169
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND
CONCLUSIONS .................................................................................................... 174 5.1 Discussion of the Findings .................................................................... 174
5.1.1 Discussion of findings in respect of respondents’ experiences
of SWB. ................................................................................................. 174 5.1.2 Discussion of findings in respect of the factors determining the
respondents’ life satisfaction. ................................................................ 178
xi
5.1.3 Discussion of findings in respect of the meaning of life
satisfaction as conceived by the respondents. ....................................... 181 5.1.4 Discussion of findings in respect to the differences in the factors
influencing the subjective life satisfaction by gender, social class and
working experience. .............................................................................. 184 5.1.4.1 Gender Difference .............................................................. 184 5.1.4.2 Social Class Differences .................................................... 185 5.1.4.3 Working experience ........................................................... 186
5.2 Recommendations .................................................................................. 188 5.2.1 Recommendations Related To Urban Malay Civil Servants. .... 188 5.2.2 Recommendations Related to Policies. ...................................... 191
5.3 Limitations and Implications for further Research. ............................... 193 5.4 Conclusion .............................................................................................. 194
BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................. 196
Appendix 1 ............................................................................................................... 209 Appendix 2 ............................................................................................................... 210 Appendix 3 ............................................................................................................... 211
Appendix 4 ............................................................................................................... 212 Appendix 5 ............................................................................................................... 213
Appendix 6 ............................................................................................................... 216 Appendix 7 ............................................................................................................... 218 Appendix 8 ............................................................................................................... 220
xii
LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Page No.
2.1 Objective and Subjective Social Indicators 22
2.2 Allardt’s Original Need Theory 57
2.3 Allardt’s Modified Needs Theory & Its Corresponding Objective &
Subjective Indicators 59
3.1 Number of UiTM Shah Alam Administrative Civil Servants by Gender
and Grade Scheme 68
4.1 Summary of Respondents’ Demographic Data 88
4.2 Higher Order Theme and Sub-Themes of Findings 2 120
4.3 Summary of the Findings 170
xiii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No. Page No.
2.1 Bottom-up Spillover Theory of Life Satisfaction 41
2.2 Objective and subjective indicators of Overall Life Satisfaction 55
3.1 A Framework for Design: The Interconnection of Philosophical
Worldviews, Strategies of Inquiry and Research Methods 63
3.2 Stages in the Process of Thematic Analysis 79
3.3 NVivo Grafic User Interface 81
4.1 Main Theme and Sub-themes of Subjective Life Satisfaction 114
4.2 Hierarchy of the Main themes and Sub-Themes with respect to MQLI
domains within Allardt’s modified theoretical framework. 119
4.3 Main Theme and Sub-Themes of the Meaning of Life Satisfaction 153
4.4 Gender Comparison 159
4.5 Social Class Comparison 164
4.6 Working Experiences Comparison 167
5.1 Model of Subjective Life Satisfaction 187
xiv
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
SWB Subjective Well-Being
MQLI Malaysian Quality of Life
EPU Economic Planning Unit
UiTM Universiti Teknologi MARA
WFV Written Feedback Validation
1
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Malaysia has placed higher quality of its nation’s well-being at the pinnacle of its
national development objectives. The assumption that development brings not only
material prosperity but also improvement of the overall quality of life lies at the heart
of the Malaysian government’s development policy. As a result of this focus,
Malaysia has initiated vigorous socio-economic and other developmental projects in
order to raise the well-being of the people. For the past thirty years, rapid economic
growth, geared mainly by Malaysia’s industrialization policy, has gradually
transformed the country from an agrarian to an industrial society. With an average
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate of between 8-10%, since the late 80s, Malaysia
has been classified as a rapidly developing country in the global arena. The latest
Human Development Index (HDI) also shows remarkable changes in Malaysia and
the recent 2011’s ranking placed Malaysia the 61th
among 187 countries (HDI, 2011).
In urban areas, the Malaysia Government has implemented numerous
strategies to improve the standard of life, which include provisions for physical and
non-physical infrastructure and programs. The former includes providing quality
accommodations and basic amenities, while the later includes curtailing crime,
improving health services, developing the community and leisure facilities. As a
result, considerable changes can be noticed such as the decline of poverty rates and
other achievement which indicate better living standards among Malaysians. The
percentage of hardcore poverty has dropped from 0.7% in 2004 to 0.3% in 2007. The
country’s urban poverty rate has also reduced from 2.5% to 2%, while the rural
2
poverty rate has fallen from 11.9% to 7.1 % over the same duration (Mid-Term
Review 2006-2010). These developments reflect better income distribution among
Malaysians. The Bumiputera’s or the indigenous people’s mean income has increased
by 5.2% to RM 3156 in 2007 from RM 2711 in 2004. The average income of the
Malaysian Chinese community also rose by 3.0% to RM 4853 from RM 4437, while
the Indian community’s mean income improved by 3.2% to RM 3799 from RM
3456.These have resulted in better income distribution in both urban (3.3% rise to RM
4356 from RM 3956) and rural areas (rise to RM 2283 from RM 1870) (Mid-Term
Ninth Malaysia Plan Review, 2008).
In the Tenth Malaysia Plan, launched in June 2010, the Malaysian government
has initiated a new development policy that aspires to place Malaysia as a developed
and high-income nation by the year 2020. The government aims to provide an
equitable participation in its efforts to ensure greater socio-economic inclusiveness
among its citizens. This is aimed at transforming Malaysia towards achieving vision
2020 with greater focus on improving the quality of life for its citizens.
One of the main thrusts of the Tenth Malaysia Plan (2011-2015) is its
emphasis on building an environment conducive to the enhancement of the quality of
life. The basic focus is mainly on improving the physical infrastructure in order to
ensure that cities are livable and enjoyable for the urbanites. To this end, the urban
development will focus on improving the physical aspects that include efficient public
transport, standard housing, quality basic amenities, improved healthcare delivery
system, reduction of crimes, and conservation of the environment (Tenth Malaysia
Plan 2011-2015). In addition, the Tenth Malaysia plan stresses on raising the
livelihood of the bottom 40% income group by striving to increase their income from
RM 1,440 last year to RM 2300 by 2015 (StarSpecial, 11th
June 2010).
3
The main emphasis of Malaysia’s urban developmental plan is thus enhancing
the well-being of Malaysians, the measure of which is based on certain objective
indicators. The Malaysian Quality of Life (MQLI) report, developed and employed by
the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department in 2004,
demonstrated overall increase in the main components of MQLI. This was reflected
by the upward movement of the MQLI by 9.8 points. All components indicated
improvement with the exception of public safety and environment. Transport and
communications registered the highest increase of 20.88 points followed by working
life and education (see Appendix 1).
Even though the MQLI has shown tremendous increase in its objective
indicators, one may ask, how far does this correlate with the subjective indicators of
the life satisfaction of Malaysians? How did drastic urbanization in Malaysia during
the last few decades affect the Malaysians’ perception of the value their quality of
life? Does an increase in overall MQLI reflect a greater life satisfaction among the
urban Malaysians? These are what the current research investigates.
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The quality of life of urban population is one of the main issues that need to be
addressed by most developing countries in the world (Rakodi and Jones, 2002; Beall,
2009). It is estimated that the world urban population will increase by the equivalent
of thirty new cities of two million people per year, for thirty years, or by six
megacities per year, for the next thirty years (United Nations Human Settlements
Program (UN–HABITAT), 2003). Beall (2009) states that in the early twenty-first
century, we will see more urban residents than rural dwellers world-wide and because
4
of rapid urbanization, urban poverty will be the most pressing problem in cities in
Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
In Malaysia, the trend of urbanization is increasing too. For the past forty
years, the urban population has increased from 37% in 1981 to 50% in 2000 (Roziah
Omar, 2005). At present 67% of the Malaysian population are living in urban regions
(Tenth Malaysia Plan 2011-2015). One can predict from this fact that the urban
population will face greater obstacles in coping with the opportunities and challenges
of living in urban areas. With this rapid urbanization, the concern over the quality of
life of the urban residents becomes more crucial in Malaysian government’s policy
(Tenth Malaysia Plan 2011-2015).
Urban communities in Malaysia have experienced the impacts of the economic
development process since its independence. To illustrate, many studies have
examined the impacts of poverty on the socio-economic condition of the urban poor in
Malaysia (Ragayah, 2005; Chamhuri Siwar and Mohd Yusof Kasim, 1997; Ataul Huq,
Moha Asri, Alias & Nizam, 2009). The question is, to what extent modernization and
industrialization have made urban society livable and enjoyable? In another way, one
may ask, are Malaysian urbanites satisfied with their lives given the remarkable social
and economic progress as indicated by conventional indicators for the past two
decades?
To date, the topic concerning the urbanites’ subjective perception of well-
being or life satisfaction is largely unexplored and still limited in Malaysia. Empirical
data on quality of life measure in Malaysia has largely focused on the objective
indicators (see Malaysian Quality of Life, 2004 & 2011). However, a few studies were
conducted on the urban residents’ perceptions and satisfactions concerning the
physical facilities available in a few cities in the Klang Valley (see Hafazah, 2008 &
5
Dasimah, 2009). These studies mainly evaluated the quality of life from surveys on
perceptions of well-being among the residents of major Malaysian cities as it related
to the built environment. In spite of this, the measure using objective indicators may
not necessarily represent the complete picture of the quality of life as believed for
instance by Diener and Suh (1997) and Schneinder (1975).
Schneider (1975) in his study had found that no relationship exists between the
level of well-being found in a city as measured by objective social indicators and the
quality of life subjectively experienced by individuals in that city. He said that cities
that are worst off as measured by the former social indicators alone are not necessarily
the same cities where subjective dissatisfaction is the highest. In addition, he found
that the level of well-being in cities as described solely by objective social indicators
represents nothing about the subjective quality of life. Therefore, he argues that the
objective social indicators cannot be taken as direct measures of wellbeing welfare or
the quality of life actually experienced by individuals as they are highly limited tools
in the investigation of the quality of life.
Similarly, a PhD study carried out in South Africa by Kironji (2007) had found
the relationship between material living conditions and life satisfaction was not clear
and this explanation fits with the available literature of Subjective Well-Being (SWB).
This study did show that is rather high and consistent proportion of indifference in
SWB in spite of improvements observed in household living conditions. This research
has also called for some in-depth analysis on the qualitative side of quality of life as
this provides an avenue in order to achieve congruence between the monitoring of
progress on the indicator side and what people actually feel.
As previously discussed, there is a dearth of studies dealing with the SWB of
the urban residents in Malaysia. A pioneer self-report study of life satisfaction was
6
carried out by Swami and Premuzic (2009) in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Their
study attempted to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Malay version of the
Subjective Well Being and Life Satisfaction (SWLS) and to test the measurement
across sex and ethnicity in a sample of the Malaysian community. Even though the
study was drawn from a large sample, the main limitation of the study was that the
samples were recruited opportunistically, thus increasing the likelihood that the
samples were not representative of the Malay and Chinese or other populations in
Malaysia.
Another pioneer study was carried out by Howell, Howell and Schwabe (2006)
to determine the relationship between wealth and satisfaction among the indigenous
people in Peninsular Malaysia, using a self-report survey. This study was significant
as it tried to address the main gap in the existing literature about the effective
techniques for measuring of the quality of life and satisfaction.
Previous studies on subjective well-being were very much based on the
quantitative research method (Liao, 2009; Appleton and Song, 2008; Shu and Zhu,
2009; Das, 2008). None of these studies on Malaysian cases succeed in gaining
deeper insight from the reported objective indicators i.e. Malaysian Quality of Life
Socio-Economic Data. Hence, this study will carry out an in-depth analysis of overall
life satisfaction based on the national quality of life index i.e. EPU’s MQLI. In
addition, due to the complexity of the SWB concept and certain limitations of the
purely quantitative approach to evaluate SWB, a qualitative approach should be
attempted (Wills, 2009).
In fact, in a severe Need Deprivation context of study, Camfield, Guillen-Royo
and Velazco (2010) has indicated that there are uncertainties in identifying the factors
7
that support and increase subjective well-being. She has identified factors like cultural
context, having a strong relationship with the partner and family, connection with the
community, and religious faith as playing important roles in supporting SWB. Thus,
she says that increasing the level of understanding of how subjective well-being works
at the micro-level, through the use of mixed method designs, in the context of a
specific developing country, is important and will inspire the field of subjective well-
being research in the future.
The context of the current study is focused on the feeling of well being among
the urban civil servants, in particular among the urban Malay civil servants of the
Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia (UiTM). The scope of the study chosen was
the well being of urban dwellers who were reported to have been experiencing lower
quality of life due to the deterioration of the urban quality of life in general (Tenth
Malaysian Plan, 2010). Living in the urban areas was found to be a strong contributor
to the lowering of the quality of life. On account of the increasing inflationary
pressure on basic needs and amenites, the low and middle-ranking civil servants in the
Klang Valley are undoubtaly the hardest hit, as their cost of living is one of the
highest in the country.
Of late, the local newspapers highlighted the plight of lower grade civil staff
who are unable to live within their means in the city. Monday Starters by Soo Ewe Jin
claims that it is now confirmed that city life makes us mad (The Star, 27/06/2011). He
further said that it is ironic that majority of us, who work in big cities, actually come
from smaller village and were lured by the bright city life and by search for
employment without thinking too much about stress.
8
Hence, this research significantly contributed to the study of the quality of life
among the urban civil servants, who are working in areas with a higher cost of living
but their safety net is not well taken care of. Surprisingly, Malaysian national
newspapers reported a shocking phenomenon that many Malaysians spend more than
half of their salaries on financing loans and even more shocking was the fact that
about 1.2 million Malaysian civil servants currently face loan crisis when up to 60%
of their monthly wages are spent on loan financing (http://www.utusan.com.my
retrieved 23/03/2012). Another local newspaper has also reported a case of a lower
grade staff that had to do two jobs by selling burger at night in order to earn extra
RM1000 a month. He said the salary he earned was not enough to sustain a living in
Kuala Lumpur. He said that he had no choice but to sacrifice his night rest in order to
sell burger at night. Living in Kuala Lumpur had forced him to work harder because
with a net income of RM2000 per month, it was not enough for him to support his
four children. He always felt that his income was inadequate for his family (Termizi
Che Anuar, Utusan Malaysia, 19th
April 2011)
Thus, it is hoped that the present study can reveal insights on the reality of life
satisfaction among the urban dwellers in Malaysia, particularly the urban civil
servants. It will examine the factors of life satisfaction and their impacts on the urban
Malay civil servants’ well-being, focusing on the eleven domains of MQLI developed
by the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department.
1.2 RESEARCH GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
The general goal of this study is to understand the nature of life satisfaction among
urban civil servant in Malaysia. To achieve this goal, the study seeks to undertake a
deeper analysis of the subjective experience of well-being among the administrative
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staff of UiTM at its main campus in Shah Alam. This general goal is set with four
specific objectives in mind:
a. To examine how selected respondents i.e. the UiTM administrative staff
perceive their subjective well-being.
b. To evaluate the main determinants of life satisfaction among the
respondents.
c. To determine the meaning of subjective life satisfaction among the
respondents.
d. To examine the differences in factors influencing the subjective well-
being by gender, social class and working experiences among the
respondents.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The above goal and objectives of research are further reduced to a set of specific
questions. Therefore, the following research questions have been formulated to
achieve the research objectives.
a. Are the UiTM administrative staffs satisfied with their lives subjectively?
b. What are the main determinants of the overall life satisfaction among the
respondents?
c. What is the meaning of life satisfaction as conceived by the Urban Malay
civil servants?
d. Are there any differences in the factors influencing the subjective well-
being by gender, social class and working experiences among the UiTM
administrative staff?
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1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The significance of this study can be explained as follows:
1.4.1 Contribution to Knowledge
The findings of this study can add to the existing literature on quality of life, as this
study explores and provides deeper insights into the different meanings of subjective
life satisfaction that have been neglected in previous research. Hughes (2006) argues
that many quality of life researchers give strong emphasis on elements of affects, but
neglect the elements of meaning. He further claims that meaning may be a more
fundamental dimension of life quality than affect. Indeed, adding meanings in the
quality of life studies, aids in conceptual development. Such concepts eventually
enable large scale survey research to be carried out on meanings, which provide
greater understanding of the human condition and ways to improve it (Hughes, 2006).
Jongudormkarn et al. (2006) also explain the significance of the qualitative
study in their quality of life study. They contend that the qualitative approach should
be employed as it enables acquisition of empirical data that facilitate deeper analysis
of the difficulties and happiness in the lives of the informants. Indeed, in life
satisfaction studies, one of the fundamental problems encountered in research on SWB
is ascertaining the variables that cause SWB by using only the quantitative method
(Heady et al., 1990).
Hence, this research utilizes an in-depth interview as the main instrument for
the study. The main strength of this method is that it allows a researcher to conduct an
analysis on specific issues that are not revealed by the survey method (Newman,
2004). The selected interviewees were probed with additional questions about the
