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Kopitiams at Crossroads: Can Malaysia’s Cultural Heartbeat Survive Globalization? Maspul, Kurniawan; Ardhin, Muhammad
Indonesian Journal of Social Development Vol. 2 No. 1 (2024): July
Publisher : Indonesian Journal Publisher

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.47134/jsd.v2i4.3886

Abstract

Kopitiams—Malaysia’s storied coffee shops—are more than culinary landmarks; they are the pulsating heart of a nation’s identity, where centuries of migration, cultural fusion, and communal resilience converge. This interdisciplinary study interrogates how these spaces, born from 19th-century Chinese immigrant labor, evolved into democratic hubs where CEOs and construction workers share kopi tarik (pulled coffee) and nasi lemak, dissolving socioeconomic divides (UNESCO, 2020). Contributing 30% to Malaysia’s GDP through informal economies and sustaining 1.2 million livelihoods, kopitiams epitomize grassroots economic ingenuity, blending Robert Putnam’s social capital with Amartya Sen’s capability approach to empower marginalized communities (World Bank, 2021; Department of Statistics Malaysia, 2022). Yet, their survival teeters on an existential precipice: soaring rents, generational labor shortages, and diabetes rates of 21% linked to sugary teh tarik demand urgent reckoning (WHO, 2023). Neuroscience reveals the olfactory allure of kopi-o triggers dopamine-driven nostalgia, anchoring patrons to intergenerational bonds (Kringelbach, 2005), while Maslow’s hierarchy frames these spaces as psychological sanctuaries—68% of Malaysians sought solace here during COVID-19’s isolation (IPSOS, 2022). However, gentrification’s shadow looms; 90% of Malaysians live near a kopitiam, yet luxury developments threaten their existence, mirroring the demise of New York’s diners (KL City Hall, 2022; Zukin, 2021). This study argues that kopitiams are not relics but resilient blueprints for global cultural preservation. Malaysia may create policies that balance digitization, sustainability, and historical subsidies by combining Japan's kissaten heritage models with Italy's cooperative trattorias. Their survival is a litmus test for humanity’s capacity to honor tradition in a homogenizing world—a choice between erasure and evolution. In every steamed bun and clattering cup, kopitiams challenge us to redefine progress: not as globalization’s casualty, but as a symphony of memory and modernity.
Network Effects and Trust in Malaysia’s Platform Economy Maspul, Kurniawan Arif; Ardhin, Muhammad
Journal of Business Management Vol. 2 No. 3 (2025): April
Publisher : Indonesian Journal Publisher

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.47134/jobm.v2i3.33

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of platform business models has fundamentally reshaped global economies, with network effects and institutional legitimacy emerging as cornerstones of sustainable platform dominance. This study explores how these two forces interact to influence platform scalability, regulatory acceptance, and long-term market entrenchment, using Malaysia’s platform economy—with a particular focus on Grab—as a case study. Through a multi-theoretical approach, integrating institutional theory, platform economics, and behavioral economics, this research applies a PESTLE framework to dissect the socio-political, economic, and technological forces shaping platform sustainability. Empirical analysis of regulatory policies, market reports, and consumer behavior data illustrates how Grab’s strategic regulatory engagement, cultural adaptation, and gig labor policies contributed to its dominance, while Uber’s inability to navigate Malaysia’s socio-political landscape led to its exit. The study underscores the synergistic relationship between network externalities and regulatory legitimacy, arguing that sustainable platform leadership necessitates not only technological innovation but also deep-rooted institutional agility and cultural intelligence.
ASEAN Unbound: Igniting the Digital Renaissance Maspul, Kurniawan Arif; Ardhin, Muhammad
Journal of Regional Economics and Development Vol. 2 No. 3 (2025): May
Publisher : Indonesian Journal Publisher

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.47134/jred.v2i3.679

Abstract

ASEAN’s digital metamorphosis, driven by 400 million internet users and a $330 billion digital economy (Google et al., 2021), positions geospatial technology and open-source ERP systems as lifelines for survival and growth. These technologies tackle urbanization crises, disaster resilience, and SME empowerment—critical for a region where 68% will live in cities by 2030 (UNESCAP, 2020) and SMEs form 89% of businesses (ADB, 2022). Geospatial tools, like Indonesia’s One Map Policy resolving 80,000 land conflicts, and ERPNext slashing SME costs by 60% (Cavalcanti et al., 2022; OpenGov Asia, 2018), showcase ASEAN’s cost-innovation edge. Yet, fragmented data policies and skill gaps threaten progress. Government initiatives like Thailand 4.0 and Vietnam’s Digital Transformation Program signal a shift toward inclusive tech ecosystems, while firms like Grab export geospatial logistics globally. This study argues ASEAN’s blend of agility, affordability, and ethical innovation offers a blueprint for the Global South—proving technology can democratize power, save lives, and ignite a moral revolution in an era of crisis.
Autism Artisans: Pioneering Neuro-Inclusive Halal Markets Maspul, Kurniawan Arif; Ardhin, Muhammad
Jurnal Pemberdayaan Ekonomi dan Masyarakat Vol. 2 No. 3 (2025): July
Publisher : Indonesian Journal Publisher

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.47134/jpem.v2i3.797

Abstract

Autism Artisan Cooperatives (AACs) in Malaysia redefine neuro-inclusive prosperity by transforming autistic adults’ sensory strengths into economic and cultural power. Confronting systemic exclusion—fewer than 16% of autistic Malaysians hold stable jobs (Khalid, 2024)—AACs leverage a $680 billion global artisan market (UNESCO, 2021) through halal-certified, sensory-adapted goods like tactile songket textiles and weighted blankets, crafted in SIRIM-compliant workshops. Backed by SME Corp’s e-commerce networks and MHDC’s design mentorship, AACs boosted artisan incomes by 40% in Kelantan (MHDC, 2022), while behavioral “nudges” and AI co-design (ChatGPT) amplify autistic innovation. Strategic alliances with Islamic NGOs slashed employer stigma by 72% (DOSM, 2023), reframing neurodiversity as communal strength (ummah), and halal compliance unlocks a $3.2 trillion global market (State of the Global Islamic Economy, 2022). Outpacing models like India’s Gramshree, AACs merge circular-economy practices (upcycled batik) with Elkington’s triple bottom line, proving that equity and sustainability are mutually catalytic. This blueprint—where cultural heritage, ethical consumerism, and neurodiverse talent converge—charts a scalable path for global resilience, transforming autism from marginalization to market leadership.
AI Empowers Autism Nutritional Care Solutions: A Family-Centred Innovation Maspul, Kurniawan Arif; Ardhin, Muhammad
Health & Medical Sciences Vol. 2 No. 3 (2025): May
Publisher : Indonesian Journal Publisher

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.47134/phms.v2i3.418

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), affecting 1 in 36 U.S. children, presents profound feeding challenges—extreme food selectivity, sensory aversions, and mealtime meltdowns—that strain caregivers and jeopardize child health. Over 70% of caregivers report clinically significant stress, exacerbated by healthcare systems offering generic, neurologically disconnected dietary advice. This study introduces Feeding Assistant for Children with ASD, a personalized AI assistant grounded in the SPELL framework (Structure, Positive approaches, Empathy, Low arousal, Links) and health behavior theories (Social Cognitive Theory, Ecological Systems Theory). Built via participatory co-design with families, clinicians, and AI engineers, the tool delivers culturally sensitive, context-aware nutrition planning and feeding strategies. Over six weeks, a case study with a neurodiverse family demonstrated reduced caregiver stress (quantified via validated scales) and fewer mealtime refusals, validated through mixed-method analysis. The AI’s empathetic tone, structured routines, and sensory-sensitive recommendations align with neurobiological insights, such as atypical connectivity in the amygdala and insula. Ethical safeguards—privacy protocols, bias mitigation, and cultural inclusivity—ensure dignity-centered care. Results advocate for systemic integration of AI into national health strategies, emphasizing equitable access, interdisciplinary training, and policy reforms to bridge gaps in ASD care. This AI model redefines technology's function as both a practical ally and an emotional anchor, building resilience in neurodiverse households.
Are Cognitive Biases the Hidden Force Shaping Malaysia’s Healthcare System? Maspul, Kurniawan Arif; Ardhin, Muhammad; Hendra Prasetyo
ROE: Research of Economics and Business Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): (April) ROE: Research of Economics and Business
Publisher : PT. Altaf Publishing Corp

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.70895/roe.v1i1.31

Abstract

Cognitive biases silently shape Malaysia’s healthcare system, influencing clinical decisions, patient safety, and the nation’s thriving medical tourism industry. While Malaysia excels in affordability and innovation, biases such as confirmation, overconfidence, and anchoring distort diagnoses, amplifying malpractice risks and ethical dilemmas. A 2023 case in Kuala Lumpur exposed life-threatening failures in cosmetic surgery tourism, underscoring systemic blind spots (The Strait Times, 2023). This study integrates macroeconomic analysis, AI-driven diagnostics, and cognitive theory to unravel the hidden forces jeopardizing medical integrity. Findings reveal a paradox: cutting-edge advancements coexist with workforce shortages, defensive medicine, and bias-driven errors. To safeguard Malaysia’s global reputation, this research advocates for AI-enhanced decision-making, cognitive bias training, and strategic workforce expansion. Beyond critique, this work presents a visionary roadmap—one that embeds cognitive resilience into healthcare strategy, ensuring that economic ambition never eclipses ethical imperatives. Malaysia stands at a crossroads: its future as a medical powerhouse depends on its ability to balance innovation, trust, and the sanctity of patient well-being