Category: Trending Today

by Affendi Abdul Karim

It was supposed to be a usual Friday evening that day on September 28, 2018, just like many days before, in the city of Palu on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Even more, hundreds of people were understood to have gathered for a festival on a beach.

But unfortunately, it was a saddened day to be remembered as the city, and the nearby area of Donggala and Mamuju was hit by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake, and followed shortly by a 5-metre high tsunami. The shocking disaster has resulted in the loss of thousands of human lives and more others were displaced after their homes and buildings were destroyed and washed away.

Palu, located about 1,650 kilometres northeast of the capital, Jakarta, is a city populated by more than 300,000 residents. The city is also famous for its beautiful beaches like Tanjung Karang, Towale, Enu, Malera, and Moian. Many foreign and local tourists will commonly choose for water sports and diving for their relaxing holiday activities in Palu.

However, that common and relaxing atmosphere changes in ‘the blink of an eye’ when the Mother Nature speaks. The strong quake followed by a tsunami which smashed Palu has again moved people across the globe, after the last time the world was shocked by the most devastating Tsunami tragedy in Aceh province on December 26, 2004.

On the day after the quake-tsunami ravaged the Indonesian city of Palu, at least 832 people known to have died in the disaster. The number of dead people is also estimated to increase following the thorough search and rescue operation by the authorities across the city.

Meanwhile, the local and international media, both were seen often updating their reports of the tragedy to highlight the current situation from time to time. The Jakarta Post, Kompas TV and Metro TV were among the local media that first broadcast the breaking news and provide wide coverage about the disaster. They provided an array of footages of the incident, which not only captured through their lenses but by the amateurs.

Despite the footages, the media were also seen to cooperate with the authorities and experts on the disaster, through live interviews and by phone calls as to give the actual and most reliable reports to their audiences. In fact, they even exploited their official social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter actively, thus gave the local media a more effective two-way communication with their online users. This could be presumed to have assists the Indonesians and particularly the affected people with the accurate and valid information from the authorities and as to balance the input diffuse by the social media.

Meanwhile, the foreign media like the Guardian of United Kingdom, NDTV, India and the Malaysia broadcast channel, RTM, were also reporting the situation. However as a comparison, the foreign media, which their news sources lie relatively on local correspondents or news agencies, commonly involved in a slightly different approach in news reporting.

Apart from reporting the current situation or search and rescue daily operation, they were seen to facilitate their audiences by visualising the tragedy through the motion graphics and images. They even engage with experts to discuss the impact or by constructing a chronology of the incident to help their audiences in tracking or to have updating reports of the incident which happened abroad. Thus, this indirectly contributed to the people across the world who shared the sorrow and provided help to the Palu people.

The people of Palu and the nearby area were highly affected by the quake-tsunami tragedy. After nearly a month of the incident, the number of dead people is estimated to have reached more than 2,200 and many more are still missing. Approximately 70,000 houses and building were destroyed, damaged and resulted to thousands of people were displaced.

Obviously, it is definitely hard for the affected people to rise again from the tragedy. So, it should be best for the Malaysian to help their neighbour in any ways they can. But, the most important one is to learn the lesson and be prepared to any possible disaster.

by Dayang Saliah Noorshamsiah

At least 2,045 people were confirmed dead while as many as 5,000 others are remained missing during a devastating 7.5 – magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck Palu capital and Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi the epicenter of the Minahasa Peninsula, one of the four principal peninsulas on the island of Indonesia on September 28^th, 2018 (The Time, 11^th October 2018).

Series of natural disasters happening around our neighboring regions recently include the Typhoon Mangkhut which ripped through the northern Philippines’s land of Luzon, the earthquake in Lombok and the most recent deadly natural disaster in Palu, Sulawesi, should serve as a lesson to us, Malaysians. As a country that exists on the same continent, although from its geographical location Malaysia’s position is outside the ring of fire which accordingly making us protected from most major natural disasters, yet it does not necessarily mean that we should underestimate of any future possibilities.

Apparently, Malaysia is not completely safe from major natural disasters. As evident, the 1976 Sabah Earthquake, 2004 Tsunami in a few coastal areas in Peninsular Malaysia which reportedly has killed around 67 peoples as well as the Sabah Earthquake 2015 which has killed about 18 people. As a matter of fact, since the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake which has led to Tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia, one of the deadliest natural disasters in history, the interest towards tsunami risks in Malaysia has also heighten. These series of events are the evident that our beloved country has experienced and may possibly continue to experience natural disasters and calamities that will affect the lives of many despite of its geographical position. Perhaps up to this date, we are yet to experience deadly major natural disasters but with the series of the mentioned incidents, it shows that Malaysia is also prone to those major disasters. Of course, as some may claims, natural disasters are the act of God and it is inevitable. But the real question is, how well do we have prepared should we encounter the next natural disaster or calamity?

It is undeniable that our national armed forces, fire departments and police force units as well as other emergency response teams are well equipped and trained to react during times of emergencies. But to which extent of emergency situation that we are truly trained and equipped remain the main issue. Given the situation that we encountered so far are the flashfloods and landslides. Questions arise on how if we truly facing a major natural disaster like what happened in Indonesia and Philippine off late? Nevertheless, to fully rely on these teams alone during such unfavorable situation is not enough. What we also need is well-educated and prepared public on how to react should we faced such emergencies in order to at least minimizing the casualties if not to fully avoiding it. Often during such unfavorable situation, public falls victims – panic stricken, confusion and fear – are the common reactions. Hence, it is important that the public are prepared both mentally and physically should any unfortunate events strike. At least with the knowledge of how to react during the emergency situation they can save their own and their families’ life while waiting for further assistance. That is why an environmental awareness and emergency evacuation plan education is very much important among the public even in a country like us, Malaysia.

In this age of information and media sophistication, there are many ways on how environmental awareness and emergency evacuation plan education can be executed by using the media as a medium. Especially with the growing popularity of the social media platform among Malaysia media users, messages can be disseminated instantaneously at all level of people through various social media platform. Emergency evacuation plans campaigns and education for example can be carry out massively using the social media at low very low costs to investigate awareness among the public on the importance of natural disaster preparations. Apart from that, rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts are also vital to be improved and focused on.

Having the best forms of disaster preparedness goes beyond possessing best facilities and services. The essential part is the infrastructure, manpower and strategic emergency evacuation plans should be constantly maintained, restructured and updated. There is no harm putting forward early prevention and preparation as we will never know when natural disaster may strike. Even if its not major disasters like earthquake, typhoon or tsunami, the annual flash flood that keep on happening in Malaysia every year like a clockwise is also can regards as natural disaster that required serious measures. Not to mention the Highland Towers landslide in 1993, the Cameron Highland mud flood in 2013 are also among other examples of emergency situation. Responsibilities to react during such unfortunate event does not only fall on the government or the emergency response teams alone but on the public as well. Saving and safeguarding lives is not only the job of those who paid or trained but also is the responsibility of each and everyone on this land. In the end, assuming Malaysia is safe from natural disaster is totally wrong and the whiplash of tsunami 2004 has proven that it is time for us Malaysia to start taking it seriously preparing for any possibilities that may happened in the future.

By Nurul Fathnie Rustam

Source: http://aimhigherafrica.com/

What is digital marketing? Digital marketing is defined by the use of numerous digital tactics and channels to connect with customers where they spend much of their time: online. From the website itself to a business’s online branding assets — digital advertising, email marketing, online brochures, and beyond, there’s a spectrum of tactics that fall under the umbrella of “digital marketing.”

We all know the importance of involving oneself in digital marketing especially if you own a business. Any business will do, be it food and beverages, property, clothing line, education and all types of business require digital marketing unless you are doing it offline. Why? It is simple, because everyone in this world currently owns smartphones and have access to the internet. People nowadays even read newspaper online and watch television dramas online. It is super easy, free and all you need is a high-speed internet connection. Thus, there is no wonder why business men and women nowadays are using this digital marketing to promote and sell their products. Now, what are the advantages of this digital marketing? Why is it so important to businesses?

Firstly, a business man should know that digital marketing tactics is the most cost-effective way to market your business. One of the most important benefits of digital marketing is that it is the most cost-effective way to market your business. When it comes to traditional marketing, it is pretty hard for small companies especially start-ups with limited budgets to compete with big and large companies for ad space. We all know how expensive it is to advertise your business on the television and billboard for example. Now, with digital marketing tactics, small businesses have other better options which are very much affordable than the traditional way.

Secondly, digital marketing allows you to target your ideal buyers. When you purchase ad spaces be it on the billboard or magazine, it is likely you are taking a shot that the message will reach its intended audience. It is different with digital marketing, you can ensure the right consumers are viewing your content. SEO allows you to reach those consumers who are searching the web for content and topics that are related with your business. For example you are selling women’s clothing, make sure you are putting the right title or the right keyword to ensure the SEO will capture the words. Worry not, because it will be targeted to the right audiences without hassle. It is pretty easy right? Just make sure you are putting in the correct keyword to make it easy for your consumer to find your page. Social media advertising enables you to target those who are most likely to be interested in your products or services based on demographic information and general characteristics.

Thirdly, people are on social media and digital marketing can help you reach them. Perhaps the most important on our list of benefits of digital marketing is this. No matter what industry your business is in, there’s a good chance that your buyers are spending their time on social media channels especially Facebook or Twitter. Digital marketing will not only help you reach your consumers, it will also help you to engage with them. You will be able to publish and promote unique content on these social media sites, and you are able to reach your consumers through advertising. Social media platforms like Facebook offer sophisticated targeting options that help you reach the consumers who are most likely to be interested in your products or services. What’s more is that social media also provides an effective platform for communicating with and engaging your target audiences. Rather than just posting content and never hearing from your consumers, you can have one-on-one conversations in real-time that allow you to gain valuable insight into your brand. That’s something that traditional marketing tactics just don’t allow for.

So these are few of the advantages of digital marketing. If you wish to start a new business, do not hesitate to promote your products using digital marketing. Not only it is effective, it is also affordable. Good luck!

By: Zayana Isa

A smartphone is indeed no longer a requirement in our lives; it has becoming a need instead. Statistics by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission in 2017 stated that smartphone users contribute 89.4% of the device used by Internet users to access the Internet where smartphones remain the most popular means for users to access Internet. According to the statistics, 89.3% of Internet users visiting social networking sites to socialize and build up networking.  By looking at our society nowadays, the above statement is undeniable anymore.  Scenarios such as bosses give an order or work instructions on the phone, a teacher leave homework messages through Whatsapp group for students to finish their homework at home and a husband simply a message to his wife upon meals for the dinner are closest example that we can relate on how people nowadays occupied themselves with smartphones all the time.

In other cases, have we ever encountered in a restaurant where a group of youngsters are having their dinner, yet everyone is enjoying their “meals” with the smartphones? These scenarios are no longer unusual situation to be seen. However, there’s something more serious that we need to ponder and look into. Since the social media has taken place more than it supposed to be, the content of what users post in it might be abused by some people. The emergence of new media, especially the social media has taken the world of communication to other dimensions. Users are mostly occupied with their online social network and socializing among themselves virtually.

Research by Sirianni & Vishwanath (2012) suggested that online users now are becoming sexually self-produced materials which also known as sexually explicit user-generated content (SEUGC). SEUGC is defined as non-professional photos, videos or written messages (e-mail, instant messages, blogs, mobile phone text messages) that are created by individuals planning, soliciting or actually engaging in sexual activities for non-profit purposes.

In addition, some scholars have observed that the prevalence of sexual self-presentations on social media seems to reflect the prevalence of sexual messages in mass media content popular among adolescents (Vandenbosch et al, 2015). Literally, the content of social media that is controlled by the users itself became an explicit content as we can see many photos or videos posted in social media (Instagram and YouTube).

By looking at Social Cognitive Theory, Bandura (1978) explains that behavioral, personal and environmental factors influence people’s thoughts and behaviors simultaneously in a reciprocal fashion. Behavior is contingent on expected outcomes which represent what individuals might expect to achieve from performing a specific behavior and serve as motivators that guide people’s behavior (Sirianni & Vishwanath, 2012). The online users are actually been influenced by the social media society where there are users who posted their nude photos shamelessly and those who are seeing it repeatedly may be influenced by the behavioral and doing the same things. In Malaysia context, this is totally against what we practice in our culture and beliefs.

Bandura (2008) also finds that behavioral, cognitive and affective learning can be achieved not only direct experience but also vicariously by observing the actions of others and the outcomes that they engender. The online users find any post on nudity or sexual explicit may not be harmful as they’ve seen on the Internet and as a result, their actions of posting such photos or videos is harmless and they think they have the rights of doing so.

However, the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF) has already provided the Content Code that we should abide. Under the Guideline on Content; Indecent Content states that materials which are offensive, morally improper and against current standards of accepted behavior including nudity and sex and Obscene Content are prohibited. Many users may not aware of this Content Code and they might be offended by any actions of such prohibited content.

Overall, the recent studies by scholars show that mainstream mass media content have the potential to stimulate adolescents to produce and distribute their own sexual self-portrayals (Vandebosch et al.,2015). As far as the SCT is concerned, the online users are influenced by the behavior they adapt through the social media society.

-end-

by Joven Junip

It’s a scam. A phrase we have heard very often because it means that someone had been scam out of their hard earn money. What is a scam? According to the Cambridge dictionary, a scam is an illegal plan for making money, especially one that involves tricking people. It involves tricking someone of their money in simple term. The Businessdictionary.com defined it as a fraudulent scheme performed by a dishonest individual, group, or company in an attempt to obtain money or something valuable. Scams traditionally resided in confidence tricks, where an individual would misrepresent themselves as someone with skills or authority i.e. a doctor, lawyer, investor. Now with this definition, it is clear to what a scam is that are hotly debated in our local and international media. In this era of information technology, more and more information is shared among those online, hence we are more vulnerable to scam. According to Dr. Frank Mcandrew, PhD, a psychology professor from Knox college, Galesburg Illinois in his article entitled “Why We Still Fall for the “Nigerian Prince” Scam” at phycologytoday.com gave a general reason on why we still fall for this kind of scam even though we are highly educated. He mentioned that most of us profess unrealistic optimism about our own futures, our grades will be better next semester, a new job will be much better than an old one, and our next relationship will be the one that lasts forever and research shows that we consistently overestimate our knowledge, our skills, our intelligence and our moral fiber. In other words, we truly believe that we are savvy and that nice things are likely to happen to us. In my own experience working for a government agency that handle bankruptcy in Malaysia, fear of the unknown seems to be the reason why many people fall to the scam. For instance, in May 2018, we received 6 complaints. That were from those whom had the ability to question the scammer and check with us about the call they received from the high court employee or from a prominent lawyer firm. In which that they’re told they have a bankruptcy case and have less than 3 hours to bank-in a certain amount of money to this particular account if they don’t want to be declared bankrupt. These people whom does not know how bankruptcy presiding are all about and fear of being declared bankrupt, would just pay that demand. There was never a case to begin with. Those who came to ask for explanation on the matter are the lucky ones to escape such scam but we wonder how many people that had actually paid the demand? Normally these people as Dr. Frank say, is overconfident on their own knowledge and skill, would never report the crime because again, fear of being ridicule by others for not being able to distinguish between a real issue and a scam. An article in The Star newspaper on 24 September 2018 written by Chelsea L.Y Ng and Fatimah Zainal about the scam that was reported in Malaysia recently which is known as the Macau scam. The victim who is an account executive admitted to embezzlement and indirectly cause her bosses to be sacked because the embezzlements. What she did all because of love towards a British man that she only met once. Due to the future romance, she was fooled into giving millions to the man in 2013. This is a classic case of the Macau Scam which in a way, a variant of the Nigerian prince scam. In my view, this is not a direct scam but poor choices of the victim to actually do an act of crime by doing embezzlement to supposedly help out her lover. She knows it was wrong even before she noticed it was a scam so why did she did it? Was it in the name of love? It was the poor choices of an uninform individual that created this situation. According to the Star journalist Malaysia that is said to be prime hunting ground for the Macau scammers. There are a few survivors of this scam whom aim individual ability to handle panic situations. Intimidating their victims is also another technique, claiming to be a police officer coming to arrest them. Senior citizen is also their main target because senior citizen thought to be more prone to panic and are not able to think straight at the situations. Countless reports had been done by victims from various country around the world, but the authority sometimes would never able to get the culprit because the criminal would have withdrawn the money right after the money is bank in and by the time the authority launch an investigation the account would had already been closed. To get those whom open the account to be charged with scam they would need evidence and normally the victim would only have the phone number which can easily change and register under a different name, account number which could already be closed. No paper trail because it was on the phone information and it was time sensitive actions. The criminal would They always use the time factor to trigger the panic and hence get the victim to comply to their demands. Another characteristic that the victims would easily fall to is their flimsy attention to detail. For example, if the scammer used this particular bank as his reference, those whom are sure they do not have any business with that bank would not have fallen for such tactics but then again if their doubt occurred because once they did apply for something but cannot remember when or if it ever got approved, this is when the scammer would have a door opening to grip the victim to believe their scam. Always understand the procedure of what the scammer are trying to convince you. Time is always a factor in the scammer plan, if they do not allow you time to gather information on the matter and even time to gather fund for example, it most certainly be a scam. More information is your amour against such scammer. Hence it would be worthwhile to invest in some time to understand how things work.