Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues

Samudrabiru – This book provides a thematic issues and challenges in the new era, Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues. The main objective is to present an integrated analysis of how the discipline of sociology can contribute to our wider understanding of the variety of social and political issues, practices and insttitutions approachs, policies and philosophy wich exist in our society and countries. 

This explanatory chapters expected to examine and understand as well as offer choices for human beings in the dinamics world to build a human harmony.

This book depart from the point of view that sociology is as applied social and political sciences can contribute to the development of human life through many perspectives; political and international strategy, culture, history, communi-cation, poverty and social probles. The various theme have been selected are discussed from social fenomena to policy directions.

In the first chapter, focus on the Information Technology (IT) developments that more increasingly integrated in almost every social aspect have shaped Indonesia’s contemporary democracy. Chapter two, ASEAN Community 2015 and discusses the dilemma of Indonesian workers especially those who categorized as illegal in Malaysia. 

Both countries have recognized their positive contribution whether for Malaysia or Indonesia. It was undeniable that all sectors in Malaysia especially construction and plantation were using Indonesian workers services. At the same time, Indonesia also indirectly obtained advantages through the remittance which totally contribute to the national economic development. 

However, what happened in Malaysia is illegal workers were arrested and treat as a criminal. It should be stopped and substituted by the constructive policies which could give benefits to the both countries. Indonesia and Malaysia and the countries in ASEAN should build strong partnership in all sectors especially migrant workers which seen obtain small attention. 

Facing the ASEAN Community 2015 both countries should prepare as maximize as possible by empowering all aspects including migrant workers. By take positive action towards migrant workers both countries indirectly has contribute to the development of “Ummah.”

In the thrird chapter discusses communication strategy through media education: an effort to achieve harmony and sustainability in Indonesia-Malaysia relations – concludes a guidance should be provided to the public so that they can be more critical and wise in dealing with any negative news. A critical community is a community who is able to differentiate the written and hidden message of writing. 

A wise community is the one who is not provoked by provocative and negative news. Indonesian and Malaysian should be aware that each of them has had a significant contribution one to another. A good example can be seen through the assistant of Malaysian people in the disaster recovery process in Indonesia and the existence of Indonesia migrant workers in the Malaysia’s economic development. 

However, Indonesia-Malaysia rela-tions is always changing and tend to lead to conflict situations. The role of media and media educationis importantas a communication strategy to implement the problem solving modelin understanding the global situation and the public policies who are based theory of cultural conflict and acculturation. 

Chapter fourth, the author emphasized Indonesian Culture Heritages in the 21St Century. This section concludes that Third World back to dig the philosophical values that are in each country. For instance, the basic values of the Indonesian nation is reflected in the five principles of Pancasila namely the divinity in God Almighty, humanity, unity and nationality, deliberation and social justice for all people. 

The problem is how to translate basic values into the concept of development and preserve cultural heritage. Apparently, the third world thinkers have to work harder to formulate a philosophical values – ideological cultural heritage as part of the great nations of the world.Therefore, the cultural heritages is an essential economic asset in facing the escalation of human development.

In the chapter fifth takes up the theme of crafting federal democratic Republic of Nepal: role of Nepalese political and welfare institutions. Nepal is one of the least developed, post conflict recovery countries going through a series of transitions and efforts of nation building. 

This chapter concludes that the citizen mobilisation that took place over a period of time due to the experiments with democracy building in Nepal in the past sixty years should be sustained, to further ensure the vibrancy and consolidation

of democracy, resulting in crafting a unified republic out of a multi ethnic Nepal. Chapter six explores the broadcast media industry and the role model or best practice in the broadcast media industry. 

This concept is suitable due to it contains freedom which is up-to-date without abandoning the values of religion, culture and national spirit. Overall, Indonesia requires an (endogenous) big push to strengthen and institutionalize the use of research product for design and implementation of public policies. This will be a crucial factor in determining the success of the welfare policies that the government is currently designing.

In the chapter seven related with poverty phenomena. However, these historical problems did not result in serious poverty under the well planned economic system. The 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. This resulted when people from rural areas migrating from village to the city, in search of opportunities and to fill 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 chapter eigth focus on human trafficking, issues and Challenges. Human traffcking has become global issue and problem. The researchers concluded that the relevant region is suspect as illegal and such region is indicated as human trafficking (if the elements of coercion and sexual exploitation are met). The challenges of the government has the right and responsibility to provide all the protections to its citizen inside as well as outside the country. 

There is still optimistic that emphasizing spiritual values in the public administration and services will enhance the performance of the government. Finally, the latest chapter nine concern onyouth and crime as social problem. However, the Malaysia’s social policies makers can make this recommendation as a guide in outlining or implement a rehabilitation program for youths involved in crime. 

At the same time and hopefully this research will also benefit the school management and Penang Welfare Department in using this research to improve existing rehabilitation programs in these institutions. In addition, through this

research, it is expected that the people of Malaysia be aware especially in spending the time with their children or less able to prevent their children’s involvement in crime. Finally, researchers expect this research can provide as important reference material for dealing with negative behavior such as criminal involvement among adolescents in Malaysia.

This book examines the social and political fenomena in the broader “Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues” perspective. It is compiled from travelers and knowledge experiences in international seminars, talks and forum of researchers, supervisions and other discussion with my professors and colleagues, PhD and Master students. 

That experiences, together with their personal values and interests extremely influence 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.