Narrative of Malaysian modernity: COVID-19, Malay women portrayals and popular television serials
Article

Academic studies often explore the dynamics between Malay women and popular culture within the context of Malaysian modernity. Researchers commonly investigate resistance to the government’s moral initiatives for women in society. This article examines how popular culture, specifically serial television drama, depicts the portrayal of Malay women during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the concepts of obedience, disobedience, and control. The government’s “Duduk Rumah” [Stay at home] and “Kita Jaga Kita” [We take care of ourselves] campaigns, initiated by then Prime Minister Muhyidin Yassin to combat the COVID-19 epidemic, placed additional burdens on women, assigning them significant domestic responsibilities as household managers, including the well-being and education of their children, as well as maintaining family cohesion. We argue that these targeted government policies exacerbated the concerns and uncertainties experienced by Malay women during lockdowns. Furthermore, we contend that the government demonstrated less sensitivity, care, or coordination in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an increase in domestic violence, divorce, depression, and emotional stress among Malay women. These challenges were prominently depicted in Malay television serials, serving as a vital platform for contemplating the impact of the government’s moral initiatives on Malay women. Our research offers insights into the enduring progress, or lack thereof, in the status of women both within and beyond the domestic sphere, as part of Malaysia’s pursuit of modernity.

Abstrakt
Kajian akademik sering meneroka dinamik antara budaya popular dengan wanita Melayu dalam konteks kemodenan Malaysia. Penyelidik kebiasaannya tertumpu kepada penentangan terhadap inisiatif moral untuk wanita dalam masyarakat. Artikel ini meneliti bagaimana budaya popular khasnya terhadap drama rantaian yang membawa pemaparan wanita Melayu ketika pandemik Covid-19 dengan menumpukan kepada konsep pematuhan, ketidakpatuhan dan kawalan. Kempen kerajaan “Duduk Rumah” dan “Kita Jaga Kita” yang dilancarkan oleh Perdana Menteri Muhyidin Yassin untuk menangani epidemik COVID-19 dilihat telah menambah beban wanita menerusi tanggungjawab domestik sebagai pengurus rumah tangga termasuklah pendidikan, kesejahteraan anak-anak serta perpaduan keluarga. Kajian ini berhujah bahawa dasar kerajaan yang disasarkan ini memburukkan lagi kebimbangan dan ketidakpastian yang dialami oleh wanita Melayu semasa perintah berkurung dilakukan. Apatah lagi, kerajaan dilihat tidak sensitif khasnya penjagaan atau penyelarasan dalam menguruskan wabak COVID-19 yang seterusnya membawa kepada peningkatan keganasan rumah tangga, perceraian, kemurungan dan tekanan emosi dalam kalangan wanita Melayu. Cabaran ini digambarkan dengan jelas dalam drama rantaian televisyen Melayu yang berfungsi sebagai platform penting untuk merenung kesan inisiatif moral kerajaan terhadap wanita Melayu. Kajian ini menawarkan pandangan tentang kelangsungan kemajuan, atau kekurangannya, dalam status wanita di dalam dan luar lingkungan domestik yang menjadi sebahagian daripada usaha mengejar kemodenan Malaysia.