Sago industry which comprises sago cultivation, processing and sago-based food entrepreneurship has its own youth participation challenges. Consequently, the study aimed at determining constraints factors affecting rural youth sago producers. The constraint factors, namely internal and external factors are developed from modelling reason action theory. Data were collected from 200 youth sago producers in Mukah Division via face-to-face interview using a close-ended questionnaire. The data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and binary logistic regression model. The descriptive statistic showed the pattern of youth participation in the sago industry. The result of exploratory factor analysis identified six constraints factors affecting youth sago producers; commodity price, new knowledge, physical infrastructure, income, assistance and training. The result of binary logistic regression showed that the low participation of part-time to fulltime participation of youth sago producers is significantly influenced by new knowledge, physical infrastructure and training constraint factors. The study suggests rural youth requires technological advancement in the sago industry. In addition, the findings may provide useful information to the relevant stakeholders to re-evaluate the assistance and support programs to increase the participation and productivity of the Melanau youth. Furthermore, encouragement be given to more non-Melanaus to participate in sago industry.

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The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic had prompted many governments to enforce lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading. In Malaysia, a series of Movement Control Orders (MCO) were introduced starting March 18, 2020. As a result, many people’s lives were affected, including university students. These affected students had to stay in their campus residential facilities, isolated from family, relatives and friends, which could lead to the feeling of loneliness. This study aims to explore the phenomenon among students stranded on campus during MCO periods. Approximately 243 students from several public universities were surveyed using Google form. Results from the 210 usable responses showed that most of these students experienced moderate loneliness and often used coping approaches like acceptance, positive interpretation, active coping, and active solitude. Friends seemed to be a more immediate source to seek for support in times of isolation. Correlation results suggested that social support availability is negatively associated with student loneliness experience, and positively related with student coping strategies. Specifically, the availability of support from friends and significant others may minimize loneliness experience.