Understanding Quality of Life in Brunei Darussalam

Journal of Asian and African Studies

Hassan

Maricar

2020

Self Cite

Despite the proliferation of poverty studies, poverty in Brunei Darussalam (hereafter, Brunei) is under-researched. What poverty means in Brunei is, therefore, little understood, and there is a local belief that poverty in the country is unique and relative. Moreover, the terms ‘poverty’ ( kemiskinan) and ‘poor’ ( miskin) are somewhat sensitive in Brunei, but the reason(s) for this sentiment and preferred terms are not known. This study examines the language and meaning of poverty in Brunei. It also sheds light on the local belief about poverty within the country. The study used an exploratory research methodology and data were collected from poor and non-poor households and key informants. Results show that Bruneians use different terms to refer to poverty or poor people, but preferred terms are ‘living in need’, ‘difficult life’ and ‘needy people’. Bruneians avoid the terms ‘poverty’ and ‘poor’ because they can erode one’s self-confidence or self-esteem. Poverty in Brunei is construed in different ways, but it is mostly perceived as relative, and its nature is not unique.

Section: Is Poverty In Brunei Unique and Relative?mentioning

confidence: 68%

Section: The Language Of Poverty In Bruneimentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of the Language and Meaning of Poverty in Brunei Darussalam

Journal of Asian and African Studies

Hassan

Maricar

2020

Self Cite

“…It is therefore defined through various worldviews. In the Social Sciences discipline, QoL is commonly construed through the utility, basic needs and capability worldviews (Gweshengwe et al, 2020). These three worldviews define QoL differently.…”

Section: Unpacking the Concept Of Quality Of Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

Peri-urbanisation and the Quality of Life: Experiences of and Lessons from the Original Inhabitants of Domboshava Peri-urban area, Harare

The International Journal of Community and Social Development

Matai

2022

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Zimbabwe has been experiencing rapid peri-urbanisation. As a result, the way of life in most peri-urban areas is now mainly urban. What is yet to be determined, however, is whether peri-urbanisation within the country is a blessing or a scourge for the original inhabitants of peri-urban zones. This study therefore examined the Quality of Life of the original inhabitants of Domboshava peri-urban in the wake of peri-urbanisation. The study used a mixed-method approach and collected data from 80 original inhabitants sampled from the area. The majority of the study participants reported a low Quality of Life as a result of peri-urbanisation, which has brought about or exacerbated realities such as financial deprivation, unemployment, seasonality, energy, water and housing challenges. Assistance required to improve the Quality of Life of the original inhabitants includes entrepreneurial and job opportunities, provision of water, sanitation and energy facilities as well as financial and food aid. The study concluded that peri-urbanisation could be more of a scourge than a blessing for the original inhabitants of Domboshava peri-urban.

“…For example, within the European Union, an individual is considered relatively poor if his or her income is less than 60% of the region's median income (Belfield et al, 2014;Dhongde & Minoiu, 2010). In Brunei, relative poverty is described as having a quality of life that is below the expected standard of living in the country, which includes having comfortable housing, being well educated and healthy, owning more than one car and earning sufficient income (Gweshengwe, 2020;Gweshengwe et al, 2020;Hassan, 2017).…”

Section: Poverty Is Individual-and Context-specificmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Knowledge about the absolute or relative nature of poverty is essential to analysis of poverty. People in poverty are commonly classified as "very poor", "poor" and "near poor or vulnerable" (Alkire et al, 2014;Banerjee et al, 2009;Gweshengwe, 2020). This classification is based on the level or scale of poverty severity.…”

Section: Poverty Is Individual-and Context-specificmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defining the characteristics of poverty and their implications for poverty analysis

Hassan

2020

Cogent Social Sciences

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Literature on the characteristics or underlying qualities of the concept of poverty is extensive but fragmented and rarely discusses the influence of these characteristics on poverty analysis. This paper examines the characteristics of poverty and their implications for poverty analysis. It primarily made use of secondary data together with some primary data. Findings are that poverty characteristically has a language and is multidimensional, complex, individual-or context-specific and absolute or relative. The characteristics of poverty have significant implications for, and should therefore be taken into consideration in, poverty analysis. The language of poverty reveals the dimensions and severity of poverty faced by a given community. It also enables poverty analysts to uphold the dignity of people and minimise misconceptions about poverty in a society. Lastly, the language of poverty provides an understanding of the context-sensitive meaning of poverty. The multidimensional and complex nature of poverty guides in the selection of an appropriate poverty worldview for analysing poverty. Moreover, the individual-and context-specific characteristic of poverty reflects the variation in the nature and severity of poverty according to age, gender and context. Knowledge about the absolute or relative nature of poverty, furthermore, is essential for poverty classification. The findings of this paper could allow for a more holistic or effective analysis of poverty, which may contribute to policy building.