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Background: The aim of this study was to adapt, translate and validate the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (MREALD-30) instrument for the Orang Asli population in Malaysia. Methods: After translation and cross-cultural adaptation, interviews were conducted with 326 participants of the Temuan tribe from village Kampung Tering in Johol, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The instrument's validity was assessed using the scores of MREALD-30, which were compared based on occupation, monthly household income, educational attainment, general literacy, use of dental services, and three dental outcomes. A questionnaire containing socio-behavioral information and validated Malay Oral Health Impact Profile (M-OHIP-14) was also administered. The reliability of the MREALD-30 was assessed by re-administering it to 30 subjects after two weeks. Its correlations evaluated convergent and discriminative validity of MREALD-30 with the level of education and dental visiting habits, monthly household income, respectively. Predictive validity was assessed with M-OHIP-14, while construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis using the Rasch model. Results: The internal consistency of the MREALD-30 measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.89. The test–retest reliability was excellent (ICC 0.95, k = 0.85). MREALD-30 exhibited good construct validity. Rasch analysis showed two factors, and infit mean-square statistics for MREALD-30 were all within the desired range of 0.50–2.0. The discriminant validity and predictive validity were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MREALD-30 showed very strong reliability, good construct, discriminant, and predictive validity, but poor convergent validity. Overall, it showed good psychometric properties and can be used in these community settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of social networking sites (SNS) has reshaped how international students establish crucial connections to support their study abroad. While existing studies have theorised the process of adaptation, there exists a notable gap in understanding the role of technology-mediated communication in student sojourners' acculturation, particularly in non-western contexts. This qualitative study thus explores the role of SNS in facilitating international students' friendships and adaptation, using an Online Community of Practice (OCoP) lens. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 18 international students from a Malaysian higher education institution, supplemented by observations and participants' reflective notes. Findings highlight the importance of online communities in shaping socialisation and fostering adaptation among newcomers. This was achieved through creating a co-national supportive community, establishing friendly relationships with locals, overcoming barriers to connecting with international peers, engaging in intercultural communication, and accessing information and support. The study advances understanding of how SNS can be incorporated into the co-creation of a culturally safe learning environment that facilitates friendships and cross-cultural adaptation. The study has theoretical implications, in regard both to the application of OCoP and to previous research on the cross-cultural adaptation of international students; it also has practical implications for the transition of newcomers into a host society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general elections in Malaysia in 2008 saw the ruling coalition, which has ruled Malaysia uninterrupted since independence in 1957, lose control of a number of states and become significantly weakened at the federal level. Amongst the reasons often cited for this was significant and diverse civil society participation in these elections which was often critical of the incumbent government. This article examines four different engagements in the 2008 elections by civil society actors. Through this examination, it is demonstrated that distinctions between types of collective action, from social movements to political parties, are especially likely to be blurred in the context of repressive states such as Malaysia. This examination in turn sees Charles Tilly's concept of repertoires of contention defended against both Nick Crossley's criticisms of it and his preference of Pierre Bourdieu's concept of habitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]