Pengetahuan, Sikap dan Amalan Masyarakat Malaysia terhadap Isu Alam Sekitar (Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Malaysian Society regarding Environmental Issues)

Abstract

This study was conducted among the public in the two states of Penang and Kuala Lumpur. The main purpose of this study is to understand the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of the public towards environmental issues and their preservation efforts. This study also investigates their preferences with regard to sources of information related to environmental issues. This data was collected using the quantitative method through a survey questionnaire. One hundred respondents were selected with 50 questionnaires distributed to each state. The results of the survey show that the level of knowledge of environmental issues among the public varies according to the issues. Knowledge on issues such as the recycling program is moderate compared to the level of knowledge on air and noise pollution in Malaysia, which is low. However, knowledge of natural disasters is high whereas that of energy source renewal is moderate. The findings also show that the attitude of the public towards the environment and its preservation efforts is relatively low. The same low score was recorded in Penang and Kuala Lumpur for public attitude towards environmental issues and their preservation efforts. As for the source of information, television is said to be the most important media in disseminating information about the environment in both states.

Keywords: Pollution, recycling, knowledge, attitude, practice

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini merupakan satu tinjauan awal yang dijalankan terhadap orang awam di dua buah negeri iaitu Pulau Pinang dan Kuala Lumpur. Tujuan utama kajian adalah untuk mengetahui tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan amalan orang awam terhadap isu-isu berkaitan alam sekitar serta kaedah pemuliharaan alam sekitar. Di samping itu, kajian ini juga bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti saluran maklumat dan menjadi pilihan responden dalam memperolehi maklumat berkenaan alam sekitar. Data kajian telah diperolehi secara kuantitatif melalui kaedah soal selidik. Borang soal selidik telah diedarkan kepada 100 orang responden iaitu 50 orang responden di setiap negeri. Hasil kajian mendapati tahap pengetahuan orang awam terhadap isu-isu alam sekitar berbeza mengikut isu yang telah disenaraikan. Pengetahuan tentang program kitar semula adalah sederhana berbanding pengetahuan tentang pencemaran udara dan pencemaran bunyi yang lebih rendah. Manakala pengetahuan terhadap bencana alam di Malaysia adalah tinggi dan tahap pengetahuan mengenai sumber tenaga yang boleh diperbaharui adalah sederhana. Sikap orang awam terhadap isu alam sekitar pula dikategorikan pada tahap yang masih rendah. Hasil kajian juga mendapati amalan orang awam terhadap pemuliharaan alam sekitar di Pulau Pinang dan Kuala Lumpur berada pada tahap rendah. Menerusi kajian ini, didapati televisyen dipilih sebagai media yang memainkan peranan penting dalam menyebarkan maklumat tentang isu alam sekitar di kedua-dua negeri tersebut.

Kata kunci: Pencemaran, kitar semula, pengetahuan, sikap, amalan