Iban Bejalai: Dynamism and Sociocultural Adaptation in a Diverse Malaysian Society. An Exploratory Study of an Iban Community in Johor Bahru

Nelson Brandah, Seli (2022) Iban Bejalai: Dynamism and Sociocultural Adaptation in a Diverse Malaysian Society. An Exploratory Study of an Iban Community in Johor Bahru. PhD thesis, University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

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Abstract

Iban migrant workers from Sarawak had started migrating to Johor for employment as early as the 1970s and their number continues to increase over time. The early settler comprised those migrant workers who either worked in Singapore or wishing to have cheaper accommodation and those who worked off-shore and were waiting for their next trip overseas. Apparently, Pasir Gudang at Johor Bahru was the chosen area to stay for its proximity to the Malaysian-Singapore causeway. The main purpose of the study among others are to investigate how the Iban adapt to the lifestyle in the new environment–socially, culturally, and economically and to identify the socio-acculturation challenges faced by them in the new place. The study employs a descriptive research design using a qualitative approach. Researcher has applied snowball sampling techniques where in-depth interview with key informants and focus group discussion are held with a small group of participants. The study found that the Iban migrants have adapted quite well to their new place or environment and are able to maintain their ethnic identity. They still can practice their culture and tradition without any interference. Of course, life was very difficult in the beginning but the Iban who were used to hardship managed to cope and overcome those obstacles. It is a success story of people who migrated from one place to another in search of “greener pasture”. Keywords: Iban bejalai, migration, adaptation

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