Novel coronavirus, COVID-19: Media Perspectives and Social Workers' Perceptions on Social Development and Human Rights Challenges in Malaysia

Abstract

The identification of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a major rapidly spreading influenza pandemic fuelled fears of a health crisis, destabilizing national socio-economic security, as well as global security. The paper aimed to explore the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the social and economic aspect in Malaysia thematically during 1 January to 31 May 2020. This article approaches the COVID- 19 pandemic in Malaysia thematically. The papers utilized secondary information from media, news coverage and government, published sources to explore the pandemic’s consequences in Malaysia. In addition, the study incorporates perspectives from eight NGO advocates and peer supporters working in health, migration, and human rights sectors to contextualize and validate the themes emerging from news coverage. Key findings indicate that media narratives and social workers’ perceptions closely align on the major socio-developmental and human rights challenges brought by COVID-19 in Malaysia. Both perspectives demonstrated, government’s staggered yet disciplined move toward a full lockdown was medically necessary, it generated significant socio-economic disruptions, exposed human rights vulnerabilities, and intensified cross-border and migrant workers issues. Also, found that a shortage of social work human resources including limited training particularly in psychological first aid, human rights advocacy, cultural and religious sensitivity, and information and communication. These limitations underscore an urgent need to strengthen and diversify social work competencies to effectively respond to future public health emergencies.