Measuring the Quality of Life Felda Residents in Iskandar Malaysia Based on Perception of Quality of Life Index

Quality of life is a change in the society from a state that is considered unsatisfactory to a better condition which includes not only economic development but also involves various aspects such as social, psychological, cultural, political and environmental. The success of a placement can be measured by the improvement in the quality of life of the local residents. Iskandar Malaysia (IM) is a rapidly growing and developing area of which they are expected to contribute to the lives betterment of people in the economy and in the surrounding area as stated in the Comprehensive Development Plan for South Johor Economic Region. The question arises to what extent the IM development projects beneficial to the survival of the residents in the area as well to help improve the quality of life of the local residents in line with the current rapid development being carried out. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to determine the quality of life of Felda residents in Iskandar Malaysia using quality of life perception index. The research focused on the Felda population in Iskandar Malaysia based on the justification that they are the group of people who receive the most significant impact on the development of IM in the process of land acquisition and loss of shelter and habitat for future employment with the expectations of receiving a better life. IM perception Quality of life measurement model is determined based on the Malaysian Quality of Life Index. In addition, the measurement of quality of life through perception model was constructed to solicit comments from the locals. The research methodology is through the collection of primary data and secondary data from surveys and interviews and collecting data from the relevant agencies. The data were analyzed and the results showed that the quality of life of Felda residents in IM at moderate levels. Only two components are achieved at the satisfactory level namely transportation and housing. This study hopes to benefit the related parties who involve in the policy making in reviewing the existing policy towards a better development which will subsequently increase the level of quality of life of the local and native residents in IM.


INTRODUCTION
Quality of life of a community has been frequently discussed by various parties, not only in Malaysia but also globally. Measurement of quality of life of a community is not only important for policy-makers, economists or academics but also very important to the community itself (Hancock et al, 1999). National University of Singapore (2000) states that the study of quality of life is important in order to know the requirements or needs of the community in a particular place. This study shows that the quality of life in the local community particularly in the aspect such as clean water supply, public safety, education facilities, facilities and more. The success of a placement can be measured by continuous improvement in the quality of life.
Quality of life is the dream of every human being on this earth. Most people consider wanting to achieve a better quality of life, better career, better social life and a better living environment. Quality of life is a dynamic element that is in line with the changing of times and modernization and development of a community. To achieve the quality of life is not an easy matter as it requires guidance and track. Quality of life is a change in the society and the community life systems from a condition that is considered unsatisfactory to a better condition. It includes not only economic development but also various other aspects that cannot be separated such as social, psychological, cultural, political, environmental and other aspects.
Malaysian Budget (Budget) Act 2011 provides as much as RM850 million for corridor and regional development, it includes Iskandar Malaysia, Northern Corridor Regional Economics, East Coast Economic Region, Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy and Sabah Development Corridor.
In the case of Iskandar Malaysia development, it has received strong encouragement by the government through the allocation of RM339 million, which is the highest amount compared to the allocation given to the development corridor in other regions. This indicates that the government perceived Iskandar Malaysia as having a high potential to boost the economic growth and indirectly will improve the quality of life in Iskandar Malaysia. Iskandar Malaysia has recorded a total of committed investment of RM59 billion as of February 2010 with a real investment value of 38%. Committed investments were in manufacturing, real estate, utilities, tourism and logistics.
Thus, this research aims to examine the change and impact of quality of life of the native people who are inhabiting in the involved development area. Initially, the development in Iskandar Malaysia involves cases such as land acquisition, the risk of environmental pollution, the risk of loss of livelihood, including agriculture or fishery activities with the hope that the development of Iskandar Malaysia will create a better quality of life for local residents as well as in the surrounding areas by providing the opportunity for the local people to engage in the business activities and a better job creation.

THE ISSUES
Iskandar Malaysia is expected to attract investments from within and outside the country worth more than RM50 billion. Some investors come from the immediate neighboring countries, namely Singapore, as well as from Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Kuwait. In August 2007, a program organized by the Malaysian Business Council -China was held to attract more potential investors from China, Japan and Korea to invest in Iskandar Malaysia (IRDA, 2007). According to the Khazanah National (2006) Comprehensive report Development Plan for South Johore Economic Region, one of the core frameworks for the physical development of Iskandar Malaysia is to improve the quality of life of the local residents. According to the justification provided in the report, quality of life is defined as being 'economically healthy' and having job opportunities in various fields that to be widely offered to the locals. The question is to what extent the development of Iskandar Malaysia, will improve the quality of life of local communities particularly the Felda community after five (5) years' development of the Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor development.
From the literature review conducted, no studies have been conducted to evaluate the quality of life of the community in Iskandar Malaysia since the development project was implemented in the year 2007 till present. As such, a comprehensive study should be undertaken to find out the impact of the development of Iskandar Malaysia's on the quality of life of the community in the region particularly the Felda community.

METHODOLOGY
This study focuses on the Felda's population that involved in the development of Iskandar Malaysia with justification that the development is to improve the quality of life of the local residents being Felda population is one of the main groups in the development of Iskandar Malaysia. Figure 1   Source: IRDA, 2011 Several factors have been identified prompting to focus on Felda settlements such as land acquisition for development purposes, the migration process and compensation, as well as the risk of loss of livelihoods and hopes of getting better jobs in the future. This study is considered as a social impact study on the community resulted from the implementation of Iskandar Malaysia development. Although the development of Iskandar has yet to be completed, but studies in the early stages are very important to observe the social impact. Any shortcomings whether in the planning or execution of the direction can be corrected if there is a will. Detailed information about Felda in Iskandar Malaysia development region is shown in Table 1.

Population and sampling
The

Component and Perception of Quality of Life Indicators
In this study, a total of 12 components were used in assessing the quality of life. These components are based on the perception of quality of life assessment framework adapted from the Economic Planning unit of Malaysia (2004 Of the 12 components, it is itemized into 66 elements to take into account various aspects of quality of life measurements, as shown in Table 9.

Measurement of Perceived Quality of Life Index
The feedback from surveys received were evaluated and measured by a scale of the perception of quality of life index in Table 2. Source: Adapted from Unit Perancang Ekonomi Malaysia, 2002 Next, after obtaining scores for each indicator, the values of each indicator score are classified according to the percentage that represents the level of quality of life as follows:

OVERVIEW OF STUDY ON QUALITY OF LIFE
The studies on the quality of life began in the early 1970s where it only takes into account economic factors in social welfare measure (Birtnbacher, 1999). The concept of quality of life with more in-depth was reviewed by the physicians in the era of the 1980s that focused on indicators of patient health through their daily lives. And now a study on quality of life has steadily grown and has attracted many researchers, particularly social science researchers as awareness of the importance of knowledge of the concept of quality of life plays a big part in the formation of social policy (Mahadzirah et al, 2008).
Discussion on the quality of life is divided into three (3) main things from a scientific perspective of medical science, economic science and social science (Cummins, 2005). In medical science perspective on the quality of life, the study focused on patients' health improvements associated with better quality of life. For example a study in France indicates that 70% of mothers giving birth to son experienced lower quality of life scores compared to mothers who gave birth to daughter because the mother who gave birth to son over under pressure from the mother who gave birth to a daughter. Hence with the availability of this kind of research has produced important information to medical policy makers in which the actions to be implemented is adding a comprehensive treatment towards the mother who gave birth to a son in order to overcome the problem of stress.
Understanding the quality of life has many definitions produced by the researchers. According to Haryati (2012), quality of life is a very difficult concept to define. This is because that it is associated with many other concepts to bring a variety of other purposes as well. Zapf (1987), Noll (1999) and Sen (1987) defined Quality of life as a multidimensional concept that includes components that can be measured and cannot be measured, objective and subjective, the welfare of individuals and community groups aimed at a better well-being

Measurement of Quality of Life
Formation of quality of life measurement methods is a challenge for all researchers since the measurement criteria of quality of life were multi-dimensional and complex to measure. Following this problem all researchers have used different methods and their approaches in reviewing the quality of life in accordance with the ultimate goal of the researchers.
The theory of quality of life is a theory that cannot be expressed and measured directly. Therefore, the measurement depends on variable factors relevant to the requirements of the study (Mahadzirah et al, 2008).

The concept of Quality of Life in Iskandar Malaysia
The development of Iskandar Malaysia aims to improve the quality of life of the local people and at the same time improving the economic environment. The prosperity resulting from the development of Iskandar Malaysia hopes to raise the living standard and quality of life of the local residents as well as residents from neighboring country including Singapore. As stated in the Comprehensive Development Plan (National Treasury, 2006), one of the core principles of the physical development framework is to improve the residents' quality of life through the strategic investment incentives for foreign and local investors. Through the involvement of foreign investors and foreign capital, it is expected to increase the employment and business opportunities to the locals. In this context, justification and definition of quality of life that given is "Economically Healthy" and provides job opportunities in various fields widely offered to local residents and surrounding areas. This principle is the basic and fundamental ground for forming the framework and models in measuring the quality of life of Iskandar Malaysia.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
These results are based on the analysis of the feedback on primary data given by 400 respondents about their perceptions of quality of life. This is based on 12 components and 66 elements of the quality of life perceptions framework (State Economic Planning Unit, Malaysia 2002). Tables 4 to Table 7 show the demographic of the respondents. The analysis showed that the majority of respondents living in Felda in Iskandar Malaysia are aged 51 years and above. A total of 58% of respondents aged 51-60 years, 39% aged 61 years and above and only 3% are aged between 41-50 years. In terms of placement, half of the respondents of the resident began occupying in year 1960-1969 and the other half is in 1970 -1979.

Quality of Life
Social Economics Environmental O c t o b e r , 2 0 1 3    With respect to the number of households, 41% of the respondents have a household number 1-5 people, 34% 6-9, and 25% of households with more than 10 people. One thing that a worry is the 84% of respondents said they did not know about what was Iskandar Malaysia as compared to respondents who know only 16%.

Component Ranking Quality of Life
In determining the component priority ranking for the quality of life, a number of components or key indicator was asked to the respondents. This question is important in having feedback from the settlers' perspectives which are the components quality of life according to their preferences. The assessment made by the respondents in Figure 3 shows that the priority is given to component facilities at the highest percentage (31%), followed by health component (24.20%). The next component is education (16.20%), Followed by social culture (4.50%), distribution of income (5.0%), public safety (2.0%), transport and communication (1.5%), housing (3.20%), social participation (2.8%), life families (3.0%), the environment (5%) and the last is the environmental component which recorded 1.5%.

Current Status of Quality of Life Based On Respondent Perspective
The analysis shows, of the 400 respondents, the feedback showed 47.8% are very satisfied with the quality of life they have right now and 4 % said they were satisfied. While 30.2 % of respondents expressed their level of quality is moderate and 14% respondents stated to be in very poor condition and 4% poor. This is shown in figure 4.  Table 8 shows the scale used where 1 is the most extremely unsatisfied and 5 is the most satisfied.   Table 9 shows the results of the overall assessment of the 12 components and 66 indicators. The analysis showed a total of 10 components of the 12 components are at a moderate level. Only two components are at a satisfactory level of public transportation and housing indicator components.

Quality of Life Perceptions Index Iskandar Malaysia
Next, to get the results of the perception of quality of life index, formula Coombs (1953) has been used. Through this formula the Likert scale is converted to an index.

X = Average Value Mean
Through the formula, the Quality of Life Perceptions Index for Felda Residents in Iskandar Malaysia can be calculated and described through Table 10. By using the index of perception of quality of life scale in Table 3, the studies revealed that, using perception quality of life index shows, the average for indicator, Felda residents' lives in Iskandar Malaysia stood at 45% out of 100 %. This indicator shows the quality of life the Felda residents are at the moderate level. Detailed indicators for each component specified in Table 10.

CONCLUSION
The findings of the study showed that the perception of the quality of life in Iskandar Malaysia is at the moderate level. After 5 years of development of the Iskandar Malaysia, local people specifically the Felda residents consider themselves to be at a moderate level of quality of life. Constant efforts by the state government and the federal government as well as the individuals responsible for planning, policy formulation and develop Iskandar Malaysia to consider the appropriate steps in order to enhance the quality of life of the residents and local people in achieving the goals set.