Netnography Study of the Reality Expression of Multi-Ethnic Facebook Communities on the Study of Social Contracts

Abstract

Social media is a platform that highlights the real thoughts and behaviors of individuals in society. Sensitive issues such as the issue of language, religion, Malays and natives privileges and the monarchy system expressed in social media. These issues cause debate and controversy in society. Thus, a qualitative study was conducted through a netnography method which aimed to survey the reality of Facebook user perceptions on social media towards social contract in the Federal Constitution. The study sample consisted of Informants who were Facebook users who commented on each post in the Social Contract Study Facebook page. Two types of posts are created, namely formal and informal posts. The results showed that the acceptance of the majority of Informants differed according to ethnicity, Malays were more likely to accept or be more positive towards discussions on social contracts, while the nonMalay community accepted with a mixed attitude and are more easily emotional on this matter. Dissatisfaction and prejudice among non Malay ethnic are displayed through emotional responses or reactions and are associated with racist political elements. Eight themes were created from this analysis, namely i) racial sentiments, ii) economics, iii) politics, iv) knowledge of social contracts, v) terms of social contracts, vi) emotions towards social contracts, vii) issues of citizenship and privileges, viii) constructive comments and future suggestions. The implications of this study showed that non-Malay ethnic groups are less satisfied with the terms and elements of the social contract and are associated with the political sentiment, the nation and the economy. Although many Informants were seen answering with facts, there is no denying that emotions have a lot of impact on the Informant's writing. Keywords: Unity, traditional elements, federal constitution, social media, multiethnic.