Sociocultural Strategies in Sustaining Self-Identity and Spirit of Nationalism among Indonesian Migrant Workers in Penang, Malaysia: An Intercultural Communication Perspective
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Abstract
One of the major challenges faced by migrant workers is the influence of foreign cultures transmitted through social media and other forms of mass media. This influence can contribute to the erosion of their identities and nationalism. Maintaining both identity and nationalism is important so that Indonesian migrant workers can work and live abroad without neglecting or forgetting their origins. This study aims to identify the sociocultural strategies Indonesian migrant workers in Penang, Malaysia, use to maintain their self-identity and nationalism. A case study method was employed, with data collected through in-depth interviews with 14 informants, comprising members of the Indonesian Community Organization (PERMAI), the Secretary General of PERMAI, and an Indonesian professional worker in Penang, Malaysia. The results show that the Indonesian migrant workers who participated in this study navigated identity and nationalism through cultural adaptation, symbolic preservation and intercultural communication. These strategies helped them overcome barriers, reinforce their national identity, and build resilient and inclusive diaspora communities grounded in shared values and transnational experiences. Within intercultural contexts, the participants demonstrated the ability to negotiate their identities, enabling them to live in new cultural spaces while maintaining their national origins. These findings reinforce and extend the identity negotiation and acculturation theories. In practical terms, the findings support the improvement of effective communication, workplace harmony, and overall well-being of migrant workers.
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