The Involvement of Malay Adolescents in Crime: Research on Residents of Asrama Akhlak Rusila, Marang

This study was conducted to investigate the historical background of Malay adolescents involved in juvenile criminal cases. The main purpose of this study is to identify the influences that have driven these Malay adolescents into crime. This study examines cases from a historical point of view to gather, comprehensively, more accurate information about the influences that have driven them into juvenile criminal cases. Hence, this study was conducted by using a qualitative approach. The author utilised intensive interview techniques among the selected respondents. For this study, 12 respondents were interviewed among the selected juvenile offenders at the Asrama Akhlak Rusila, Marang, Terengganu. The respondents were divided into three groups according to their family’s socioeconomic background namely well-to-do family, moderate income family, and poor family based on official standards. The respondents are all male. The results of this study show that there are two major crimes being carried out by the Malay adolescents, namely drug abuse and theft. This study shows that there are three major factors that have driven the Malay adolescents to become involved in juvenile criminal cases, including the desire to try, being influenced by peer groups, and having problems in the family. Among these factors, it is found that the desire to try and being influenced by peer groups are the major causes driving the Malay adolescents into crime.