Effectiveness of interactive multimedia CD-ROM as a guide to house buyers (Case study Klang Valley) / Mohamed Nizam Abdul Aziz

Problem Statement: In Malaysia, the subject of housing has become more critical,
given the fact that demand exceeds supply. This is true particularly in the urban areas
where the population density is high. This soaring demand has been a constant feature
in the Malaysian housing industry for the last two decades. Unfortunately, there are
buyers who are unaware of the dirty tricks and tactics involved and could be cheated
and manipulated by the irresponsible developers. Even today many buyers are
unaware and often take their rights for granted. These issues have been repeatedly
highlighted in the print media and electronic media.
Research Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the
current attitudes ofthe public, their awareness of housing issues and their level ofICT
usage. The aims is to developed an innovative and appropriate digital application
specifically the interactive CD-ROM, to provide society an alternative medium to
enhance the awareness of housing issues to the public.
Methodology: This research utilizes a set of questionnaire and survey interviewing to
gather information on the factors relating to the awareness of information provided by
the Ministry of Housing and NGOs. Klang Valley was selected as the research area to
evaluate the effectiveness of using CD-ROMs among the major races. The 3 districts
surveyed were Hulu Selangor, Petaling and Wilayah Persekutuan. The sampling size
for this study is 290 respondents. The data collected was analyzed using SPPS to
determine the frequencies and percentages used to profile the respondents.
Finding: The study indicated that the level of awareness among the major races is
still at a low level. Surprisingly the concept of information implementation by using
CD-ROM was acceptable at all level of races. The department of Public Relation in
the Ministry ofHousing should consider positively on this finding. However, most of
the public users felt that if the Government is to implement the CD-ROM information
to the market, they should promote it through exhibitions, electronic media and
printing media. Therefore, this should be one of Government's or NGO's initiatives to
use information technology to educate the public from all races and levels. The public
in rural and urban areas can use the digital application towards lCT initiatives if they
are properly introduce and familiar with the technology of new media to enhance their
learning process. Success will require support from many parties such as the
government, program developers, housing developers and NGO's.
Conclusion & Recommendation: Although the Ministry ofHousing recently stepped
up their efforts to enhance the awareness of housing information among Malaysians
through it's website, the exercise has not been effective as such other alternative new
media such as CD-ROMs should be implemented. The vision 2020' calls for the
formation of a Malaysia with better quality of life, national integration and unity with
this aspiration the Ministry ofHousing and NGO's need to work together to do more
research and development to develop local contents, new guidelines and educate the
public to be aware with the housing issues.