PAWAH PRACTICE IN MALAYSIA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

The practice of Pawah varies across Malaysia, where a mix of verbal agreements and written contracts is employed. This study presents an analysis of Pawah practices in four states, namely Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, and Johor. Data were collected through semi- structured interviews to capture key aspects such as agreement structures, allocation of responsibilities, profit-sharing ratios, dispute resolution, and perceived sustainability. Thematic patterns were then compared across states to highlight similarities and differences. Results indicate that while Pawah continues to empower rural households by lowering entry barriers to livestock farming, its sustainability is threatened by informality, economic risks, and limited legal protection.