Analysing the viewpoints from the author can be said an interesting aspect which

should be highlighted as these indicates on the author’s opinion and attitude towards the
subject of the article. This can be seen on the abstract section where the author stated that
the purpose for this writing is to address on his/her perspective whether there is evident of
high status of woman in pre-colonial South-east Asia especially among the Malay women on
the twentieth century within the Peninsular Malaysia. Moreover, the author thinks the woman’s
status and roles are related to certain historical patterns of relative general gender equality
and family structure that has been adapted since back in the days. In this article, it is
mentioned we have adapted a social system that divides into two which is the patriarchy and
matriarchy and these finding do not mean a complete absence of patriarchy, but there is
evidence of same aspect of the gender equality.

The key ideas defined in this article are family, gender, marriage, patriarchy and
woman. The evidence of this ideas can be seen when the author mentioned the findings are
reviewed by three indicators of patriarchy, namely customary patterns of kinship and tracing
descent, residential patterns of young couple after marriage, gender preferences of children,
roles of woman in economic production, considerable literature on marriage, divorce and
family structure. To get the major points across, what the author did was by focusing on the
receiver and highlight the important message that need to be take note of in this article. To
create a clear understanding on the points, the author divided these points into sections which
it’s easier for the receiver to read and understand.

The author has referred to theories and approaches cited in this article to support
his/her reasoning and findings throughout the research. Most of the sources that the author
choose are from journals and books; where journalist, publications had studied topics related
to the research. Next, the author has also presented a few strength and weaknesses in this
article. One example of weaknesses that was presented was on the limitation of the study
which is the time period where back then, Malay population still lived in rural areas. So, the
history pattern described in the article may not be characteristic of twenty-first century
Malaysia due to the urbanisations and changes of industrialisation of recent decades. On the
strength, the author had presented in a few sections where even there are woman that
struggles in a patriarchy social system. Nevertheless, these social systems may not be
affected in certain region of Malaysia as it is practiced as part of the society’s strength in norms
and traditions.
CONCLUSION

To conclude on our article review, the author has made in a way where it is easy for
readers to read as words that are used is understandable and fluent. Before the author starts
writing into details on the topics, he/she has made an introduction and abstract for readers to
first understand the main context of the topic. Stated in the previous paragraph, how the author
gets the main points across is one of the reasons that readers manage to focus on the
important points. In my opinion, the information presented in the article is important and can
be used in a practical way because this topic has been brought up recently; people state
whether patriarchy is a problem, and if this has affected the relative gender equality in
peninsular Malaysia especially to women. This article can be used as a reference for people
to understand the history, pros and cons, factors and evidence that social systems like this
has been adapted for decades.

OVERALL ASSESEMENT

This paper is strongly recommended for publication, because it describes in detail on

the factors addressing on the question of the topic. I’ve learned that these factors stated in the
article is true and it is something that occurred today. Equality is embraced among today
society; to men and women and this article has also stated doesn’t mean it is embraced, there
are existence of patriarchy and the community is struggling with it. In other words, this
assessment is an eye and mind opener to me that social cultures are strong among the
Malaysian society.