UNFAIR CONTRACT TERMS IN MALAYSIAN ISLAMIC BANKS: EMPOWERING BANK CONSUMERS BY ISLAMIC EDUCATION ETHICS

Purpose of study: The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of Islamic education ethics-based on the objectives of Shariah (maqasid al-Shariah) to bank consumers in raising their knowledge about their contractual rights and obligations since better-decision making empowers them to avoid unfair contractual terms in transactions with Islamic banks and manage their financial affairs responsibly. Methodology: Using qualitative analysis, this study reviews previously selected literature on Islamic education ethics and applies maqasid al-Shariahas a benchmark to determine the importance of Islamic financial literacy education. To emphasize such importance, the contents of both primary and secondary data are analyzed which include: official websites of Bank Negara Malaysia, books, academic journals, newspapers, and related industry reports. Result: Results shows that the Islamic educational ethics based on maqasid al-Shariah empowers bank consumers to improve their reading habits in making informed choices to assert their rights by being aware of the content and fairness of contract terms towards raising their financial literacy standard in avoiding unfair contractual terms and be equipped with Islamic financial knowledge and skill to demand for equitable contractual terms. Applications of this study: This study is important to Malaysian bank consumer empowerment since applying Islamic education ethics contributes to sound financial choice and better-decision making of whether or not to contract with IBIs since having no basic knowledge of contractual rights and obligations with Islamic banks, then they have little defense against one-sided and unfair contractual content. Novelty/Originality of this study: Because bank consumers do not read their contracts; this study promotes Islamic education ethics in empowering bank consumers to improve financial literacy in avoiding unfair contractual terms while making informed financial decisions and increase acceptability of Islamic banking products. This study contributes to the literature on Islamic ethics specifically on Islamic financial literacy educational ethics base on maqasid al-Shariah

ANALYSIS MARKETING STRATEGIES AT CULINARY TOURISM CENTERS

Research purposes: Analyzing marketing strategies at culinary tourism centers. Methodology: This research method is qualitative, where the informants who will provide information in this study are: 1). Manager of Culinary Tourism Centers (1 person), 2). Owner Stan (5 people), 3). Visitors to the Culinary Tourism Centers (10 visitors) from each culinary tourism. Main Findings: Strategies to improve marketing in the Central Culinary Tourism In Surabaya, between the manager and the owner of the booth must pay attention to the quality of the products produced, the determination of the selling price, the promotion system used to introduce the existence of culinary tourism centers which have gone through social media, while also paying attention to services, cleanliness, and facilities available at the culinary tourism. Implications: So that the Department of Cooperatives and SMEs also the City Government of Surabaya can develop the existence of a culinary tourism center must actively provide assistance to develop a culinary tourism center. And also culinary entrepreneurs and owners continue to improve the quality of products, facilities, services, and the surrounding environment so consumers can enjoy the culinary specialties of Surabaya. Novelty/Originality of this study: This research raises the theme of the culinary industry in increasing tourism and increasing the income of citizens of the city

STUDY ON THE FIDUCIARY ACCOUNTABILITY, SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS GROWTH IN THE LISTED COMPANIES AND SMEs

Purpose of study: In this study, fiduciary accountability and sustainable business growth are examined. There is an inadequate study on the fiduciary accountability of directors in which directors are accountable for their actions such as approving expenditure on innovation, which results in low profit. As such this study will look into the innovation and sustainable business growth and how the fiduciary accountability of directors moot innovation technologically, encouraging innovative knowledge through social-media among the employees, product innovation to meet customers’ needs and, ensuring sustainable business growth. Methodology: In order to have more reliability of the aforesaid a comparative study is made between one of the public listed companies and SMEs. Semi-structured interview methods are used in which open-ended questions are preferred to find out the particular areas. Results: The results show that this study has triggered academic vigour in the future because of the new concept of “fiduciary accountability”, which is introduced in this literature. Applications of this study: It has practical significance for corporations, directors, and academicians on fiduciary accountability of directors in harnessing profit to the corporation and enduring sustainable business growth. This is necessitated by the current trade restrictions. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study on fiduciary accountability in relation to sustainable business growth is not scholarly explored and any study would go a long way in academic pursuance

PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES AND ISLAMIC VALUE; A MODEL FOR MARKETING COMMUNICATION STRATEGY IN ISLAMIC BANKING

Purpose of the study: This study analyzes the role of product attributes, brand trust, and belief to purchase intention of Islamic financial products. Islamic financial products in this study include banking and insurance products. Methodology: This study employs a survey of 150 respondents of Islamic financial product consumers. We developed a measurement of consumer’s belief in a brand by introducing consumer’s Islamic Values. This instrument measures non-economic motivation of Islamic financial product which related to their religious beliefs toward consumptions. Results: Product attributes and Islamic values have positive effects on attitude toward Islamic financial products. On the other hand, product attributes and brand trust has a positive effect on purchase intention of Islamic financial product. Implication: This study gives guidance for Islamic financial institutions to build their marketing communication strategy by using Islamic value as branding. They should optimized integrated marketing communication based on Islamic value. Novelty/Originality: Introduction of Islamic value construct to measure consumer spirit to choose and loyal with Islamic financial product even though the benefit from that product lower than the conventional one

THE IMPACT OF THE POST ARAB SPRING ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to give an analysis of the humanitarian situation and the case of human rights in Syria after the events of the Arab spring. Methodology: This is analytical-descriptive research that has been done through literature review, content analysis, and documentary and case study research. Result: our results suggest that the Syrian government made false concessions designed to end the revolts. The occurrence led to the formation of a rebel group, the Free Syrian Army whose main objective was to oust the authoritarian regime and stop the killing of civilians. This marked the beginning of the blatant violation of human rights as well as the civil war in Syria. The government not only ignited but also took the war to its own people killing, injuring and imprisoning thousands of people. Worse still, thousands of women and young girls still suffer sexual violence during the nightly raids conducted frequently on either opposing camps. Following the massive violations of human rights, almost all economic sectors of Syria have met rock-bottom. Applications: This research can be used for policymakers and the international community to take a further step to aid the Syrian civilians. Novelty/Originality: In our research, we try to target a very much debated topic in the Middle East. Although several articles written about the humanitarian and human rights situation in Syria studies on human rights after the Arab spring is still lacking

LEARNER STRATEGIES AND COMMUNICATIVE ACQUISITION: LEARNER’S AUTONOMY FROM THE INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Purpose: To investigate the conscious strategies learners use in acquiring language skills, though the main focus of the investigation has been on communicative strategies used in the SLA environment coping with communication difficulties in the target language situation. Methodology: A survey has been conducted of 100 BBA students (to understand the strategies adopted by them) with the help of questionnaires and follow up interviews which are used for observations in this study. Main findings: Learners do indulge different kinds of learning strategies and the choice of these strategies depends on the aim, objective and situation. Also, this selection/choice vary from learner to learner. Applications: This study will be useful for the teachers and students of ELT, EFL, and SLA to understand how learning strategies affect learning. Novelty: The goal of this study is to monitor learner strategies and to develop the learners’ motivational or affective level, or methods of selecting, organizing, acquiring and integrating new knowledge of the students. (Chamot and O’Malley, 1990), then by providing them with the tools to self-regulate their learning autonomy will be functional

VILLAGE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS' UNDERSTANDING OF THE VILLAGE FINANCIAL SYSTEM INDICATORS: A CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS

Purpose of the study: The research inspiration is the implementation of the Village Law and the dispensing of Village Funds in Indonesia. The considerable measure of Village Funds requires progressively complex responsibility. With limited time and insufficient human resources, there is an inclination of the Village Fund to leak caused by errors and irregularities. Methodology: We utilize questionnaires, interviews, convenience sampling method, and the confirmatory factor as an analysis tool. There are 312 village officials from 83 villages in Central Java, Indonesia, who participated in this research. This examination scans to investigate the indicators that we can identify with town administration and comprehension of the Village Financial System or Sistem Keuangan Desa (Siskeudes). Principal Findings: The results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicate that all indicators are feasible to be used as indicators of measuring all variables. Besides, the Pearson correlation value of all indicators for the total indicators of each variable is significant. It means that the indicators of all constructs in this study are valid and highly correlated. Applications of this study: This examination is still all-around ahead of schedule. So far, there has been no exploration in Indonesia identified with village administration. Consequently, in this investigation, it was expected to incorporate variables that could conceivably have an association with village administration generally and Siskeudes explicitly, since the order of Law No. 6 of 2014. Novelty/Originality of this study: There are six original, perceptive variables, specifically: Siskeudes understanding, village financial management principles, village fund allocation, village financial administration, village financial reporting and accountability, and village assets report. There are 54 new indicators tested in this research. Further research can utilize the indicators to measures the village government officials' understanding of Siskeudes

CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES AS A TOURISM DESTINATION IN GORONTALO REGENCY - INDONESIA: ITS POTENTIALS, PROBLEMS, AND DEVELOPMENT

Purpose: This study analyzed the cultural and natural potentials that become tourism destinations in Gorontalo Regency, related to the attractiveness and problems of tourism, as well as the strategy to realize domestic and foreign tourism destinations. Methodology: This study used a qualitative approach with data collection methods through observation, in-depth interviews, documentation, and focused group discussions. Meanwhile, researchers analyzed data by organizing data, grouping data, and analyzing normatively. Findings: Several tourism destinations in Gorontalo Regency are the Soekarno Landing Cultural Heritage House, Pentadio Resort, Limboto Lake, Embung Dumati, Bubohu Religious Tourism, Walima Emas Mosque, Dulanga Beach, and Taluhu Barakati. The tourism problems that exist are specific destinations in dirty conditions; infrastructure is minimal, the educational conditions of residents around tourism destinations are inadequate so that it affects the quality of service. Information on tourism destination objects to the public is still lacking and ineffective; access to roads and human resources managing tourism objects is inadequate. To make Gorontalo Regency a tourism destination, in addition to overcoming existing problems, the development of regional tourism potential is a necessity. Implications: This research is beneficial, both for policymakers, especially the Gorontalo Regency Government, businesses related to tourism, and the local community. The results are expected to increase synergy between local governments, businesses, and local communities. For Local Governments, the results of this study are expected to be an input for formulating policies that can encourage the attractiveness of domestic and foreign tourists. As for the business, the results of this study are expected to be taken into consideration to increase business investment in the tourism sector. Meanwhile, for local communities, the results of this study are expected to encourage local communities to love their local resources and culture more for their sustainability. Novelty: To realize a tourism destination both local and foreign, it is important to solve any problems that arise, as well as developing the existing regional tourism potential

OIL PALM EXPANSION AND LIVELIHOOD VULNERABILITY ON RURAL COMMUNITIES (A CASE IN POHUWATO REGENCY - INDONESIA)

Purpose: This study analyzed the expansion of oil palm and its impact on the livelihood vulnerability of rural communities. Furthermore, this study analyzed the livelihood base of rural communities, explained the mechanism of oil palm expansion controlling rural land, analyzed land tenure by oil palm expansion, which caused vulnerability to rural livelihoods, and analyzed the actions of rural peasants responding livelihood vulnerability due to oil palm expansion. Methodology: The researchers conducted observations inTaludisub district and Popayatosub district, both of which were locations for oil palm expansion in the Pohuwato Regency of Gorontalo Province. Besides, the researchers observed coastal areas in Popayatosubdistrict, especially in Bajo tribal settlements that were affected by environmental damage in the form of floods sent from the mainland when it rained. The researchers also conducted in-depth interviews with various stakeholders who knew about oil palm expansion in Pohuwato Regency. The researchers interviewed village heads, heads of community empowerment institutions in the village, local environmental activists who actively discussed oil palm expansion, oil palm company leaders, and rural communities, both plasma peasants and other communities affected by oil palm expansion in Pohuwato Regency. To support observational and interview data, the researchers conducted a document review of previous research findings relating to the impact of oil palm expansion on local communities. Main Findings: Oil palm companies get two instruments in controlling the forest area and agricultural land. Those are concession rights, as well as the nucleus and plasma systems. Both instruments close rural communities to access forest areas and agricultural land. It causes livelihood vulnerability in rural communities, besides the ecological disaster in the form of flooding due to damage to the rural environment, as well as drought in the dry season. Rural communities are forced to survive by migrating and diversifying livelihoods in the form of multiple livelihoods. Implications: This research is significant on both the theoretical and policy levels. On the theoretical level, this research enriches the study of rural sociology, especially the study of rural access and livelihoods. As for the policy level, this research result can be a reference for the government in formulating policies regarding the development of oil palm plantations. In order to avoid livelihood vulnerability, the granting of forest area concessions to oil palm companies should be done at a radius quite far from the settlements of rural communities. Novelty: A concession permit granted by the government to an oil palm company closes rural communities' access to the forest area. Rural communities get worse when the company implements a nucleus and plasma system policy that causes the transfer of control of agricultural land from rural communities to oil palm companies. The nucleus and plasma system only benefits the oil palm companies as the nucleus and kills the peasants' livelihood base as the plasma. The vulnerability of the livelihood base does hit not only rural communities that are plasma peasants but also hit other communities as a result of environmental damage in the form of floods in the rainy season and drought in the dry season. Vulnerable rural livelihoods due to oil palm expansion forced rural communities to migrate to find new livelihoods and diversify their livelihoods

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF WOMEN LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES ON ELECTIONS IN BANDA ACEH

Purpose: This research is focused on the public space in the field of politics that explains how women candidates legislative from political parties and local political parties national participate in contestation with the men in the legislative election in 2019 the level of the city Banda Aceh. Methodology: This paper uses qualitative research methods with an ethnographic approach contemporary feminist and collection of data through observation, documentation and semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen legislative women candidates of local political parties and national political parties from the electoral districts of Banda Aceh were scattered on 9 districts in Banda Aceh. Main Findings: The findings of this study indicate that there are three forces of elected women candidate to continue to increase each election period: (1) The full support of the family, (2) Grassroots women's community (Balee Inong), (3) The presence of government support through Musrena and Musrenbang forum which became the strength of women's bargaining position in planning and budgeting. Although on the other hand patriarchy culture is still a separate constraint for women working in the public arena. Implications/Applications: The results showed that the dominance of men who are members of local and national political parties in Aceh making space for women in the general election is getting narrower, plus a serial number of women in a legislative candidate sequence that is in the last number makes women, not the candidates featured in his political party. But the election of women in the legislature is much better than the previous period. Novelty: The political arena became a force for women of Banda Aceh in scraping patriarchy culture that has been very inherent to Acehnese people wrapped in a religious culture or the habit of Acehnese people who put women into numbers two in development