Can Malaysia escape the middle-income Trap ? a strategy for Penang

How can Penang upgrade and diversify its economy? This paper addresses this question using a number of methodologies that have been developed for assessing competitiveness and identifying the direction of future industrial evolution. The results show that although Penang was successful in attracting foreign direct investment to the electronics industry, this has not translated into a deepening of industrial capabilities or the nurturing of innovation capacity in Penang. No large Malaysian firms in Penang have taken the lead in innovation and there is little new entry by local firms, despite incentives provided by local and national governments are generous. Universiti Sains Malaysia, the principal university in Penang, is contributing through provision of skills, and it is beginning to multiply university industry linkages. However, the university’s research activities are too limited and too diffuse to significantly initiate innovation by local industry. Under the current circumstances, and given its relatively small size, Penang will have to try much harder to strengthen its competitive advantage in its most important industry -electronics- through actions that build research capital. It will also have to increase its efforts to develop the potential of other value-adding activities, such as medical services and tourism. A strategy focused on localization economies is likely to be the most feasible option.Technology Industry,Tertiary Education,E-Business,ICT Policy and Strategies,Agricultural Knowledge&Information Systems

Penang as a knowledge hub

Malaysian development strategies since independence, again in the 10th Malaysia Plan 2010 have emphasized the development of industrial clusters, like the Penang free trade zone and the MSC. Malaysia has two strong knowledge clusters: the Klang valley with KL and the MSC, Penang State and a number of smaller clusters. A calculation of the density of knowledge institutions and knowledge personnel show the epistemic landscape of Malaysia. A preliminary study of Penang reveals that the epistemic landscape is fragmented. There are several areas with a high density of knowledge institutions and knowledge workers, which however do not necessarily overlap with industrial clusters. These imbalances need to be corrected to ensure a safe passage towards a knowledge-based economy and society.Malaysia; Penang; knowledge clusters; knowledge economy; development strategy

ASEAN economic community 2015: A case study on the potential impacts to Penang Port Sdn Bhd

This study is undertaken to examine on how ASEAN Economic Community plays their role to the Penang Port Sdn Bhd and how the key characteristics of AEC can be affected to Penang Port Sdn Bhd. To achieve these objectives, there are only qualitative method was used which is in depth interview by the representatives of Penang Port Sdn Bhd management team. The finding from the research showed the level of awareness among management team in Penang Port Sdn Bhd about ASEAN Economic Community 2015, the potential impact of ASEAN Economic Community 2015 to Penang Port Sdn Bhd including opportunities and threats. Lastly, it is regarding Penang Port Sdn Bhd readiness to overcome ASEAN Economic Community 2015

The Association between Virus Prevalence and Intercolonial Aggression Levels in the Yellow Crazy Ant, Anoplolepis Gracilipes (Jerdon).

The recent discovery of multiple viruses in ants, along with the widespread infection of their hosts across geographic ranges, provides an excellent opportunity to test whether viral prevalence in the field is associated with the complexity of social interactions in the ant population. In this study, we examined whether the association exists between the field prevalence of a virus and the intercolonial aggression of its ant host, using the yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) and its natural viral pathogen (TR44839 virus) as a model system. We delimitated the colony boundary and composition of A. gracilipes in a total of 12 study sites in Japan (Okinawa), Taiwan, and Malaysia (Penang), through intercolonial aggression assay. The spatial distribution and prevalence level of the virus was then mapped for each site. The virus occurred at a high prevalence in the surveyed colonies of Okinawa and Taiwan (100% infection rate across all sites), whereas virus prevalence was variable (30%-100%) or none (0%) at the sites in Penang. Coincidentally, colonies in Okinawa and Taiwan displayed a weak intercolonial boundary, as aggression between colonies is generally low or moderate. Contrastingly, sites in Penang were found to harbor a high proportion of mutually aggressive colonies, a pattern potentially indicative of complex colony composition. Our statistical analyses further confirmed the observed correlation, implying that intercolonial interactions likely contribute as one of the effective facilitators of/barriers to virus prevalence in the field population of this ant species

A Study of the Renewal Cycle of Hotel Building Elements in Malaysia

Penang is the main tourism island which appeals an increasing number of travellers each year. Therefore, the hotels in Penang play a crucial role in the field of Penang tourism. However, recently some problems with the Penang hotels have been brought to light frequently by travellers including domestic and foreign tourists. The reason for this may be due to irregular maintenance as well as the fact that the renewal of the building elements may not have been duly carried out. In light of that, this research investigated the condition of the maintenance and renewal cycle of the building elements of the hotels in Penang. This study was conducted with a quantitative method, using a questionnaire to collect information regarding the condition of maintenance, evaluation of the condition of the building elements and the frequency of building elements renewal. The results revealed that each building element renewal cycle is differing according to the effects of maintenance and its lifespan. In terms of comparison with the renewals in Singapore hotels, there are shortcomings involved in the schedule of element renewals carried out in Penang

USM, EOPP, MDC, UP COLLABORATES TO SPEARHEAD ECO-ENGINEERING PROJECTS

USM, PENANG, 1 July 2016 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), E&O through its subsidiary E&O Property (Penang) Sdn. Bhd. (EOPP), Macro Dimension Concrete Sdn. Bhd. (MDC) and University of Plymouth (UP) United Kingdom are collaborating to spearhead an ecoengineering research project that will provide an improved habitat for species along the coastlines on Penang island

An Ecosystem Of Health Tourism In Penang

Penang is fast becoming a hub for health tourism in the Northern Region of Peninsular Malaysia, with private hospitals tapping into this lucrative multi-million ringgit industry. This research is focused on Penang, which is the location of twenty percent of the thirty-five hospitals earmarked by the government to lead health tourism in the country. The main objectives of this research were to carry out a preliminary study to identify the characteristics of the health tourism industry in Penang; to identify and analyze the comparative advantages of private hospitals in Penang in being able to attract an increasing influx of health tourists in recent years; to evaluate the economic impact of health tourism in Penang; and to identify and analyze the strategies employed by these hospitals to compete and to experience further growth in the current global environment Two types of surveys were conducted: the hospital survey and the patient survey. The main instrument of data collection was the interview method, using questionnaires. Mixed methods of data analyses were employed to analyze and interpret the data. A unique combination of certain push factors in source areas and pull factors in Penang have given Penang the unique comparative advantage in attracting health tourists to its shores. The health tourism industry has led to the formation of important backward & forward linkages, and created significant spinoffs in terms of spillover effects and multiplier effects in the economy of Penang. Thus, the health tourism industry has a positive impact on Penang‟s economy and is a stimulus to its economic growth. However the industry faces intense competition, especially globally

Coordinated cadastral system for Peninsular Malaysia : from concept to reality

The main objectives of conducting cadastral surveys that had been promulgated in the early days of its practice have since been continually adhered to and later came to be adopted as amongst the principal functions of DSMM. They were stated in the Survey Regulations (DSMM, 1976) as follows: “(a) To provide evidence which will completely and permanently identify the land conveyed by any title issued by government. (b) To compile and make available records of alienation necessary for intelligent land administration.