The importance of community’s Involvement in park management towards sustainable livelihoods

This study investigates the impacts of park establishment on communities and how institutional structures, such as customary laws, can influence communities’ involvement in ecotourism. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyze the relationships among institutional processes and organizational structures (i.e. NCR, institutional arrangement), livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. Although Tun Sakaran Marine Park contains beautiful islands, and tourism is the main economic activity, surprisingly, this study found out that local communities are not involved in tourism. Institutional support should be strengthened if ecotourism is to become a livelihood strategy for communities in TSMP

The importance of institutional support to sustain communities' livelihoods in marine protected area: Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Sabah, Malaysia

This study was conducted in the first and the only marine protected area in Malaysia to include private land and recognize native customary rights (NCR) especially in matters regarding land. This exploration is especially timely for the communities in Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP), where some are entitled to native rights and some have been given usufruct rights by native rights holders, and yet they are living in a gazetted park under Sabah Parks administration, a statutory body under Sabah’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment,. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the livelihoods impacts of park establishment on communities living within the park and the strategies to cope with the impacts. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyse the relationships among the institutional entitlement, which is the NCR, livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. In-depth household surveys and stakeholder interviews were undertaken during the fieldwork. Although co-management and ecotourism were planned to be implemented in TSMP, it was found that the local communities are not involved in management and benefited from any tourism activities. Therefore, institutional arrangement should be strengthened to support the design of more appropriate livelihoods strategies for communities in TSMP

Why Ecotourism Failed as an Alternative Livelihood in Marine Park: The importance of community’s involvement in park management

This study investigates the impacts of park establishment on communities and how institutional structures, such as customary laws, can influence communities’ involvement in ecotourism. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyze the relationships among institutional processes and organizational structures (i.e. NCR, institutional arrangement), livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. In-depth household surveys and stakeholder interviews were undertaken during three months of fieldwork conducted in Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP), Sabah, Malaysia. Although TSMP contains beautiful islands, and has many attributes and potential to be suitable for ecotourism development, surprisingly, this study found out that the local communities are not involved in tourism. At the same time, dive operators are bringing divers and snorkelers to the park on a daily basis. In conclusion, ecotourism as an alternative livelihood in TSMP can be achieved through efficient institutions i.e. the implementation of policies that are informed by the local situation. Therefore, institutional support should be strengthened if ecotourism is to become a livelihood strategy for communities in TSMP.Keywords: Ecotourism; Sustainable Livelihoods; Institutional Arrangement; Marine ParkeISSN: 2398-4287 © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v3i9.154

The Importance of Institutional Arrangements for Sustainable Livelihoods: The Case of Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Sabah, Malaysia

Although there has been growing research examining ecotourism from a livelihoods perspective, there is still lack of explicit and critical analysis of how people relate to the institutional environment, where power lies, which influences the relationships among ecotourism, community development, and conservation of parks and protected areas. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the institutional and livelihoods impacts of park establishment on communities living within the park. Specifically, the establishment of a park affects local communities’ livelihoods, as they may face restrictions on extracting resources as their main source of living. It is necessary to explore institutional arrangements and how they affect livelihood sustainability. This study was conducted in Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP), Sabah, Malaysia. It is the first and the only marine protected area in Sabah to include private land and recognize native customary rights (NCR) especially in matters regarding land. This exploration is especially timely for the communities in TSMP, where some are entitled to native rights and some have been given usufruct rights by native rights holders and yet they are living in a gazetted park under state administration. It is important to examine the institutional arrangements for park management in this unique context for they are fundamental to the well-being of park’s communities. More generally, it is also an example of the common challenge of identifying an appropriate role for local communities in park establishment, especially in coastal settings. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyze the relationships among institutional processes and organizational structures (i.e. NCR, institutional arrangement), livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. In-depth household surveys and stakeholder interviews were undertaken during three months of fieldwork conducted in 2012. Although TSMP contains beautiful islands, and has many attributes and potential to be suitable for ecotourism development, it was found that the local communities are not involved in ecotourism. At the same time, dive operators are bringing divers and snorkelers to the park on a daily basis. Therefore, institutional support should be strengthened if ecotourism is to become a livelihood strategy for communities in TSMP

[Lust Elements Analysis in Sigmud Freud Psychoanalysis Theory and The Book of Cures for Heart by Al-Mandilii ] Analisis Elemen-Elemen Nafsu dalam Teori Psikoanalisis Sigmund Freud dan Kitab Penawar bagi Hati Al-Mandili

Sigmund Freud in his psychoanalysis theory states that human is a sexual creature (Ann et al, 2013; Neil et al, 2010; Corey, 2009; Abdul Syakur, 2007; Maghfur, 2011) who craves merely for fun and to minimize pain because lust is basic of mankind (Gregory & Erika, 2012; Azlina, 2005; Freud, 1965). Freud’s psychoanalysis theory is the best reference (Maghfur, 2011; Kamarulzaman, 2009; Yatimah & Mohd Tajudin, 2008; Abdul Syakur, 2007; Mahmood Nazar, 1990) and copied blindly among Muslim psychologists (Malik, 1979). Though, there are some elements in psychoanalysis theory have raised confusions among them (Yatimah & Mohd Tajudin, 2008). Some Muslim psychologists have superficial knowledge about content of Kitab Penawar Bagi Hati (KPBH) by al-Mandili make them exclude lust elements in KPBH which equivalent to Freud’s psychoanalysis theory. Thus, a library research is conducted in form of analisis kandungan  to study the lust elements from both Freud’s psychoanalysis theory and KPBH by al-Mandili which are similar and practically applicable for Muslim psychologists. This research limits to lust elements only from both Freud’s psychoanalysis theory and KPBH by al-Mandili. The research involves data validation by interviewing the experts, member checking and data cross checking. The finding states that there are some lust elements from Freud that equivalent to KPBH by al-Mandili which are id and libido from unconcious mind and sexual desire from qalb that offers potential of fun and joy. Therefore, there is high expectation that this research could clarify the confusions on Freud’s psychoanalysis theory that have been practiced among Muslim psychologists then to convey the works of Nusantara scholars to society in Malaysia as well. Key words: Freud’s psychoanalysis, KPBH by al-Mandili, Id, Sexual Desire   Sigmund Freud dalam teori psikoanalisisnya menyatakan bahawa manusia adalah makhluk seksual (Ann et al, 2013; Neil et al, 2010; Corey, 2009; Abdul Syakur, 2007; Maghfur, 2011) yang mengidam semata-mata untuk keseronokan dan mengurangkan kesakitan kerana nafsu adala asas manusia (Gregory & Erika, 2012; Azlina, 2005; Freud, 1965). Teori psikoanalisis Freud adalah rujukan yang terbaik (Maghfur, 2011; Kamarulzaman, 2009; Yatimah & Mohd Tajudin, 2008; Abdul Syakur, 2007; Mahmood Nazar, 1990) dan diambil secara membuta tuli dalam kalangan ahli psikologi Islam (Malik, 1979). Walaupun begitu, terdapat beberapa elemen-elemen yang menimbulkan kekeliruan (Yatimah & Mohd Tajudin, 2008). Sesetengah ahli psikologi Islam mempunyai pengetahuan cetek tentang kandungan Kitab penawar Hati (KPBH) oleh al-Mandili menyebabkan mereka mengasingkan teori nafsu al-Mandili yang bersamaan dengan teori psikoanalisi Freud. Oleh itu, satu kajian penyelidikan perpustakaan dalam bentuk analisis kandungan untuk mengkaji elemen-elemen nafsu dari teori psikologi Freud dan KPBH yang sama dan sesai dipakai oleh ahli psikologi Islam. Penyelidikan ini mengehadkan kepada elemen-elemen nafus dari teori psikoanalisis Freud dan KPBH oleh al-Mandili. Penyelidikan ini melibatkan pengsahan data dengan menemuduga pakar, pemeriksaaan ahli, dan juga pemeriksaan silang data. Penemuan kajian adalah terdapat beberapa elemen nafsu dari Freus yang bersamaan dengan KPBH al-Mandili iaitu id dan libido dari minda bawah sedar dan keinginan seks dari qalb yang menawarkan keseronokan dan kegembiraan. Oleh itu, terdapat harapan yang tinggi bahawa kajian ini dapat menjelaskan kekeliruan mengenai teori psikologi Freud yang telah diamalkan di kalangan ahli psikologi Islam seterusnya dapat menyampaikan karya-karya ulama-ulama Nusantara kepada masyarakat Malaysia juga. Kata kunci: Psikolanalisis Freud, KPBH oleh al-Mandili, Id, Keinginan Seksual

The Importance of Community’s Involvement in Park Management towards Sustainable Livelihoods

This study investigates the impacts of park establishment on communities and how institutional structures, such as customary laws, can influence communities’ involvement in ecotourism. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyze the relationships among institutional processes and organizational structures (i.e. NCR, institutional arrangement), livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. Although Tun Sakaran Marine Park contains beautiful islands, and tourism is the main economic activity, surprisingly, this study found out that local communities are not involved in tourism. Institutional support should be strengthened if ecotourism is to become a livelihood strategy for communities in TSMP. Keywords: ecotourism; sustainable livelihoods; institutional arrangement; marine park eISSN 2398-4279 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ajqol.v4i16.196 &nbsp

Social Distance toward People with Mental Illness: An assessment of Attitude and Knowledge

Social distance can be defined as the perception on the level of acceptance people have towards others outside from their social hierarchy.  This study aimed to predict the influences of attitudes and knowledge on social distance towards people with mental illness among university students. The instrument used in this study is Social Distance Practice scale toward people with mental illness which was adapted from Crabb.J, his colleagues in 2012.  Meanwhile, scale for attitude and knowledge were adopted form Wahl and his colleagues in 2012 and used in this study.  This study was based on a sample of 384 adolescent public university students in Selangor Malaysia. The results showed that social distance toward people with mental illness among university students was mainly influenced by their attitude (P <0.05; t = 3.49), not knowledge. This shows that even though people have knowledge of mental illness, they still have a negative view of people suffering from mental illness and distance themselves from it. Therefore, people suffering from mental illness often face stigmatization and an increase in public awareness and support is highly needed.  &nbsp

Interrelation between legibility attributes and park utilization as determinants for responsive neighborhood parks

The rising need for social interaction is evident particularly in urban areas due to a stressful urban life and social isolation. In residential areas, neighborhood parks have an important function in supporting social integration and social bonding. Nevertheless, studies have indicated that these parks are not fully utilized for the benefits of residents which could be due to the lack of parks’ legibility. This paper investigates the interrelationship between park utilization and legibility of three neighborhood parks within new residential developments in Malaysia. The research findings are based on field observations and a questionnaire survey conducted with 387 residents of the areas. Results indicate a significant correlation between park utilization and park legibility, implying the potential for social interactions among residents within a legible park setting. The level of the park visual obstruction and the clarity of its structure were found to be strongly linked with park utilization and the intensity of outdoor activities. However, certain critical physical characteristics including the critical density of population and gated neighborhoods may decrease the positive effect of park’s legibility. The findings inform the crucial role of legible environment in the design and planning of neighborhood parks to afford socially responsive public spaces thus enhances the social life of urban dwellers

Improving space-time-frequency MIMOOFDM with ICI self-cancellation scheme using least square error estimator / Nur Farahiah Ibrahim, Zahari Abu Bakar and Azlina Idris

Channel estimation techniques for Multiple-input Multiple-output Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) based on comb type pilot arrangement with least-square error (LSE) estimator was investigated with space-time-frequency (STF) diversity implementation. The frequency offset in OFDM effected its performance. This was mitigated with the implementation of the presented inter-carrier interference selfcancellation (ICI-SC) techniques and different space-time subcarrier mapping. STF block coding in the system exploits the spatial, temporal and frequency diversity to improve performance. Estimated channel was fed into a decoder which combined the STF decoding together with the estimated channel coefficients using LSE estimator for equalization. The performance of the system was compared by measuring the symbol error rate with a PSK-16 and PSK-32. The results show that subcarrier mapping together with ICI-SC were able to increase the system performance. Introduction of channel estimation was also able to estimate the channel coefficient at only 5dB difference with a perfectly known channel