Proposed development of Nusajaya Boulevard in Nusajaya Central Planning Area

This project is to design and plan a boulevard at the Nusajaya Central Planning Area, the new capital city of Johor state. Nusajaya consists of a new state legislative assembly complex, the offices of the Menteri Besar and State Secretary and a state department complex. Nusajaya's overall development is planned and designed to be sustainable and conducive for business, living and leisure and this boulevard follows the same concept. In the development of a new city, the major issue is to create the identity and image of modern Johor. Moreover, it also as acts as an open space for the Nusajaya that support recreation and leisure activities in the city. According to the overall development concept, this project can act as a catalyst for the commercial activity in surrounding area. The challenge is to consider the new of all development that including human behaviour and response to the new open space for the city. The design emphasis on image of the boulevard that is shows the power and wealth in the design. The concept of this boulevard is Jalur Johor, which means a stripe that represents a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic state with rich heritage, history and iconic elements. The Jalur comprised of three major spaces: state mall, transit park and business park. This design proposal focuses on the state mall because it is the place where ceremonial event such as Independence Day, Johor Government Open House during Hari Raya and daily activities including walking, strolling and resting. It design is the Jata which means coat of arms for Johor. The main amenity in the mall is a multi functional paved area bounded by several rows of shade and large canopied trees, which gives grandiose vista effect. With the heavy-duty pavement, the parade goes from the memorial area and along the central paved area surrounded by the terrace where people can enjoy this event. The mall also comprised of a memorial area for the Sultan of Johor representing power and sovereignty. The memorial is the gateway to the state mall, which made up of arch, water features and rows of palms. The design also includes a large reflective pool that denotes the power of the sultan and it serves as recreational place. For daily activities, people can enjoy the view of water while resting at the staged area under the shade trees. The hardscape elements such as lighting pole, seating and tree grating is designed in Johor’s motifs including gambier, black pepper and Kuda kepang. These motifs portrayed the identity of the state

Sustainability in ASEAN Countries: The Role of Financial Development in Climate Change

Higher financial development and economic growth leads to higher production and consumption of a nation. This is because when a country is developed, the demand for infrastructure will increase which could significantly affect the country’s environment. The main aim of this paper is to explore the link between energy efficiency, sustainable economic growth, population and financial development in five ASEAN countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam). Panel data analysis was employed and the results show that financial development, economic growth, population and renewable energy are important factors in influencing climate change. Based on the results, increasing financial development, higher energy use, high population and increasing economic growth will generate more CO2 emissions and contribute to climate change. Thus, there are several policies suggested to balance the relationship between financial development and carbon emission levels, which should be considered and implemented by governments and policy makers in order to improve the environmental quality in ASEAN countries. In conclusion, in the five selected ASEAN countries, financial growth plays an important role in highlighting climate change issues. Many past studies have focused on the impacts of renewable energy consumption, population, economic growth and foreign direct investment on climate change. This study narrows the gap that exists in the literature by focusing on financial development, which is able to foster vigorous economic growth, especially in ASEAN countries. Overall, the results from the fixed effects estimates show that financial development is a significant factor and has a positive contribution towards climate change

Sustainability in ASEAN Countries: The Role of Financial Development in Climate Change

Higher financial development and economic growth leads to higher production and consumption of a nation. This is because when a country is developed, the demand for infrastructure will increase which could significantly affect the country’s environment. The main aim of this paper is to explore the link between energy efficiency, sustainable economic growth, population and financial development in five ASEAN countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam). Panel data analysis was employed and the results show that financial development, economic growth, population and renewable energy are important factors in influencing climate change. Based on the results, increasing financial development, higher energy use, high population and increasing economic growth will generate more CO2 emissions and contribute to climate change. Thus, there are several policies suggested to balance the relationship between financial development and carbon emission levels, which should be considered and implemented by governments and policy makers in order to improve the environmental quality in ASEAN countries. In conclusion, in the five selected ASEAN countries, financial growth plays an important role in highlighting climate change issues. Many past studies have focused on the impacts of renewable energy consumption, population, economic growth and foreign direct investment on climate change. This study narrows the gap that exists in the literature by focusing on financial development, which is able to foster vigorous economic growth, especially in ASEAN countries. Overall, the results from the fixed effects estimates show that financial development is a significant factor and has a positive contribution towards climate change

The Specific Energy Absorption Of Local Wood Subjected To Quasi-Static Loading

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the specific energy absorbed of Malaysia local wood. Eleven species of wood were chosen which are, Nyatoh (Palaquim Obocatum), Merbau (Intsia Bijuga), Meranti Putih (Shorea Macroptera), Kelapa Sawit (Elais Guineensis), Kempas (Koompasia Malaaensis), Jati (Tectona Grandis), Cengal (Neobalanocarpus Heimii), Meranti Merah (Shorea Collina), Balau Cina (Shorea spp.), Balau Merah (Shorea spp.), and Kapur (Dryobalanops Aromatia). The experiment was performed in quasi-statically compression method using universal testing machine to obtain the material mechanical properties. Specimens were loaded in axial, circumferential and radial compression of local woods, the highest value of energy absorption and kink-band phenomena as well as its effect on energy absorption were determined and discussed in this paper

10Gbps NRZ-DPSK repeaterless transmission system for terrestrial applications

We investigated the performance of 10Gbps NRZ-DPSK repeaterless transmission system over 300km. The system is demonstrated experimentally over standard Single-Mode Fiber (SMF). The results showed the capability of terrestrial repeaterless transmission systems as a cost effective solution for improving broadband penetration particularly for rural areas

Modelling the Efficiency of Paddy Production in Peninsular Malaysia Using Principal Component Analysis and Data Envelopment Analysis (PCA-DEA)

Although the current paddy production in Peninsular Malaysia shows a satisfying self-sufficiency level, the countrys annual rough paddy production, however, will still have to increase over the next 10 years to sustain up with the local population growth and the growing demand level for this staple food. Thus, immediate action needs to be done to evaluate the efficiency of paddy production, so that the information obtained can help the government to come out with strategies to maximize the outputs with the current existing inputs. The objective of this study is to measure the efficiency of paddy production of 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia using a hybrid of Principal Component Analysis and Data Envelopment Analysis. The variables used as inputs include planted paddy area, number of rice farmers, amount of seeds usage and total budget allocation whereas the variables used as outputs cover paddy output, rice output and rice income. As the input and output variables are highly correlated, this study proposes the combination of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approaches to reduce the data dimensionality problem instead of eliminating the variables with multicollinearity problem from the analysis. PCA is applied separately on both sides of all inputs and all outputs, resulting in one principal component (PC) to represent the input and one PC to represent the output side. Both PCs were found to contribute greater than 70% of the data variation. The results from output-oriented DEA model under variable return to scale (VRS) indicate that Kedah is the most efficient state in producing the paddy output, leaving the rest of states with average efficiency scores ranging from 0.745 to 0.998. Further results show that Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang were placed at the lowest three states in terms of efficiency levels. There is a need for the government to pay extra attention on these states in bringing off the significant factors that may disrupt the functioning of efficient paddy production

Agropolitan Project: Role in Rural Development and Poverty Eradication

Theoretical discussions on vicious cycle of poverty shows poverty is a societal problem involving various factors and difficult to overcome. Hence, the efforts to resolve it are necessary as it gives negative impression to society and country. In Malaysia, poverty rate in rural areas remain higher than in urban areas. The situation has prompted the government to focus its efforts to eradicate poverty in the rural area. The Agropolitan project is an incentive by Malaysian government, introduced in 2007 to eradicate poverty in rural areas by increasing the income of participants. This chapter will consider the Agropolitan Project of Gahai, Malaysia as a case study. Discussion of the case study for Agropolitan Gahai Project has shown how its implementation can contribute to the alleviation through increasing income of participants whereby participants were not categorized poor and helped them move out of the vicious cycle of poverty

Curriculum content evaluation study of Bachelor of Education Program Specialization in Islamic Education with Islamic Education Philosophy

Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) (2011) reported that Bachelor of Education Program (PISMP) specialization in Islamic Education should have specific objectives and focus on the programs offered. The existing objectives in the Malaysian Teacher Education Institute (IPG) curriculum are general and seen less appropriate. Therefore, this study aims to assess the context dimension in terms of suitability of the Bachelor of Education Program curriculum content Program specializing in Islamic Education at the Malaysian Teacher Education Institute (IPG). The assessment is on the context dimensions based on the CIPP Assessment Model (Context-Input-Process-Product). Qualitative method by interviewing three pre-service teachers and three lecturers and document analysis was used to answer the research questions. The findings show that the content of PISMP specialization in Islamic Education curriculum with Islamic Education Philosophy is appropriate, comprehensive, and balanced in terms of content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge. Suggestions for improvements to make the curriculum syllabus more detailed have been proposed to make the PISMP curriculum content more enhanced and clear. The implication of the study found that the curriculum content is appropriate and could give a positive impact on pre-service teachers in preparing themselves to be an excellent new teacher and willing to take responsibility as a national education transformation agent

Kegemilangan Islam Melaka di bawah dua generasi pemerintah (1445-1477)

Melaka muncul sebagai pusat perdagangan antarabangsa pada abad ke-15, pelabuhan terulung ini menjadi saksi kepada kehadiran pelbagai bangsa dari seantero dunia yang datang dengan tujuan untuk berdagang dan menjual barangan yang dibawa khusus dari negera masing-masing. Pertembungan budaya, agama, bahasa dan adat telah membawa kepada pertumbuhan budaya dan adat Melayu selain memperkayakan pebendaharaan bahasa Melayu yang menjadi bahasa perantaraan masyarakat pedagang di pelabuhan Melaka. Kehadiran ulama berbangsa Arab ke Melaka telah mebawa kepada perkembangan agama Islam bahkan kedatangan mereka telah memberi kebaikan apabila masyarakat di Melaka majoritinya memeluk agama Islam mengikut saranan raja yang memerintah pada ketika itu. Sejarah di Alam Melayu membuktikan Melaka sebagai pusat perkembangan Islam yang terulung di Asia Tenggara. Peranan Melaka sebagai lokasi perkembangan ilmu pengetahuan Islam telah menjadi bukti bahawa Islam adalah agama anutan yang utama bagi masyarakat Melayu yang menetap di Kepulauan Melayu pada abad ke 15. Usaha dan campur tangan pemerintah telah menjadikan Melaka semakin maju dalam aktiviti perkembangan ilmu dan penyebaran Islam. Kajian ini akan melihat lebih lanjut usaha dan peranan dua pemerintah ulung yang memerintah pada era kegemilangan Melaka dalam meletakan panji Islam sebagai paksi pemerintahan. Kajian ini menggunakan metod kualitatif dan analisis berbentuk deskriptif bagi mendapatkan jawapan kepada persoalan yang dibangkitkan. Hasil daripada kajian ini mendapati, dua orang sultan iaitu Sultan Muzaffar Shah (1445-1459) dan Sultan Mansur Shah (1459-1477) yang bertanggungjawab memastikan Islam terus tersebar di keseluruhan alam Melayu. Selain itu, antara faktor yang menggalakan pertumbuhan Islam di Melaka adalah kerana kestabilan politik, perkembangan ilmu yang pesat dan pengukuhan undang-undang Islam

Children’s art edutainment : the origami paper sculpture as a creativity enhancement device / Siti Ermi Syahira Abdul Jamil ... [et al.]

In nowadays art, the edutainment concept has established as one of the contemporary learning methods. The concept offers diversity forms of experiential learning elements such as exploration, experimenting and playing to gaining a new knowledge. Therefore the research intended to replicated the edutainment concept via sculptural art project (origami) for discover its potential towards intensifying children’s creativity skill. The research has employed the qualitative case study within the pragmatic paradigm, which it involved the documentation on the literature review and the observation instruments as for manage the depth study. The research outcomes have an immense potentiality to contribute a new knowledge towards Malaysian modern art movement, children’s psychology aspect, and as a reference in the academic studies