Living Heritage Village of Kampung Morten Melaka: Local Community Involvement in Tourism

Community-based Tourism (CBT) involves high community participation at the highest level of decision-making processes, to economic involvement and the giving opinion of the lowest level goal. The purpose of this study is to explore the local community participation in the tourism activities in Kampung Morten, Melaka. The questionnaire survey was conducted using a simple random sampling method among 152 respondents and the results were analysed using crosstabulation analysis. The main findings are the majority of respondents participated in tourism activities and deliberation in tourism activities. Less number of respondents were giving opinions on tourism development and plans. This study is benefitable to the tourism stakeholders to ensure the relevancy of communities staying in living heritage villages to contribute to the domestic tourism industry

Do tourists really intend to revisit Kota Bharu cultural heritage zone?

Cultural and heritage values in most countries have been recognized as resource of social and economic development. However, due to the post modernization of tourism attractions recently has affected few old and heritage sites. Sense of place is believed as one the factors to support the tourists’ motivation including revisiting the place. The study aims to assess the tourists’ motivation to revisit and the sense of place in Kota Bharu Cultural Heritage Zone. 445 questionnaire survey were distributed among domestic and international tourists and were analyzed using ANOVA test. The result indicates that sense of place in Kota Bharu Cultural Heritage Zone does not influence the tourists’ motivation to revisit. The study recommends the state government, local authorities and tourism players to enhance and rejuvenate the ambience of the heritage zone, in order to improve the number of tourist’s arrival to Kelantan hence sustaining the local economic

Energy efficiency and Use of renewable energy for residential buildings - code of practice

This Malaysian Standard was developed by the Working Group on Architecture and Passive Design Strategy under the authority of the Industry Standards Commitee on Building, Construction and Civil Engineering

Adverse effect of anthropogenic activities on water quality of the Sungai Lembing

Water quality of the Sungai Lembing in Kuantan is influenced by anthropogenic activities. This river and its tributaries is important to human as water supply, domestic uses, fisheries, tourism and recreation. The characteristics of water quality in Sungai Lembing need to specify because it may affect the water quality of the river.The objectives of this study were to assess the water quality based on National Water Quality Standard (NWQS) and Water Quality Index (WQI) Malaysia and to identify the source of pollution for sustainable management in the Sungai Lembing. Water quality of Sungai Lembing is determined based on WQI and NWQS and the samples were collected at three different points and two sampling times. The parameters were divided into two types which were in situ measurement and laboratory measurement. Based on the concentration of pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH-3N) and Total Suspended Solid (TSS), the surface water of the Sungai Lembing was found to be slightly polluted. It shows that the mid-stream of the river was discovered to be more polluted contrast with the down and upper stream. It was the evidence of higher anthropogenic activities at that part. In conclusion, the Sungai Lembing is slightly polluted and apparently it is not suitable for tourist spot and the authority should take action to make proper extensive of the water treatment

Factors Influencing Visual Improvement after Phacoemulsification Surgery among Malaysian Cataract Patients

Blindness and visual impairment are part of the global burden of eye disease, with cataract being one of the leading causes of blindness. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting visual acuity (VA) improvement among cataract patients after phacoemulsification surgery in Malaysia. Cataract patients aged over 18 who underwent phacoemulsification surgery between January 2014 and December 2018 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Patients’ sociodemographic, comorbidities, surgical, and related complication factors were extracted from the National Eye Database. The outcome was measured by the difference in visual acuity before and after the operation and was categorized as “improved”, “no change”, and “worse”. A total of 180,776 patients were included in the final analysis. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed “no changes in VA” was significantly higher in patients aged less than 40 years old (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.26), patients with ocular comorbidities (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.53, 1.77), patients who had undergone surgery lasting more than 60 min (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.69), patients who had surgery without an intraocular lens (IOL) (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.26), and patients with postoperative complications (OR: 8.76; 95% CI: 8.13, 9.45). Worsening VA was significantly higher among male patients (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.22), patients who had ocular comorbidities (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.59, 1.96), patients who had undergone surgery lasting more than 60 min (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.57, 2.41), patients who had surgery without an IOL (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.48, 2.80), and patients with postoperative complications (OR: 21.46; 95% CI: 19.35, 23.80). The factors impacting “no changes” in and “worsening” of VA after cataract surgery were the following: older age, male gender, ethnicity, ocular comorbidities, surgeon grade, absence of IOL, intraoperative complication, and postoperative problems

Do tourists really intend to revisit Kota Bharu Cultural Heritage Zone?

Cultural and heritage values in most countries have been recognized as resource of social and economic development. However, due to the post modernization of tourism attractions recently has affected few old and heritage sites. Sense of place is believed as one the factors to support the tourists’ motivation including revisiting the place. The study aims to assess the tourists’ motivation to revisit and the sense of place in Kota Bharu Cultural Heritage Zone. 445 questionnaire survey were distributed among domestic and international tourists and were analyzed using ANOVA test. The result indicates that sense of place in Kota Bharu Cultural Heritage Zone does not influence the tourists’ motivation to revisit. The study recommends the state government, local authorities and tourism players to enhance and rejuvenate the ambience of the heritage zone, in order to improve the number of tourist’s arrival to Kelantan hence sustaining the local economic

Living weritage village of Kampung Morten Melaka: local community involvement in tourism

Community-based Tourism (CBT) involves high community participation at the highest level of decision-making processes, to economic involvement and the giving opinion of the lowest level goal. The purpose of this study is to explore the local community participation in the tourism activities in Kampung Morten, Melaka. The questionnaire survey was conducted using a simple random sampling method among 152 respondents and the results were analysed using crosstabulation analysis. The main findings are the majority of respondents participated in tourism activities and deliberation in tourism activities. Less number of respondents were giving opinions on tourism development and plans. This study is benefitable to the tourism stakeholders to ensure the relevancy of communities staying in living heritage villages to contribute to the domestic tourism industry

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): as an antidepressant

Saffron, Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), is a perennial herb, which earned its popularity as both medicine and spice. It is an inhabitant of different mountainous regions of Asia Minor to Greece, Western Asia, Egypt, and India. The benefits of saffron as an antidepressant are well-documented. Almost 150 volatile and nonvolatile compounds are obtained from the chemical analysis of this plant. Fewer than 50 constituents elucidated and identified so far showed phytochemical characteristics. The major bioactive compounds identified are safranal, crocin, and picrocrocin, which are responsible for its aroma as well as its bitter taste. This review is an attempt to encompass the methods of analysis and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of saffron followed by its efficacious and safe potential

Bicycle lane planning: a site appraisal in Fukuoka, Japan

Cycling is one of the most sustainable modes to commute from one place to another. However, not everyone views bicycles as a fundamental component of the overall transportation system because presently, societies are heavily reliant on private vehicles. In reality, most see it only as a tool for recreational and exercise purposes. This paper seeks to identify the planning and design of bicycle lanes in Fukuoka, Japan. The research applies the site appraisal technique which involves gathering information about comparable site values within four areas i) Hakata station, ii) Ohori Park and Nishi Park, iii) Island city and iv) Fukuoka residential area. The findings identified various policies, guidelines and designs for bicycle infrastructure in Japan. There are significant differences between bicycle road, bicycle lane and sidewalks in Japan and Malaysia. Some of the findings show that Japan is gearing towards an even more bicycle friendly environment with the promulgation of the Promotion of Bicycle Use Act. However, there are also some setbacks such as the ineffectiveness of colored lanes to differentiate between bicycle lanes and pedestrian or vehicle lanes. Malaysia needs a blueprint and guidelines at the state and local levels to designate bicycle lanes and guarantee users’ safety and enjoyment. A specific unit for cycling in transportation related agencies is proposed to make Malaysia a bicycle-friendly city

Bicycle lane planning : a site appraisal in Fukuoka, Japan

Cycling is one of the most sustainable modes to commute from one place to another. However, not everyone views bicycles as a fundamental component of the overall transportation system because presently, societies are heavily reliant on private vehicles. In reality, most see it only as a tool for recreational and exercise purposes. This paper seeks to identify the planning and design of bicycle lanes in Fukuoka, Japan. The research applies the site appraisal technique which involves gathering information about comparable site values within four areas i) Hakata station, ii) Ohori Park and Nishi Park, iii) Island city and iv) Fukuoka residential area. The findings identified various policies, guidelines and designs for bicycle infrastructure in Japan. There are significant differences between bicycle road, bicycle lane and sidewalks in Japan and Malaysia. Some of the findings show that Japan is gearing towards an even more bicycle friendly environment with the promulgation of the Promotion of Bicycle Use Act. However, there are also some setbacks such as the ineffectiveness of colored lanes to differentiate between bicycle lanes and pedestrian or vehicle lanes. Malaysia needs a blueprint and guidelines at the state and local levels to designate bicycle lanes and guarantee users’ safety and enjoyment. A specific unit for cycling in transportation related agencies is proposed to make Malaysia a bicycle-friendly city