Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Malaysia: The Concept of Multi-Stakeholder Governance in Solid Waste Policy Implementation

From the past few years, multi-stakeholder governance is one of the captivating concepts that mostly discussed in public administration. Multi-stakeholder governance has represented the modes of governing that involves a multiplicity of informal actors and formal institutions. This new mode of interaction has involving a network of government sectors, non-profit organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and other non-state actors in implementing the public policy. There is many type of public policy and solid waste management policy is one of them. In developing countries, the issue of ineffective policy implementation on solid waste management has grabbed attention of many public policy scholars. Poor multi-stakeholder governance in solid waste policy implementation is one of the main causes. In fact, ineffective solid waste management will brought negative impact to human health, environment and the economy development. Hence, the study of multi-stakeholder governance is very crucial to enhance solid waste policy implementation. This concept paper is critically examines multi-stakeholder governance as a theoretical tool which has potential to advance our understanding on the complexity of policy implementation with regard to solid waste management. This could be an insight for developing countries like Malaysia for achieving sustainable solid waste management. Keywords: Sustainable solid waste management, Multi-stakeholder governance, Policy implementatio

Sikap Masyarakat Terhadap Program Kitar Semula: Kajian Kes Di Daerah Batu Pahat, Johor

A recycling programme is one of the strategies implemented to avoid the risk on increasing number of domestic waste at national dumping sites. Numerous efforts and initiatives are carrying out by the government to reduce waste management cost burdened to national local authorities which yearly contributes about RM1 billion. There are many significant factors contribute to community behaviors towards this particular programmed. In general, it can be classified into two (i) behavioral factor and, (ii) community participation in recycling programmed. This research intends to understand the community behavior towards recycling programmed in the district of Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia. A total of 383 respondents were selected in a random sampling within the municipality and major town in the district. The result of the study indentified that most of the respondents are not involved with recycling programmed in their locality. Therefore, the authorities should consider an integrated and holistic approach in order to reform the recycling programmed to the local context and facilitate to change the mentality among those communities

Relationship of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PaHs) from vehicle emission in air particulate and plant leaves From highway roadsides in Johor, Malaysia

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) produced from the incomplete combustion of the organic and fossil fuel, and are usually attached to the particulate matter from the emission. Abundance of PAHs occurrence in the atmosphere has the ability to accumulate into vegetation. This study, by using selected species of plants is carried out to determine the relationship between the composition of PAHs in plants and the degree of PAHs pollution in the atmosphere to discover the ability of plants to absorb PAHs from the atmosphere. The study is concentrated on 3 toll station along PLUS’ North- South Expressway in Johor. From this study, it was observed that some plants are suitable for absorption of PAHs pollutant from the environment and suitable to be introduced as a medium for biomonitoring

Physical and Socio Economic Affordability Elements that Regulate formal low cost housing tenure in Bauchi Metropolis

Purpose: The current practice housing policies of Nigeria did not highlight on the affordability of formal low cost houses. Low income earners don’t have sufficient income to buy a calorie of foods and meet basic necessities like clothing, rent, fuel, utilities, transport, communications, medical expenses, education, and on a broader sense, housing. Objectives of this study were (i) to investigate the current practices of housing policies in Bauchi Nigeria; (ii) to evaluate the affordability elements in Bauchi Nigeria, (iii) to study the relationship among the FLCH affordability elements in Bauchi Nigeria. Methodology employed includes descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. Findings: The study found that there are no laws, sections or guidelines regulating the affairs of formal low cost housing. The design does not reflect user need; it did not conform to their culture, family background and size. No provision for public participation in the policy documents. Formal low cost houses are located at the peripheries of the town outside trekking distances which repel beneficiaries because of the awkward location. Residents have higher number of defendants, lower income and lower qualification. This study found that design, location, participation, highlight on affordability and family issues have prominent impact on affordability and hence be incorporated in policy document. It can therefore be clinch that formal low cost houses in Bauchi, are not affordable. Conclusively, these affordability elements should be upheld to ensure sustainable formal low cost housing affordability policy for the low income groups. The physical and socio-economic elements are the catalyst in the housing provision aspect. These elements can bridge the wide fissure being the basic features, essentials and the fundamentals of a good policy. Keywords: Affordability elements, formal low cost housing, housing policy issues, house ownershi

Insight of Poverty Income Line as a Determinant of Prudent Home Ownership in the 10th Malaysian Plan

Purpose – This paper will evaluate income line and relate same to housing affordability by the low income earners and the Malaysian vision 2020 mission of attaining a fully developed nation status vide sustainable development indices in the 10th Malaysian housing policy plan. The number of slum dwellers in the world has increased from 715 million in 1991 to 913 million in 2001, and to 998 million in 2005. Projections to 2020 suggest that the world will have up to 1.4 billion slum dwellers. Certainly, if the number of slum dwellers is increasing annually, it seems rather that best practiced housing policy is still deficient (United Nations Human development program 2006, p.16). Government officials are limited in the policy supported actions they are able to take in supporting the housing needs and aspirations of their citizenry. Design/Approach – This paper analyses and sieve ideas from housing programs and sustainable developments. It equally draws criteria which shall be used as an interim assessment of the policy proposals that will pave way for the low income earners to own their homes. Findings - The plan reserve policy programs for home ownership, strategies and programs that shall enable the country to emerge as a high-income nation. The development programs were tuned to the six National Key Results Areas, outlined in the Government Transformation Program, the National Key Economic program Areas of the Economic Transformation Program and the strategic economic reforms in the New Economic Model. The Plan details strategies towards a more focused role for the Government as a regulator and a catalyst for home ownership while upholding the principles of 1 Malaysia: People First, Performance Now to ensure effective delivery of service. But the poverty level has shoot from 3.8 to about 31% as suggested by Jayanath Appundurai. Equally, the RM800 set as the transition line from poverty is not sufficient; RM1886 is proposed to be more reasonable to meet the eight basic necessities. Keywords: Malaysia, Home ownership, Poverty income line and the new economic mode

Investigating Housing Affordability Pursuant to Sustainable Development Mechanisms and the New Malaysian Housing Policy

Purpose – This paper will assess housing affordability and the Malaysian vision 2020 mission of attaining a fully developed nation status vide sustainable development mechanisms in the new Malaysian housing policy plan.Methodology/Design/Approach – This is a policy analysis paper which sieve ideas from housing policy and sustainable developments. It equally draws criteria which shall be used as an interim assessment of the policy proposals and programmes.Findings - The plan contains new policy directions, strategies and programmes that shall enable the country to emerge as a high-income nation. The development programmes were tuned to the six National Key Results Areas, outlined in the Government Transformation Programme, the National Key Economic programme Areas of the Economic Transformation Programme and the strategic economic reforms in the New Economic Model. The Plan details strategies towards a more focused role for the Government as a regulator and a catalyst while upholding the principles of 1 Malaysia: People First, Performance Now to ensure effective delivery of service.Originality/Value – This paper suggest a substantial and assessment of Malaysian new housing policy strategies and programmes. The subject matter relates to the national housing policies, systems and strategies set to ameliorate the impact of house deficit and forge the need for more affordable housing stock. Keywords Malaysia, Housing policy, Housing affordability, Sustainability indicators and mechanism

Information required by the disabled travelers: a case study in Kukup Island, Tanjung Piai, Ledang Hills and Endau-Rompin Forest Park

Disabled tourism is being popular nowadays. However, the current tourism environment is not suitable for the use of disabled. Whether it is domestic or international travel, it involves travelers visiting the far destination from the original residential areas and using the services provided at the destination. Thus, the needs of travelers in terms of information and accessible facilities must be provided to attract tourists. However, incomplete source of information has been identified as a major weakness in disabled tourism. The objective of this paper is to review the information required by disabled travelers before they planned their holidays and to study the facility available in the national park at the study area. From the literature review, it is found that a wide range of information needed such as online accessibility, transportation, accommodation and disabled tourist attraction. Not all the national parks at the study area provided a website with complete information required by disabled travelers. From observation and audit method, it is found that the detailed facility planning should be done to improve the condition of the existing special facilities and building more facilities. Not all park managers are concerned and aware of the needs of disabled travelers. Business opportunities in the tourism sector can be created by addressing these barriers. Many disabled travelers will be planning for holidays if the information provided is complete and the accessibility of the tourism environment is created

Penyelenggaraan dan faedah sistem penuaian air hujan (Spah)

Industri pembinaan memainkan peranan yang sangat penting dalam pertumbuhan ekonomi sesebuah negara. Ia membantu dalam meningkatkan kualiti hidup penduduknya dengan menyediakan infrastruktur sosioekonomi yang diperlukan seperti jalan raya, hospital, sekolah dan kemudahan asas lain. Bagaimanapun, tahap prestasi industri pembinaan di Malaysia dilihat tidak memuaskan, terutamanya dalam pembinaan projek awam. Industri pembinaan telah membawa banyak kesan negatif kepada alam sekitar. Inilah sebab mengapa teknologi hijau sangat digalakkan untuk digunakan dalam industri pembinaan untuk memberi persekitaran yang mampan. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti penerapan teknologi hijau dan mengapa ia perlu digunakan dalam industri pembinaan

Applying Social Return on Investment (SROI) to Build a Sustainable Flood Recovery Project

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important agenda for governments, organisations and academic institutions due to the environmental and social challenges in the world today. Sustainability is no longer all about the environmental aspects but also the social and economic aspects, which can only be achieved by attaining an effective balance between these three aspects. In this regard, a study of Social Return on Investment (SROI) is critical in fostering the means to manifest the importance of these goals and it urges a new approach to define a full value of sustainability. A review of the social impact sectors identifies that SROI is the most effective approach with a solid implementation framework. Therefore, the concept of SROI is reviewed in this paper, as well as its application to government investment in flood recovery projects. This paper is prepared by conducting a series of literature reviews in order to establish a foundation for a new insight for contribution to knowledge. The researchers provides a step-by-step account of SROI implementation on a flood recovery project named “New Permanent Housing†(Rumah Kekal Baharu) RKB project in Kuala Krai, Kelantan. Applying the SROI methodology to the flood recovery project was feasible and provided guidance and interpretation into the project’s impact. Thus, the SROI framework can be a valuable tool for stakeholders to assess the sustainability of social investments in a sustainable environment.   Keywords: SROI, sustainability, sustainable flood recovery project, social impact

Conservation of Living Heritage: Elements in Conserving Portuguese Community’ Cultural Heritage

Rapid urban development in today’s cities poses significant threats to heritage site with deterioration and destruction to the heritage by introduced pollution, political war, growing tourism activities, and natural disaster. The concern for the safeguarding of heritage materials and intangible assets has begun with a series of conservation practice that begins with material conservation, values conservation and living conservation approaches. Conservation of living heritage is by emphasizing the role of core community living in traditional settlement inside heritage area. The city of Melaka was declared as World Heritage Site in 2008 and the living heritage in the traditional village of Portuguese Settlement risking with the extinction of cultural heritage in the future due to insufficient cultural heritage conservation management. The purpose of this article is to highlight the conservation elements being used to conserve living heritage particularly for living heritage community. This article was conducted using qualitative research, by using literature and document analysis on relevant literatures, reports and standards. The result revealed the main factors contributed in conserving the living heritage came from elements of community participation, awareness, good communication, capacity building, and stakeholders’ involvement. The findings indicated that strong relationship among the elements will build a sustainable community within the heritage site particularly for the core community and at the same time conserving its heritage value