Improving the tool for analyzing Malaysia’s demographic change: data standardization analysis to form geo-demographics classification profiles using k-means algorithms

Clustering is one of the important methods in data exploratory in this era because it is widely applied in data mining.Clustering of data is necessary to produce geo-demographic classification where k-means algorithm is used as cluster algorithm. K-means is one of the methods commonly used in cluster algorithm because it is more significant. However, before any data are executed on cluster analysis it is necessary to conduct some analysis to ensure the variable used in the cluster analysis is appropriate and does not have a recurring information. One analysis that needs to be done is the standardization data analysis. This study observed which standardization method was more effective in the analysis process of Malaysia’s population and housing census data for the Perak state. The rationale was that standardized data would simplify the execution of k-means algorithm. The standardized methods chosen to test the data accuracy were the z-score and range standardization method. From the analysis conducted it was found that the range standardization method was more suitable to be used for the data examined

Mapping internet coverage in Malaysia’s university campuses: a case study of the Sultan Idris Education University, Perak

ICT revolution has brought changes in the lifestyle of all walks of life including that of the university students. More than ever, the use of information and communications technology is now not only closely linked to higher education but is also imperative to the shaping of that first-class mind fit to function in the present globalization era. The Malaysian government through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has regularly maintained its policy to provide quality internet coverage throughout the nation. This study examined student Wi-Fi accessibility at the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) through geographic information system (GIS) mapping in order to establish the Wi-Fi coverage areas for the students. The data employed were Wi-Fi accessibility observations at the identified locations using a tool known as Wi-Fi analyzer included in the mobile phone. That data were subsequently manipulated in the GIS through ArcGIS 9.3 software. Then, kriging interpolation technique was used to form a coverage area that was divided into four types: strong, medium, weak and very weak. The findings showed that more than 80 percent of the coverage was weak or very weak, pointing to the necessity of providing higher levels of campus-wide internet coverage for the benefit of the students

Tapak warisan arkeologi Lembah Bujang: keunikan arkeopelancongan di negeri Kedah / Farhana Abdullah...[et.al]

Tapak warisan arkeologi yang terletak di sekitar Lembah Bujang mempunyai keunikan tersendiri terutama dari aspek nilai arkeopelancongan Negara. Namun, tapak-tapak ini mempunyai keunikan tersendiri yang perlu di ketengahkan. Tapak pertama yang di temui oleh James Low pada tahun 1840 –an menjadikan kawasan Lembah Bujang diberi tumpuan untuk penyelidikan seterusnya. Kertas kerja ini akan mengupas dan menonjolkan keistimewaan tapak warisan arkeologi Lembah Bujang untuk pengetahuan umum khususnya generasi muda. Tapak warisan yang terdiri daripada candi-candi di sekitar Lembah Bujang melebihi ratusan tahun merupakan sesuatu yang unik dan harus dibanggakan kerana di situlah tercetusnya nilai sejarah sesuatu tamadun bangsa. Kaedah penyelidikan bagi kertas kerja ini adalah berdasarkan kepada kaedah soal selidik dengan menggunakan data Statistical Package For Social Sciences (SPSS) yang telah dijalankan terhadap penduduk, pelancong di sekitar Lembah Bujang iaitu sebanyak 400 responden. Kajian ini mendapati bahawa lokasi pelancongan warisan dan sejarah menjadi tarikan utama arkeopelancongan di Lembah Bujang iaitu berasaskan tapak warisan arkeologi

Model Development on Awareness of Education for Sustainable Schools Development in Malaysia

ἀis article aims to develope the Structural Equation Model (SEM) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) student awareness around Sustainable Schools in Malaysia. ἀe cluster sampling technique was used in selecting the school samples and the respondents were then also selected through simple random sampling among upper second-ary pupils. A questionnaire survey was administered for 447 pupils, to evaluate the aḀer eᴀects of the SLAAS. ἀe results showed that the model has been developed to provide an overview of each construct (knowledge on SLAAS Program, ESD content knowledge, ESD practices knowledge, attitudes of ESD and behavioral constructs of ESD) formed a ᰀt model. ἀe implication of this article showed that SLAAS Program implemented in Malaysia can be an indicator for the achievement of sustainable school

Pengetahuan dan amalan hijau dalam kalangan murid sekolah rendah

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti tahap kesedaran amalan hijau dalam kalangan kanak-kanak. Kajian ini melibatkan 423 orang murid (berumur 10 hingga 12 tahun) di sepuluh buah sekolah rendah di daerah Batang Padang, Perak. Pemilihan sekolah berdasarkan pensampelan kluster dan pemilihan responden menggunakan kaedah pensampelan rawak mudah. Instrumen soal selidik berskala Likert 1 hingga 5 digunakan untuk mendapatkan maklum balas. Pemboleh ubah amalan hijau yang dikaji adalah pengetahuan amalan hijau dan amalan hijau. Pemboleh ubah pengetahuan terdiri daripada empat sub pemboleh ubah, iaitu pengetahuan penjimatan tenaga elektrik, pengetahuan penjimatan air, pengetahuan menjaga alam sekitar dan pengetahuan amalan Recycle, Reduce, Reuse (3R). Sub pemboleh ubah amalan hijau terdiri daripada amalan penjimatan tenaga elektrik, amalan penjimatan air, amalan menjaga alam sekitar dan amalan 3R. Hasil kajian mendapati tahap pengetahuan amalan hijau murid adalah tinggi. Sebaliknya, tahap pemboleh ubah amalan hijau, bagi keempat-empat sub pemboleh ubah (amalan penjimatan elektrik, amalan penjimatan air, amalan penjagaan alam sekitar dan amalan 3R) adalah berada pada tahap sederhana. Analisis hubungan antara pemboleh ubah kajian menunjukkan terdapat hubungan signifikan yang sederhana antara pengetahuan penjimatan tenaga elektrik, pengetahuan penjimatan air dan pengetahuan amalan 3R dengan amalan penjimatan tenaga elektrik dan amalan 3R. Hal ini membuktikan tidak semua pengetahuan memberi hubungan terhadap amalan penjimatan. Dapatan kajian ini membimbangkan jika tidak ada usaha penerusan yang konsisten untuk menerapkan kesedaran amalan hijau. Malah pihak sekolah, ibu bapa dan masyarakat juga turut terlibat memberi contoh teladan amalan hijau yang betul khususnya dalam konteks penjimatan tenaga, penjimatan air dan amalan 3R

Water Quality Assessment of Former Tin Mining Lakes for Recreational Purposes in Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia

A study of the water quality of the former tin mining lakes in Ipoh City was carried out to determine the Water Quality Index (WQI) and classification based on the Malaysia National Water Quality Standards, in order to determine its suitability to be developed as a water recreation area. Five former mining lakes were chosen: Gunung Lang, Taman Indah, Kg. Temiang, Lahat and Kg. Engku Husin. The parameters measured were pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and ammonical nitrogen (NH3N), while the heavy metals measured were lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and arsenic (As). The analytical study shows that four former mining lakes in this research are suitable to be developed for water recreation purposes as they are classified under class II with a WQI greater than 81, which holds a clean status. Only one lake, Kg. Engku Husin, is categorised as class III, which requires an intensive treatment before it can be used for recreational purposes. Meanwhile, heavy metals such as Zn, As and Cu were at the standard level except for Pb, which exceeded the set guidelines. The local authorities and project developers should take appropriate measures to ensure that this former mining lake is well maintained and managed so that it is preserved and suitable to be developed as a recreational area

Penerokaan Indeks Pengetahuan Kelestarian Alam Sekitar Fizikal dalam Kalangan Belia Malaysia

Artikel ini bertujuan untuk meneroka komponen fizikal indeks pengetahuan kelestarian alam sekitar dalam kalangan belia Malaysia dengan menggunakan analisis faktor penerokaan (EFA). Responden terdiri daripada 100 orang belia Malaysia yang dipilih menggunakan teknik persampelan bertujuan. Soal selidik skala Likert 1 hingga 5 digunakan untuk mendapatkan maklum balas. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa item dalam setiap konstruk kajian mencapai kebolehpercayaan yang dapat diterima dengan nilai Cronbach Alpha lebih besar daripada .70 dan memenuhi syarat ujian normaliti. Data kemudian diproses menggunakan EFA pengelompokan item mengikut konstruk yang sesuai. Hasil kajian telah mengenal pasti empat komponen utama pengetahuan kelestarian alam sekitar belia Malaysia daripada 69 item soal selidik, iaitu litosfera, hidrosfera, atmosfera, dan biosfera. Penemuan ini juga menepati syarat nilai indeks yang ditetapkan oleh (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin dan Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity). Ini membuktikan empat komponen yang dinyatakan ini harus dititikberatkan dalam pembinaan instrumen bagi menilai indeks pengetahuan kelestarian alam sekitar dalam kalangan belia Malaysia

Investigating Groundwater Quality in the Flood Prone Neighborhood Area in Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to compare the quality of groundwater during wet and dry seasons in Malaysia especially in Kuala Krai District which frequently involved in annual monsoon floods and the question whether the wells can be used during floods as well as an alternative source when there are no floods. Six sampling stations were selected using six main parameters which included DO, pH, BOD, COD, TSS and NH3N. The assessment was conducted based on the standards set by Malaysian INWQS and the classification of WQI. The results of the analysis showed that most of the water samples taken during the wet season had concentration values that did not meet the DOE standards such as the DO, BOD, and NH3N parameters. Based on the WQI classification, majority stations during the wet season were in moderately contaminated except for station T6 which was clean. On the contrary, during a dry season were found to be clean except for station T1 which was moderately contaminated

International tourist arrivals from China to Malaysia: An empirical analysis

In line with the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan 2020, this study attempts to investigate the determinants of tourism demand in Malaysia by tourists from China. Based on monthly time series data (1995 to 2013), the study employed co-integration and error correction technique in examining the determinants of tourism demand in Malaysia by tourists from China.The findings reveal that income is significant in determining international tourist arrivals from China.As for the alternative destination, the result shows that Thailand is a substitute destination whereas Singapore is a complement destination for Malaysia. Therefore, increase in the prices of tourism in Thailand will increase tourist arrivals from China to Malaysia while a decrease in the prices of tourism in Singapore will increase tourists‘ arrivals from China to Malaysia

Functional changes of Malaysia’s small towns in the era of globalization: evidences from Tanjong Malim, Perak

Economic globalization has paved the way for a greater concentration of modern economic activities in metropolitan cities. Development of manufacturing and office-based economic activities together with residential areas in turn have resulted in the metropolitan cities to grow in size and eventually led to the expansion of urban region incorporating the surrounding large and small towns. However, only towns located along the development corridors will be impacted by the prevailing process, leaving other settlements relatively untouched and stagnant. This study examined current functional changes characterizing small towns in Malaysia with particular reference to Tanjong Malim, Perak. Using data obtained through observations and a household survey, the study found that there was a significant change in the role of Tanjong Malim from mainly acting as a collecting center for agricultural products to a center of manufacturing and services that provided non-farm employment opportunities to its surrounding population. This change suggested that economically Tanjong Malim was growing and would continue to play an important role as a major development centre in Perak. The finding is an important indicator that a small town located outside the mainstream development corridor is capable of transforming its role from a traditional collection centre to a more modern manufacturing and service centre if properly planned. This finding also suggests that a small town can still play a significant role in the economic development of a country even in the era of globalization that often tends to favour metropolitan regions