Different Regions In Malaysia Research Articles

Development and validation of key antecedents of religious brand attitude: a cross-cultural quantitative analysis using smart PLS

PurposeThe religious-based brands are increasing daily, and different organizations target religious consumers. However, a scarcity of research in developing nations makes it difficult to determine how customers evaluate religious brands. This study aims to develop a model based on Ajzen’s (1985) theory of planned behaviour (TPB). It incorporates the three mediating factors of religious brand attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control.Design/methodology/approachA total of 499 (232 Malay and 267 Thai Muslim) respondents were surveyed systematically by adopting the purposive non-probability sampling technique. Empirically three studies with the extended model were tested in a cross-cultural context.FindingsThe results illustrate that the religious brand attitude affects the buying behavioural intentions of Muslims. The analysis found the significant role of Islamic brand attitude and mediating variables. Islamic brand by the customer is the second most significant component after Islamic brand by country of origin. The research provides a theoretical model for the research foundation and a model to analyse religious brands in diverse backgrounds.Research limitations/implicationsOnly three different religious brand views were considered independent factors in this study, together with the development of TPB behavioural expectations. The research looked at three different regions in Malaysia as well as Thailand. The research also provides a model that can be used to analyse how various customers view well-known companies and religious brands.Practical implicationsResearchers, teachers and practitioners in the domains of advertising, marketing communications, consumer behaviour and sociology will find this study useful.Originality/valueThe authors develop a novel dual religiosity conceptual model to delineate the sequential nature of religious opinion formation, behaviour and consumption of religious brands. In addition, the authors provide an example using the PLS model analysis as a supporting example.

Developing Malaysia's Smart Community-Based Tourism Model

Smart tourism is a 21st-century technological phenomenon where tourism suppliers and tourists are interconnected. The Malaysia National Tourism Policy’s 2020-2030 concurs that one of the tactical strategies to increase visitor’s economy in the rural areas is through ‘digitalization’. Parallel to this, community-based tourism’s (CBT) homestay programs have long been a government’s endeavor in assisting rural tourism’s economics. In heading towards smart tourism, CBT must be consistent with the progress. However, current investigation on CBT’s readiness to accept smart tourism in Malaysia is still infancy. This is a proposed study with objectives to explore the concept of smart CBT within Malaysian context, to investigate the readiness of CBT in Malaysia to adopt smart tourism, and to identify the strategies for Malaysia National Tourism Policy. The study will employ qualitative approach where semi-structured interview will be conducted with industry experts associated with tourism and homestays from different regions in Malaysia. The expected findings will establish the current setting of smart tourism in the CBT context, which will derive input for Malaysia National Tourism Policy.

Weather Index Based Microinsurance for Agriculture Industry

Abstract Agriculture is particularly susceptible to weather fluctuations. Climate change and agriculture productivity are inextricably linked. Thus, agriculture insurance should be introduced in Malaysia to manage losses and help small farmers to be aid from financial risk that is linked to the impact of the weather conditions on the crop yield. This study presents an investigation on the implementation of weather index based crop insurance contract for the states with the high correlation between the crop production and weather indices. The main aim of the study is to identify the appropriateness of the index insurance to selected crops in different regions in Malaysia. The Rainfall Anamoly Index and Standardized Precipitation Index are chosen in this study. Crop data is detrended to remove presence of time trend before determining the correlation between weather indices. The study continued with the computation of the trigger and exit thresholds for weather indices that corresponds to the crop loss using model-based clustering which will be used to calculate the expected annual loss and pure premium for each crop in different locations. The results showed that only several crops in certain locations are affected by weather. This research also includes farmers’ affordability to pay for premium.

Spatiotemporal Variations of Particulate Matter and their Association with Criteria Pollutants and Meteorology in Malaysia

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses a higher risk to human health than coarse particulate matter (PM10). This study aims to determine the spatiotemporal variations of PM2.5 and PM10 in Malaysia and their association with other criteria pollutants and meteorological factors. Hourly data from air quality monitoring stations for the year 2018 were retrieved from the Malaysian Department of Environment and analysed for temporal and spatial scales according to different regions in Malaysia. Further statistical analyses, such as Spearman’s Rank Correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were conducted to study the associations between PM2.5 and PM10 with other main criteria air pollutants, as well as meteorological parameters. Higher mean concentrations of PM2.5 (23 ± 8 µg/m3, range = 4.6–158 µg/m3) and PM10 (32 ± 10 µg/m3, range = 6.0–181 µg/m3) were observed in the central region of the Malaysian Peninsula. The diurnal patterns of PM2.5 and PM10 were in a bimodal pattern and influenced by traffic emissions. The highest mean PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were recorded during the southwest monsoon season, notably in the central region. The Spearman’s Rank Correlation shows that NO2 and CO have a moderately positive correlation (p < 0.01) with PM2.5 (r = 0.47) and PM10 (r = 0.48) in the central regions while all meteorological parameters show significantly weak to very weak correlations with PM. The PCA analysis indicates that the major sources leading to the formation of particulate matter are from the contribution of secondary aerosols and combustion-related sources. The ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 ranged between 0.51 and 0.76 nationwide with the highest mean recorded in the central region (0.72). This study indicates that there is a higher abundance of fine particulate in the ambient air of the urbanised environment and thus a greater likely risk to human health in more developed areas.

Cultural Beliefs on the Causes of Cleft Lip and/or Palate in Malaysia: A Multicenter Study.

To identify the cultural beliefs about the causes of cleft among parents of patients with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate in a multiethnic society in Malaysia and the difficulties encountered in receiving cleft treatment. A descriptive cross-sectional multicenter study based on a study questionnaire was conducted of parents of patients with cleft lip and/or palate. Three centers providing cleft care from different regions in Malaysia: the national capital of Kuala Lumpur, east coast of peninsular Malaysia, and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Parents/primary caregivers of patients with cleft lip and/or palate. There were 295 respondents from different ethnic groups: Malays (58.3%), indigenous Sabah (30.5%), Chinese (7.1%), Indian (2.4%), and indigenous Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak (1.7%). Malay participants reported that attributing causes of cleft to God's will, superstitious beliefs that the child's father went fishing when the mother was pregnant or inheritance. Sabahans parents reported that clefts are caused by maternal antenatal trauma, fruit picking, or carpentry. The Chinese attribute clefts to cleaning house drains, sewing, or using scissors. Cultural background was reported by 98.3% of participants to pose no barrier in cleft treatment. Those from lower socioeconomic and educational backgrounds were more likely to encounter difficulties while receiving treatment, which included financial constraints and transportation barriers. There is a wide range of cultural beliefs in the multiethnic society of Malaysia. These beliefs do not prevent treatment for children with cleft. However, they face challenges while receiving cleft treatment, particularly financial constraints and transportation barriers. Such barriers are more likely experienced by parents from lower income and lower education backgrounds.

Disease prevalence and molecular characterisation of Rigidoporus microporus associated with white root rot disease of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) in Malaysia

White root rot (WRR) disease caused by Rigidoporus microporus is a major disease affecting tropical rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) and some agricultural crops throughout the world. In Malaysia, rubber industry is an important revenue as natural rubber for export and domestic consumption. The objectives of this study were to determine WRR disease prevalence and characterise R. microporus isolates collected from different regions in Malaysia using cultural and molecular characteristics. During July 2017 to May 2018, diseased samples showing WRR symptoms such as presence of basidiocarps and rhizomorphs in five states of Malaysia including Kedah (Baling), Kelantan (FELCRA Machang and Smallholder in Machang), Perak (Ipoh) and Selangor (Sungai Buloh and UPM Serdang), Sarawak (Bintulu) were obtained. In the field observation, all sampling areas were infected by the root rot disease. Findings revealed that field disease incidence was in the range of 5–40% based on random sampling. The collected R. microporus isolates were pure white and displayed fluffy mycelial growth when cultured on malt extract agar (MEA) medium. For molecular identification, BLASTn analysis showed 98–100% identical to existing reference sequences in the GenBank database. All 27 isolates of R. microporus were characterised based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and Beta-tubulin (β-tubulin) gene sequences data. Phylogenetic tree analyses of R. microporus isolates formed two major clades, i.e. Asian and African clades. There was also no clear geographical origin structuring observed within the Asian clade. However, phylogenetic analysis of Beta-tubulin (β-tubulin) gene region revealed distinct geographical origin amongst 27 local isolates. The outcomes of this study provide useful information to improve the existing disease control strategy, hence improving the rubber production in Malaysia.

Proximate Analysis and Safety Profile of Farmed Edible Bird's Nest in Malaysia and Its Effect on Cancer Cells.

Edible bird's nest (EBN) which is solidified swiftlet's saliva contains high nutritional value. It is widely consumed in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. However, previous proximate analysis of Malaysia EBN was not representative of all the regions in Malaysia. In recent years, safety issues such as high nitrate and nitrite contents, presence of heavy metal, adulteration, fungal infection, and cancer cell stimulation were associated with EBN. Hence, this study aimed to determine the proximate analysis, safety profile during normal weather and hazy periods, and its effect on cancer cells stimulation in Malaysia-farmed EBN. Seven raw cleaned EBN samples were sourced from 6 different regions in Malaysia. Proximate analysis and safety profile were performed using official AOCA methods and Malaysian Standard. High protein (53.03–56.37%) and carbohydrate content (27.97–31.68%) with an acceptable level of moisture (10.8–14.04%) and ash (2.22–3.38%) were reported. A good safety profile was obtained with low nitrite and nitrate levels, with undetectable heavy metals and no significant growth of pathogenic microorganism except mould. Epidermal growth factor was detected but below the quantification level with the chicken EGF ELISA kit. The microculture tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed for growth stimulation assessment comparing human EGF and EBN. There was no significant cell growth observed in cancer cells after EBN treatment. In conclusion, EBN Malaysia has a good nutritional profile, free of heavy metals, and an acceptable level of nitrate, nitrite, and microorganism profile except for mould contents. Furthermore, the in vitro study indicated that EBN was not associated with cancer cell growth.

Verification and evaluation of monochloropropanediol (MCPD) esters and glycidyl esters in palm oil products of different regions in Malaysia

ABSTRACTThis study was conducted to investigate on the effect of different sampling regions of palm-refined oils and fats on the 2- and 3-monochloropropanediol fatty acid esters (MCPDE) and glycidol fatty acid esters (GE) levels. The American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) Official Method Cd 29a-13 on the determination of MCPDE and GE in edible oils and fats by acid transesterification was successfully verified and optimised, with slight modification using 7890A Agilent GC system equipped with 5975C quadrupole detector. The determined limits of detection (LOD) for MCPDE were 0.02 mg kg-1 and 0.05 mg kg-1 for GE. The method performance has showed good recovery between 80% and 120% for all pertinent compounds with seven replicates assayed in three separate days. Round robin test with two European laboratories, i.e. Eurofins and SGS, has shown compliance results with those of the present study. Among the sampling regions, only one refinery located in the central region of Malaysia showed a significant increment of the MCPDE and GE levels after refining process. The GE level averaging at 2.5 mg kg-1 was slightly higher than that of 3-MCPDE averaging at 1.3 mg kg-1. Both esters were preferentially partitioned into the liquid phase rather than the solid phase after fractionation. However, the overall results exhibited no direct correlation between the esters content and the different sampling locations of the palm oil products in Malaysia. Analysis of total chlorine content also displayed significant variations between sampling locations which clearly show its effect on the chlorine content in the CPO samples.

The causal agent of anthracnose in papaya fruit and control by three different Malaysian stingless bee honeys, and the chemical profile

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that leads to a serious quality problem on a wide range of fresh produce. The current study attempted to investigate the potential of antifungal activity in Malaysian stingless bee or kelulut honey (KH) against anthracnose disease in papaya. KH was obtained from bee honey collectors from three different regions in Malaysia i.e Selangor, Kelantan and Sarawak. The screening for antifungal activity was performed via poison agar method using in vitro and in vivo assays against postharvest fungus Colletotrichum sp. The presence of the fungus was detected and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as a morphological technique. Results indicated 15% concentration of KH exhibited potent inhibitory effects and suppressed the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum sp. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed the rupture of the spores of fungus treated with 15% concentration of KH solution and degradation of hyphal growth.Further study was conducted on the KH solution for the detection of phenolic and flavonoid compounds by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector. Results demonstrated that all of the samples contained gallic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and salicylic acid as phenolics compounds while naringenin and kaempferol as flavonoid compounds, which could contribute to the antifungal potential.

Variation of δ2H, δ18O & δ13C in crude palm oil from different regions in Malaysia: Potential of stable isotope signatures as a key traceability parameter

A total of 33 crude palm oil samples were randomly collected from different regions in Malaysia. Stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) was determined using Flash 2000 elemental analyzer while hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions (δ2H and δ18O) were analyzed by Thermo Finnigan TC/EA, wherein both instruments were coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. The bulk δ2H, δ18O and δ13C of the samples were analyzed by Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA). Unsupervised HCA and PCA methods have demonstrated that crude palm oil samples were grouped into clusters according to respective state. A predictive model was constructed by supervised OPLS-DA with good predictive power of 52.60%. Robustness of the predictive model was validated with overall accuracy of 71.43%. Blind test samples were correctly assigned to their respective cluster except for samples from southern region. δ18O was proposed as the promising discriminatory marker for discerning crude palm oil samples obtained from different regions. Stable isotopes profile was proven to be useful for origin traceability of crude palm oil samples at a narrower geographical area, i.e. based on regions in Malaysia. Predictive power and accuracy of the predictive model was expected to improve with the increase in sample size. Conclusively, the results in this study has fulfilled the main objective of this work where the simple approach of combining stable isotope analysis with chemometrics can be used to discriminate crude palm oil samples obtained from different regions in Malaysia. Overall, this study shows the feasibility of this approach to be used as a traceability assessment of crude palm oils.

Characterization of Shigella sonnei in Malaysia, an increasingly prevalent etiologic agent of local shigellosis cases

BackgroundShigellosis is a major public health concern worldwide, especially in developing countries. It is an acute intestinal infection caused by bacteria of the genus Shigella, with a minimum infective dose as low as 10–100 bacterial cells. Increasing prevalence of Shigella sonnei as the etiologic agent of shigellosis in Malaysia has been reported. As there is limited information on the genetic background of S. sonnei in Malaysia, this study aimed to characterize Malaysian S. sonnei and to evaluate the prospect of using multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) for subtyping of local S. sonnei.MethodsForty non-repeat clinical strains of S. sonnei isolated during the years 1997–2000, and 2007–2009 were studied. The strains were isolated from stools of patients in different hospitals from different regions in Malaysia. These epidemiologically unrelated strains were characterized using biotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and MLVA.ResultsThe two biotypes identified in this study were biotype a (n = 29, 73%) and biotype g (n = 11, 27%). All the 40 strains were sensitive to kanamycin, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. Highest resistance rate was observed for streptomycin (67.5%), followed by tetracycline (40%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (37.5%). All the S. sonnei biotype g strains had a core resistance type of streptomycin - trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole - tetracycline whereas the 29 biotype a strains were subtyped into eight resistotypes. All the strains were equally distinguishable by PFGE and MLVA. Overall, PFGE analysis indicated that S. sonnei biotype a strains were genetically more diverse than biotype g strains. Cluster analysis by MLVA was better in grouping the strains according to biotypes, was reflective of the epidemiological information and was equally discriminative as PFGE.ConclusionsThe S. sonnei strains circulating in Malaysia throughout the period studied were derived from different clones given their heterogeneous nature. MLVA based on seven selected VNTR loci was rapid, reproducible and highly discriminative and therefore may complement PFGE for routine subtyping of S. sonnei.

Patterns and Factors Affecting Wives’ Influence in Family Purchase Decision-Making in Urban Malaysia

Family purchase decision-making is the process by which decisions regarding purchases for the families are made. The roles played by family members differ with regard to the products being purchased, the stage in the decision-making process, and the characteristics of families and spouses. This study aims to investigate the family purchase decision-making process in urban Malaysia and the factors aff ecting this process. Taking into consideration past research, four hypotheses were developed. These hypothese were based on products / services, stage of the decision-making process, and selected demographic variables (income, occupation, education). A survey using a structured questionnaire was used to collect data (N=1,000) in four different regions in Malaysia (Klang Valley, Penang, Kuantan, Johor Bahru). The findings of this study revealed that the majority of the products/services purchased for the family was a joint decision. The wives’ infl uence generally decreased in the outcome stage, i.e., when products were actually purchased. The analyses of the effects of the selected demographic variables revealed that generally, there were significant effects of these variables on the majority of the purchases. Keywords: Decision-making, demographic variables, family purchases, role structure, wives’ influence.

Occurrence and Pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. on the potato tubers in Malaysia

Dry rot of potato caused by Fusarium species is a common and commercially important disease of potato tubers found in all production areas of the world, including Malaysia. The objective of this study was to identify Fusarium species associated with wet market potatoes and their pathogenicity on potato tubers in Malaysia. In this survey, 65 Fusarium strains were isolated and identified from diseases decayed potato's segments collected from different regions in Malaysia. All of these 65 isolates, which belong to two morphotypes of Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) and Fusarium oxysporum, were evaluated to study their pathogenicity on healthy potato tubers. The tubers rot symptoms were observed on the 21st day after inoculation of F. solani and F. oxysporum strains on the tubers tested. In the tubers inoculation tests, lesion sizes were quite variable; therefore, the measurement was done to compare the depth and width of lesion expansion among the strains. The results of the pathogenicity test revealed that F. solani isolates FSO4, FSO12 (morphotype I), FSO18 (morphotype II) and F. oxysporum isolates FOX4 and FOX16 were strongly pathogenic to inoculated potato tubers. The inoculated fungi were re-isolated from the diseased potato tubers to prove the Koch’s postulates. The present study showed that two morphotypes of F. solaniwere associated with tuber rot of potato in Malaysia. This is the first comprehensive report on identity and distribution of major pathogenic fungi causing potato dry rot in Malaysia. Key words: Occurrence, pathogenicity, dry rot, potato, Malaysia.

Optimal configuration assessment of renewable energy in Malaysia

This paper proposes the use of a PV–wind–diesel generator hybrid system in order to determine the optimal configuration of renewable energy in Malaysia and to compare the production cost of solar and wind power with its annual yield relevant to different regions in Malaysia namely, Johor, Sarawak, Penang and Selangor. The configuration of optimal hybrid system is selected based on the best components and sizing with appropriate operating strategy to provide a cheap, efficient, reliable and cost-effective system. The various renewable energy sources and their applicability in terms of cost and performance are analyzed. Moreover, the annual yield and cost of energy production of solar and wind energy are evaluated. The Simulations were carried out using the HOMER program based on data obtained from the Malaysian Meteorological Centre. Results show that, for Malaysia, a PV–diesel generator hybrid system is the most suitable solution in terms of economic performance and pollution. However, the cost of production of solar and wind energy proved to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the energy produced from diesel generators.

Why do Malaysian customers patronise Islamic banks?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the main factors that motivate customers to deal with Islamic banks particularly in a dual banking environment, like in the case of Malaysia. A discussion on factors relating to corporate social responsibility initiatives as part of potential customers' banking selection criteria is also included.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents primary data collected by self‐administered questionnaires involving a sample of 750 respondents from four different regions in Malaysia. The Islamic banking criteria ranking as perceived by the respondents are analysed using Friedman Test. To further explore the customers' understanding of the banking criteria, an exploratory factor analysis is employed.FindingsThis study reveals that the selection of Islamic banks appears to be predominantly a combination of Islamic and financial reputation and quality service offered by the bank. Other factors perceived to be important include good social responsibility practices, convenience and product price.Practical implicationsThe empirical evidence of this paper affects two aspects; first, Islamic banks must offer quality services while maintaining its Islamic credential and reputation; second, Islamic banks should also embrace good customers services policies to reap its potential as a strategic tool to achieve competitive advantage, enhance reputation and secure customers allegiance. This research will be of interest to both incumbent and potential entrants into this niche market.Originality/valueThe paper reports findings from the first nationwide study carried out in the area of Islamic banking selection criteria.