Kuching City Research Articles

Augmenting Drainage System in the Old Town of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Padungan, one of the busiest business districts within Kuching City has been facing difficulties due to its age and inability to manage urban runoff. To sustain its historical heritage value without compromising the beauty and ability to discharge urban runoff, environmental needs have called for a change in urban stormwater management. The main objective of this study is to incorporate StormPav Green Pavement along the backstreet of Padungan and to investigate the effectiveness of the permeable road. The methodology used in this study is by means of computer modelling using Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). There are two models built, simulating conditions as (a) current drainage system facility; (b) implementing StormPav Green Pavement along the back of Padungan Street for the purpose of accommodating runoff from the whole two rows of buildings. From the analysis of modelling scenes, implementing the permeable road is a preferable solution as it encompasses both the present and future needs into the design consideration.

Travel mode choice preferences of urban commuters in Kuching City, Malaysia based on stated preference data

One aspect of Kuching City that has not progressed in tandem with the rest of the city is the public transport system, which is relatively old and almost non-existent. Transport and City planners seem to be at their wit’s end in coming up with satisfactory solutions to Kuching’s public transportation woes. In current situation, many proposals, but none have proven workable. As a result, representative buses remain a rare sight on Kuching city’s roads. To achieve a sustainable public transport industry, the old buses need to be regenerated and replaced with modern buses. The objectives of the intended study are to explore the consumer’s travel behaviour by employing mode choice modelling. Consequently, a study was conducted in Kuching City Area by using stated preference technique, analysed and compiled by using SPSS.17 multiple linear regressions analysis. In this context, discrete choice analysis was used to examine the relationship between independent variables (travel time, waiting time, fares and comfort) and dependent variables (choice of respondent whether to consume old bus or choose new bus services). A total of 2000 respondents were interviewed. The findings showed that for the trips purpose, fares and comfortability were the primary factors that reflected the decision or behaviour of the respondents asked. It was discovered that there is a significant relationship between the choice of the respondents and comfortability. It also appeared that longer travel time did not affect for the traveler’s choice at this stage. Hence, the study suggests that the local authority and the bus operators should establish a “quality partnership” and working together in order to come out with a much better and appropriate transport policy and schemes for the existing public transportation systems, especially bus services.

Owners’ Perception towards Sustainable Housing Affordability in Kuching, Sarawak

Since late 1980s, Malaysia has been experiencing accelerated development in its housing sector as a result of rapid urbanisation and economic growth. A similar trend has prevailed in Sarawak where housing has thrived owing to growing market and active supply-demand dynamics. However, the cosmic increase in housing prices since 2012 has raised serious concerns among researchers with regard to how sustainable housing is in this country. Price spiral has led to an acute shortage of housing affordable to the middle-income group. Therefore, alternatives for dealing with housing affordability have to be worked on in steering the future direction of housing in the country. In dealing with such issue, a set of criteria encompassing social, economic and environmental influences would need to be identified and evaluated to determine the best alternative or option available for any particular area. A study was conducted on the city of Kuching and its hinterland. COPRAS was used. The results indicate that an area with a high degree of utility conforms best to sustainable housing affordability while the area with a lower degree of utility performs poorly in this respect. The originality of this research has contributed to new literature in dealing with sustainable housing affordability in Malaysia, particularly in the state of Sarawak.

ALTERNATIVE USE OF ROUNDABOUT AS STORM WATER DETENTION POND

This study explores the concept of utilising roundabout as a component of the urban stormwater system. The research team has developed a drainage model to incorporate a roundabout as dry detention pond. In addition, the model is used to determine the effectiveness of such design by applying the concept virtually on a real-world roundabout at the southeast of UniGarden, a housing estate situated about 17 km from Kuching City of Sarawak. Computer representations of the existing drainage system and roundabout dry detention pond are built using the USEPA SWMM software. The modelling effort shows that the open space provided by a large roundabout is capable of achieving the maximum attenuation of storm flows and is able to hold 100% of runoff from 100-year storm. As empty spaces are increasingly hard to come by in urban areas; therefore, using an open space in a roundabout for dry detention pond is a good example of an innovative drainage system.

Developing Effective Customer Service Employees through Action Re-search: A Malaysian Local Authority Experience

Launching a hotline service is just one stage in the process of dealing with customers. Crucial to meeting its objectives is the development of human resources to implement the hotline. This is to ensure that quality and standard are demonstrated in order to justify its existence. This paper presents the findings and reflection of an action research intervention to improve the Hotline Complaint Service of a local authority, the Kuching City South Council in Sarawak, Malaysia. The action research process in this study involved five mini cycles of planning, acting, observing and reflecting. Visits, participant observations, interviews and questionnaires were used in the data collection process. The data were analyzed using content analysis, and the findings validated through triangulation methods. The findings suggest that there was still room for improvement in the Council’s Complaint Service. An on-the-job experience for the hotline staff was implemented during which a guideline called the “13 Basic Principles in Effective Telephone Handling”; a “Handbook” on services provided by the Public Cleansing Division; and “Form A” were created and implemented. This study shows that action research is an important component of human resource development interventions that provides employees the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills through on-the-job experience to improve their performance and enhance the efficiency and productivity of their organization.

Investigation on Strength Development in RBI Grade 81 Stabilized Serian Soil with Microstructural Considerations

The aim of the research is to investigate the strength development of stabilised local Serian soil with RBI Grade 81 a chemical additive to enhance soil properties in term of strength. Serian is a town which is located about 60 km from Kuching city where the soil was chosen to be treated in this study. The soil sample was mixed with 2%, 6% and 8% of RBI Grade 81 by weight of dry soil and added with water at optimum water content (OWC) to replicate field site conditions. The modified samples were cured in ambient air for 7, 14, and 28 days. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was utilized to analyze surface morphology of the stabilized soil specifically on the formation of bonding between soils and RBI 81 particles. The experimental results show the highest average peak UCS strength achieved was 1071.6 kN/m2 at 14 day curing period with 8% of RBI Grade 81 which is higher than the untreated control sample which was 179.946 kN/m2, showing increment by almost six folds. Hence the RBI 81 stabilization technique enhances the local soil structure by improving the inter-cluster bonding, reducing pore spaces in the soil and subsequently increasing the soil's strength.

THE USE OF STATED PREFERENCE TECHNIQUE TO MODEL MODAL CHOICES

Public transportation especially bus services in Kuching City, Malaysia are relatively old and most of the buses are in state of dilapidation. This gives a very bad image on Kuching city and poor perception especially from the tourists and local consumers. To achieve a sustainable public transport industry, the old buses need to be regenerated and replaced with modern buses. The aim of the study is to explore the consumer’s travel behavior by employing modal choice modelling. Consequently, a study was conducted in Kuching City Area by using stated preference technique, analyzed and compiled by using SPSS.17 multiple linear regressions analysis. In this context, discrete choice analysis was used to examine the relationship between independent variables (travel time, waiting time, fares and comfort) and dependent variables (choice of respondent whether to consume old bus or choose new bus services). A total of 2000 respondents were interviewed. The findings showed that for the trips purpose, fares and comfortability were the primary factors that reflected the decision or behavior of the respondents asked. It was discovered that there is a significant relationship between the choice of the respondents and comfortability. For the trips purpose to school, recreation, shopping and others, most of the respondents preferred to opt for scenario 5 (travel time 20 min, frequency 20 min, fare RM 2.00, and the level of comfort is good with AC system) which gave the highest demand with the percentage of 75.4%, 55.1%, 70.3% and 69.1% respectively. On the other hand, scenario 3 (travel time 30 min, frequency 15 min, fare RM 2.00, and the level of comfort is good with AC system) was chosen for the purpose of working trips with the percentage of 50.5% respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that scenario 5 is the most appropriate condition to be implemented for the future bus services to serve the consumers in Kuching city subjected to a condition whereby the bus operators need to deliver a better, comfortable and reasonable fares bus services. It also appeared that longer travel time did not affect for the travelers choice at this stage. Hence, the study suggests that the local authority and the bus operators should establish a “quality partnership” and working together in order to come out with a much better and appropriate transport policy and schemes for the existing public transportation systems, especially bus services.

E-Business Adoption among Homestay Businesses: The Sarawak Experience

Information technology (IT) is now universally deemed by business organizations as an essential tool that they use to run their business activities and processes. The escalation of internet penetration in Sarawak has augmented new opportunities to the small medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt e-business toward sustaining their businesses. The objectives of this study are to identify factors that influence e-businessadoption among homestays in Kuching, Sarawak and to determine which factor has the most significant influence in its adoption. For the purpose of this study, the reviewed IT adoption model used is the technology-organizationenvironment (TOE) framework. This framework identifies three elements that drive the adoption of technology which are technological, organizational and environmental factors. A totalof 150 homestay businesses within the city of Kuching were chosen to participate in the survey. Data were analysed using correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The findings indicated that organizational factor has the most significant influence on e-business adoption among the homestay owners in Kuching, Sarawak.

Case study of exploited riparian corridors: rapid assessment of ecological health for riparian buffer width

ABSTRACTRiparian corridors are areas immediately adjacent to flowing waters. They are significant in ecological terms as a transitional zone between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, conservation of riparian corridors has been gaining significance in river basin management. In this regard, this study has investigated the riparian buffers that fringed the Riveria residential estate in the city of Kuching, Sarawak, examining its structures and health indices in response to the development gradient. The riparian health assessment presented here specifically considers its associated buffer widths, plus the exploration of three attributes, namely human activities, vegetation cover, and groundwater table. The results show that the most appropriate range of buffer width is between 40 and 100 m. Results also suggest that riparian buffer width is a key factor influencing riparian health and functionality.

Preliminary findings on lifetime trauma prevalence and PTSD symptoms among adolescents in Sarawak Malaysia

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of lifetime exposure to traumatic events and its relation to PTSD symptoms. MethodsParticipants were randomly selected from several schools located in the city of Kuching. There were 85 adolescents participating in this study, with ages ranging from 13 to 14 years old, of whom 31% (n=26) were males and 69% (n=59) females. The Child Posttraumatic Stress Index-Revised, The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and a lifetime trauma checklist were used in this study. ResultsResults showed that 77.6% of participants were exposed to at least one lifetime trauma. The most frequently reported traumas were road accident (20.1%), death of a family member (19.7%), and almost drowning (10%). There was more indirect trauma than direct trauma exposure. Males were more likely to be involved in traumatic events than females. Results showed that 7.1% (6) exhibited PTSD symptoms. There was no significant difference in the mean score of CPTS-RI between genders and among ethnic groups. Total exposure to traumatic events was significantly correlated with PTSD symptoms. ConclusionFindings suggest that number of lifetime traumatic events was quite high and multiple exposures to traumatic events were significantly related to PTSD symptoms.

Prediction analysis of effluent removal in a septic sludge treatment plant: a biomimetics engineering approach.

Effluent discharge from septic tanks is affecting the environment in developing countries. The most challenging issue facing these countries is the cost of inadequate sanitation, which includes significant economic, social, and environmental burdens. Although most sanitation facilities are evaluated based on their immediate costs and benefits, their long-term performance should also be investigated. In this study, effluent quality-namely, the biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total suspended solid (TSS)-was assessed using a biomimetics engineering approach. A novel immune network algorithm (INA) approach was applied to a septic sludge treatment plant (SSTP) for effluent-removal predictive modelling. The Matang SSTP in the city of Kuching, Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, was selected as a case study. Monthly effluent discharges from 2007 to 2011 were used for training, validating, and testing purposes using MATLAB 7.10. The results showed that the BOD effluent-discharge prediction was less than 50% of the specified standard after the 97(th) month of operation. The COD and TSS effluent removals were simulated at the 85(th) and the 121(st) months, respectively. The study proved that the proposed INA-based SSTP model could be used to achieve an effective SSTP assessment and management technique.

First measurements of aerosol optical depth and Angstrom exponent number from AERONET's Kuching site

We report our first measurements, over the 2011 dry season period, of aerosol optical depth, Angstrom exponent number and its fine mode counterpart obtained from photometric measurements at AERONET's newest site located at the city of Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia. This site was set up as part of the collaborative efforts of the Seven South East Asian Studies (7SEAS) regional aerosol measurements initiative. Located at the converging zone between peninsular Malaysia and the land masses of Sumatra, Borneo, Java and Sulawesi, this site is expected to provide first hand evidence about the physical and optical characteristics of the regional aerosol environment, specially during the biomass burning months. Moreover, given its relative proximity to our Singapore radiation measurement super-site, Kuching is expected to provide further insight on aerosol transport pathways caused by seasonal winds transporting smoke to other parts of the maritime continent and the South Asia region.

Modelling of sea level rise and river system

PurposeThis paper aims to present a hydrodynamic river modelling by incorporating river flow and sea‐level rise interactions.Design/methodology/approachPredicted sea levels from renowned studies are put to test on flow scenarios of the Sarawak River in the deltaic city of Kuching, Malaysia. Three cases are drawn for investigation, including one extreme flood event, one normal flow with low tide, and another normal flow with spring tide.FindingsThe model predicts a worst case that nearly 5‐6 km2 of urban land along the Lower Sarawak River would be under water due to the rise.Practical implicationsSuch an indication would draw a clearer picture for strategy and mitigation planning.Originality/valueGenerally sea level estimation involves ocean‐atmospheric modelling. However, the paper argues here that a river model is credible for practical hydrological site‐specific analysis to include increase of sea levels.

Technical note: River modelling to infer flood management framework

River hydraulic models have successfully identified the weaknesses and areas for improvement with respect to flooding in the Sarawak River system, and can also be used to support decisions on flood management measures. Often, the big question is ‘how’. This paper demonstrates a theoretical flood management framework inferred from Sarawak River modelling outputs. The river model simulates the movement of flood waters through river reaches. Information on flood levels and overtopping of embankments is used to guide a flood early warning system. The above-mentioned elements were combined in a logical framework that showed logic sequences and impact indicators for improved flood relief activities in the city of Kuching, Malaysia.Keywords: Flood, framework, InfoWorks RS, logframe, river modelling

Modelling the flood vulnerability of deltaic Kuching City, Malaysia

The main objective of this writing is to present a practical way to envisage the flood vulnerability in deltaic region, particularly on the concern of sea level rise. Kuching city of Malaysia is established on banks of Sarawak River, 30 km from the sea. Therefore, it is subjected to fluvial and tidal floods. Kuching Bay experiences the highest King Tides in Southeast Asia region. These tide magnitudes could be a glimpse of future sea level rise. By means of modelling these tides, it provides an understanding and preparation for the impacts of sea level rise on the flood mitigation infrastructures and the city itself. The modelling efforts had created an illustration that a 10% rise in tide levels would result in increase of flooding areas up to 6% relative to existing tide levels.

An informal field study of some Nepenthes habitats

An informal field survey of Nepenthes habitats (see Figures 1 and 2) was accomplished during four separate trips to the areas around Mount Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia, in 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2007) and around the city of Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysia, in 2006). Measurements were made of soil pH and soil conductivity. Observations were made of soil characteristics, relative humidity, light levels, and other flora located with the Nepenthes plants.

Water quality monitoring of Maong River, Malaysia

A water quality simulation model for Maong River, which flows through Kuching City, in Malaysia was explored with a focus on predicting the dissolved oxygen (DO) parameter. The model simulated the DO levels using the hourly data collected in December 2006. The water quality model was developed to simulate the inflow water conditions and estimate the DO levels at various locations along the river reaches as it flows through the highly populated Maong River catchments. The model adopted a hydrodynamic flow simulation to capture advection and diffusion due to different flow conditions. From the results, it is clear that DO concentrations are clearly affected as the river flows downstream. The correlation of the observed and simulated DO concentration was 0·82.

Towards homogeneity in homes languages

This preliminary study examines the languages used by parents with their children in Malay, Chinese Foochow and Indian Tamil families to find out how the similarity or dissimilarity in parents’ ethnic language influenced the choice of language transmitted to children and how far standard languages have permeated the family domain in Kuching City in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Standard languages refer to the three main written languages taught in the school system, namely, English, Bahasa Malaysia (Malay language) and Chinese Mandarin. Interviews were conducted with 17 families (6 Malay, 6 Chinese Foochow, 5 Indian Tamil). The results showed that the ethnic language is mostly still retained in the Malay and Indian Tamil families but has been pushed out by English and Mandarin Chinese in Chinese Foochow families. English has emerged in parental communication with children to different extents across ethnic group. Bahasa Malaysia, on the other hand, is spoken in Malay families with parents from West Malaysia. Factors found to be influencing the parental decision on language to use with their children include similarity/dissimilarity of the couple’s ethnic languages, their educational background, family and social linguistic environment, instrumental value of languages and ethnic identity.

Towards homogeneity in homes languages

This preliminary study examines the languages used by parents with their children in Malay, Chinese Foochow and Indian Tamil families to find out how the similarity or dissimilarity in parents’ ethnic language influenced the choice of language transmitted to children and how far standard languages have permeated the family domain in Kuching City in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Standard languages refer to the three main written languages taught in the school system, namely, English, Bahasa Malaysia (Malay language) and Chinese Mandarin. Interviews were conducted with 17 families (6 Malay, 6 Chinese Foochow, 5 Indian Tamil). The results showed that the ethnic language is mostly still retained in the Malay and Indian Tamil families but has been pushed out by English and Mandarin Chinese in Chinese Foochow families. English has emerged in parental communication with children to different extents across ethnic group. Bahasa Malaysia, on the other hand, is spoken in Malay families with parents from West Malaysia. Factors found to be influencing the parental decision on language to use with their children include similarity/dissimilarity of the couple’s ethnic languages, their educational background, family and social linguistic environment, instrumental value of languages and ethnic identity.

Voice in Malay/Indonesian

This paper considers the question of the extent to which Malay/Indonesian dialects manifest a voice system similar to the so-called “Philippine-type”, “symmetric” voice systems (the voice system reconstructed for Proto-Austronesian and still found in the Philippine languages, Malagasy, Seediq and many other Western Austronesian languages). We examine in detail, from a pan-Austronesian perspective, the voice systems found in five Malay/Indonesian dialects, prescriptive Standard Indonesian (SI), three Malay varieties spoken in the Malay heartland of Sumatra, BasA Selangon (BS), Sarang Lan Malay (SL), Mudung Darat Malay (MD) and the Malay of the city of Kuching in Sarawak (KM). The syntax of voice in the various colloquial Malay dialects is described as falling out from the interaction of the syntax of phases and a morphological constraint preventing the extraction of constituents which have morphosyntactic properties that conflict with those of the first constituent extracted, a choice which determines the voice of the clause. We observe a cline of erosion of the original Philippine-type voice system across the various colloquial dialects.