Malaysian Managers Research Articles

Competency Requirement for Effective Property Management in Malaysia

A knowledgeable and skilled property manager will add value to the assets and increase customer satisfaction. Weaknesses in this aspect will affect the efficiency of a property manager in managing complex issues in real estate. This study focuses on competency requirements for effective property management in Malaysia. The objectives are to determine competency requirements for property manager in Malaysia and to analyse the relationship between competency requirements with practices of property management. The quantitative method was used through the questionnaire with 81 sheets distributed to the property manager. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used for analysing the data. Skills segment and duties and responsibility were analysed with improved knowledge and skills, and the needs for essential skills variables. The result shows that strong communication skills and tenant control are the most important skills for a property manager. On the other hand, paying maintenance costs and collecting rent and property fees are the highest duties and responsibilities of the property manager. Based on the correlation analysis between competency requirement and practice, it was found that tenant control has the highest correlation with saved money variables in the essential skills segment.

User Perception on The Waste Utilization in The Upcycled Garden Design at Taman Samudera, Seri Manjung Perak

Many cities becoming unsustainable due to the massive volumes of unrecycled municipal garbage that end up in suburban landfills. Our culture, on the other hand, appears to be generating trash in an almost inevitable manner. However, in the recent years, the merits of using salvaged and upcycled materials are started to be addressed in the landscape design and recently arose in the hardscape construction. This highlights the importance of educating people, raising awareness and promoting a better way of dealing with solid waste. Based on studies conducted in Taman Samudera, Seri Manjung, Perak, this paper attempts to analyze the user perception on the waste utilization for the upcycled garden design. This quantitative research was conducted in two phases; Phase 1; to study the user awareness, user acceptance and user preference on the upcycling hardscape and Phase 2; to propose a landscape master plan of the upcycled garden. The respondent (n=92) involved in this study are the residents of Taman Samudera, Seri Manjung, Perak. It shows that most of the respondents were aware and accepted the use of recycled materials in the upcycled garden. The finding indicates that the highest mean score for preferred recycled material used for hardscape construction were plastic bottles, tyres, and Compact Discs were suitable to be included in the master plan of the upcycled garden. The proposed Upcycled Garden at Taman Samudera, Seri Manjung, Perak will be a valuable recreational area that is environmental friendly while educating the public tackling the serious issues of poor recycling rates and waste management in Malaysia.

Defect management of hospital buildings

Healthcare organisations are increasingly recognising the need to improve building performance in order to improve health care delivery, profits, and to reduce penalties. Hospital maintenance organisations are under constant pressure to plan maintenance work due to a shortage of funds on account of huge catalogues of defects in hospital buildings. While investments in hospital building maintenance are increasing, the requirement to increase building performance and user satisfaction is also increasing. The nature of building faults and the factors that influence hospital building maintenance management in Malaysia were explored. Primary data were collected through structured interview techniques involving six hospital maintenance organisations. According to the results of a survey interview involving six hospitals, water seepage, cracks, peeling paint, broken ironmongery, pipe leakage, damaged plasterboard, and discoloured paint are all widespread in hospital structures, according to the results of a survey interview involving six private and public hospitals. The key aspects that determine the maintenance management practise of hospital buildings are user attitudes, misuse/abuse, weather, and bad maintenance practice. The data revealed that hospital building users are demanding improved building performance through enhanced maintenance management service delivery. Implicit in the findings of this research is the lack of effective maintenance organisations. It is necessary to reorganise the hospital's maintenance organisations. From an ontological standpoint, the main findings of this study are generalizable to other hospitals and building typologies in and outside of Malaysia.

Water Distribution and Non-Revenue Water Management Scenario in Asian countries: Malaysian Perspective

It is being estimated by the World Bank that the operations and maintenance cost for the basic water and sanitation services (WASH) is expected to increase from 4 to 30 Billion USD per year by 2030 which substantially surpass the capital cost of basic WASH services. Still the local and global funding prioritize the capital investment in the current water infrastructure resulting in the lack or no funding for the operation and maintenance mandates especially in the developing countries of Asia due to insufficient revenue generated from consumers to cover the operational and maintenance costs. This has subsequently caused an adverse impact on the financial utility and services rendered to consumers. Many water utilities are facing difficulties with high amount of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) for the past few years. Water utilities are being forced to consider implementing an efficient NRW reduction strategy due to the rapid population growth and industrialization raise the water demand and put pressure on the water resources. Public water utilities are expected to apprehend the demand by increasing the capacity. On the other hand, to solve the increasing water demand it is not enough to just increase the capacity and production. Combine both Non-Revenue Water and the increasing of capacity is more efficient rather than a single approach plan. In Malaysia, there is 35% of non-revenue water loss and mostly are caused by pipe leakages and breakage. This paper aims to assess the NRW reduction strategies by analysing the factors affecting, and challenges faced by Malaysian water utilities in reducing NRW rates. This paper also evaluates the public perception on Non-Revenue water management to establish a way to develop public participation in Non-Revenue Water reduction program. Finding shows that public participation in Non-Revenue Water reduction management in Malaysia remains lacking as many respondents indicate a lack of knowledge and awareness in non-revenue water. Participation from the community to achieve a sustainable water source management is important to enhance Malaysia’s water safety. The paper will provide an insight to the water distribution in the Southeast Asian countries and will especially emphasize on the crisis of non-revenue water its implications and possible measures and strategies to improve the situation.

Blockchain-based adoption framework for authentic land registry system in Malaysia

Land registration systems are very essential for property ownership management. The exited land registry systems are less efficient and time-consuming and expose to human errors. By using blockchain technology, most of the principles of good governance in land administration such as transparency and efficiency can be fulfilled. However, there is a lack of experience in developing blockchain-based land registry systems. This paper proposes a blockchain-based adoption framework for land registry management in Malaysia. It elaborates more on developing a prototype that fulfills the main functions of current land registration by using smart contract functionalities. Also, this paper illustrates the main challenges of adopting this technology such as expertise shortage of software developers, implementation difficulties due to scalability of the land transactions, data sharing with different types of blockchain and lack of security attacks resistance. Therefore, there is a need to form an agreed-upon blockchain development platform that meet such constraints.

Senario Umum Pengurusan Sisa Pandemik COVID-19 di Malaysia: Satu Tinjauan

Malaysia recorded 880,782 cumulative confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 6,613 deaths as of July 15, 2021. The impact of the high number of infections and movement control order (MCO), Malaysia experienced a 60% to 70% increase in total household waste generation and 120% to 150% increase in healthcare waste. This study aims to conduct a systematic literature review on the general scenario of COVID-19 pandemic waste management in Malaysia. The research methodology is by referring to the literatures in the scholar sites including Scopus, Web of Science and Malay Language journals using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) model. English journals were screened using the Central Access Database for Impact Assessment (CADIMA) software, while Malay journals screening was conducted using the Academia.edu search engine. The screening results found that a total of 43 articles out of 571 articles were identified to meet the study criteria. The findings of this study present the pandemic situation in Malaysia, the impact on waste management, the updating of guidelines by the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the flow of waste management procedures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic period. This study provides insights into the infectious waste management implemented in Malaysia, elucidating how waste management affects the spread of infection and necessary information on healthcare waste management procedures that have been updated by WHO (2020). Proposed further study on the waste management process in depth based on the guidelines that have been updated by WHO (2020) in health centers, residential areas and public places.

The Impact of Audio-Visual Aids on Learning English among MSU Third-Year Students

This study investigates the efficacy of audio-visual technologies in assisting MSU third-year students in learning English vocabulary. The interplay of audio-visual aids in educational conversations has been researched from a variety of perspectives (Tuovinen, 2000). Multimedia is a multimodal experience in which information is communicated through text, graphics, pictures, audio, and video. It has been demonstrated that a combination of words and images always carries a substantial quantity of information (Mayer, 2018: 55). The use of multimedia in teaching and learning. The goal of this research is to determine the efficiency of audiovisual aids in the learning of English vocabulary among MSU third-year students. The use of multimedia in instruction and learning threatens the foundations of higher education. The current study investigates how third-year students at Malaysia's Management and Science University use multimedia in their English studies (MSU). To fulfill the study's aims, the researchers used both a qualitative and quantitative approach. An online poll of 200 students enrolled in the Bachelor of English as a second language program was used to construct the study corpus (BTESL). In addition, 150 MSU students from the same program were polled. The study's findings indicate that multimedia inspires BTESL students to learn English creatively and engagingly. It also aroused students' attention and compelled them to learn new terms. Multimedia, according to the study, is an excellent tool for third-year English students. It also helps students enhance their understanding of correct terminology and language.

THE ROLE OF NATIONAL TASK FORCE IN RESPONDING TO ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Border security is an essential component of Malaysia’s defence and security policy. During the COVID-19 outbreak, Malaysia’s border security management was tested with the increase of illegal entry into the country. The central argument of this paper is that, whilst Movement Control Order (MCO), or lockdown as it is more commonly known, aims to restrict movement, this limited movement was exploited for illegal entries into the country, leading to the establishment of the National Task Force (NTF), which coordinated various enforcement agencies to safeguard Malaysian territory. On this ground, this paper aims to analyse the role of the NTF in responding to increasing illegal activities amidst the pandemic. The discussion is divided into: (a) identifying illegal entries during the pandemic; (b) the impact of illegal entries to border management in Malaysia; (c) examining the roles of the NTF in responding to the illegal activities; and (d) the impact of the NTF in border security management in Malaysia. As a preliminary study, this paper only uses secondary data collection in addressing the problem statement. Keywords: National task force; COVID-19 pandemic; Illegal activities; Illegal immigrants; Border security managemen

Management for Paddy, Oil Palm, and Pineapple Plantations in Malaysia: Current Status and Reviews

Heavy rainfall causes a loss of fertiliser to the environment, and it leads to environmental issues such as eutrophication. Replenishment of fertiliser to replace the loss imposes a financial impact since frequent applications are costly and labour intensive. Therefore, investigations on proper fertiliser application in maintaining good soil pH, improving plant growth, and increasing crop yield from various plantations across Malaysia are of paramount importance. Meanwhile, limited agricultural-related studies about crop management in Malaysia have been done. This study presents a state-of-the-art review of Malaysia’s paddy, oil palm, pineapple plantations, and the existing nutrient management and fertilisation practices throughout the crop cycle. A systematic study of the existing crop management in terms of farming practices, nutrient management, and fertiliser application on the plantations of paddy, oil palm, and pineapple in Malaysia was carried out. Industry overviews for these three crop types based on past situations and future directions are also included. Recommendations on how to better manage these plantations are also outlined to promote a better understanding of the past, current, and future direction of the agricultural activities and management for principal edible crops like paddy, oil palm, and pineapple in Malaysia.

Identification of Successful Delivery Factors for Stakeholder Management in Public-Private Partnerships Projects in Malaysia

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) have been common in civil engineering works involving public and private sectors. PPP manages complex projects and involves multiple stakeholders. Stakeholders in the PPP projectneed to be properly managed to achieve project goals, minimise risk, andaccommodate stakeholders' interest. Poor management of stakeholder could lead to project failure. Hence, this paper aims to identify stakeholder management's success factors towards successfully delivering PPP infrastructure projects in Malaysia. A quantitative approach via questionnaires survey was conducted on 70 respondents from multiple stakeholders'backgrounds, namely public authority, consultants, contractors, and financiers involved in PPP infrastructure projects in Malaysia. The survey was provided to the respondents with a list of the success fa ctors. The responderswere asked to rate thesuccess factors contributing to successful delivery factors for stakeholder management based on the scale provided. The result concluded from four (4) stages of stakeholder engagement: stakeholder analysis,stakeholder engagement, stakeholder management action plan, and monitoring. A list of success factors for successful stakeholder management was developed by showing the relationship between stakeholdermanagement and success factors. This component encapsulated the success factors perceived as the success factors contributing to the successful delivery of stakeholder management in Malaysia. The finding highlights on four (4) stakeholder management issues that need to be focused in PPP infrastructure projects. These include the need for a goodstakeholder management process, the strategy to engage thestakeholders through clear and honest communication, a proper project communication plan to oversee overlapping in the process, and to monitor relationships of stakeholders during operations.

Saving Management in Malaysia

Saving management is about empowering and enlightening consumers so that they are well prepared about finance in a way that is relevant to their lives. Koid (2008) denotes that challenges faced by Malaysian in disabling them to protect their finances are low level in mastering financial literacy, poor saving rates, complex products and services, access to a variety of financial products and costs of living. Savings can be lifesavers during an individual’s financial downturn. Today, financially we can be in a good position but nobody knows what will happen in the future. But one thing is for sure, our savings today would certainly save our financial pitfall in the future. Therefore, it is vital for an individual to empower themselves a good saving habit. Therefore, this paper endeavors to analyze the key determinants of saving management in Peninsular Malaysia. Survey forms were distributed to 2500 working adults in Peninsular Malaysia, ages ranging from 18 to 45 years old. Meanwhile, the method employed in this study is multiple regression analysis. Further, this study highlight that parents’ characteristic, investment skill, financial literacy and expenses management are the important factors in enhancing and increasing the level of saving skills in Malaysia.

Does Fund Managers's Human Capital Add Value for The Fund Performance in Malaysia

This study examines the integration of fund managers' human capital characteristics (including education, gender, race, experience, age, team manager) relative to the fund performance model. A few previous empirical studies paid attention to human capital characteristics and mutual fund performances based on developed markets and have obtained mixed result findings. However, very little attention has focused on fund managers' human capital characteristics in the Malaysian mutual funds industry. Hence, this study attempts to fill this research gap.Based on a sample of Malaysian mutual fund managers, data is sourced from fund management companies, Thomson One database and fund master prospectus, from January 2012 to December 2014. The study employing ordinary least squares (OLS) and three-stage least squares (3SLS) methods to integrate fund performances and human capital characteristics with single and simultaneous equations based on asset pricing models. Keywords: Human capital, fund manager, fund performance.

Correlation and Exploratory Factor Analysis on Awareness of Solid Waste Management in Malaysia

The objective of this study is to determine the awareness on solid waste management in Malaysia using an exploratory factor analysis. A questionnaire is developed and comprised of two sections, which are Section A for the background of respondent and Section B for the awareness on solid waste management. The sample for this preliminary study is 261 respondents. An exploratory factor analysis was implemented in order to classify the 19 items into specific proposed components. Moreover, the correlation analysis is conducted to examine the relationship between the items. As a result, the study revealed that the 19 items can be classified in to five main components which are awareness, practice, knowledge, attitude and perception. Thus, the results lead to formulate a new questionnaire. In addition, the new questionnaire will be distributing in future for identify the level of awareness on solid waste management among citizen in Malaysia.

ANALYSIS OF HALAL ASSURANCE MANAGEMENT ON IMPORTED FOOD PRODUCTS IN MALAYSIA

The entry of imported food products into Malaysia is on an increasing trend. However, the halal monitoring and enforcement system's weakness has given room to irresponsible entrepreneurs not conforming to the manual procedure for Malaysia's halal certification. This weakness gives rise to various malpractices, including the smuggling activities, forgery of international halal logo and certificate, and attempts of contaminating with nonhalal ingredients in the food processor. The management of the halal assurance system on imported food products in Malaysia is carried out by JAKIM and other government agencies such as the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs (KPDNHEP), Ministry of Health (MOH), Food Safety Information System of Malaysia (FOSIM), Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS), Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and Local Authority. The monitoring and enforcement are based on Manual Procedure for Malaysian Halal Certification (MPPHM), Malaysian Standard (MS), Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (TDA 2011), and other related directives. Therefore, despite many agencies contributing to this matter, an analysis of Halal Assurance Management on Imported Food Products in Malaysia is crucially needed to manage halal monitoring and enforcement. This study may contribute to halal management in Malaysia to develop a systematic halal assurance management system, particularly for imported food products. This study can provide a guideline for imported food product entrepreneurs in conforming to the act, regulations, procedure, and standard specified by the authorities. The implication of this study also benefits the consumers. They will become more confident in the halal status of imported food products and entrust the Malaysian management of halal assurance in the monitoring and enforcement system.

Impact of an Educational Training Program on the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceived Barriers of Community Pharmacists Towards Obesity and Overweight Management in Malaysia.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of an educational training program on the knowledge, attitude and perceived barriers of community pharmacists (CPs) towards obesity and overweight management.Methods: This interventional study, which consisted of an educational training program, was conducted on a single cohort of Malaysian CPs. Thirty CPs attended the educational training program. The educational training program was delivered through didactic lectures, case studies and small group discussions, and consisted of various sessions covering different topics related to weight management. A validated questionnaire was used to assess the impact of the intervention on the CPs' knowledge, attitude, and perceived barriers.Results: The overall mean knowledge score increased both immediately after (14.93 ± 1.62) and 30 days following the intervention (17.04 ± 2.51), and the increment was statistically significant 30 days following the intervention (p = 0.001) compared to both pre-intervention and immediate-post intervention stages. After the intervention, the participants had a more positive attitude towards the provision of weight management service (WMS) in community pharmacies. They had significantly stronger perceptions about the importance of their role to manage overweight and obesity and their professional competence to treat obese patients. In addition, the barrier of not having space in pharmacy to perform proper counselling for weight management and the barrier of not having training sessions in the area of obesity management were perceived to be significantly less important post-intervention.Conclusion: This study showed the potential positive impact of an educational training program on CPs knowledge, attitudes and perceived barriers towards WMS.

Improving National Park Management in Malaysia: Towards greater community participation

The study evaluates the wider impacts of a national park within the scope of an integrated environmental hub at the global and local level covering, first, divulges concepts relating to the current governance approach to national park management; second, empirical review in lieu with effective management of protected areas demonstrated by co-management and community-based management approach, third, a brief look at two referral case studies, ie. Zagatala-Balakan Biosphere Reserves, Azerbaijan and Comana Natural Park, Romania; and fourth, addressing the efficiency use of local resources associated to those areas. Finally, evaluation on the way and strategy forward for country’s intention to gauge on the potentials of National Park. Keywords: Bio-diversity; National Parks; Protected Areas; environment eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6iSI5.2943

Correlation Analysis and Multilinear Regression Model for Prediction on Solid Waste Generation in Malaysia

Increased volumes of solid waste generation continue unabated due mainly to rapid population increase, urban migration, economic enhancements, and modern lifestyles. Two significant factors contributing directly to the higher volumes of solid waste generation are population and gross domestic product (GDP). In Phase 1 of this study, a correlation analysis with a Pearson coefficient of more than 93% (r > 0.93) shows a strong positive linear relationship between the amount of solid waste generation and population and GDP. Phase 2 provides a multilinear regression analysis and the development of a regression model. They indicate that a 1-unit increment in the amount of solid waste generation is caused by 0.06 of the population and 0.119 of GDP while ßo remains constant at 124.449. Therefore, the multilinear regression model in this study can be applied by solid waste management authorities in Malaysia to accurately forecast future solid waste generation volumes. However, further investigation on other significance factors are suggested for future work in order to develop a holistic model for solid waste management in Malaysia.

Issues, Challenges and Solutions of Aqidah Management in Malaysia

Aqidah is the main pillar in the hands of the Muslims and needs to be systematically and integrated handled. If this is not being done properly, it will lead to things that lead to disunity and deviation of Muslims. Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (JAKIM) is an Islamic institution entrusted with the responsibility for managing Islamic affairs, including aqidah management. Throughout the establishment, JAKIM faces various issues and challenges that must be addressed to professions and strategize in strengthening the holdings of Muslims in Malaysia. This is just not applicable for federal in Malaysia level only, but the states level as well. This paper discusses some of the issues and challenges faced by JAKIM as well as enhancing both the approach and synergistic approaches to the conduct of the aqidah in Malaysia. The method of this paper study uses interviews, observations and analysis of documents. The result of this study found various issues and challenges faced by JAKIM in dealing with the management of aqidah in Malaysia. In strengthening the aqidah of Muslims in Malaysia, JAKIM always uses methods, approaches and strategies in dealing with issues and challenges in managing the aqidah to stabilize the teachings of Islam and the holdings of Muslims in Malaysia.

Analysis of enterprise risk management practices in Malaysian waqf institutions

PurposeThis study aims to assess enterprise risk management (ERM) practices in waqf institutions (WIs) along with their strengths and weaknesses; highlight ERM trends in WIs; and determine the best ERM practices for these institutions.Design/methodology/approachData were collected via structured interviews with nine WI managers in Malaysia. A standardised questionnaire was adopted for the interviews, which focussed on ERM implementation in WIs. The collected data were analysed in three steps, namely, data reduction, data display and verification/conclusion. The frequency distribution of these data were then illustrated and the mean values and differences of the studied groups/variables were examined.FindingsWIs have a sub-optimal ERM implementation, whose aspects need to be improved over time. These institutions have focussed on their ERM practices at the strategic level yet ignored those at the operational level. Specifically, WI officers have well-defined internal environments and objectives, but risk monitoring, which ensures effective implementation of ERM, is lacking. The presence of risk management committees and units may be linked with the successful implementation of ERM. However, ERM knowledge and top management support do not show clearly associations with ERM implementation. WIs should focus on improving their ERM implementation governance.Research limitations/implicationsFindings underscore the need for WIs to launch a formal ERM programme and for relevant stakeholders to create the appropriate infrastructures that support ERM implementation, including amended rules, ERM policies and allocated funds for training and education, to promote ERM implementation knowledge and awareness. The successful implementation of ERM not only improves the service quality, sustainability and performance of WIs but also promotes the national waqf agenda as a key economic driver.Originality/valueERM in non-profit organisations, such as WIs, has received limited research attention relative to that in profit-driven organisations despite having unique risks. To the best of the knowledge, this study is the first to identify those trends that explain ERM practices and to determine the ERM best practices of WIs.

End of Life Vehicle (ELV) Management Ecosystems in Malaysia


 
 
 Serious discussion on End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) in Malaysia began in 2006 when research on the development of the automotive industry was undertaken. The interest increased following the introduction of the National Automotive Policy (NAP) in 2009. This research paper describes ELVs from the perspective of industry players based on their direct experience and participation in the industry through comprehensive observation by looking at the practices of ELV management in Malaysia. This research paper will highlight the existence of some of the innate problems facing the ELV management in the country along with suggestions for approaches and solutions to enhance Malaysia’s potential as one of the most important industry players in the automotive segment in the Asian region.