Northern States Of Peninsular Malaysia Research Articles

Lake Water Quality Assessment Through GIS based Interpolation Method: A Case Study of Beris Dam, Kedah, Malaysia

Preliminary research on physicochemical and water quality in the Beris dam shows that the water catchment area has the best standards and quality during the observation of the wet season and dry season mainly in the northern states of peninsular Malaysia. The analysis of water quality assessment using the DOE-WQI and Carlson Trophic State Index (CTSI) resulted that during the dry season (February), the average DOE-WQI reading is 88 or Class II; while during the wet season, the average DOE-WQI reading recorded 87.1 (October). Although the CTSI score was 34.2 - 27.0 during wet season and dry season, both seasons were classified as oligotrophic conditions. Some physicochemical parameters also show a high correlation between them and indicates minor water quality issues. The use of more efficient interpolation techniques in water quality studies also reinforces the evaluation of water quality. As a reference point for future water research, GIS interpolation application methods can be more effectively and efficiently used with Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW), Ordinary Kriging and Spline techniques. HIGHLIGHTS Investigation of physicochemical and water quality in lake water in Beris Dam Assessment by using water quality index by DOE-WQI and Carlson Trophic State Index (CTSI) to acknowledge water quality and trophic condition. Analyzing physicochemical data into mathematical method to compare between physicochemical data and correlate between them. Application of GIS based interpolation methods to analyze and referencing physicochemical data into spatial interpolation maps. Comparing appropriate spatial interpolation techniques to analyze physicochemical observation data and index. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Comparative Phytochemical Analysis of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea) and others Vigna spp. with Respect to its Nutritional, Antinutritional and Antioxidant Properties

Aims: Bambara groundnut is considered as underutilize and commercially forgotten legume in Malaysia. Few studies abroad showed interesting potential on its phytochemical and nutritional contents. This study was carried out to investigate and compare the nutritional, antinutritional, free radical scavenging assay, total phenolic content and fatty acids composition of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) with comparison with two others commercial legumes (Vigna spp.) red bean (V. angularis) and black-eyed pea (V. unguiculata) in Malaysia.
 Study Design: Each sample was extracted three times (n=3) for the free radical scavenging assay, total phenolic content, fatty acids composition and antinutritional content. All the data were analysed using ANOVA and Tukey Pairwise tests.
 Place and Duration of Study: Phytochemistry Laboratory, Kompleks MyGene Bank, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia from April to December 2022.
 Methodology: Bambara groundnut (BGN), red bean (RB) and black-eyed pea (BEP) were purchased from various local market situated in the northern state of Peninsular Malaysia. Each sample was dried in the oven at 40°C for 3 days. Samples were grounded and its proximate and minerals content were determined. Each sample was extracted for the free radical scavenging assay, total phenolic content, oxalates (total, soluble and insoluble) content using HPLC and fatty acids composition using GCMS.
 Results: Bambara groundnut (BGN) was found to have higher total carbohydrate content (66.0 ± 0.01 g/100g) compared with RB and BEP (P<0.05) hence provides more energy (406.67 ± 1.25 kcal/100g) (14% higher than red bean and black-eyed peas). Further analysis on its mineral content revealed the legume is rich in potassium (24% higher than red bean and black-eyed peas) suggesting its potential to regulate body fluid and muscle contractions. The bambara groundnut’s seed oil is rich in fatty acids; omega 3 and 6 (palmitic acid, α-linoleic acid and linolenic acid). BGN also have higher phenolic content (87.3 ± 2.05 g/100g) compared to RB and BEP (P<0.05). The free radical scavenging assay showed moderate antioxidant activity with inhibition concentration (IC50) value of 0.57 ± 0.04 mg/ml (standard: ascorbic acid = 0.06 mg/ml). The underutilize legume also had undetectable oxalate content; hence it is safe for human consumption (lethal dose 660 mg/kg body weight).
 Conclusion: The potential findings on this legume should elevate the importance of this crop to be commercialised locally and for the future crop that will lead to achieve food security particularly in Malaysia.

STANDARD GURU MALAYSIA 2.0 DALAM KEMENJADIAN JIWA PENDIDIK

The implementation of online teaching and learning activities during the Covid-19 pandemic was a challenging situation for teachers. Some teachers experienced stress that could affect their performance. This study aimed to examine the contributing factors to the stress which was experienced by the teachers. A total of 326 respondents comprising secondary school teachers in one of the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia were selected as a sample of the study. The sampling method used in this study was cluster sampling and random sampling techniques. This study found that workload and competency in information technology were significant contributors to teacher stress at 66.8% of variance. The workload factor is the biggest contributor compared to the competency in ICT factor. The higher the amount of workload experienced by the teachers will lead to an increase their level of stress. The teachers with high competencies in ICT experienced less stress while performing online teaching and learning activities. This study provides a meaningful information to the administrators to improve the teachers' well-being by controlling the amount of workload and improving competency in ICT.

The Prevalence and Psychosocial Correlates of Ketum (Mitragyna speciosa) Use among Individuals on Methadone Maintenance Therapy Programme in Hospital Taiping, Malaysia.

Ketum use is significantly prevalent amongst individuals in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of Ketum use in individuals who are in the Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) Programme at the Hospital Taiping. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the methadone clinic at the Hospital Taiping. The study instruments used were Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS), Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) questionnaire, and Kratom Dependence Scale (KDS). A total of 215 subjects were recruited for this study. The prevalence of ketum users was 49.3% (n = 106). Chinese and Indian ethnicity had a lower tendency to use ketum compared to Malay ethnicity, with OR = 0.386 (95% CI 0.134, 1.113) and 0.119 (95% CI 0.035, 0.408), respectively. Individuals who used other illicit drugs had a higher tendency to use ketum with the adjusted OR = 9.914 (95% CI: 1.109, 88.602). Every one unit increase in SOWS increased the odds of being a ketum user by 1.340 (95% CI: 1.070, 1.677), whereas every one unit increase in duration in the MMT programme reduced the odds of being a ketum user by 0.990 (95% CI: 0.982, 0.998). Ketum use is prevalent amongst those in the MMT programme in this study. The high prevalence of ketum use is of concern and further interventions should be carried out to address this.

People’s Islamic Religious School (SAR) in Northern Malaysia: Administrative Model for Notable Achievements

People’s Islamic Religious School (PIRS) or Sekolah Agama Rakyat (SAR) in Malaysia is a non-sponsored religious school that needs a paradigm shift to become more visible and luminous in the national education system. The management of school that is not guided by an effective administrative model will effect on the school excellence. The continuity of the schools excellent performance depend heavily on the efficiency and effectiveness of the SAR administration. Generally, most of the SAR administration are based on each administrators discretion without relying on one common acceptable model for all SAR. Therefore. only a handful of SAR manage to excel in their operations. This study is done in order to identify the administrative practice and the challenges faced by SAR administrators in managing the SAR, based on these scenario. Eight SAR administrator in three northern state of Peninsular Malaysia (namely Kedah, Penang, and Perlis) were interviewed individually using a semi structured questions in this qualitative research. Data collected from the interview were then analyse with Atlas t.i version 8 (AV8) content analysis software. Findings indicated six administrative practice commonly adopted by selected SAR’s administrators that makes them the finest and most outstanding SAR administrators of their respective states. The findings also suggested one administrative model that could be used by all SAR as a guide to ensure smoothness and excellence of each SAR in order to produce and develop great leaders of the future with Islamic teachings as its root

FAKTOR GANJARAN DAN JAMINAN KERJA DALAM MEMPENGARUHI HASRAT UNTUK BERHENTI KERJA

The tourism sector is one of the main contributors to Malaysia’s economic growth. This is based on the current statistics for 2019 which recorded an increase in foreign tourist arrivals of 2.7 percent, with an increase in revenue of 6.8 percent over the previous year. In this regard, the services sector is an important component in the tourism industry that brings revenue and contributes to the growth of employment opportunities and the country’s economy. However, the high turnover rate in the hospitality industry has been a concern for the organization and a major issue for the human resources department. Therefore, this study aims to identify the relationship between reward factors and job security to the intention to quit. This study involved respondents among hotel workers operating in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. The data of this study was collected using a distributed questionnaire while the data analysis process involved the use of the Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) application. The results of the data analysis found that the reward factor has a significant negative relationship to the intention to quit among the respondents. Meanwhile, the job security factor does not have a significant relationship with the intention to quit.

MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT AND SAFETY TRAINING AS ANTECEDENT OF WORKERS SAFETY BEHAVIOR

The manufacturing sector in Malaysia is categorized as one of the dangerous work sectors with a high accident record. The use of heavy machinery, unsafe working conditions, and hazardous materials handling is among the causes of many work-related accidents recorded among factory workers. In addition, the lack of safety training and low safety management commitment towards worker safety also contributed to the increasing number in this statistic. The goal of this investigation is to determine the link between management commitment and safety training on safety behaviour among workers. This study involved small and medium factory workers operating in the northern states of peninsular Malaysia. The data for this study was obtained using a questionnaire, while the Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) application was used to perform the data analysis process. The results of the data analysis show that employers' commitment to safety and safety training has a positive relationship with safety behaviour among study respondents. Suggestions and improvements to the study are presented at the end of this writing.

The Use of Reflection-for-Action in Planning English Language Lesson at Primary School

Teaching English language is a challenging task for primary school teachers. Teachers need to plan their lesson to match all levels of students in one class as there is no streaming classes allowed. This study explored how reflection-for-action to be used by the English language teachers at primary schools in Northern state of Peninsular Malaysia in planning their teaching starting from choosing lesson objectives, planning the activities and preparing the materials. Hence, this study also gathered another relevance data on principles, benefits, changes and stages of reflection which led the teachers to use reflection-before-action in teaching English language. There were six participants involved in this study, three of them were male. The participants were experienced teachers who teach English language at primary schools with more than eighteen years teaching experience. This study used semi-structured interviews to collect the data. The researchers used thematic analysis to analyze the data. The findings revealed that reflection-for-action was very helpful to help the teachers to plan a meaningful lesson, to improve their teaching and to maximize their students' learning and knowledge of the target language. After applying reflection-for-action, the English language teachers managed to plan specific teaching activities to deliver specific skills in English language classroom to suit their teaching and learning contexts. Therefore, the four main themes found in this study contribute a recommendation for the teachers to learn and to use reflection-for-action dynamically to plan a meaningful lesson for multiple intelligence students in the classroom. Hence, the findings also found that teachers need to apply theory in practice to plan and reason their lesson plan arrangements to fulfil the nature of teaching and learning process which needs them to attain the skills, objectives, knowledge, experiences, subject to be taught and the materials to be learned in the current teaching and learning context.

Exploring the Influence of a Principal’s Internalized Moral Perspective towards Teacher Commitment in Malaysian Secondary Schools

Authentic leadership principals are an alternative to leadership styles within an organisation intended to create more effective administration in maintaining the trust of subordinates, meeting job expectations, and being able to implement change despite facing challenges. However, authentic leadership capabilities of school-style leadership adaptations are still relatively new and unfamiliar. This study aimed to identify the authentic leadership practices applied by school principals and their relationship to the commitment of national secondary school teachers in the district of Pendang in a northern state of Peninsular Malaysia. The research method used was a quantitative survey using a standardised questionnaire. The study respondents consisted of 254 teachers randomly selected from ten national secondary schools under the leadership of principals. The instrument used was adapted from the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ -version 1) to measure the dimensions of authentic leadership. Furthermore, the questionaire of organizational commitment was used to measure the level of teachers’ commitment to the organisation. Data processing was performed using SEM-PLS 3.0. Results showed that the internalised moral perspective dimension of authentic leadership significantly influenced teacher commitment. The leaders with these attributes should combine their principles and behaviours in keeping with internal moral standards. This approach should affect the attitudes of teachers and create a changing environment.

Self-reported prevalence and severity of opioid and kratom (Mitragyna speciosa korth.) side effects

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMitragyna speciosa (Korth.) is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in Southeast Asia for its opioid-like effects. Although kratom produces analgesia through binding of mitragynine and other alkaloids at the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), the association of long-term kratom use with adverse opioid-like effects remains unknown.Aim of the study: To determine the self-reported prevalence and severity of opioid-related adverse effects after kratom initiation in a cohort of illicit opioid users. Materials and methodsA total of 163 illicit opioid users with current kratom use history were recruited through convenience sampling from the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. ResultsRespondents were all males, majority Malays (94%, n = 154/163), with a mean age of 37.10 years (SD = 10.9). Most were single (65%, n = 106/163), had 11 years of education (52%, n = 85/163) and employed (88%, n = 144/163). Half reported using kratom for over >6 years (50%, n = 81/163), and 41% consumed >3 glasses of kratom daily (n = 67/163). Results from Chi-square analysis showed kratom initiation was associated with decreased prevalence of respiratory depression, constipation, physical pain, insomnia, depression, loss of appetite, craving, decreased sexual performance, weight loss and fatigue. ConclusionsOur findings indicate that kratom initiation (approximately 214.29 mg of mitragynine) was associated with significant decreases in the prevalence and severity of opioid adverse effects.

Understandings of the Safety in School Concept among Secondary School Teachers

Safety at workplace is an issue that has been growing in the social context and is becoming an increasing concern of many parties that call for the need of actions to prevent injuries and other sort of dangerous situations. Safety in school, as a workplace for many, is not only the school’s management responsibility but teachers, staff as well as the students have roles to play to ensure that schools are safe. Teachers need to have knowledge and awareness of safety in schools and embrace its related concepts as depicted by Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA 1994).This paper reports on a qualitative study, involving interviews with20 experienced secondary school teachers from the Northern States of Peninsular Malaysia. It examines the concept of safety in school from their perspectives. The interview data were analysed thematically. Among the concepts that had emerged from the analysis are safety in school as undeniably an important aspect that warrants attention from the related parties; safety in school as a condition whereby the community in the schools feel safe; and safety in schools as the awareness of being free from danger from the physical and psychosocial aspects. The results of the study provided evidence of limited conceptions of safety in school among the teachers. Hence, it indicates the need to provide teachers with relevant knowledge about matters pertaining to safety in school as described by the ministry.

Relationship between Community Participation, Socio Economy and Organizational Capacity on Sustainable Development

This paper attempts to understand the influence of community participation, socio-economy and organizational capacity on the sustainability of community based tourism, focusing on homestay programs. This study has gathered data from 96 homestay’s operators from northern states of peninsular Malaysia. This study used path analysis approach to determine community participation and socio-economy factors that trigger organizational capacity and sustainable development. Based on the results, community participation and socio-economy are correlated in indirect effect with sustainable development through organizational capacity. Thus the path-analysis indicates that the engagement of organizational capacity in the homestay program will correlate community participation and socio-economy toward sustainable development.

Drivers of Customer Loyalty towards Islamic Subsidiary Banks in the Northern States of Peninsular Malaysia

It is undeniable that customer loyalty contributes to the sustainability and success of the banking industry. With the intense competition in the industry, banks are now trying to retain their customers with the aim to increase their revenues. As there are disagreements among the variables that influence customer loyalty, this study examined the relationships between perceived value, image, satisfaction and loyalty in an integrative model. Analysis was done on data collected from 139 bank customers in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia using Partial Least Squares. The results of the study revealed that perceived value and bank image led customers to experience greater satisfaction, resulting in customers to be more loyal to their banks. The research outcome contributes to the body of knowledge by integrating the four variables into one model and by testing the model in the banking industry. The findings from this study may assist bank managers to formulate strategies to increase their revenues through customer loyalty.

Mitigating the aftermath of Malaysia's worst flood in 50 years: emergency drinking water supply with ultrafiltration

Abstract In December 2014, a massive flood hit northern states of Peninsular Malaysia causing severe damage to thousands of houses and leaving the area in a disastrous condition. Electricity and public piped water supplies were cut-off, as sub-stations and municipal water treatment plants were submerged in flood water. As part of Techkem Water's corporate social responsibility initiatives, mobile ultrafiltration membrane water treatment systems were deployed to provide emergency drinking water supplies to flood victims. Four types of mobile system were evaluated in this case study. The operational parameters of the systems such as feed water turbidity, system capacity, filtrate quality, filtration flux, footprint required and specific energy requirement details are presented. Each system has distinctive features that help to accommodate different site conditions.

Linking transformational leadership with organizational health of secondary school teachers: A conceptual model and research proposition

This study aims to determine the level of transformational leadership practices by school principals in the national secondary schools in the Northern States of Peninsular Malaysia. The study also aims to determine if school culture acts as a moderator to the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational health of the secondary school teachers’ in the 3 states in Malaysia. Despite transformational leadership being commonly practiced, there is a dearth of research, conceptual and empirical, focusing on school culture as moderator to the relationship. To attempt to fill this void, this article develops a conceptual model on school culture functioning as a moderator to the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational health of secondary school teachers and provides explanation of their effects through a statistical methodology. Finally, the author discusses the managerial implications of their research and offer suggestions for future empirical research.

Women's Attitude and Its Influence on Violence During Pregnancy in Northern State of Peninsular Malaysia: Cross-Sectional Study.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of men's violence against pregnant women and whether it is influenced by women's attitude. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a hospital in northern state of Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 1,200 postnatal women aged 18 years and above who had been admitted to the hospital were recruited in the study. Universal sampling was performed, and participants were interviewed face-to-face by using a validated Malay version of WHO Women's Health and Life Experiences Questionnaire. The main outcome measures in the study were emotional, physical or sexual violence. The study results showed that more than one third of women (35.9%; confidence interval [CI] = [0.33, 0.39]) had experienced any type of violence during pregnancy with the commonest was psychological violence (29.8%; CI = [0.27, 0.32]) followed by physical (12.9%; CI = [0.11, 0.15]) and sexual violence (9.8%; CI = [0.08, 0.12]). Women who were drug users, had an exposure to violence during childhood, had higher parity, and had inadequate antenatal care were at greater risk. Agree that husband is justified to hit his wife in certain conditions and agree that women has a right to refuse sex in certain conditions were among violence-supporting attitudes. It can be concluded that men's violence against pregnant women is extremely prevalent. Sensitive assessment, attitude modification, and intervention (primary, secondary, and tertiary) are of great value in combating men's violence against pregnant women.

Effective Leadership as the Mediator between Emotional Quotient and Teachers’ Work Performance: A Study in National Secondary School in Northern States of Peninsular Malaysia

Effective Leadership as the Mediator between Emotional Quotient and Teachers’ Work Performance: A Study in National Secondary School in Northern States of Peninsular Malaysia

Terrestrial Insects as the Main Food for Freshwater Fish in Sungai Kerian Tributaries: An Implication on Habitat Conservation

The importance of terrestrial insects as food items for freshwater fish was studied by examining stomach contents of Devario regina (Fowler 1934) and its population parameters at canopied areas of selected tributaries of Sungai Kerian, in the northern state of Peninsular Malaysia. Ninety six percent (121 out of 126) of the fish stomachs examined contained food materials in the stomachs and the values of percentage of occurrence (%F), percentage numerical (%N) and percentage points (%P) indicated that collected fish ate similar food items in all rivers. Among the food categories, scavenging terrestrial ants (Formicidae) were the most dominant food item, hence the main diet for this species. The Index of Relative Importance (IRI) scores of food items indicated that ants were higher than other food items. This surface water feeder experienced a positive allometric growth (W = aLb) with a b (rate of growth) value of 3.256. Its asymptotic length, growth constant and growth performance index represented this species with a short life-span (L∞ = 10.90 cm, K = 1.20 year-1, φ’ = 2.15, tmax = 3 year, respectively) and had higher natural mortality (M = 2.40 year-1) than fishing mortality (F = 0.35 year-1) while the fish stock was underexploited (E = 0.13). The finding of this study indicated the importance of terrestrial ants as a food source that support excellent growth of D. regina and the need to conserve riparian trees along river banks to provide allocthonous materials and habitats for the ants.

Healthcare Utilization by Older Age Groups in Northern States of Peninsular Malaysia: The Role of Predisposing, Enabling and Need Factors.

Determining factors that affect healthcare utilization by the elderly is vital for the health system to be more responsive in providing care to this vulnerable group. The main objective of this paper is to identify the effect of the predisposing, enabling, and need factors on doctor visits and in-patient care for the elderly residing in the northern region of Malaysia. A multistage cluster sampling was used in selecting the sample for the study. A total of 1414 respondents aged 60 and over were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire. A probit model was used in estimating the utilization equations. At a significance level of 0.05, except for age, all predisposing and enabling factors were not statistically significant in affecting the doctor visits. On the other hand, being a male, smoker, medical insurance holder or had not actively involved in social interaction within the reference period increases the likelihood of being in-patient. Health-related variables remain the most significant factors that determine healthcare utilization, including both doctor visits and in-patient stays, in the area of study, which suggests that government policies to improve population health may influence the level of healthcare use in the future.

Eksplorasi Penggunaan Ketum dalam Kalangan Belia di Negeri Kedah

Ketum or its scientific name Mitragyna Speciosa has been used in traditional medical practice to treat certain diseases. Recently, ketum has been used widely to replace the synthetic drugs. The mixture of the leaves and other substances such as paracetamol, mosquito coil powder, and soda water are boiled to produce ketum juice. The juice has similar impact as synthetic or traditional drugs on human body that contributes to addiction. This problem is particularly prevalent in Northern States of Peninsular Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims to explore the ketum consumption among youths in the state of Kedah. The perception of seven subjects interviewed have shown that the ketum juice contributes to good health and at the same time serves as an alternative to drugs. The subjects were aware that the excessive use of ketum juice can lead to injury and fatality. These findings are important to help the professionals such as social worker and counselor in understanding the ketum consumption practice. The input will help them to come up with an appropriate interventions and programs to address the issue especially among youth.