Peninsular Malaysia Research Articles

Pathogenic variations in Colletotrichum spp. causing chilli anthracnose in Peninsular Malaysia

AbstractIn Peninsular Malaysia, Colletotrichum fioriniae, Colletotrichum fructicola, Colletotrichum scovillei, Colletotrichum siamense and Colletotrichum truncatum are the causative pathogens of chilli anthracnose. In the present study, the pathogenic variability and virulence levels of these five Colletotrichum spp. were evaluated. Isolates of C. fioriniae, C. fructicola, C. scovillei, C. siamense and C. truncatum were tested for pathogenicity using red and green Capsicum annuum and red and green Capsicum frutescens. Pathogenicity tests were conducted using spore suspensions and mycelial plugs on wounded and nonwounded chilli fruits. All isolates tested on the wounded chilli fruits caused anthracnose symptoms with variable disease severity and virulence. In nonwounded chilli fruits, only isolates of C. scovillei (n = 7) and C. truncatum (n = 5) caused infection. C. fioriniae, C. fructicola, C. scovillei, C. siamense and C. truncatum showed variability in pathogenicity and virulence levels in red and green chilli fruits of Ca. annuum and Ca. frutescens. Pathogenicity tests on wounded and nonwounded chilli fruits can be used to identify pathotypes within anthracnose pathogen populations. This is important for strategizing the effective disease management of chilli anthracnose.

Myxobolus acanthogobii Hoshina, 1952 and Myxobolus selari n. sp. (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) infecting brain of commercial fishes in Terengganu, Malaysia.

Myxosporean infection in marine water fishes has drawn less attention than in freshwater fishes, which resulted in a higher taxonomic variety in freshwater in Malaysia. This study aimed to address the gap by conducting a myxosporean survey on two commercially significant marine fish species, Nemipterus furcosus (Valenciennes) (Eupercaria incertae sedis: Nemipteridae) and Selar crumenophthalmus (Bloch) (Carangiformes: Carangidae), collected from the northeastern part of peninsular Malaysia. During the examination of the organs, two distinct Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 species were discovered in the brain tissue of these fishes, despite the absence of any observable pathological signs. The two Myxobolus species were characterized through morphometry, morphology, and analysis of partial small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rDNA) gene. As a result, Myxobolus acanthogobii Hoshina, 1952, which infects 2.3% of N. furcosus, is synonymous with a myxobolid species commonly found in Japanese waters, based on its morphological traits, tissue tropism, and molecular diagnostics. Furthermore, a novel species, Myxobolus selari n. sp., was described, infecting the brain of one (11%) individual S. crumenophthalmus. This unique species displayed distinctive features, placing it within a well-supported subclade primarily comprising brain-infecting myxobolids. Maximum likelihood analysis further revealed the close relationships among these brain-infecting myxobolids, underscoring the significance of tissue tropism and host taxonomy for myxobolids. This study represents the initial documentation of Myxobolus species within the southern South China Sea, shedding light on the potential diversity of marine myxosporean in this region. This article was registered in the Official Register of Zoological Nomenclature (ZooBank) as urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7C400E35-7CB8-4DEE-92B7-F75FF3926441.

Prioritising Important Plant Areas (IPAs) among the limestone karsts of Perak, Malaysia

SummaryThe flora of limestone karsts is exceptionally rich, due in particular to the wide array of microhabitats that limestone outcrops support. However, in Peninsular Malaysia limestone outcrops are heavily exploited for the quarry industry, cave temples, leisure venues and the development of geoparks, hence the limestone flora is amongst the most threatened biodiversity in the Peninsula. The 95 limestone karsts in Perak are currently known to support 538 species, representing c. 44.2% of the total limestone flora of Peninsular Malaysia. Of these, 13.2% (71 species) are endemic to the Peninsula of which 10 species are hyper-endemic (i.e. restricted to a single karst), 108 (20%) are threatened with extinction and 6 are considered likely to be Extinct. Typical of limestone in Peninsular Malaysia, a single karst harbours only a fraction of the total limestone flora such that a network of karsts is required to capture maximum plant diversity. Through evaluation of data from field surveys, herbarium specimens and the literature, 27 of the Perak karsts were found to trigger Important Plant Area (IPA) status, i.e. they harbour important populations of threatened species, outstanding botanical richness and/or are important examples of threatened habitats that in Perak include the foothills and limestone forest. Fifteen karsts were identified for priority conservation measures based on Conservation Priority Scores (CPS), a quantitative methodology based on endemic and threatened status. With the addition of two species-rich karst sites, 17 karsts are recommended as the first iteration of the network of priority IPA sites for Perak that together conserve 90% (483 species) of the Perak limestone plant diversity, 93% (66) of the endemic species and 94.4% (102) of the threatened species. CPS is found to be more reliable than using total species richness for assessing conservation importance and we also demonstrate that karst size and isolation are not primary indicators of range-restricted plant diversity. Significant knowledge gaps still exist, with 59 karsts in Perak without botanical surveys, and with many rare species having not been recollected for over 30 years, emphasising the need for further botanical research in these important and threatened landscapes.

Data to the Malaysian Liverwort Flora, IV: a New Species of Mastigopelma Mitt. (Lepidoziaceae) from Cameron Highlands, Peninsular Malaysia

The new species, Mastigopelma latiffiana G. E. Lee, E. Pesiu et X. L. He, discovered in Pen-insular Malaysia, is described and illustrated as a new addition to the genus Mastigopelma Mitt., of the family Lepidoziaceae. The new species is corticolous, growing on a tree branch in a moist montane forest in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, at 1,900 m alt. It is characterised by the leafy shoots arising from stolons, branches, when present, all ventral-intercalary, and terminal branching lacking; asymmetrical leaves with almost straight ventral margins, rounded to truncate leaf apices, entire-margined leaves, thickened cell walls with nodular trigones, and glistening-homogeneous oil bodies (2–4 per cell); and retuse to blunt teethed underleaf apices. This discovery has increased the total number of known species of Mastigopelma Mitt. to five. An identification key to all the species of the genus is presented.

A high-resolution perspective of extreme rainfall and river flow under extreme climate change in Southeast Asia

Abstract. This article provides high-resolution information on the projected changes in annual extreme rainfall and high- and low-streamflow events over Southeast Asia under extreme climate change. The analysis was performed using the bias-corrected result of the High-Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) multi-model experiment for the period 1971–2050. Eleven rainfall indices were calculated, along with streamflow simulation using the PCR-GLOBWB hydrological model. The historical period 1981–2010 and the near-future period 2021–2050 were considered for this analysis. Results indicate that, over former mainland Southeast Asia, Myanmar will face more challenges in the near future. The east coast of Myanmar will experience more extreme high-rainfall conditions, while northern Myanmar will have longer dry spells. Over the Indonesian maritime continent, Sumatra and Java will suffer from an increase in dry-spell length of up to 40 %, while the increase in extreme high rainfall will occur over Borneo and mountainous areas in Papua. Based on the streamflow analysis, the impact of climate change is more prominent in a low-flow event than in a high-flow event. The majority of rivers in the central Mekong catchment, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and Java will experience more extreme low-flow events. More extreme dry conditions in the near future are also seen from the increasing probability of future low-flow occurrences, which reaches 101 % and 90 %, on average, over Sumatra and Java, respectively. In addition, based on our results over Java and Sumatra, we found that the changes in extreme high- and low-streamflow events are more pronounced in rivers with steep hydrographs (rivers where flash floods are easily triggered), while rivers with flat hydrographs have a higher risk in terms of the probability of low-flow change.

Understanding The Mimicker: Epidemiological Pattern and Determinant of Melioidosis Mortality in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Melioidosis, a tropical infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is epidemic in most region in Southeast Asia with high case fatality. However, there is scanty information regarding the disease's epidemiological pattern, demographics, and underlying risk factors. This 5-year retrospective study of 185 confirmed cases which were taken from the Negeri Sembilan Melioidosis Registry between 2018 and 2022. We aim to describe the incidence, mortality rate, case fatality, relationship with meteorology, and factors that influence mortality in this central region of Peninsular Malaysia. Incidence rate (IR) of melioidosis in Negeri Sembilan is varied at 1.9 to 5.1 with mean of 3.1 in 100,000 population per year. IR varied between districts in the state from zero to 22.01 in 100,000 population per year. Mortality rate were ranged from 0.17 to 0.74 cases with mean of 0.44 cases in 100,000 population per year. The case fatality rate of this state scattered from 8.70% to 16.67%. There were no significant linear associations between cases and deaths with monthly rainfall and humidity. The mean age of patients was 52.8 years, predominated with age around 41-60 years old. Males (77.8%) predominated, and the majority of cases were Malays (88.9%) and had exposed to soil related activities (74.6%). Mortality from melioidosis was more likely in Bumiputera and non-Malaysians (p<0.05). Patients who had at least one comorbidity were at a higher risk of death from melioidosis (p<0.05). Diabetes mellitus was found in 41.1% of all identified cases, making it a major underlying risk factor for both developing and dying from melioidosis (aOR:19.32, 95%CI:1.91-195.59, p<0.05). Hypertension and mortality status in melioidosis are also significantly correlated (aOR: 7.75, 95% CI: 2.26-26.61, p<0.05). The epidemiological patterns of cases reported from Negeri Sembilan are consistent for the most part from previous studies in other states in Malaysia and global with regard to its incidence, case fatality, demographic and predisposing chronic diseases. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were significantly linked to increased mortality among all determinants.

The Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia Among Indigenous (Orang Asli) Children in Peninsular Malaysia: A Systematic Review.

Low- and lower-middle-income countries bear the greatest burden of anemia, particularly those living in rural settings such as an indigenous community. The objective of this systematic review is to recognize the prevalence of anemia and its determinants among the Orang Asli children in Peninsular Malaysia. A web-based search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, and ProQuest from January 2000 to June 2022, using specified search/MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms and keywords, was conducted. The search identified studies reported the prevalence of anemia among the children of Orang Asli and its causes. Eight studies were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of anemia among the Orang Asli children was high (61.6%). Most research has focused primarily on iron-deficiency anemia and soil-transmitted helminth infections. Other causes include female gender, mothers with low education levels, and low household incomes. Despite being a public health concern, this study found no studies associating Orang Asli children with hereditary anemia and malaria, which is a limitation. In conclusion, the Orang Asli children are more likely to have anemia compared with the general Malaysian population. To overcome this, a comprehensive examination of the determinants of anemia in this community is required. Thus, interventions can be personalized.

Spore Germination of Diplazium simplicivenium Holtt. (Athyriaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Diplazium simplicivenium Holtt. a species of fern in Peninsular Malaysia. This study reports an efficient method for D. simplicivenium spore sterilisation and the effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) via green globular bodies (GGB). Sterilisation with 0.1% mercuric chloride effectively allowed spore germination. The result showed that the culture media supplemented with 0.5 mg/L gibberellin positively affects the weight of GGB and the number of shoots with significant differences (ANOVA, p &lt; 0.05). The soaking technique established in this study for spore sterilisation is an efficient approach, and the optimal plant and concentration of plant hormones were identified. This procedure can be applied to other indigenous ferns and closely similar species.

Ethnoprimatology reveals new extended distribution of critically endangered banded langur Presbytis femoralis (Martin, 1838) in Pahang, Malaysia: Insights from indigenous traditional knowledge and molecular analysis.

The banded langur (Presbytis femoralis) is a critically endangered primate, restricted to Johor, Malaysia, with an estimated population size of less than 500 individuals. Traditionally, distribution studies on this highly threatened primate have relied on conventional methods such as DNA identification, live counting, and camera trapping. However, ethnoprimatology offers an alternative approach to data collection, involving the active participation of indigenous and local communities possessing valuable knowledge and experience with local primate species. This study employed an integrated approach incorporating ethnoprimatology by utilizing pooled local expert opinion, local surveys, interviews, and fecal DNA analysis, resulting in a novel distribution range for the banded langur. The combination of expert opinions revealed this species' most optimistic distribution scenario across Johor and Pahang, inhabiting various ecosystems, including lowland forests, peat swamps, and human-modified landscapes. Further interviews and surveys conducted within the Orang Asli community in Tasik Chini and Tasek Bera have provided additional support for the revised distribution, documenting occurrences of banded langur utilization in indigenous practices, such as food consumption, cultural beliefs, medicinal applications, and craftsmanship. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated genetic differentiation between populations in Johor and Pahang, with the populations in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia likely serving as ancestral sources for other populations. Consequently, this study not only elucidated the updated distribution of banded langur through DNA records and direct observations but also established the efficacy of ethnoprimatology as a precursory tool for uncovering the present distribution patterns of other primate species in Malaysia.

Site occupancy of native terrestrial mammals in oil palm landscapes is driven by the synergy of land sparing and sharing strategies

The conversion of tropical rainforests into industrial oil palm monocultures has detrimental effects of local biodiversity. Although some medium-sized mammals have demonstrated a degree of adaptability in oil palm landscapes, the factors that influence their ability to persist in such human-altered environments remain obscure. Here, we investigated the site occupancy and activity pattern of the mammals in oil palm landscapes in Peninsular Malaysia. We deployed 81 camera traps throughout six oil palm cultivation areas with two distinct management styles (three sites each in organized smallholdings and industrial plantations). Smallholdings had higher site occupancy of native animal species than industrial plantations. The site occupancy of the mammals was influenced by the proximity to continuous forest, forest patches and riparian vegetation. Landscape metrics are characteristics that affect land sparing strategy, allowing wildanimals in agricultural landscapes to thrive in their habitat despite human threats. At stand-level, the detection of animals was determined by elevation, undergrowth vegetation cover/height, canopy cover, oil palm height, quantity of oil palm fruits, and prune stack thickness. Mammal occupancy was higher in the smallholdings due to the proximity to continuous forest. We recommend improving landscape heterogeneity and connectivity in oil palm matrix to promote species mobility and diversifying oil palm management away from monoculture farming. Our findings indicate that incorporating land sharing and sparing strategies into the oil palm matrix is necessary to conserve biodiversity and maintain ecological services. This implies that industry stakeholders ought not to disregard either land sparing or land sharing.

Acoustic Stridulating Responses of Various Tarantula Species in Peninsular Malaysia

Stridulation by stridulatory organs has been linked to tarantulas’ (Araneae: Theraphosidae) defence or sexual communication, and the morphology of such organ has been extensively used in tarantula systematics. This study was conducted to characterise and compare differences in the acoustic pattern of stridulating sound among seven tarantula species for juveniles and adults of both sexes in Peninsular Malaysia. The species were Psednocnemis jeremyhuffi, P. brachyramosa, Selenocosmia sp. ‘Johor’, Omothymus violaceopes, Cyriopagopus robustus, Chilobrachys sp. ‘Kedah’, and Coremiocnemis sp. ‘Kelantan’. Five provocation methods were used to record the sound which was by tapping the substrate/enclosure, blowing air, waving a pen, poking with blunt object and shaking the enclosure. The stridulating behaviour was assessed using a set of parameters. The result showed that the stridulating behaviour differed between species. Dwarf species like P. jeremyhuffi and P. brachyramosa did not make any audible stridulating sound and preferred to remain motionless. Meanwhile, for the other five species only the large adult females stridulated. Adult males of all species did not make any audible sounds, but rather appeared to be more aggressive and frequently bite. Kruskal-Wallis test showed that intensity, pitch frequency, call duration and pulse duration were significantly different between species. Principal component analaysis (PCA) showed the dissimilarity between the adult females from the five species with Omothymus violaceopes and Chilobrachys sp. ‘Kedah’ the most distinct in terms of call patterns. This study provides evidence on the acoustics pattern of stridulating sound for the tarantulas in Peninsular Malaysia.

Moving Up Trainees’ Motivation for Using On-job Training: Relationship between Leaders’ Support and Trainees’ Motivation for Learning

"Research Aims: This study examined the relationship between leaders’ support and trainees’ learning outcomes and the relationship between leaders’ support, trainees’ motivation for learning, and trainees’ motivation for using on-job training. Design/Methodology/Approach: A cross-sectional research design was employed to collect 226 self-report questionnaires from employees at military healthcare organisations in Peninsular Malaysia. The SmartPLS was used to assess the quality of the measurement model and test the structural model. Research Findings: This study confirmed that trainees’ motivation for learning is an essential mediating construct in the relationship between leaders’ support and trainees’ motivation for using on-job training. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study disclosed that trainees’ motivation for learning can indirectly affect the relationship between leaders’ support and trainee’s motivation to use on-job training. This outcome was consistent with and extended the prior studies conducted in Southeast Asia and other countries. Managerial Implication in the South East Asian context: The findings can help leaders understand the multidimensional perspectives of trainees’ motivation for learning construct and the importance of leaders and members at various hierarchical levels to maintain and enhance their organisational performance and competitiveness in 21st-century globalisation and uncertainty economy. Research Limitations &amp; Implications: Methodological and conceptual constraints must be considered to improve future studies."

Epidemiology of rumen fluke infection in selected buffalo farms in perak, malaysia: prevalence, molecular species identification, and associated risk factors.

Rumen flukes cause heavy economic losses in the ruminant industry worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. This study estimated the prevalence of rumen flukes in buffaloes, identified the species diversity, and determined risk factors associated with rumen fluke prevalence in Perak, Peninsular Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 321 faecal samples were collected from six buffalo farms. A structured questionnaire was developed, and farmers were interviewed to obtain information regarding risk factors associated with rumen fluke infection. The faecal samples were examined using sedimentation and Flukefinder® techniques. Genomic DNA was extracted from the fluke eggs recovered using the Flukefinder® method, and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) fragment was amplified and sequenced to facilitate species identification. The results showed that the overall prevalence of rumen fluke across the sampled farms was 40.2% (129/321). Three rumen fluke species were identified, namely, Fischoederius elongatus, F. cobboldi, and Orthocoelium streptocoelium. Several management factors had a significant association (P < 0.05) with rumen fluke prevalence, including production type, cleaning of the stable, drinking water system, flooding around the farm, grazing system, pasture sharing with other livestock, and deworming program. This work constitutes the first attempt to understand the epidemiology of rumen fluke infection in the region and suggests that good farm management, pasture management, choosing appropriate drugs, and proper husbandry practices may improve buffalo health and production in areas where rumen flukes are prevalent.

Molecular phylogeny confirms the subspecies delineation of the Malayan Siamang (Symphalangussyndactyluscontinentis) and the Sumatran Siamang (Symphalangussyndactylussyndactylus) based on the hypervariable region of mitochondrial DNA.

Siamangs (Symphalangussyndactylus) are native to Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and southern Thailand and their taxonomical classification at subspecies level remains unclear. Morphologically, two subspecies were proposed as early as 1908 by Thomas namely Symphalangus s.syndactylus and Symphalanguss.continentis. Thus, this study aims to clarify the Siamang subspecies status, based on mtDNA D-loop sequences. Faecal samples were collected from wild Siamang populations at different localities in Peninsular Malaysia. A 600-bp sequence of the mitochondrial D-loop region was amplified from faecal DNA extracts and analysed along with GenBank sequences representing Symphalangus sp., Nomascus sp., Hylobates sp., Hoolock sp. and outgroups (Pongopygmaeus, Macacafascicularis and Papiopapio). The molecular phylogenetic analysis in this study revealed two distinct clades formed by S.s.syndactylus and S.s.continentis which supports the previous morphological delineation of the existence of two subspecies. Biogeographical analysis indicated that the Sumatran population lineage was split from the Peninsular Malaysian population lineage and a diversification occurrred in the Pliocene era (~ 3.12 MYA) through southward expansion. This postulation was supported by the molecular clock, which illustrated that the Peninsular Malaysian population (~ 1.92 MYA) diverged earlier than the Sumatran population (~ 1.85 MYA). This is the first study to use a molecular approach to validate the subspecies statuses of S.s.syndactylus and S.s.continentis. This finding will be useful for conservation management, for example, during Siamang translocation and investigations into illegal pet trade and forensics involving Malayan and Sumatran Siamangs.

Comparative Mitogenome Characterization of Cryptic Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) in Captivity within Peninsular Malaysia

Lates calcarifer is one of the most commercial species in the world. Yet, phylogenetic relationships among this cryptic species remain unclear despite its significance in the fishery sector. The first report on bifurcation of captive Lates calcarifer in Peninsular Malaysia (PM) inferred from complete mitochondrial genome was discussed in the present study. Two mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of Lates species were sequenced and assembled. The mitogenome length was 16,627 bp and 16,515 bp for K4 and S15, respectively. The majority of PCGs in both species exhibited the common initiation marker ATG codon and ended with termination marker TAA codon. Also, the incomplete termination codon T/TA was found in both species. Most AT-skew and GC-skew values observed in the protein-coding genes (PCGs) across the two samples were negative. The phylogenetic analysis based on 13 protein-coding genes by Maximum-Likelihood tree displayed two lineages from different regions which were from Myanmar/Indian waters (K4) and Southeast Asia/ Australian waters (S15). The striking genetic distance values between both specimens indicated 13 PCGs were suffering purifying selection. This study offers significant information for future analyses of evolutionary relationships among the numerous and taxonomically puzzling perciform fishes.

Flood Prediction Using Artificial Neural Networks: A Case Study in Temerloh, Pahang

Floods in Malaysia happen every year, especially in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia, due to the Northeast Monsoon and climate change, which may lead to heavy rainfall throughout the end of the year. Temerloh is one of the districts in Pahang that frequently encounters flood events, especially between November and January every year. The study used a dataset from the National Hydrological Network Management System (SPRHiN), which consists of hydrological data, and weather underground for the meteorological data in the location. The correlation analysis found that stream flow and water level are highly correlated to floods, with correlation coefficients (r values) of 0.83 and 0.76, respectively, while the temperature is inversely related to floods with a -0.28 correlation value. A lower temperature has a higher chance of rain and subsequent flooding. The results show that the model, by using an artificial neural network (ANN), has produced an accuracy of 0.9909 and a good performance of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve (AUC) at 0.888. The model also shows a low error with the mean squared error (MSE) of 0.009 and the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) of 0.096. The R2 value of 0.768 and F1 value of 0.875 indicate that the model has high precision and recall. Besides predictive modeling, a flood monitoring dashboard was created to visualize the data interactively. This research is vital in understanding the flood factors in Pahang and would offer academic insight for future research in floods. 

Molecular prevalence of Bartonella spp. in bat flies in east coast Malaysia

Bats are a significant reservoir for numerous pathogens, including Bartonella spp. It is one of the emerging zoonotic bacterial diseases that can be transmitted to humans and may cause various unspecific clinical manifestations. Thus, bartonellosis is rarely diagnosed and is regarded as a neglected vector-borne disease (VBD). Bat flies have been hypothesised to be a vector in the transmission of pathogens among bats. They are host-specific, which reduces the likelihood of pathogen transmission across bat species; however, they are likely to maintain high pathogen loads within their host species. To explore the presence of Bartonella spp. in bat flies from Peninsular Malaysia; bat fly samples collected from various sites at the east coast states were subjected to molecular detection for Bartonella spp. It was discovered that 38.7 % of bats from Terengganu and Kelantan were infested with bat flies; however, no bat fly was found in bats collected from Pahang. The collected bat flies belonged to the families Nycteribiidae (79.6 %) and Streblidae (20.4 %). The collected bat flies were pooled according to the locations and species into 39 pools. Out of these 39 pools, 66.7 % (n = 26) were positive for Bartonella spp. by PCR. Sequence analyses of five randomly selected PCR-positive pools revealed that pools from Kelantan (n = 3) have the closest sequence identities (99 %) to Bartonella spp. strain Lisso-Nig-922 from Nigeria. However, the other pools from Terengganu (n = 2) were closely related to Bartonella spp. strain KP277 from Thailand and Bartonella spp. strain Rhin-3 from the Republic of Georgia with 99 % and 100 % sequence identity, respectively. This suggests that the Bartonella spp. found in Malaysian bat flies are genetically diverse and can potentially serve as reservoirs for pathogenic Bartonella spp.

Storm surge induced by 2019 Tropical Storm Pabuk and impact on the shoreline in Kuala Nerus Terengganu, east coast of Peninsular Malaysia

This study investigates the one-year shoreline impacts of 2019 Tropical Storm Pabuk and the morphological changes of beaches in the study area of Kuala Nerus in Malaysia mediated by the hydrodynamic conditions. The study used a numerical model that utilised the two-way coupling of the wave and hydrodynamic model of MIKE 21 to simulate the event. The impact of the event was determined by employing the Digital Shoreline Analysis System, along with regular in-situ measurements of beach profiles carried out monthly. The results show a significant retreat rate of −58 m/year at Tok Jembal, highlighting the significant erosive impact, particularly on the northwest side of the airport. Despite a storm surge height below the extreme thresholds (>1 m), the beach morphology and the presence of coastal protection structures exerted a significant modulating influence. Batu Rakit, which is characterised by a wide beach, exhibited increased wave run-up and erosion resulting from the combined effect of a tidal surge of 0.64 m and significant wave heights of more than 1.12 m. UMT and Teluk Ketapang, on the other hand, which are shielded by coastal structures and influenced by longshore currents, experienced beach accretion. The intensification of the recirculation current with the surge is postulated to have contributed to the pronounced erosion at Pengakalan Maras. Although the overall magnitude of the storm surge was not exceptional, this study emphasises the importance of studying the effects of storm surges on monsoonal coasts. The intricate interplay between waves and currents, elucidated by coupled hydrodynamic and wave modelling, is crucial for understanding the consequences of storms and for proactive coastal management strategies. This study emphasises the crucial role of detailed hydrodynamic modelling in developing effective erosion control measures, which is an ongoing challenge for coastal communities.

Indigenous Women Perspectives on Gender Equality and Feminism: A Case Study of Jahai Women in Peninsular Malaysia

Most research on gender equality and feminism have been concentrated on non-indigenous women worldwide, with very few studies focusing specifically on Jahai tribe women. Indigenous women are important in advancing the ideas of feminism and gender equality within their societies. This paper is a case study focuses on the indigenous women which is the Jahai tribe women in Royal Belum State Park, Malaysia. In this case study, we explored Jahai women’s perspectives of gender equality and feminism aspects in this indigenous society. This case study employed a quantitative and a qualitative method for data collection. A total of 20 Jahai women were selected to complete a set of questionnaires and five of them were chosen for the in-depth interview. From the study, there were four main themes that emerged including socio- economic equality, equal treatment, gender responsibilities and egalitarian leadership and decision-making prospects. This research study was guided by the Transnational Feminism Theory and Theory of Gender Equality approach. The findings revealed that there was the similarities and distinctions perceptions in gender equality and feminism aspects among Jahai women. The study's conclusions shed new light on the gender equality and feminism interpretations and challenges those women in indigenous societies face. As a result, this study is important for future research since it adds to the body of knowledge about gender equality and concerns pertaining to indigenous women.

Respiratory carriage of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae by indigenous populations of Malaysia

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae that is classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a Priority One ESKAPE pathogen. South and Southeast Asian countries are regions where both healthcare associated infections (HAI) and community acquired infections (CAI) due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKp) are of concern. As K. pneumoniae can also exist as a harmless commensal, the spread of resistance genotypes requires epidemiological vigilance. However there has been no significant study of carriage isolates from healthy individuals, particularly in Southeast Asia, and specially Malaysia. Here we describe the genomic analysis of respiratory isolates of K. pneumoniae obtained from Orang Ulu and Orang Asli communities in Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia respectively. The majority of isolates were K. pneumoniae species complex (KpSC) 1 K. pneumoniae (n = 53, 89.8%). Four Klebsiella variicola subsp. variicola (KpSC3) and two Klebsiella quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae (KpSC4) were also found. It was discovered that 30.2% (n = 16) of the KpSC1 isolates were ST23, 11.3% (n = 6) were of ST65, 7.5% (n = 4) were ST13, and 13.2% (n = 7) were ST86. Only eight of the KpSC1 isolates encoded ESBL, but importantly not carbapenemase. Thirteen of the KpSC1 isolates carried yersiniabactin, colibactin and aerobactin, all of which harboured the rmpADC locus and are therefore characterised as hypervirulent. Co-carriage of multiple strains was minimal. In conclusion, most isolates were KpSC1, ST23, one of the most common sequence types and previously found in cases of K. pneumoniae infection. A proportion were hypervirulent (hvKp) however antibiotic resistance was low.