Perak Research Articles

NMR Study of Methyl β-orsellinate from Dirinaria sp. was Collected from Coastal Areas of Teluk Nipah, Pulau Pangkor, Perak Malaysia

The research was carried out to isolate and characterize the methyl β-orsellinate of lichen Dirinaria sp. collected from the coastal areas of Teluk Nipah, Pulau Pangkor, Perak Malaysia. The sample was extracted in methanol for three times at room temperature. Subsequently, the crude extracts and further analysed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC). To derive the pure compounds, the isolation step was performed using radial chromatography (RC). The chemical structure of the isolated compound was determined by several spectroscopies i.e. infra-red (IR), nuclear magnetic resonances (NMR), and mass spectrometric (MS). The compound was identified as methyl β-orsellinate.

Distribution of pathogenic Leptospira in environmental water and soils of selected recreational forests in Perak, Malaysia.

Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic disease endemic in tropical regions. Aiming at assessing the potential infection risks via recreational exposure, the molecular prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira in 14 amenity forests in five selected districts of the state of Perak was determined. Water and soil samples along streams and waterfalls were subjected to culture of leptospires and the pathogenic Leptospira spp. was detected by lipL32-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty out of 154 samples (13%) that tested positive for leptospires were mostly soils and still water recorded with tolerable temperatures (22.2- 26.5°C) and pHs (5.73-6.70). The localised prevalence was highly varied among eight positive forests (6.7-41.7%), particularly higher in Kampar and Kinta districts which are the more populated urban areas. The importance of public health surveillance should not be underrated given the high prevalence of Leptospira spp. in forests in close proximity to indigenous settlements, even where the places are clean. Overall, this study discovered a wide distribution of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in recreational areas.

Knowledge and Perception of Malaysian Forest Fringe Population towards Zika Infection

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Zika infection as Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2016. In this study, we aimed to assess the knowledge and risk perception towards Zika infection among the forest fringe population in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study of with 433 adult respondents in Malaysia completed the assisted-administered validated questionnaire on knowledge and perception to Zika infection. Bidirectional analysis on the person and item abilities were tested using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Rasch. The knowledge and perception levels were tested against significant sociodemographic or socioeconomic variables using Pearson’s Chi Square; covariates were then adjusted at multivariate level using binary logistic regression. Both knowledge and perception domains were well-targeted. Complementing results from SPSS and Rasch showed poor knowledge and poor risk perception levels in slightly more than half of the respondents [knowledge score: 50.8% (SPSS), 55.4% (Rasch); perception score: (58.0% (SPSS), 58.2% (Rasch)]. With covariates adjusted, non-bumiputra (non-natives) of higher education level, higher household income and recent jungle visits showed good knowledge level. Adult, menopaused women from Perak state showed better risk perception level towards Zika. Majority of the forest fringe population in Malaysia have poor knowledge and risk perception towards the Zika infection. This questionnaire is a suitable tool to assess knowledge and perception towards Zika infection among the forest fringe populations in Southeast Asia.

An Analysis of Factors That Influences Cottage Industry Development

Cottage Industry in Malaysia contributes key economic revenues for the village population. It is mainly small-scaled operations, using local resources and traditional skills with very low investments but fast returns. However, the industry may not be flourishing currently due to the lack of modern technology, facilities and knowledge transfer in place. Aim of this study is to determine the CI's current positions, challenges, and gaps in the state of Perak. This study was carried out via a self-administered structured questionnaire that equally distributed throughout the Perak State (North Perak, Central Perak and South Perak) involving 300 respondents. The study shows that a community's socioeconomic development and CI sector are influenced by a variety of factors. It is due to both internal and external causes, such as interest and self-motivation, as well as the positions of different organisations, as well as family and community support.

The Contributions of Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Abdullah Minangkabawi

The development of Islam in the state of Perak was not popular in the 19th century. After the presence of figure from Minangkabawi such as Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Abdullah Minangkabawi, the development of religious discourse was getting more positive. Generally, Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Abdullah was one of the scholars who played a role in spreading Islamic teachings in the form of Sufism in the natural archipelago. He was appointed as Sheikh al-Islam Perak Darul Ridzuan by Yamtuan Muda Perak. This article used a data collection survey method and historical based analysis which were applied to the contributions brought by Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Abdullah Minangkabawi as Sheikh al-Islam Perak Darul Ridzuan. The result of this study found that Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Abdullah succeeded in spreading the teachings by using a position in politics as an influential person with the Sultanate of Istana Perak Darul Ridzuan. Inculcating positive dimensions for the influence of tasawwuf knowledge in the Malay archipelago was also one of the contributions made by Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Abdullah Minangkabawi.

Analysis of Food Expenditure in Perak

This study aims to analyze food expenditure among the community in Perak. There are three objectives targeted in this study including: 1) identify the level of food expenditure, 2) identify the relationship between demographic factors with food expenditure and 3) analyze the factors influencing food expenditure. This quantitative study used a set of questionnaire as an instrument to obtain the necessary information. A total of 206 respondents were involved in this study through snowball sampling. All selected respondents were heads of families living in the state of Perak. Descriptive analysis showed that the mean food expenditure was RM1,301.89. In addition, the findings of the study also showed that there was significant relationship between age and education with food expenditure. The significance value was 0.05, multiple regression analysis showed that consciousness, personal and religious factors were significantly positive while social factors were significantly negative. Media was found as the only factor that was not significant. In conclusion, food spending in the state of Perak is high and this situation is driven by many factors. This included the supply of food at affordable prices, the function of the authorities to promote food, high supply of ready and unfinished food and so on. The implications of the study have highlighted the importance of expenditure planning especially to every head of the family. This is important to ensure that the residents in Perak have sufficient knowledge on the selection of good healthy foods.

Approach to the Christianisation Movement among Orang Asli Muslim in State of Perak, Malaysia

Christian movement in Malaysia has been always a controversial debate among Muslims in Malaysia. Their efforts to Christianize Malaysian people including Orang Asli is regarded as a threat to Islam as a largest religion of Malaysia as well as an official religion of the state. This article attempts to analyze Christian missionary approach to deliver their Gospel messages among Orang Asli Muslim in Perak State of Malaysia, one of the 13 Malaysian states. This study focuses on the Orang Asli villages in Gopeng, Kampar and Tapah districts in Perak Darul Ridzuan. Data were collected through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview method conducted with six study participants as this is a qualitative research using case study design. The case study was conducted to examine in depth the phenomena related to the Christianization movement carried out by Christian activists through the experience of preachers who have been actively involved in preaching for more than 10 years in Orang Asli villages in Perak. The study found that Christian activities use a specific approach to attract the interest of the Muslim Orang Asli community to Christianity. Such an approach is a planned and structured strategy to win the heart of the Orang Asli. They carried out the effort so pragmatically and convincingly that the Orang Asli Muslims people could be influenced by the religion and eventually left Islam to embrace Christianity. The study also found that, the approach used to influence the Orang Asli community in Perak is the arts approach through entertainment, contextualization approach, humanitarian aid approach, psychological approach through the spread of love and affection message, and leadership cadres approach by appointing priests from the Orang Asli community.

Determination of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons Concentration in Coastal Seawater of Teluk Batik Beach, Perak, Malaysia

The study aims to determine Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) status in seawater from Teluk Batik beach seawater. In July 2018, fishing vessel sunk two nautical miles off Pematang Damar Laut, a coastal village within the town of George Town, Penang Malaysia, which also impacted the coastline of Perak State. Approximately six tons of diesel and hundreds of liters of fuel oil drifted from the Penang sea to the Perak coast. On further subsequent wave action the TPH concentrations in seawater fluctuated over time. In the coastal water of Teluk Batik Beach, Perak, Malaysia, grab samples were taken from surface seawater for determining the TPH concentrations in November and December 2019. The TPH in seawater was determined by the extractable solvent (Hexane) and the additional petroleum hydrocarbons by the Infrared (IR) method. The values of TPH ranged from 91 to 503 mg/L. Compared to the standards in Malaysian waters, the TPH levels found in this study were high, indicating serious pollution of TPH in the area under study.

The authority of the Queen of Aceh and the Sultan of Perak in tin trade negotiations with the Dutch 1640-1670

Aceh reached its zenith, during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda Mahkota Alam. However he died at a young age, leaving an heir and legacy of enormous ruling power. Its main enemy, both in the military and in trade, is the European power in the Straits of Malacca. The Ruler of Aceh after his death had to deal with the Dutch colonialists who are interested in tin mining in the state of Perak in the Malay Peninsula. Perak at the time was under the auspices of Aceh. The main goal of this paper is to review the role and authority of the ruler of Aceh and Perak, when dealing with a Dutch ploy to monopolize the quarry. This study uses a qualitative method, with a fully literature approach. Based on the data analyzed, it was found that the Queen of Aceh and the Sultan of Perak managed to maintain the tin in Perak, from completely monopolized by the Dutch. The attitude of Queen of Aceh, and Sultan Perak's patience and diplomacy to treat the ills of the Dutch; finally resulted in the Dutch themselves have to bear the losses because of their greed by blockading the port of Aceh and Perak, who angered local merchants and foreigners.

Socio demographic and lifestyle factors of metabolic syndrome among adult rural indigenous Malaysian population from Perak State, Malaysia.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a cluster of known disorders that increase the risk for morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross sectional study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of MetS using Adult Treatment Panel 3 (ATP 3) classification and socio-demographic and lifestyle factors contributing to metabolic syndrome among rural indigenous Malaysian population from Perak state, Malaysia which included 148 rural Malay and 145 Orang Asli(OA) individuals. This community based cross-sectional study revealed that the prevalence of MetS was significantly higher among Malays (27.7%) as compared to Orang Aslis (13.8%). Overall Prevalence of Metabolic syndrome in the rural indigenous Malaysian population was 20.8%. Prevalence of abdominal obesity and high blood pressure were significantly higher among Malays as compared to OA population. Metabolic syndrome was significantly higher among those above 45 years of age group in overall rural indigenous Malaysian population and among OA. The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher among those who were obese and overweight and among Malays who were regularly taking snacks between meals. There was no significant association between other dietary risk factors, smoking, alcohol use or physical activity with metabolic syndrome.

The Influence of the Transformational Leadership of the Headmasters on the Professional Development of Preschool Teachers

The purpose of this research is to study the influence of the transformational leadership of the headmasters on the professional development of national preschool teachers in Perak state. The design of this study is quantitative descriptive using questionnaires as the instrument. The sample consists of 260 national preschool teachers from Perak, Malaysia. The research instrument is adapted from Leadership Practice Inventory (LPI) and Readiness, Planning, Training, Implementation and Maintenance (RPTIM) Model. The findings showed that the level of the transformational leadership of the headmasters and the level of preschool teachers’ professional development are high. Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between these two variables. The regression analysis showed a high percentage of transformational leadership contributing to the preschool teachers’ professional development. In conclusion, transformational leadership of the headmasters has evidently influenced the professional development of preschool teachers. It supports the views that transformational leadership is an ideal leadership style to be practiced by the school leaders.

A Pilot Study Using Chaos Theory to Predict Temperature Time Series in Malaysian Semi Urban Area

Chaos theory draws more attention since it has been widely used in modeling various time series. Changes in temperature can cause bad effect on health and lead to death. Therefore, in this study, chaos theory was applied to the temperature time series. The temperature time series is observed hourly in one of Malaysiansemi urban area namely Tanjong Malim,located in the state of Perak. This pilot study begins by detecting the chaos nature in time series through phase space approach and Cao method. Next, the time series was predicted through the local approximation method, a method based on chaos theory. This study resulted that the nature of the observed temperature time series was chaos. Prediction through the local approximation method was success with correlation coefficient value 0.9138. This shows that there exist a strong relationship between the predicted and observed temperature time series. Therefore, chaos theorywas a good approach that can be used to determine the nature and predict temperature time series in the semi urban area. In implication, this findingwas expected to serve stakeholders such as Ministry of Higher Education, Meteorological Department as well as Department of Environment in temperature time series management.

Dynamic and Structure Profiling of Kampar River, Slim River and Sungkai River: White Water Recreation Rivers in the State of Perak, Malaysia

In Malaysia, there are many rivers that are being the attraction for white water river activities. Perak, is a state on the west of Peninsular Malaysia has several rivers that are suitable for white water river activities and being among the favourite location for white water river activities enthusiasts. Among the well-known white water rivers in Perak state are Kampar River, Slim River, Sungkai River, Singgor River and Sungai Bernam River. The attraction of a white water river depends on several factors. One of the important factor is the classification of rapid difficulty level. To date, the classification of rapid difficulty level in Malaysia is based on the international standard scale and certified by The International Canoe Federation (ICF). Apart from that, other attraction factors such as river water quality, geographical location, logistics facilities, transportation access, facilities, operator reputations and promotions are among other attraction factors. This present study aims to identify the main attraction factors in the white water rivers in Perak State. Dynamic and structure profiling of the rivers was produced. The white water rivers selected in this study were Kampar River, Slim River and Sungkai River. From the study, Kampar River was identified to be the most preferred river for white water activities compared to Slim River and Sungkai River. Findings from the study was resourceful in the effort of constructing a complete profile of white water rivers structure located in the state of Perak besides promoting white water river activities as a structured recreational tourism activity in Perak.

Contraceptive Use: Patterns and Preferences among New Acceptors in Malaysia, 1990 to 2018

Family planning is one of the important aspects in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) in Goal 3 on Health and Goal 5 on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. Family planning is the basic need and women’s right to pregnancy, to get optimal health. The use of contraceptive enables women to attain their desired number of children and determine the gap of pregnancies towards the improvement of the families’ well-being of. The aim of this paperisto describe the patterns and preferences of contraceptive use among new acceptors attending a family planning clinic at National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB) in sixteenstates in Malaysia. The data analysis includes the new acceptors of contraception use among married women aged 15 to 49 years old, who attended a family planning clinic at NPFDB for the year 1990 to 2018. There are various types of contraceptive methods considered: contraceptive pills, Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUD), condom, hormone injection, implant, sterilization, rhythm and others. Results of the analysis show that contraceptive pills and sterilization have continued to be the most preferred contraceptive methods among new acceptors at NPFDB clinic, with decreasing pattern from 1990 to 2018.While the use of implant, hormone injection and condom has increased steadily since 2004. The state of Perak has the highest number of new acceptors in most years, whilethe federal territory of Labuan has the lowest number of acceptors in most years within 29 years from 1990 to 2018. In addition, the most popular contraceptive method among women for all states in Malaysia in most years from 1990 to 2018 is contraceptive pills, which is preferred in ten states: Kelantan (83%), Kuala Lumpur (72%), Labuan (40%), Negeri Sembilan (86%), Pahang (66%), Perlis (45%), Pulau Pinang (35%), Sabah (60%), Selangor (69%), and Terengganu (76%). While sterilization is the most popular in four states: Johor (62%), Kedah (59%), Melaka (52%), and Perak (66%). Finally, hormone injection is the most popular method in Putrajaya (100%), and condom is the most popular in Sarawak (40%).As a conclusion, this study has found that although the use of contraceptive pillsisdecreasing, it still becomes the most popular among new acceptors in most of the states in Malaysia since 1990. However, the decreasing pattern of new acceptors for all types of contraceptive methods becomes our concern. Future research should therefore,concentrate on the investigation of the reduction number of new acceptors at NPFDB clinic. This is important to make sure the demands of contraceptive can be met and NPFDB clinics couldprovide better services towards better quality of life and better families’ well-being.

The Antecedents of Digital Marketing Application by Malaysian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

This research focuses primarily on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia, with special reference to Perak State. It is widely recognised that the adoption and use of digital marketing applications change the ways in which organizations conduct their activities and represent a critical business opportunity for MSMEs. This opportunity will only be realised by MSMEs if, and when, digital marketing is applied to their organizations. This, therefore, creates a requirement to understand the factors that influence MSMEs in making the adoption decision. The research related to such factors is scarce, not least because the technologies are relatively new. By using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, this study, therefore, attempted to understand the predictors/factors influencing the decision making by MSMEs to adopt digital marketing applications. It employed a quantitative approach to meet the research objectives. A survey involving 369 MSMEs in Perak State was conducted to examine empirically the preliminary model. The survey data were analysed using Logistic Regression (LR) technique. Of the factors examined, technological and organizational contexts were found to have a significant influence on MSMEs’ decisions to adopt digital marketing applications. These findings have important implications and value for the research community, MSMEs and policymakers in terms of formulating improved strategies for digital marketing adoption and applications. The resulting research model proposed in this paper/article can improve these stakeholders’understandings on why some MSMEs have chosen to adopt digital marketing technologies, while other MSMEs which face similar market conditions have not.

Microsatellite analysis of Rafflesia cantleyi from the Rafflesia Conservation and Interpretive Centre, Bersia Timur and Gerik Forest Reserve, Perak, Malaysia

Located at Bersia Timur, the Rafflesia Conservation and Interpretive Centre (RCIC) was initiated by the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and FELDA to boost research and conservation efforts of the iconic Rafflesia species in the state of Perak. It also plays a role in supporting the economy of local communities by promoting local eco-tourism, providing trainings to local tour-guides and involving them in conserving the Rafflesia population. As part of the R & D and conservation effort, genetic diversity assessment of Rafflesia cantleyi from RCIC and Gerik Forest Reserve (FR) was carried out. Bract samples from a total of eight and 35 R. cantleyi individuals of different flowering / anthesis stages were collected from RCIC and Gerik FR, respectively. We used nine polymorphic microsatellite markers for genotyping. Despite the small sample size (∼75% lesser compared with Gerik FR), the total number of alleles observed in RCIC is > 50% than that of Gerik FR, i.e., 33 compared to 57. The genetic diversity measure in terms of observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosities from both sites are comparable (RCIC: Ho = 0.5298, He = 0.5347; Gerik FR: Ho = 0.5145, He = 0.5868). Our findings suggest that the R. cantleyi population in Gerik FR is a suitable source for future translocation activities.

SPACE ORGANIZATION IN PERAK MALAY TRADITIONAL HOUSE

The Perak Malay Traditional houses are one of the relics that should be appreciated due to their space organization uniqueness which is not present in today's modern houses. The study of the house's space organization should highly be given attention for future generations to discern. The issue is there is minimal approach to appreciating the space organization and there is even no concern of its benefits if applied in the construction of modern houses today. Indeed, in an orientation before the construction of a residential house, the role of the environment including culture, way of life, especially the occupants of the residence are taken care of by a craftsman. Discussion between the host and the craftsman is an important aspect before the residence is established. Space requirements are the most in the architecture of a traditional Malay house, a space was born as a result of the activities of the society, by gender requirements in addition to the comfort of concern with the residential environment. Space requirements are common in almost every traditional Malay house in Malaysia but there are differences in orientation, climate, environment and local culture that trigger the use of space. The purpose of this study is to pass knowledge to the future generation in order to appreciate the relics house. For that, the objectives of this research are to analyse the spatial organization design and architecture of a traditional Malay house with Perak state based on space functional diversity through research on the role of space during the performance of activities. This paper employs qualitative research adapting the observation on-surrounding and the house's interior space. Besides, sketches on house spatial pattern, joinery detailing and joinery construction were some of the approaches that have been applied to obtain the data. To strengthen data acquisition, interviews with target groups like village heads or local house carpenters were made. The data were analyzed and the sketches were illustrated in diagrams to interpret the pattern of findings. The results strengthened the characteristics of the interior spatial organization for Perak house traditionally do influence the environment, society, cultural customs, beliefs and religions. 

Determinants of Excursionists’ Satisfaction and Loyalty Towards Architectural Tourism in Ipoh Township, Malaysia

This study examines the determinants of excursionists’ satisfaction and destination loyalty towards architectural tourism destination in Ipoh Township, since in view of its economic, social and cultural importance, there are limited studies focusing on tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty towards architectural tourism in the extant literature. In addition, the downturn of the tourism sector in Malaysia has mirrored in the state of Perak which raises an alarming signal to the state tourism authorities as domestic tourists are shifting away to tourism destinations in other states and cities in Malaysia. It is postulated that Destination Image, Authenticity, Safety of Destination and Cultural Differences as direct determinants of excursionists’ satisfaction and destination loyalty. Using convenience sampling technique, this study surveyed 250 excursionists who are visiting architectural tourism destination in Ipoh Township. The data were analysed to ensure the attainment of internal reliability before further analyses were conducted. Multiple linear regression analyses found that all determinants had a significant positive effect on excursionists’ satisfaction and destination loyalty. The findings suggest managerial implications to the tourism stakeholders in preserving the heritage and cultural value of the Ipoh Township. Limitations and suggestions for future research are also highlighted.

MALAY CULTURE ASSIMILATION ON MUSLIM MALABARI COMMUNITIES IN MALAYSIA

The Malabari community is a Muslim minority in Malaysia. People from Kerala in India has been living in Malaya since the days of the Malacca Sultanate. One theory of the spread of Islam to Malaya connected with minority communities that of the Shafi’i sect. Majority of the community presently lives in the states of Johore, Selangor, Perak, Malacca and Penang. The study’s focus was to examine the assimilation of Malay culture in the life of Muslim Malabaris by looking at the social and cultural aspects that included the assimilation of language communication, education, traditional dress, and wedding. This research was a “non-experimental” study that concentrated on field studies and interviews. Study data were collected through interviews and surveys. The outcomes revealed that the language of the Muslim Malabari community is losing their identity in Malaysia. They already assimilate the Malay culture in their daily lives. This paper also presented some ideas to maintain their identity in Malaysia and recommended further documentation and research to preserve and uphold their customs and traditions not to stay relevant.

The effect of the SIMS Programme versus existing preschool oral healthcare programme on oral hygiene level of preschool children: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundDespite the implementation of the preschool oral healthcare programme (POHP) for 5–6-year-old children over the past 3 decades in Malaysia, dental plaque and caries levels in this age group remain high. Among the child-level attributable factors are unhealthy self-care behaviours (poor oral hygiene and high sugary diet). In order to improve the children’s oral health, an improved programme called the ‘Senyuman Indah Milik Semua’ Programme (SIMSP) or ‘Beautiful Smile for All’ programme is introduced. In this programme, a triad of dental hygienist-teacher-parent works together to improve children’s oral hygiene levels compared with the existing POHP that involves dental hygienists only. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of the SIMSP versus the existing POHP on oral hygiene levels of 5–6-year-old children in the Kampar district, Perak state, Malaysia.MethodsThis study is a pragmatic, cluster-randomised, parallel-group, matched pair, controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. Randomisation is performed using a computer-generated table with a 1:1 allocation comparing the SIMSP and the POHP involving 28 preschools in the Kampar district, Perak, Malaysia. The intervention consists of preschool visits by a group of dental therapists, in-class oral health lessons and daily toothbrushing conducted by class teacher, child home toothbrushing supervised by parents, and infographic oral health messages to parents. The control consists of the existing POHP that involves preschool visits by a group of dental therapists only. The trial lasts for 6 months. Primary outcome variable is the mean plaque score change after 6 months. To determine the feasibility of the SIMSP, a process evaluation will be conducted using the perspectives of dental therapists, teachers, and parents on the appropriateness, effectiveness, facilitators, and barriers to the SIMSP implementation as well as an audit trail to assess the trial intervention.DiscussionCluster randomisation may lead to a random effect and cluster selection bias. These factors will be accounted for when analysing the data and interpreting the outcomes. The effectiveness of the SIMSP will be evaluated by comparing the results with those of the POHP.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04339647. Registered on 5 April 2020 – Retrospectively registered.