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Empowering Islamic Education Teachers as Special Assistants to Support Inclusive Elementary Schools
No full textThe importance of inclusive Islamic education is increasingly recognized in ensuring educational quality for students with special needs. This study sought to answer how training for Islamic Education teachers as special assistants is planned, implemented, evaluated, and followed up in inclusive elementary schools in Tapin Regency, Indonesia. Methods: This qualitative exploratory study was conducted in four elementary schools (Mandurian Public Elementary School, Pematang Karangan Hulu Public Elementary School, Rantau Kanan 2 Public Elementary School, Pebaungan Hulu Public Elementary School) involving eight Islamic Education teachers as special assistants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observations, and analyzed using data reduction, presentation, and conclusion. Results: The training played a significant role in improving teachers' competencies and fostering collaborative practices, involving systematic planning through meetings with principals and work teams, workshops, training sessions, ongoing supervision, comprehensive performance evaluation. Follow-up activities included reflection, continuous training, and collaboration between assistant and regular teachers to optimize inclusive education, though hampered by resource constraints. Conclusion: Systematic and comprehensive training of Islamic Education teachers as special assistants plays a significant role in supporting the success of inclusive education for students with special needs and provides valuable insights for developing effective inclusive Islamic education programs
Innovative Pathways for Teacher and Educational Staff Professional Growth : The Sarawak Experience
No full textThis research examines the innovative pathways established to strengthen teacher and educational staff professional growth in Sarawak, Malaysia. As the largest state with more than 40 ethnic groups, Sarawak faces the dual challenge and opportunity of sustaining education in a multilingual and multicultural society. Within the framework of the Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), education and human capital have been placed as central pillars to meet global transformations, rapid technological change and generational shifts. Several initiatives have been introduced to support this agenda. The Sarawak Education Enhancement Programme (SEEP), Dual Language Programme (DLP) and Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary Schools (YSISS) provide opportunities for teachers to develop professional competence through international pedagogy, bilingual approaches and student-centred methodologies. At the higher education level, UNIMAS strengthens professional growth through school–university partnerships such as English for Juniors (E4J), Service-Learning Malaysia (SULAM) and Sahabat Bahasa. These programmes enhance reciprocal learning between teachers, students and academics while embedding local culture and language in the educational process. Despite challenges such as the digital divide, remote geography and teacher workload, Sarawak’s experience demonstrates the value of community partnerships, hybrid learning models and the importance of recognising teachers as agents of change. The study argues that aligning policy, innovation and culture is essential for future-proofing education, ensuring that teachers remain lifelong learners who are technologically skilled yet culturally rooted, with strong emphasis on social impact and sustainability
A Dialog Between Islamic Law and Adat (Customary Law) in the Social Context of West Kalimantan, Indonesia
Get PDFThis study examines the relationship between Islamic law (Sharia) and Customary law (Adat law) in the social context of West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The study’s primary
objective is to examine how these two legal systems coexist and interact within the region. The study employs a qualitative methodology, with data collection conducted through interviews with key informants, including religious leaders, Customary authorities, community members,
and local government officials. The study also examines selected documents to ascertain the content of Customary law that is explicitly or implicitly related to Islamic law. The study finds that West Kalimantan Customary law has adopted Islamic law into its legal structure, as evidenced by the emergence of specific vocabulary or terms known in Islamic law that have similar meanings. Furthermore, there are differences in the situation between the Malay heartland, where Islam is strict, and the non-Malay heartland (Dayak Zone), where Islam is loose. These findings demonstrate local Customary law’s active role, resilience, and adaptability in socio-economic change and broader legal reform. This study significantly contributes to law
and sociology and offers a deeper understanding of the dialogue between Customary law and religion
Perbandingan Kosa Kata Dasar Bahasa Lengilo dengan Bahasa Lun Bawang di Ba’Kelalan, Lawas, Sarawak
No full textSuku kaum Lengilo merupakan salah satu kaum peribumi minoriti yang menempati kawasan utara Sarawak, iaitu Ba’Kelalan dan Lawas. Sebagai asimilasi dengan kaum peribumi
lain, kaum ini mengelaskan diri mereka sebagai sebahagian daripada kumpulan Lun Bawang. Pengelasan ini mendorong kepada pendedahan kepada kesepaduan budaya, adat resam dan bahasa kaum Lun Bawang. Kajian ini membandingkan kosa kata dasar bahasa Lengilo dengan bahasa Lun Bawang, dan seterusnya menentukan tingkat kekerabatan antara kedua-dua bahasa ini. Data kajian ini dikumpul menerusi kajian lapangan di Ba’Kelalan dan Lawas, Sarawak. Temu bual dijalankan berdasarkan senarai 100 kosa kata Swadesh melibatkan 10 orang informan penutur natif, terdiri daripada lelaki dan perempuan berusia 56 hingga 68 tahun. Kaedah leksikostatistik digunakan untuk mengenal pasti peratusan kata berkognat, iaitu melibatkan persamaan dan perbezaan kosa kata bahasa-bahasa ini berasaskan jadual tingkat kekerabatan bahasa cadangan Gudschinsky (1964). Hasil kajian ini berupaya menunjukkan kesamaan atau kemiripan dari segi bentuk dan makna bagi bahasa-bahasa yang dibandingkan. Kajian ini juga menjelaskan status linguistik kedua-dua bahasa, iaitu hubungannya sama ada bersanak dalam keluarga bahasa yang sama
The music rhythm tour board game for rhythmic sight-reading
No full textBoard games are recognised for their positive impact on learning across various disciplines. Despite their benefits, there is a noticeable lack of focus on utilising board games within music education. This study examined the effects of the music rhythm tour board game on rhythmic sight-reading ability among music learners aged 13–18 who completed their theory of music grade one. The quasi-experimental design involved a pre-test, gameplay sessions, and post-test with 36 participants from a music learning centre. The Music Rhythmic Reading Test (MRRT) measured participants' rhythmic efficiency, focusing on note duration, timing, and tempo. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, revealing significant post-test improvements in rhythmic sight-reading. Additionally, the analysis showed decreased rhythmic errors post-intervention. The results highlight the effectiveness of the music rhythm tour board game in enhancing rhythmic sight-reading skills and promoting game-based interventions in music education
Everyday Precarities and Systemic Exploitations: Indonesian Migrant Workers in Sarawak's Palm Oil Industry
Get PDFThe Malaysian palm oil industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, yet it faces a critical labour shortage, particularly in Sarawak, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and migration barriers. A significant portion of the workforce in Malaysia’s palm oil plantations comprises Indonesian migrant workers, many of whom are undocumented. This study explores the role of undocumented Indonesian migrant labour in addressing the labour shortages in Sarawak's palm oil sector, focusing on the systemic challenges these workers face. Through in-depth interviews with 15 undocumented migrant workers and 5 key informants, this qualitative research highlights the legal, social, and economic vulnerabilities that contribute to exploitation and poor working conditions. The study reveals the complexity of migration patterns, the predominance of male workers in physically demanding roles, and the exploitation facilitated by undocumented status. Additionally, the research uncovers the gendered divisions of labour that limit women’s participation in core plantation tasks. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges facing the palm oil industry in Sarawak and underscores the need for policy reforms to protect migrant workers’ rights and improve labour conditions. By focusing on Sarawak, this study adds a critical perspective to the broader discourse on migrant labour in Malaysia, particularly in regions often overlooked in existing literature
Key Macroeconomic Indicators’ Response to Oil Price Shocks in Yemen : Asymmetry in Focus
Get PDFThe oil-based economy of Yemen is like other oil-based economies susceptible to global oil price shocks. Hence, this study examines the asymmetric responses of some Yemen's key macroeconomic indicators to oil price shocks from 1991 to 2022. To achieve this, the Nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) and its associated bootstrap NARDL are adopted for an augmented analysis of such response and association. Overall findings indicate that all variables are cointegrated and respond asymmetrically to shocks in oil prices with a greater magnitude for the negative shocks. Specifically, gross domestic product (GDPY) responds positively and significantly to negative shocks only in the short-term, and to both positive and negative shocks in the long-term. The exchange rate (EXCHRY) responds asymmetrically to shocks in both the short and long run, with significant long-term appreciation in response to positive shocks and significant short-term response to negative shocks. The study recommends that Yemen's policymakers develop a long-term strategy to diversify revenue sources beyond oil dependency
OPTIMISATION OF WILD BIRDS’ FECAL EXTRACTION USING MACHEREY-NAGEL NUCLEOSPIN DNA STOOL KIT
Get PDFCurrent DNA extraction methods for bird faeces samples might not provide sufficient DNA quantity, which in turn affects downstream analyses. This study aimed to improve the current method of DNA extraction from the faeces of wild birds - a total of seven (n = 7) samples for analysis and protocol comparison. Three different methods in this study were compared: (1) The original method as per the manufacturer’s instructions,(2) a supplementary chicken-specific protocol provided by the manufacturer, and (3) modifications to the protocol conducted in the laboratory. After extensive troubleshooting, DNA yield was significantly increased by utilising the modified protocol, which includes ethanol evaporation with a heat block, a direct 30-minutes freezer step during contaminant precipitation replacing ice, and a warm elution buffer for improved DNA elution. These findings offer valuable guidance for developing a refined and more specific methodology for collecting and processing bird faeces samples, improving the reliability of DNA-based studies in microbiota research in the bird gut
Distribution and Morphological Assessment of the Genera Pincerna and Stomacosmethis (Gastropoda, Alycaeidae) from Selected Areas in Sarawak
No full textThe genera of Pincerna and Stomacosmethis are a widely distributed genera in Sarawak. The shell variations within these two genera can be observed in certain morphological characters which required comprehensive study. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the extent of morphological variation of Pincerna and Stomacosmethis based on their shell characters. In this study, only one selected Pincerna species (P. globosa) and three species of Stomacosmethis (S. hosei, S. sadongensis and S. galbanus) can be found in Sarawak. A total of 283 adults P. globosa and 355 adults Stomacosmethis (S. hosei (280), S. sadongensis (42) and S. galbanus (33)) collected at limestone cluster in Bau, Padawan, Siburan, Niah and Miri. The collected specimens were deposited into Zoological Museum UNIMAS, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. For shell shape analysis, geometric morphometric data was generated using landmarks with software tpsDig2 v. 1.1. For the shell size analysis, each shell was measured under stereo-microscope and colour images were captured using software Toupview. Seven measurements made were used to quantify shell size and shape: shell diameter (D), shell height (H), apertural width (AW), apertural height (AH), height of spire (SH) and width of spire (SW), and width of proto conch (PW) with scale 1 mm as guidance. Based on landmark analysis, there is a significant variation of shell shape of P. globosa (p < 0.0001) with respected to LM10, the highest point of the lip and LM15, the external point of the lip at the left profile of the shell. Principal component analysis based on geometric morphometrics show a total variation of 37.18% by the first two principal components. Furthermore, the populations from Padawan cluster shows the largest in terms of shell size when compared with populations from Bau and Siburan. While the genus S. hosei (p < 0.0001) shows the highest significant difference of LM13, the median lip point and the highest point of the lip (LM12). Principal component analysis based on geometric morphometrics show a total variation of 43.78% by the first two principal components. This study also discovered S. hosei from Bau cluster has the tallest shells. As a conclusion, there are significant variations of shell shape and size of Pincerna and Stomacosmethis from Sarawak. From this study, it shows that these species offer valuable ecological insights as they can adapt to diverse environment condition, serve as bioindicators and species identification which highlighting
their importance in both ecological and conservation. These finding highlight the potential of these land snails to offer valuable ecological insights as they can adapt to diverse environment condition, serve as bioindicators and assist in species identification underscore their importance in both ecological and conservation efforts
Purification and Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptides with Insulinotropic Activity from the Skin Secretion of Bornean Frogs
No full textThe antimicrobial and insulinotropic properties of skin secretions from two Bornean frog
species in the Ranidae family—Pulchrana baramica and Hylarana erythraea—and
Limnonectus paramacrodon from the Dicroglossidae family were investigated. A
comprehensive approach utilizing various techniques was employed to study the
characteristics of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) isolated from these frogs. Initially, crude
skin secretions were partially purified using Sep-Pak C-18 cartridges, followed by further
purification through AKTA HPLC. SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that the AKTA
HPLC method produced clearer, more distinct bands compared to Sep-Pak, confirming its
superior effectiveness. In disc diffusion tests, the peptides exhibited significant inhibition
zones against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, indicating strong antibacterial
activity. Specifically, P. baramica showed inhibition zones of 11.66±3.44 and 11.33±0.9
mm at 1000 µg/ml and 500 µg/ml concentrations, respectively, against E. coli, and 5.6±0.6
mm against S. aureus at 1000 µg/ml. Meanwhile, H. erythraea displayed inhibition zones of
7.33±0.5 and 4.3±0.6 mm at 1000 µg/ml and 500 µg/ml concentrations, respectively, against
E. coli, and 4.6±0.6 mm against S. aureus. No antimicrobial activity was observed for L.
paramacrodon. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests revealed species-specific
values, with AMPs from P. baramica demonstrating higher potency than those from H.
erythraea (MIC: 250 µg/ml). Regarding cytotoxicity, AMPs purified from both Ranid frogs
caused over 50% lysis of red blood cells, indicating potential impacts on mammalian
erythrocyte membrane integrity, whereas L. paramacrodon peptides displayed lower toxicity
with less than 50% cell lysis. Furthermore, the insulinotropic effects of Bornean frog AMPs
on HIT-T15 cells were examined. These AMPs were found to enhance insulin secretion from
pancreatic cells, with statistical analysis indicating a significant effect (p < 0.05) for P. baramica. In contrast, the effects of H. erythraea and L. paramacrodon were not significant
(p > 0.05). These findings suggest that multifunctional peptides play a crucial role in
protecting Bornean frogs against invading pathogens and hold potential as antidiabetic
agents for managing glucose levels and diabetes