Commonrepo UM

University of Malaya, Faculty of Engineering

    CONDUCTING WORLD CLASS RESEARCH   
           ISSUE 46  
 
 
Centre of Advanced  
Manufacturing and Material Processing 
 
UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA 
QUARTERLY BULLETIN | APRIL - JUNE 2020 
MAY 2020 - The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought an 
unprecedented global challenge, affecting the lives, health, and 
economic wellbeing of the many people in Malaysia. University of 
Malaya, alongside other universities in the country, has started on 
various initiatives to leverage the expertise of academicians and 
researchers in helping to solve the immediate challenges of public 
health response, and to assist in formulating solutions for the ”new-
normal”. AMMP Centre together with the Dept. of Mechanical 
Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UM have collaborated on three 
COVID-19 response projects throughout the MCO (Movement Control 
Order) period from April to June 2020. These projects were mooted 
based on the immediate global rally for engineering-based solutions in 
preparation for large number outbreaks and issues of shortages of 
equipment and PPE.  
 
Project 1 : Automated pumping mechanism for manual –hand 
ventilator  
Project leader: Dr. Mohd Ridha bin Muhammad 
Some COVID-19 patients may require respiratory care, such as 
oxygenation and breathing assistance. Critically ill patients may also be 
recommended to be intubated, and their breathing subsequently 
controlled using a ventilator. Although most hospitals are equipped with 
several ventilators, most are extremely underequipped in the event of 
sudden surges in demand. The team from AMMP has successfully 
design and fabricated a portable ventilator based on the pumping 
mechanism for bag valve mask (BVM). Although it is not designed to 
replace dedicated ventilators, it can be utilized for a viable emergency 
The team took 14 days to design, machine and assemble the 
first prototype of the portable ventilator using readily available 
components and 3D printed parts.  
 
Project 2 : UV-C Mask Sterilizer 
Project leader: Dr. Mohd Ridha bin Muhammad 
The team, in collaboration with researchers from the US, has 
developed an apparatus that uses ultraviolet (UVC) light to 
sterilize protective masks for reuse during the COVID-19 
pandemic. The apparatus uses a quartz platform to prevent 
shadows and blocking of UVC light to ensure total disinfection of 
the mask. The apparatus was successfully assembled in the 
Faculty of Engineering within 21 days and currently undergoing 
testing in the Faculty of Medicine.  
 
Project 3 : On-demand design and fabrication of jigs and 
components fixtures to support COVID-19 
Project leader : Dr. Mohd Sayuti Ab Karim 
Completed project : Face mask band attachment 
The prolonged wearing of facemask, especially for those on the 
frontlines, imposes painful pressure on the outer ear caused by 
the stress of the elastic band of the mask. This 3D printed 
attachment allows relief by holding the elastic band behind the 
wearer’s head and allows comfortable wearing of the mask for 
an extended period. In collaboration with MyCRO Sdn Bhd, the 
team has produced and distributed around 2,000 units of the 
band attachment to target recipients in Universiti Malaya and the 
COVID-19 Response Projects by AMMP Centre & Faculty of Engineering, UM 
Brief Biodata  
 
Mohd Fadzil bin Jamaludin is a re-
search officer with the Centre of Ad-
vanced Manufacturing and Material 
Processing (AMMP Centre), Universi-
ty of Malaya. He obtained his Bache-
lor of Engineering (CAD/CAM) and 
Masters in Engineering Science 
(M.Eng.Sc) from University of Malaya in 2003 and 2010, 
respectively.  
His research interest is in Precision Joining Technology, 
Product Design and Additive Manufacturing. With over 15 
years experience in research administrations, he was one of 
the founding member of AMMP Centre, a leading engineer-
ing research centre in University of Malaya. He has co-
authored 29 research articles and is a co-inventor of 10 
patents. 
APRIL 2020 - AMMP Centre welcomes back our research officer, Mr Mohd 
Fadzil bin Jamaludin, who has reported for duty after the completion of his 3 
years study leave at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. He has undertaken his 
PhD studies under the supervisions of Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Ahmad Ba-
haruddin Abdullah and Associate Professor Dr Zahurin Samad from the School 
of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (Engineering Campus) in 
Nibong Tebal, Penang. His research project is entitled " Mechanical and forma-
bility analysis of AA5052-H32 dan AA6061-T6 low power laser welded tailored 
blanks (Analisa Mekanikal dan Kebolehbentukan Gabungan Aloi Aluminium 
AA5052-H32 dan AA6061-T6 Terkimpal Laser Kuasa Rendah) ".  
 
Mr Fadzil will recommence his role at AMMP as the Senior Research Officer, 
overlooking both the administration and research activities of the Centre. He 
will also be responsible for the management of laboratories and facilities of 
AMMP, specifically at the Precision Engineering Laboratory and 3D printing 
machines. In addition, he would be reappointed as the strategic advisor for 
Zecttron Sdn. Bhd, a spin-off company of University Malaya.. AMMP Centre 
Welcome Back to AMMP Centre! 
Project 1 Project 2 Project 3 
  
 
 
RESEARCHER PROFILE 
CONDUCTING WORLD CLASS RESEARCH 
ISSUE 46  
EFFECT OF SUPPORT STRUCTURE TOWARD 
PART BUILD USING SELECTIVE LASER MELTING 
Selective Laser Melting 
(SLM) is a metal Additive 
Manufacturing (AM) process 
used to synthesize three-
dimensional object in which 
successive layers of material 
are formed under computer 
con- trol to create the object. To suc-
cessfully produce metal parts by SLM, additional support struc-
tures are needed to support overhanging surfaces in order to 
dissipate process heat, minimize geometrical distortions induced 
by internal stresses and hold the work piece in its place.  In this 
work, an experimental investigation was carried out to optimize 
the parameter of contour support structure which is contour offset, teeth height, teeth 
top length and teeth base length. The design of experiments was conducted using 
Taguchi’s L16 orthogonal array. The effect of support structure parameter toward the 
deformation of part, volume of support, build time and support removal time were 
investigated. Furthermore, a statistical tool analysis by utilizing signal-to-noise re-
sponse and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to obtain the optimal and signifi-
cant support structure parameter. The results showed that teeth height and teeth top 
length has the significant effect toward the amount of residual stress trapped inside 
the part and contour offset have the greatest effect toward the build time and support 
removal time, while for volume of support all parameter are significant. The optimum 
parameter to obtain minimum residual stress is contour offset is 1.8mm, teeth height 
is 1.4mm, teeth top 
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Farazila Yusof 
BIODATA 
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Farazila Yusof is currently serving 
the Department of Mechanical Engineering in Univer-
sity of Malaya as Deputy Dean of Post-Grad Studies. 
She is a PhD graduate from Nagaoka University of 
Technology, Japan in 2011. Her research interest 
includes joining & welding technology, powder metal-
lurgy, advanced materials processing, additive manu-
facturing and product design. She has published 
more than 25 technical papers. She has also com-
pleted supervision 11 PhD and 3 Masters students. In 
addition, Dr. Farazila actively participates as technical 
committee for treads and screws under SIRIM. She 
has also won several awards at numerous interna-
tional/national exhibitions pertaining to her research 
CURRENT RESEARCH 
 Metal (Powder Metallurgy, Additive Manufactur-
ing) 
 CAD/CAM/CAE Applications 
 Advanced Materials Joining  
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 
 Micro-arc oxidation of bioceramic coatings con-
taining eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite on titani-
um substrate. CERAMICS INTERNATION-
AL (ISI-Indexed)  
 Poh, AH; Jamaludin, MF; Fadzallah, IA; Ibrahim, 
NMJN; Yusof, F; Adikan, FRM; Moghavvemi, 
M 2019. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopic anal-
ysis of barium sulfate as a reflection standard 
within 173-2500 nm: From pure to sintered 
Preliminary research article regarding this title can be found at:  
1) https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-981-13-8297-0_30  
2) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8297-0_30 
 
     By Muhammad Rafi bin Sulaiman 
(kga170021@siswa.um.edu.my) 
     M.Eng Sc Candidate 
     Supervisor : Assoc. Prof. Dr. Farazila Yusof 
Graduation of post-grad student, congrats! 
SPIN OFF COMPANY  
Measurement of sample 
using CMM Accura II 9148 
Main effect plot for residual stress  Variation of residual stress in 16 samples 
Dimension of supported region  
Congratulations to Mr. Moktar Hussein for 
passing his viva presentation with minor 
correction. Mr Moktar undergo a Master 
Research Program with his research titled 
‘Performance Evaluation of Electrical Dis-
charge Machining Using Cerium Oxides 
Nanofluid And Multi-Metal Oxide As Pow-
der Mixed Dielectrical Fluid’. He was su-
pervised by Dr. Mohd Sayuti Ab Karim 
during his studies in UM. We wish him all 
the best of luck in his future endeavors.  
AMMP Centre was established in 2003 with the aim of strengthening 
research activities in advanced manufacturing and material process-
es. The team has evolved from a small discussion platform of like-
minded researchers to a fully operational research and consultation 
group in University of Malaya. Throughout the years, AMMP Centre 
has secured substantial research funding and commercialization 
grants from both local and international sources. In addition, the 
Centre has completed a number of consultation work with the  indus-
try in developing customized apparatus and solutions for their 
needs.. The AMMP Bulletin is produced periodically. It is distributed 
among lecturers, students and staff of University Malaya. By follow-
ing our quarterly bulletin, you will be kept up to date with the latest 
AMMP Centre news and activities. See our website for further de-
tails: https://ammpcentre.um.edu.my/ or email 
ammp@um.edu.my. For research enquiries, please contact us at 03


English

Bulletin AMMP Centre, Issue 46, 2020

University of Malaya, Institute of Research Management & Monitoring

MILESTONE
@ UMV O L . 8N O . 22 0 2 0
http://umresearch.um.edu.my
N E W S L E T T E R
UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA JOIN
COVID-19 TESTING BATTLE
Recently, diagnostic laboratories at public
universities have been appointed to help the
Ministry of Health in conducting 16,500
Covid-19 tests daily.
 
Prof. Dr. Sazaly Abu Bakar, the director of
UM's Tropical Infectious Diseases Research
and Education Centre (TIDREC) in addressing
the pandemic, commented that universities
can contribute beyond diagnostic testing. 
 
TIDREC is the only national Higher Institution
Centre of Excellence for infectious diseases.
It houses the World Health Organisation’s
(WHO) Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus
Reference and Research. 
 
With extensive experience in research in
tropical    infectious   diseases,   especially   in
arthropod-borne and emerging virulent
pathogens, TIDREC can contribute in a
meaningful way to the Health Ministry.
TIDREC is equipped with the necessary
instruments, biosafety protective equipment
and the reagents, needed to carry out the
testing.  The facility is equipped to handle
highly virulent pathogens, including the
SARS-CoV-2 virus, the agent that causes
Covid-19. 
 
TIDREC has been involved in the
development of anti-viral agents for dengue,
chikungunya and Zika in collaboration with
WHO for many years. Covid-19 may be a
different virus, but all we have to do is
develop a new set of protocols,” said Prof. Dr.
Sazaly, adding that TIDREC offers to test 100
samples a day for this initiative.
https://umresearch.um.edu.my
One of the main ways medical workers get
infected with the Covid-19 virus is when they
come into close contact with infected
patients while examining and administering
breathing support machine to the patients.
 
Responding to the rising needs of doctors to
prevent infection while treating patients,
researchers from the UM Centre for
Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME)
have taken the initiative to fabricate 54
intubation protective boxes (based on Lai's
design) produced using 3D printing
technology for our frontliners.
 
The innovative protective box named the
‘aerosol box’ was created by Lai Hsien-yung,
an anesthesiologist with the Mennonite
Christian Hospital in Hualien, Taiwan. The
invention is able to help physicians perform
endotracheal intubations safely on infected
patients as it acts as a barrier between the
doctor and infected patient.
Prof. Dr. Fatimah Ibrahim, the founder and
advisor for CIME said the boxes were given to
frontline healthcare personnel at UM Medical
Centre (UMMC). The boxes were also
delivered to hospitals in Sungai Buloh, Klang,
Shah Alam, and Melaka. 
 
CIME has been granted seed funding by the
varsity to improve on the current design by
incorporating more safety and ergonomic
features to the box. 
 
CIME has also assisted in obtaining the
Medical Device Authority (MDA) exemption to
bring in Real-time Polymerase Chain
Reaction Covid-19 test kits for non-
commercial use. The test kits will help ease
the burden of laboratories that are running
out of reagents to conduct tests. It will also
save lab technicians’ time as these kits allow
them to do tests without the hassle of having
to replicate new components for every
patient.
Page 2
SUPPORTING OUR FRONTLINERS
https://umresearch.um.edu.my
A group of researchers at UM has developed
the Covid Symptom Monitoring System
(CoSMoS) to help medical staff monitor
patients suspected of Covid-19 infection.The
system has already been used at the
Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) to
monitor individuals suspected of having
contracted Covid-19 and those in home
quarantine, and is expected to also be of use
in monitoring medical teams exposed to
Covid-19 patients.
 
CoSMoS is 100 percent produced by UM
using a public messaging engine, artificial
intelligence and web technology. It was
developed by a team of Malaysian computer
scientists at the faculty.
 
Currently, a large number of medical staff
monitor these patients by making routine
calls to them or visiting them at home.
Through the CoSMoS application, the
monitoring process will be automated and
patients can insert their daily symptoms into
CoSMoS, which would be transmitted to the
CoSMoS primary system at UMMC where
doctors can access real-time information
through dashboards.
Through this system, medical staff would
have have to make calls to only 10 percent of
patients in need of supervision, while the rest
could be monitored through CoSMoS, thus
allowing 80-90 percent of medical staff to
perform other tasks such as contact tracing
and screening.
 
CoSMoS would change the management of
patients suspected of being infected with
Covid-19 who are quarantined at home.
CoSMoS also leverages existing technology
to make it accessible to the majority of the
community,
 
Datuk Prof. Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Dean
of the Faculty of Medicine, who is also
chairman of the UMMC Covid-19 Working
Group, said CoSMoS – developed in eight
days through a collaboration with Malaysian
researchers in various countries – is still
undergoing pilot testing at UMMC but has
already received approval from the
university’s Medical Research Ethics
Committee. All patients using CoSMoS have
given their consent for their data to be used
for clinical research and monitoring
purposes. 
Page 3
COSMOS: 
UM DEVELOPS APP TO MONITOR
SUSPECTED COVID-19 PATIENTS
https://umresearch.um.edu.my
ADVISORS
Prof. Dr. Noorsaadah Abd Rahman
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Research & Innovation)
 
Prof. Dr. Shaliza Ibrahim
Associate Vice-Chancellor
(Research & Innovation)
 
EDITORIAL TEAM
Dr. Yeun-Mun Choo
Mr. Chang Lee Wei
CONTACT
Centre for Research Services
Institute of Research Management & Services
Research Management & Innovation Complex,
University of Malaya,
50603 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.
 
Tel: +603-79674651 / 6289 / 6942
Fax: +603-79676390
 
Email: pengarah_ppp_ippp@um.edu.my
Website: https://umresearch.um.edu.my
Page 4
PRODUCING HAND SANITISERS IN
UM LAB
A group of researchers from Centre for
Natural Products Research and Drug
Discovery (CENAR), UM and Mr. Murali Prasad
Y. Vandayar, Country Lead, The US State
Department’s Global Innovation Through
Science and Technology (GIST) Movement
collaborated to produce hand sanitiser
following the difficulty in procuring the
product in the market.
 
These hand sanitisers are produced using a
simple dilution process. Denatured
pharmaceutical grade ethanol is diluted and
added to a few other compounds. There are
several universities producing these hand
sanitisers in labs according to their
laboratory capacity. UM, for instance, can
produce up to 75 litres a day.
 
The idea is to set up a temporary hand
sanitiser production facility in the campus.
These hand sanitisers will then be
distributed to areas outside the university
and to high-risk areas near the university
such as petrol stations, drive-throughs and
restaurants.


Milestone@UM, Volume 8, Number 2, 2020

University of Malaya, Faculty of Law

CELEST Newsletter, Issue 4, 2020

MILESTONE
@ UMV O L . 8N O . 12 0 2 0
http://umresearch.um.edu.my
N E W S L E T T E R
UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA SIGNING
MOA FOR VETERINARY VACCINES
19 December 2019 (Thursday) - University of
Malaya has embarked on another milestone,
with the signing of a memorandum of
agreement (MoA) with Malaysian Vaccines
and Pharmaceuticals Sdn Bhd (MVP) to
research, develop and market veterinary
vaccines.
 
The agreement between UM’s Tropical
Infectious Diseases Research and Education
Centre (TIDREC) and MVP is geared towards
commercialising and marketing veterinary
vaccines yielded from the research centre’s
findings.
 
The MoA was inked by UM's Vice-Chancellor
Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Hashim and MVP's
Chief   Executive   Officer,  Rashidah   Ibrahim,
witnessed by the chairman of UM’s board of
directors, Tengku Datuk Dr Mohd Azzman
Shariffadeen Tengku Ibrahim and chairman
of MVP’s board of directors, Datuk Mhd.
Nordin Mohd Nor.
 
TIDREC was working on developing a new
vaccine, its first collaborative product with
MVP. The centre is also in the midst of the
research stage in developing two more
veterinary vaccines.
 
The MoA will also emphasise on the need to
innovate new knowledge and manufacturing
processes that will enable cost-effective
local production of vaccines.
https://umresearch.um.edu.my
Page 2
MOU SIGNING FOR
MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE
The National Morbidity and Health Survey
(NMHS) 2015 reported that 29.2% of
Malaysians above the age of 15 years old
struggle with mental health issues, namely
stress, depression, and anxiety. Of late, there
is an increasing number of reporting of
mental health cases by the media which
affects young people in society and
therefore, there is an urgent need to address
this. 
 
As a direct response to this, UM launched the
“UM Mental Health Initiative” on 20 February
2020. The initiative was initiated by UMCares
together with The Student Counselling
Centre, Student Health Centre, UM
Sustainability and Living Labs Secretariat,
and the Faculty of Medicine. The initiative
also receive strategic support and active
participation from Johnson and Johnson Sdn.
Bhd., which leads to the signing of
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between UM and the company on the same
day. 
The event was officiated by YBhg. Datuk Seri
Dr. Haji Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health
(MoH) Malaysia. Dr. Dzulkefly said that the
MoH is excited to be part of this new wave of
collaboration between the public and private
entities to uplift mental health care
awareness and services. It is hope that this
initiative will be the start for a catalyst of
change in all institutions of higher learning in
Malaysia. It is important for all agencies in
both the public and private sector to “talk
the same story” for mental health and work
together on it.
 
The UM initiative supports other initiatives
champion by the MoH through the
#Letstalkmindasihat national program for
mental health awareness, and the Ministry of
Education (MoE) through the University for
Society (U4S) program. It is hoped that this
initiative will assist the national agenda to
reduce mental health stigma, and allow
people to find help apart from improving the
health of Malaysians in general. 
https://umresearch.um.edu.my
Page 3
MALAYSIA TECHNOLOGY EXPO 2020
20-22 February 2020 - UM has won 1 Special
Award, 5 Gold Medals and 2 Bronze Medals
at the Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2020
held at the PWTC, Kuala Lumpur. MTE is an
international expo organised by Professional
Trade Exhibitions & Meeting Planners
(PROTEMP) and supported by the Ministry of
Entrepreneur Development and
Cooperatives (MEDAC), Ministry of Education
(MOE) and Ministry of Energy, Science,
Technology, Environment and Climate
Change (MESTECC).
 
UM has participated in two (2) categories;
Institutional and Individual. The team leaders
are Prof. Dr. Ramesh (Faculty of Science), Dr.
Rosazlin (Faculty of Science), Dr. Wong Kah
Hui (Faculty of Medicine), Prof. Dr. Misni
(Faculty of Science), Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Ubagaram Johnson and Assoc. Prof. Dr Poo
Balan (Faculty of Engineering). UM brought
home 1 Special Invention & Innovation, 5
Gold and 3 Bronze awards.
Recognition is important in innovation and
invention to propel ideas from its infancy to
mature stage, ready for commercialisation
and global implementation. The international
recognition gives it the boost it needs to find
its footing in today’s fast-growing world.
Winners from MTE shall continue along a
path of success after clinching a prestigious
title at MTE, paving the way to more
opportunities to compete at overseas
competitions and perhaps initiate an income
generating opportunity.
https://umresearch.um.edu.my
Page 7
ICO/ICTP 
GALLIENO DENARDO AWARD
18 February 2020 (Italy) - The International
Commission for Optics (ICO) and the
International Centre for Theoretical Physics
(ICTP) have announced Ir Dr Lim Kok Sing as
the recipient of the 2020 ICO/ICTP Gallieno
Denardo Award. The award ceremony took
place at Budinich Lecture Hall, Leonardo
Building, ICTP, Trieste, Italy on 18 February
2020. He was invited to give a prize lecture
entitled “Few-mode fibre components for
mode conversion in Space Division
Multiplexing system” after the ceremony.
The award cites Dr. Lim for his achievements
in the field of optical fibre sensing and
optical communications, and his substantial
contributions to sustainable development in
Malaysia through promoting the use of
optics-based technologies in the industrial
sector.
Dr. Lim obtained his B. Eng in
Telecommunication Engineering from the
Faculty of Engineering, in 2008 and PhD in
Physics from Faculty of Science, in 2012, both
from the University of Malaya, Malaysia. He is
currently a Senior Lecturer at Photonics
Research Centre, University of Malaya, one of
the HiCoEs (Higher Institute Centre of
Excellence) in the country. Dr Lim attributes
his success to the support from the
university and the conducive research
environment at the research centre where he
and his team conducted his scientific
research in the field of optical
communication, optical fibre sensing and
medical laser devices. Dr. Lim would like to
acknowledge the guidance from his Director,
Prof. Ulung Dr. Harith Ahmad and the hard
work of his postgraduate students for his
achievement.
Page 6
https://umresearch.um.edu.my
THE 2020 BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN
FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS
On 19 April 2019 (Friday), a worldwide press
release, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)
consortium revealed the first image of a
black hole taken by means of an Earth-sized
alliance of telescopes. The discovery was
awarded the Breakthrough Prize 2019 in
Fundamental Physics, also known as the
Oscars of Science, or the 21st Century Nobel
Prize. To commemorate the event, the
American Astronomical Society has
published a special issue of the
Astrophysical Journal  Letters focused on the
First Event Horizon Telescope results.
 
Dr. Juan Carlos Algaba (Faculty of Science) is
one of the researchers awarded from
University of Malaya. The Breakthrough Prize
annually recognizes achievements in the Life
Sciences, Fundamental Physics and
Mathematics, disciplines that ask the biggest
questions and seek the deepest
explanations. Considered the world’s most
generous science prize, each Breakthrough
Prize is $3 million, which has been shared
equally among the 347 scientists of the Event
Horizon Telescope who co-authored the
articles that revealed the discovery.
 
Black Holes are the most extravagant and
exciting objects arising from Einstein's theory
of gravity, developed in 1917. Considered to
be the singularities where the theory breaks
down, they have been into the realm of
imagination and fiction for more than a
century. Are these objects just a
mathematical concept, or do they exist in
reality? Although several indirect evidences
pointed towards their existence, no definite
proof had been found prior to the first image.
On 3 November 2019, a gala ceremony was
held at NASA’s Hangar 1 in Mountain View,
California under the topic "Seeing the
Invisible". The prizes were presented by
celebrities such as Tyra Banks, Edward
Norton, and Mark Zuckerberg, among others.
Collaboration Director Shep Doeleman of the
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
attended the ceremony on behalf of the
collaboration. This Breakthrough Prize is a
wonderful validation of more than a decade
of hard work, risk taking, failures, successes,
and building an expert team that was
committed to the highest scientific goals,
and celebrates a new beginning in the study
of black holes.
https://umresearch.um.edu.my
Page 5
comprehensive Open Journal System (OJS)
training to journal editors to enhance the
quality and prestige of journals publication
globally. And now, USP has successfully
grown to become the reference place for
local and international journal managers
from institutions and agencies for training,
workshop and consultation on journal
management, analysis and indexing.
In early 2020, USP has hosted a training
session on Open Journal Systems (OJS) and
Digital Object Identifier System (DOI) to
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam
and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)
on 21 Jan and 11 February 2020 respectively.
 
The OJS training workshop was participated
by Dr. Yong Soon Kong (Coordinator of
Publication for Research Management
Centre, UiTM Shah Alam) and the DOI training
workshop was participated by delegates
from UPSI; Mdm. Aisiah Abdul Rahman (Head
of Journal Section, UPSI Press) and Mr.
Shahrizal Ridzuan (Assistant Publication
Officer of Journal Section, UPSI Press)
 
Research Support Unit (USP) is a group of
professional and management staff who
embracing the support services for journal
publications under Centre for Research
Services (PPP), IPPP. Established for more
than 10 years and formerly known as
Scholarly Publications & Support Unit
(SchoPus), USP provides consultation and 
UM AS THE REFERENCE POINT FOR
JOURNAL MANAGEMENT
https://umresearch.um.edu.my
Page 4
https://umresearch.um.edu.my
ADVISORS
Prof. Dr. Noorsaadah Abd Rahman
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Research & Innovation)
 
Prof. Dr. Shaliza Ibrahim
Associate Vice-Chancellor
(Research & Innovation)
 
EDITORIAL TEAM
Dr. Yeun-Mun Choo
Mr. Chang Lee Wei
Mdm. Mushira Zainal Abidin
Professor Azirah Hashim is a recipient of the Trinity Long Room
Hub Visiting Research Fellowship, Trinity College Dublin
(TCD), Ireland. This fellowship is pivotal to TCD’s mission to
connect their research community with the most
distinguished scholars in the world and to raise the
international profile of Trinity’s Arts and Humanities research.
During the fellowship from March to April 2020, Prof. Azirah
will continue with her research on English in ASEAN focusing
on regional aspects of language and identity formation.
English, which is used for multiple functions as a second,
foreign or even first language, and which is accepted as the
lingua franca for regional and global purposes, will be
examined in its multilingual habitats in South East Asia and
within the political framework of ASEAN. Language policy in
ASEAN      member      states,      and      cross-regional      ASEAN 
CONTACT
Centre for Research Services
Institute of Research Management & Services
Research Management & Innovation Complex,
University of Malaya,
50603 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.
 
Tel: +603-79674651 / 6289 / 6942
Fax: +603-79676390
 
Email: pengarah_ppp_ippp@um.edu.my
Website: https://umresearch.um.edu.my
Page 8
commonalities and distinctions inside this cluster of English varieties, will be examined. This
research is intended to contribute to deeper understanding of the ASEAN region, Global Englishes,
and relationships between language and identity in the region. This will add to knowledge of
language policy and linguistic identity within the theme of ‘Identities in transformation’ at the
interdisciplinary Trinity Long Room Hub. Prof. Azirah will seek opportunities for mutually beneficial
relationships in applied linguistics. In addition, she will explore possible collaborations between
the Asia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya, and the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies, given their
similar aims and activities.
RECIPIENT OF THE 
TRINITY LONG ROOM HUB 
VISITING RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP


Milestone@UM, Volume 8, Number 1, 2020

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily the views of CELEST 
C E L E S T
F A C U L T Y  O F  L AW ,  U N I V E R S I T Y  O F  M A L A Y A
Featured Article
 
In this month’s newsletter, Dr Ainee
Adam offers some insight into how we
might approach the regulation of
Artificial Intelligence. She explores the
thoughts of Confucius and Bentham on
laws and regulations and ponders the
possibility of adopting the views of
these philosophers in addressing the
issue of regulating AI technology.
 
 
 2020 • Issue 1
C E N T R E  F O R  L AW  A N D  E T H I C S  I N  S C I E N C E  A N D  T E C H N O L O G Y
 Copyright © 2020 Faculty of Law, University of Malaya. All rights reserved
IN THIS ISSUE
 
NEWSLETTER
Source: www.canva.com 
Page 2
 2020• Issue 1
25 February 2020
Events
 
Dr Mohammad Firdaus Bin Abdul Aziz 
 participated in a round-table discussion
on the establishment of a collaborative
research group  of  Malaysian Cellular
Immunotherapy for Cancer Research at
the Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
 
 
 
 
 
16 April 2020
Upcoming Events
 
Conference on “The Intersection
Between Traditional Knowledge and
Technology: Challenges and
Opportunities”, jointly organised by
CELEST and the Centre for Legal
Pluralism & Indigenous Law.
 
 
NEWSLETTER
News
 
Congratulations to our members on the
following publications:
 
Tan, S.Y.L.; Muhammad Ershadul Karim,
Izura Masdina Zakri & Pardis
Moslemzadeh Tehrani. (2019). Emerging
Technologies in Malaysia and ASEAN:
Selected Legal and Policy Issues. Kuala
Lumpur, University of Malaya Press.
 
Sik, C.P. (2020). Digital Copyright Law of
Malaysia. Subang Jaya, Sweet &
Maxwell. 
 
Ali Alibeigi, Abu Bakar
Munir, Mohammad Ershadul Karim &
Adeleh Asemi (2019). Right to Privacy, a
Complicated Concept to Review. Library
Philosophy and Practice, pg 1-35.
 
Ali Alibeigi, Abu Bakar
Munir, Mohammad Ershadul Karim &
Adeleh Asemi (2019). Towards Standard
Information Privacy, Innovations of
the New General Data Protection
Regulation. Library Philosophy and
Practice, pg 1-19.
 
Bin Abdul Aziz, M.F., Bin Mispan, M.S.,
and Doni, F. (2020). Organic 
Food Policy and Regulation in Malaysia:
Development and Challenges. In 
Goh, B.C. and Price, R. (Eds.), Regulatory
Issues in Organic Food Safety in the Asia
Pacific. Springer, Singapore
(Forthcoming, 2020).
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Technology:
A Philosophical Perspective
By Ainee Adam, PhD
Faculty of Law, University of Malaya
Author's Biography
 
Dr Ainee Adam is currently the Deputy Dean (Research) and a Senior Lecturer at
the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya. She was previously a postdoctoral 
fellow at the Centre for Law and Business at the National University of 
Singapore. Her current research interest is in examining contemporary 
copyright issues from an Asian perspective. Ainee has published several articles in
journals including the Queen Mary Journal of Intellectual Property, European
Intellectual Property Review and the Hong Kong Law Journal.
Page 3
2020• Issue 1NEWSLETTER
Introduction 
 
In early 2018, the Facebook-Cambridge
Analytica data scandal erupted when it
was discovered that Cambridge Analytica,
a political consulting firm, had used AI
technology to identify registered voters
who were sympathetic to certain political
messages and ideals based on what
people had liked on Facebook. The
information was subsequently used to
provide voters with personalised political
advertisements thus potentially
influencing their behaviour during the
elections. [1]
 
The scandal resulted in calls for the
regulation of AI technology and the
ethical use of it. While some governments
have initiated the first steps toward
governing AI technology, [2] industry
players have also taken measures to self-
regulate their use of AI technology. [3] 
 
However, as policymakers struggle to
formulate laws and regulations capable
of addressing issues arising from the use
of AI technology (which continues to
evolve on a daily basis), it bears
questioning: Is regulation necessary?
 
Many have debated on this matter by
identifying the reasons for: (1) the (urgent)
need for regulations; (2) what is perceived
to be futile attempt at regulating AI
technology; (3) regulation may be
premature and could potentially stifle the
development and evolution of AI
technology.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 4
2020• Issue 1
Taking a step away from this debate, this
article looks at the perspectives of two
famous philosophers, Bentham and
Confucius, on laws and regulations with
the aim to shed a different light onto the
issue of regulating AI technology.
 
First outlining Confucius and Bentham’s
view on laws and regulations, the article
then proceeds to identify some of the
characteristics of AI technology. Based
on these characteristics and applying
the philosophers’ approaches, the article
examines whether these approaches
could potentially be one of the factors to
be considered when regulating (or not)
AI technology.
 
 
Confucius
 
Confucius suggested that laws and
regulations are ineffective in governing a
nation. This is because they merely
amount to external compulsion and
would not intrinsically change an
individual’s behaviour. Morals, on the
other hand, is a much more effective tool
in governing a nation/society as the
government may rely on individuals to
innately adhere to moral standards
without coercion. [4]
 
NEWSLETTER
However, as policymakers struggle to
formulate laws and regulations capable of
addressing issues arising from the use of AI
technology (which continues to
evolve on a daily basis), it bears
questioning: Is regulation necessary?
Bentham
 
Bentham, on the other hand, took a
vastly different view from Confucius.
Recognizing the need for regulation
(sometimes) to safeguard and promote
the happiness of the majority, he
proposed that the government should
refrain from regulating certain
matters. A prime example of this is where
the government aims to increase
national wealth. 
 
He was of the opinion that individuals
(entrepreneurs) acting
in their own interests would be more
successful in achieving this aim than
government regulations as the prior are
better motivated in preserving and
increasing their personal wealth. This
would, in turn, result in an increase of
national wealth. 
 
Government regulations, on the other
hand, could potentially serve as
stumbling blocks considering that the
government may not be as well-versed in
the inner workings of the matter. 
 
Conversely, Bentham stated that
government regulations would be
appropriate in matters where an agenda
is to be promoted. This is based on the
premise that regulations compel
individuals to behave in a certain
manner, thus achieving the
government’s agenda. [6]
 
 
 
 
Page 5
2020• Issue 1
Confucius suggested that laws and
regulations are ineffective in governing a
nation.
NEWSLETTER
Confucianists later clarified what
amounts to moral standards to regulate
one’s conducts as the following:
 
Do not use what you dislike in your
superiors in the employment of your
inferiors. Do not use what you dislike in
your inferiors in the service of your
superiors. Do not use what you dislike in
those who are before, to precede those
who are behind. Do not use what you
dislike in those who are behind, to follow
those who are before. Do not use what
you dislike on the right, to display toward
the left. Do not use what you dislike on
the left, to display toward the right.
This is called the principle of applying a
measuring square.’ [5]
 
It is therefore clear that Confucius and
Confucianists were of the view that
individuals who are capable of being
ashamed of their own behaviour would
create an orderly society. In such
circumstances, the government would
not need to resort to coercion in the form
of regulation and punishment. In
order to foster this feeling of shame,
Confucius advocated the inculcation of
strong moral standard in every person.
 
For example, the government’s agenda
may be to ensure that corporations are
more socially responsible. Left to their
own device, it may not be likely that
many corporations would engage in
charitable activities out of their own
accord. Therefore, regulations may be
necessary to ensure that corporations
behave as per the government’s agenda.
[7]
 
Accordingly, it can be said that, for
Bentham, the need for regulations is
dependent on the government’s ultimate
objective. Where the ultimate objective is
better achievable by the society, the
government should then refrain from
regulating the subject matter in
question. However, where the
government has an agenda which may
be better promoted by the government,
regulations are then necessary.
Page 6
2020• Issue 1
The technology has been known to
transform businesses by allowing
them to work faster and smarter with
less resources. Amazon, for example,
makes use of AI technology to analyse
purchasers’ behaviour online and
subsequently predict books that may be
of interest those purchasers. 
 
This prediction then serves to identify
the products to be stocked at specific
locations, allowing the company to
reduce the time required to make
deliveries to its purchasers thus enticing
more purchases to be made. Based on
this, AI technology arguably supports
businesses, and subsequently the
nation, in gaining higher economic
returns.
 
AI technology has also impacted other
sectors such as the healthcare sector.
The technology, for example, has
allowed computer systems to access,
analyse and even identify patterns and
disease traits from the vast (past and
incoming) data available, providing
medical practitioners with invaluable
assistance when diagnosing and
treating patients. 
 
The same capabilities have also been
adapted by some government agencies
to analyse various documents and video
footages for national security, defence
and military purposes, such as
detecting hostile activities and
identifying security risks. This
significantly reduces the time spent by
analysts to personally go through those
documents and footages to do the
same.
 
 
 
 
Where the ultimate objective is better
achievable by the society, the government
should then refrain from regulating the
subject matter in question. However,
where the government has an agenda
which may be better promoted by the
government, regulations are then
necessary.
NEWSLETTER
To regulate or not to regulate
 
Prior to answering the question of
whether we should regulate AI
technology or abstain from it, it is
necessary to first understand the
capabilities of AI technology.
 
 
It is therefore apparent that AI
technology is a powerful tool and has
the capability of improving numerous
existing products and services. It
should, however, be born in mind that
there are risks attached to the
technology and it is these risks that
policymakers are most concerned
about. 
 
In the examples provided
earlier, the technology predicts
consumer behaviour, medical
conditions as well as hostile activities
and security risks by analysing data
provided to it. Among the risks
connected to these examples are: Has
the data owner consented to his/her
data being collected and used by the
relevant entity? Was the data used for
the purpose it was collected and as
permitted by the data owner? 
 
What are the steps taken to ensure
that the data (and the technology) is
not misused, be it by the relevant entity
or by hackers? Are these steps
sufficient to safeguard the data and
the technology? Who bears the
responsibility if the AI technology
makes a mistake in its analyses and
prediction?
 
Bearing in mind the highly varied use
of AI technology and the risks
accompanying it, Confucius’s
approach towards regulations and
laws would easily garner a response
that it is too simplistic. This is
particularly so in the light of a
multicultural society consisting of
varying degree and perspective on
moral standards and ethics.
 
 
Page 7
2020• Issue 1
Bearing in mind the highly varied use of AI
technology and the risks accompanying it,
Confucius’s approach towards regulations
and laws would easily garner a response
that it is too simplistic.
 
However, Confucius’s argument is
certainly attractive. If entities were
to incorporate the principle of applying
a measuring square as elaborated by
Confucianists into their standard
operating measures when treating the
data in their possession, it is likely that
regulation may not be necessary. 
 
This is, of course, provided that the
public as well as policymakers are
confident that the entities (and its
employees) have inherently strong
moral character and capable of self-
regulating themselves with honour and
integrity.
 
On the other hand, if we were to apply
Bentham’s approach, it would be
necessary to first identify the
government’s ultimate objective and
subsequently determine whether the
objective be better achieved by
individuals acting in their own interest,
or by the government? 
 
From one perspective, it is only natural
that the government would be
interested in further advancement in
artificial intelligence as it promises
efficiency and improvements to existing
products and services.
NEWSLETTER
Page 8
2020• Issue 1
The question that arises then, even if
there is a code of ethics, would entities
comply with it voluntarily? Would the
code (and their perceived compliance)
be sufficient to allay the concern and
sometimes, distrust, that the public and
policymakers have towards AI
technology and entities using it? It is at
this point that Bentham’s approach
may be of some assistance.
 
Where the government/policymakers
have a certain agenda and it can be
better achieved via compulsion or
encouragement from the government,
regulations and laws should then be
enacted, in addition to the code of
ethics. However, where the objective is
better achieved by the entities, the
government should refrain
from regulating.
 
Nevertheless, recognising that there
may be circumstances where the
use of AI technology is less risky and
would not require strict regulation, the
code of ethics would, perhaps, suffice.
After all, it is important to abstain
from over-regulation as it could
potentially stifle the development and
evolution of AI technology.
 
Industry players and scientists involved
in the development of AI technology
would be in a better position to achieve
the government’s objective. Following
from this, the government should
refrain from interfering via regulations
and laws.
 
Nevertheless, it is also arguable that the
government would consider it its
agenda to ensure that AI technology is
developed and used in a safe and
ethical manner. Considering the risks
earlier identified, it may be too risky
to leave it to the industry players to self-
regulate. Consequently, regulations
and laws may play an important role in
ensuring that the risks are adequately
managed, thereby achieving the
government’s agenda.
 
Based on these lines of reasoning, at
first glance, it appears as though both
Confucius and Bentham do not quite
help in answering the question of
whether AI technology should or should
not be regulated. However, a closer look
at these arguments would show that
there is merit in their approaches.
 
Confucius’s approach, for example,
arguably sounds utopian in nature
and highly unlikely to be applicable in
the current society. Nevertheless, it
certainly would not cause any harm to
hold entities to a higher moral
standard. As some policymakers and
industry players are currently drafting
codes of ethics for AI technology, it may
be possible to incorporate the principle
of applying a measuring square, or a
version of it, into the code.
NEWSLETTER
Page 11
2020• Issue 1
Where the government/policymakers have a
certain agenda and it can be better achieved via
compulsion or encouragement from the
government, regulations and laws should
then be enacted, in addition to the code of ethics.
However, where the objective is better achieved
by the entities, the government should refrain
from regulating.
NEWSLETTER
Conclusion
 
This article certainly does not suggest
that we should do away with all
regulations or even stop all attempts to
regulate the use of AI technology.
Certainly, regulations are important in
regulating the use of AI technology in
some matters. However, we should also
keep in mind the option of not
regulating and to use this option where
possible and suitable.
 
It may be that in some situations, the
entities are better suited at regulating
themselves, as suggested by Bentham.
Or it may be that morals and ethics
are/should be sufficient, as suggested
by Confucius. It may even be that both
moral and ethics as well as regulations
should be used to regulate the use of AI
technology for some matters.
Page 12
2020• Issue 1
1. Philip Bump, Everything You Need to Know
about the Cambridge Analytica-Facebook
Debacle, The Washington Post (19 March
2018)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politi
cs/wp/2018/03/19/everything-you-need-to-
know-about-the-cambridge-analytica-
facebook-debacle/;
Kevin Granville, Facebook and Cambridge
Analytica: What You Need to Know as
Fallout Widens, New York Times (19 March
2018)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/19/technol
ogy/facebook-cambridge-analytica-
explained.html.
 
2. See for example Nicholas Davis and
Edward Santow, Artificial Intelligence:
Governance and Leadership White Paper
(2019) Australian Human Rights Commission
(1 February 2019)
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-
work/rights-and-
freedoms/publications/artificial-intelligence-
governance-and-leadership; EU Guidelines
on Ethics in Artificial Intelligence: Context
and Implementation. European Parliament
(September 2019)
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etu
des/BRIE/2019/640163/EPRS_BRI(2019)640163
_EN.pdf;
Personal Data Protection Commission
Singapore, A Proposed Model Artificial
Intelligence Governance Framework (January
2019)
https://www.pdpc.gov.sg/-/media/Files/PDPC/
PDF-Files/Resource-for-Organisation/AI/A-
Proposed-Model-AI-Governance-Framework-
January-2019.pdf.
 
 
References
NEWSLETTER
3. See for example Mark Zuckerberg, A
Blueprint for Content Governance and
Enforcement, Facebook (15 November 2018)
https://www.facebook.com/notes/mark-
zuckerberg/a-blueprint-for-content-
governance-and-
enforcement/10156443129621634/.
 
4. KL Alex Lau, Angus Young, ‘In Search of
Chinese Jurisprudence: Does Chinese Legal
Tradition have a Place in China’s Future?’
20(5) International Company and
Commercial Law Review (2009) 155.
 
5. Fung Yu-Lan, A Short History of Chinese
Philosophy, 79-80.
 
6. Jeremy Bentham, A Manual of Political
Economy, 33-35.
 
7. See for example Li-Wen Lin, ‘Corporate
Social Responsibility in China: Window
Dressing or Structural Change?’ 64 Berkeley
Journal of International Law
(2010) 64.
 
 
 
Editor: Dr Sharon Kaur
Production Editor: Dr Mohammad Firdaus Bin Abdul Aziz
 
 


CELEST Newsletter, Issue 1, 2020

University of Malaya Research Bulletin, Volume 20, Number 1, 2020

University of Malaya, Library

Kekal Abadi, Jilid 38, Bilangan 1, 2020

University of Malaya, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Pulse@FASS, Issue 2, 2020

Undetermined

Pulse@FASS, Issue 4, 2020

University of Malaya, Academic Enhancement & Leadership Development Centre (ADeC)

JANUARY
Monthly Updates
HIGHL IGHT
Surviving Your Early Academic Career
20 January 2020 | ILR, ADeC
A mini  sharing session led by Dr.  Saf iah Omar,  the Head of  Leadership and Wel lbeing uni t ,  ADeC .  
Par t ic ipants ,  whom most ly  are new lec turers wi th a career o f  less than 5 years in ADeC,  ge t
together and share their  experiences and expec tat ions f rom a v iew of  new academician in UM.  
HIGHL IGHT
SUPER SUPERVISOR TO THE RESCUE!
SALVAGING A NEAR-FAILING THESIS
31 January 2020 | Balai Ilmu, API
Dr.  Amira F i rdaus shared her experiences in super vising postgraduate s tudents through Posi t ive 
Psychology Inter vent ions (PPI)  and Posi t ive Communicat ion s trategies (e .g .  Ac t ive-Construc t ive
Responding) to help both super visor  and s tudent mutual ly  benef i t  f rom
their  super visor-super visee re lat ionships
Januar y ac t iv i t ies
SPeCTRUM Cl inic
10 Januar y 2020
Consul tant :  Dr.  Zahiruddin F i t r i  Abu Hasan
PLS-SEM Using Smar tPLS 3 :  An easy approach to analysis  your
s truc tural  equat ion model ing
15 & 16 Januar y  2020
Trainer :  Dr.  Mahmoud Danaee
SPeCTRUM Intermediate
16 Januar y 2020
Trainer :  Associate Prof .  Dr.  Dorothy DeWitt
Creat ing Your Academic and Teaching Por tfo l io
2 1  Januar y 2020
Trainer :  Associate Prof .  Dr.  A z idah Abu Z iden
MOOC Basic
22 Januar y 2020
Trainers:  Dr.  Mohd Shahri l  Nizam Shaharom and
Dr.  Zahiruddin F i t r i
Teaching and Suppor t ing S tudents wi th Disabi l i t ies
29 Januar y 2020
Trainer :  Dr.  Ahmad Shamsuri  Muhamad 
Blended Learning wi th Oﬀ ice 365
30 Januar y 2020
Trainer :  Dr.  Donnie Adams
Academic Enhancement and
Leadership Development Centre (ADeC)
ADEC.UM.EDU.MY


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