UNIMAS Journal (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
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Effect of Drying Pre-Treatment on Nutritional Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Antioxidant Properties of Bambangan (Mangifera pajang) Seed and Its Fat
Full text linkThis study investigates the effects of five different drying methods (sun, oven, cabinet, microwave, and freeze-drying) on the nutritional composition, fatty acid profile, and antioxidant properties of bambangan seed powder and its extracted fat. Proximate analysis revealed that freeze drying preserved the highest crude fat content (6.94%), while sun drying resulted in higher crude fiber levels (4.51%). Cabinet drying achieved the lowest moisture content (5.57%), thereby enhancing shelf stability. Fatty acid profiling showed stearic (37.29 - 44.68%) and oleic acids (38.71 - 45.53%) as dominant in bambangan seed fat, with freeze drying and cabinet drying retaining higher saturated fatty acids, whereas oven drying and microwave drying promoted unsaturated fatty acid. Total phenolic content (62.43 - 83.90 mg GAE/g) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (102.41 - 129.52 mM/100g) were highest in freeze drying samples, particularly in seed powder, indicating superior retention of antioxidant compounds. A strong positive correlation (r>0.800) between TPC and FRAP was observed. Freeze drying is the most effective method for preserving nutritional and bioactive components, followed closely by cabinet drying, which offers a practical balance between quality retention and processing feasibility
DYNAMIC NEXUS BETWEEN ISLAMIC BANKING DEVELOPMENT AND GREEN ECONOMIC GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM DUAL-MODEL PANEL VAR AND GMM APPROACHES IN OIC COUNTRIES
Full text linkThis study investigates the dynamic and bidirectional relationship between Islamic banking development and green economic growth across selected member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Employing a dual-model econometric framework—Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR) and the System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM)—the study utilizes panel data spanning from 2010 to 2023. The empirical findings reveal a statistically significant and mutually reinforcing nexus between Islamic financial deepening and environmental sustainability. The PVAR results indicate that shocks to Islamic banking development positively influence green economic performance over time, while green economic progress reciprocally stimulates further growth in Islamic finance. The GMM estimation confirms these outcomes, addressing endogeneity and heterogeneity across countries. These results underscore the potential of Islamic finance to serve as a strategic enabler of sustainable development, particularly through instruments such as green sukuk and Shariah-compliant environmental investment vehicles. The study contributes to the limited empirical literature on Islamic green finance and offers actionable policy recommendations to strengthen the integration of Islamic banking within national and global climate agendas in OIC countries
THE IMPACT OF GREEN BANKING ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF BANKS IN MALAYSIA
Full text linkThis study aims to investigate how green banking impacts the financial performance of Malaysian commercial banks. To accomplish this, the research used theories like Natural Resource-Based View, Innovation Theory, and Stakeholder Theory. By analysing secondary data from 15 banks over six years (2018-2023). While prior research by Sharif, Sofuoglu, Kocak, and Anwar (2024) identified a knowledge gap in green banking within Malaysia, this study seeks to bridge that gap. The results indicate that green finance initiatives may positively influence the financial performance of banks. This study offers valuable perspectives for policymakers, regulators, and financial institutions by underscoring the importance of promoting green finance initiatives. By exploring the link between green finance and financial outcomes, banks are equipped to make informed choices that bolster their sustainability efforts and strengthen their long-term financial health. It encourages banks to embed sustainability within their business strategies, enabling them to not only support environmental sustainability but also enhance their financial performance, fostering a resilient and sustainable future
WHAT MATTERS MOST FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OF INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: THE PREDOMINANT ROLE OF ACADEMIC STRESS: -
Full text linkStudents’ journeys face a lot of challenges, especially those who are studying away from their homeland. One of the main challenges is maintaining a stable mental health. This study examines international university students’ mental health issues concerning communication, academic stress, financial difficulties, and culture adaptation. A total of 244 university students who studied in Malaysia from three different regions; Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, are the respondents. Data is collected via an adapted established questionnaire. SmartPLS is employed for data analysis. Findings showed that only one significant factor affects their mental health, which is academic stress. This study implies that academic stress management is crucial in supporting the students’ lives. Despite common perceptions, communication skills, culture adaptation, and financial difficulties were insignificant. Thus, university students' affairs should prioritize stress-free initiatives.
A Review of Sea Turtle Awareness Programmes in Malaysia
Full text linkMalaysia is blessed with important sea turtle nesting rookeries along its coasts. As the sea turtle population declines in the country, conservation efforts in the form of outreach are important to obtain support and civic engagement in this sector. To understand the sea turtle outreach efforts in Malaysia, the outreach programmes, programme types and strategies by Malaysian non-governmental organisations and government agencies are reviewed in this paper, by tracking their social media and websites between January 2023 and December 2024. The findings help conservation entities to identify respective outreach blind spots and take initiatives to improve wherever possible. Out of the 18 agencies analysed, 38.89% (7) conducted all four types of outreach programmes. Ecotourism and community outreach are the most commonly conducted programme types at 77.78% (14). Knowledge dissemination is employed by all organisations, while hands-on activities are used by 94.44% (17) organisations, and only 22.22% (4) of the organisations were found to employ knowledge application on top of the former two. This paper suggests that school and youth outreach programmes should be prioritised by more organisations, as pro-environmental attitudes are more easily shaped in younger participants. On top of that, all tracked organisations should continue in their efforts of employing multiple outreach strategies, ensuring the effectiveness of their programmes
Enhancing Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Streng. Stem Cutting Propagation for Restoration Efforts: Influence of Cutting Position and Substrate Type
Full text linkBarringtonia racemosa (L.) is a common native tropical tree species that grows in adjacent areas of tidal riverbanks, which are slightly beyond the influence of saline waters. This species is commonly associated with mangrove plants, which help prevent erosion, protect water quality, and nourish terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Nevertheless, the seed production of this species has become limited as a result of the severe degradation of riparian areas, thereby making seedling production via micropropagation costly. Thus, this study tested the ability of B. racemosa to undergo vegetative regeneration in a non-mist poly-propagator under 90% shading in the nursery for three months. The observation primarily focused on the growth performance of cuttings, specifically the shoot and root development, depending on the treatments used. Three different stem cutting positions were used: apical, median, and basal, as well as three types of substrates: sand, cocopeat, and a mixture of sand and cocopeat (1:1). All cuttings were treated with dissolved indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) hormone. The results showed cuttings at the median and basal positions with a mixture of sand and cocopeat sprouted the most with 97.22 ± 4.81% and 83.33 ± 8.36%, respectively. Cuttings at the basal position with the same mixture also rooted the most (97.22 ± 4.81%), followed by the median position with sand (89.00 ± 9.62%). Contradictorily, the apical cuttings in the mixture substrate had lower sprouting and rooting success (13.89 ± 4.82% and 13.98 ± 12.73%). This study concluded that B. racemosa can be efficiently propagated using basal and median stem cuttings with suitable substrate type, providing a practical and cost-effective approach for restoration efforts in degraded riparian areas
WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR BORNEAN ORANGUTAN CONSERVATION IN SARAWAK, MALAYSIA
Full text linkAlthough endangered and protected by the strongest regulations on the island of Borneo, Bornean orang-utans are threatened by forest loss, habitat degradation, and poaching. The overall population of Bornean orangutans is estimated to be only 104,700 in total, which is less than half of the population a century ago. Thus, this study aims to measure the non – market value of the conservation of Bornean orangutans in Sarawak, both in Matang Wildlife Centre (MWC) and the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre (SWC). Applying the contingent valuation method (CVM), non - visitors’ willingness to pay (WTP) for the entrance fee of SWC and MWC in order to conserve Bornean orangutans were measured. Overall, the respondents show positive attitude towards conserving Bornean orangutans. 90% of the 600 respondents vote in favour of Bornean Orangutan Conservation Program, while the mean WTP is RM206.98. They also believe that it is everyone’s duty to ensure that plants and animals today will exist for the future generations. The results of this study will be useful for the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), government and researchers alike to manage and conserve Bornean orangutans and other endangered species more efficiently
THE EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF VALUE CREATION CRITERIA: ACHIEVING CONSENSUS USING DELPHI EXERCISE WITHIN SERVICE INDUSTRY
Full text linkBusinesses are realising the strategic significance of customer participation in value creation in an increasingly competitive market environment. However, there is still little empirical study on the precise contributions made by customer experts to value creation, despite the increased interest in customer interaction. This paper aims to provide recommendations on the value creation criteria covering financial and non-financial dimensions, based on the consensus reached from the Delphi Exercise involving customer experts who possess in-depth knowledge of services. Delphi exercise is a systematic procedure to elicit expert opinion where the intended outcome is to attain a decisive consensus within the appointed panel of experts. Nine panel members of experts were involved in the Delphi exercise until a consensus or agreement was reached in the third round. Findings indicate that there are several new items agreed upon by the panel members for both financial and non-financial dimensions. The findings, add to the expanding corpus of research on consumer involvement in value creation and companies' opportunities to improve their interactions with customer experts. This also contributes to SDG 8(Economic Growth and Decent Work) in boosting productivity, innovation and employment in the service industry
INTERACTIVITY OF STRATEGIC ORIENTATIONS AND ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT IN ADVANCING FINANCIAL PROSPERITY OF MSMEs IN GHANA
Full text linkBusiness leaders and academics in the business management space continue to find ways to enhance the financial prosperity of MSMEs in the wake of continual threatening business environmental risks. Many continue to view business strategy as a key tool for business advancement. This research aims to study the mediating effect of ERM on the impact of prospector and defender strategies on financial prosperity of Ghanaian MSMEs. Quantitative data was collected with aid of questionnaire. The study employed the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS in testing the hypotheses of the study. The results indicated that ERM significantly mediates the relationship between prospector and defender strategies and the financial prosperity of MSMEs serving as mechanism through which strategic orientations translate into financial outcomes. The findings of the research proved advantageous for managers of MSMEs in that it aids them to push for knowledge regarding the influence of diverse business strategies on financial performance and be able to identify risks that militate against firms’ financial prosperity. The results of the study can be utilised by policymakers in formulating policies and devising supportive programmes on efficient adoption of business strategies and the effective implementation of enterprise risk management practices
Volatile Components, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Komburongoh (Acorus calamus L.) Essential Oils as Potential Medicinal Herbs from Sabah, Malaysia
Full text linkAcorus calamus L., known for diverse therapeutic applications, was studied for its volatile components, antibacterial and antioxidant potential in essential oils from Sabah, Malaysia. Employing hydrodistillation with a Clevenger apparatus, the oils were analysed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Antibacterial activity was assessed via disc diffusion against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli. Antioxidant properties were evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Both leaf and rhizome oils were rich in phenylpropanoids, oxygenated sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpenes including α-asarone, γ-asarone, methyl isoeugenol, 6-epi-shyobunone, and (E)-β-farnesene. They demonstrated significant antibacterial activity at 400 µg/mL, while displaying lower DPPH (IC50 = 28.20 ± 4.99 µg/mL) and excelling in the FRAP (150.12 ± 0.10 mg TE/g). This ongoing phytochemical analysis of A. calamus holds promise for enhancing quality control, ensuring safety, and validating its traditional applications