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Evaluation of Garbage Detection Efficacy Utilising Deep Learning
No full textGarbage management has become an urgent global challenge due to the expected 70% increase in volume between 2025 and 2050, driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth. Low public understanding of garbage sorting and source-based disposal is reflected in Indonesia’s inefficient garbage processing. In addition to being ineffective, traditional methods like landfill disposal and incineration present serious environmental hazards. These traditional methods are often ineffective due to resource constraints and time-consuming nature, and cannot be relied upon for extended periods because they damage the environment during the process. To increase the effectiveness and precision of garbage management, this research proposes a garbage detection and classification model using YOLOv11. This research includes data collection and pre-processing, model training, and performance evaluation using metrics such as mean average precision (mAP). This research uses the Trashnet Garbage Classification Dataset, which has 2,524 total images that are divided into six categories. The key technical contributions of this research are to apply additional techniques, such as data augmentation strategies, to the dataset, enabling a comparison between the original and more advanced datasets. The purpose of the data augmentation technique is to improve model generalisation. The results of the evaluation metrics show that the model using the augmented dataset has slightly better performance with an mAP50 value of 97.8% than the model using the original dataset. This model is capable of identifying and classifying accurately all of the categories in the dataset
ACROSS TIMELINES: DECODING CROSS-REGIONAL MEDIA FRAMINGS OF ISIS ON X (2014–2023)
No full textThis study investigates regional variations in media framings of ISIS on X, identifying the key factors contributing to these differences. By analysing diverse perspectives and approaches adopted by media accounts, the research sheds light on how various factors shape media discourse on social media platforms. Data were collected from X using RStudio and the academictwitteR package. Network analysis was employed to identify key opinion leaders (KOLs) within each regional group, while framing analysis explored media variations through framing devices such as problem definition and causal interpretation. Findings reveal that Asian media primarily focus on local impacts, particularly the radicalization of Indonesian citizens by ISIS and egregious human rights abuses. Euro-Anglosphere media emphasize international involvement, highlighting violent acts and advocating for a coordinated global response. Middle Eastern media centre their framing on local events, including military engagements, cultural heritage destruction, and immediate regional consequences. These variations are influenced by factors such as geopolitical proximity, national context, domestic journalistic norms, and online netizen engagement patterns. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of media discourse on X concerning ISIS
MARITIME SECURITY GOVERNANCE IN THE STRAITS OF MALACCA: INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, AND SINGAPORE’S RESPONSES
No full textMaritime security governance of a strategic ‘strait’ is unique. It is a complex exercise for coastal states, in particular, to have control over adjacent offshore resources, navigational rights, and maintaining access to commercial and military vessels passing through the waterway. Central to this is sustaining a balanced governance approach to security that would impinge on navigational freedom and coastal states’ rights and duties. However, maritime security governance is not only the actions of a sovereign state or a group of sovereign countries but also non-sovereign entities and institutions. It includes the formulation and implementation of solutions to collective issues. Several factors, such as historical patterns of regulation and control of the policy sector and institutional interests, eventually influence states in either promoting or resisting the formation of governance mechanisms. While maritime security governance exists in many international straits, the focus of this article is on the Straits of Malacca (Strait of Malacca and Strait of Singapore), hereafter referred to as SOM, a strategic maritime passage that involves multiple interests involving governance, military, and commercial aspects. Maritime security governance is at the core of the SOM’s management. Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore’s approaches towards maritime security are strongly influenced by their sovereign, economic, and legal interests. This article is divided into three sections. First, it defines the concept of governance and examines why maritime security governance has garnered attention in contemporary international relations. Second, it identifies maritime security governance approaches among the littoral states in the SOM. Third, it explains why the littoral states adopt diverging approaches to security governance and the conditions shaping their attitudes
UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL LITERACY AND FINANCIAL WELL-BEING AMONG YOUNG MALAYSIANS
No full textWhile financial well-being among Malaysians is improving due to coordinated efforts by the government and various stakeholders, notable gaps remain, such as poor money management habits and high debt levels, especially among the younger generation. These challenges are largely attributed to limited financial literacy, especially concerning financial awareness. This study seeks to shed light on the financial insights of young Malaysians by exploring the relationships between financial awareness, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and financial well-being. An online survey was carried out to gather data. The study utilized partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test its hypotheses, engaging 197 respondents. The findings revealed that individuals with strong financial knowledge, shaped by their financial awareness, possess significantly positive financial attitudes and behaviors, ultimately leading to enhanced financial well-being. The study provides meaningful perspectives that can enrich theoretical frameworks surrounding financial literacy, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to promoting financial well-being. The study also offers invaluable information for the government, government agencies, educational institutions, and other stakeholders, to further advance efforts in raising financial awareness. Empowering young adults with financial literacy, encompassing financial awareness, knowledge, attitude, and behavior, is essential for improving the overall financial well-being of Malaysians and addressing the persistent knowledge gap in the country. However, the primary focus should be on continuously reinforcing awareness within this demographic to bridge the knowledge gap
STRENGTHENING BONDS: HOW COMMUNICATION ENHANCES MARITAL QUALITY
No full textMarriage involves great responsibility and demands mutual understanding and sacrifice between partners. In the pursuit of happiness, challenges and conflicts—particularly in communication—are inevitable. Since communication skills are among the key factors influencing marital quality, this study aimed to explore the relationship between marital quality and communication among young couples in the early phase of marriage (1 to 10 years). A total of 120 participants who had been married for 1 to 10 years volunteered to participate in this study. The instruments used were the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and the ENRICH Communication Scale (ECS). Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using the latest version of SPSS. A Spearman’s rho correlation analysis revealed a weak but statistically significant positive relationship between communication and marital quality. Additionally, the study examined the influence of gender on both variables. Mann-Whitney U tests showed no statistically significant differences between male and female participants in either marital quality or communication. However, a Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed a significant difference in marital quality across different education levels, indicating that educational background may influence marital satisfaction. The results of this study indicate that communication is positively associated with marital quality among couples in the early phase of marriage. These findings also suggest that gender does not significantly influence marital satisfaction or communication. Therefore, future research should explore other contributing factors such as communication styles, emotional intimacy, and duration of marriage. Additionally, examining the role of gender, marital dynamics, and psychological well-being may provide a deeper understanding of how communication patterns impact marital quality
HALAL CHOCOLATE PURCHASE INTENTION AND COMPLIANCE: EXAMINING THE MODERATING ROLE OF RELIGIOSITY AMONG MALAYSIAN MUSLIMS
No full textIn Malaysia, the halal chocolate market is relatively less popular than other halal products such as meat and pharmaceuticals. The ingredients in commercial chocolate such as emulsifiers, flavorings, and dairy additives can raise halal compliance issues, an important but underexplored area of research. To date, there is little research attention on halal chocolate within consumer behavior studies. This study fills the gap by investigating religiosity as a moderating factor in halal chocolate consumption, an aspect not previously examined in this context. Using an online survey and convenience sampling method, a total of 252 valid responses were gathered from Malaysian Muslims aged 18 and above. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data of which findings suggest the significant effect of attitude and religiosity in driving purchase intention, as opposed to halal knowledge. Religiosity strengthens the relationship between attitude and intention, highlighting its crucial role in halal consumer decision-making. This insight shows that religiosity not only shapes halal-related attitudes, but also conditions their impact on behavior, especially in a product category that is often overlooked such as halal chocolate. Theoretically, this study contributes by positioning religiosity as a boundary condition in halal consumer research on top of providing practical guidelines for chocolate manufacturers, marketers, and halal certification authorities in catering to the religious sensitivities of Malaysian Muslim consumers
HOW DO MUSLIM WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE? THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT, RELIGIOSITY, AND GENDER STEREOTYPES
No full textFrom an Islamic perspective, entrepreneurship has been an essential activity for a long time. It started at the beginning of human life on this earth and continues to grow rapidly along with the development of human life itself. The interpretation and discussion of entrepreneurship from a capitalist and developed nation point of view has caused many researchers and practitioners in the world, including Malaysia, to prioritize the opinions of Western thinkers in evaluating business performance. Thus, this study aims to examine the influence of social support, religiosity, and gender stereotypes on the sustainable business performance of Muslim women entrepreneurs in the informal sector. This study selected women entrepreneurs based on cluster and purposive sampling techniques. Data processing using the structural equation modeling (SEM) method with the help of AMOS software. The study findings show that social support, religiosity, and gender stereotypes significantly predict social, economic, and environmental performance. The study findings hope to assist the relevant ministries and agencies in formulating an action plan to increase Muslim women\u27s involvement in entrepreneurship. In addition, this study can also be referred to as an aid to the ministry in planning and designing programs needed by Muslim women entrepreneurs to help improve their ability to operate a business
THE SUBSTITUTIONS OF VOICED AND VOICELESS DENTAL FRICATIVE SOUNDS: THE PERSPECTIVES OF ESL MALAYSIAN SECONDARY STUDENTS
No full textThis study aims to examine the extent to which Malay speakers substitute the voiced /ð/ and voicelessdental /θ/ fricative sounds in the English language with /t/ and /d/ sounds and analyse how Malay speakers perceive the pronunciation of the voiced and voiceless dental fricative sounds. In this study, observation analysis will be adopted, as proposed by Rahman and Hassan (2019). Through the observation analysis and a focus group interview, it was found that the participants mostly substituted the voiceless dental fricative sounds as /t/ and /d/ for voiced dental fricative sounds. With the absence of both voiced and voiceless and dental fricative sounds from the Malay language, the participants try to find the nearest sound that resembles their first language. They had also shared that learning the accurate pronunciation would be beneficial in increasing their knowledge in the English language. In supplementing students’ knowledge in the standard pronunciation, more exposure should be given with authentic material to ensure they get the best resources for learning accurate pronunciation
An Empirical Study on the Construction of A Non-Convex Risk Parity Portfolio Using A Genetic Algorithm
No full textRisk-based portfolio optimization has become increasingly crucial due to the limitations and underperformance of traditional Mean-Variance (MV) portfolios. In the context of the Risk Parity (RP) portfolio, capital is allocated in such a way that each asset contributes equally to the overall risk of the portfolio. However, optimizing a non-convex RP portfolio presents significant challenges. While conventional numerical methods can be applied, they often struggle with inefficiency and fail to deliver optimal results. This study addresses these challenges by proposing the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and comparing its effectiveness against Successive Convex for RIsk Parity (SCRIP) to solve the non-convex RP portfolio. Using stock price data from companies listed on the Jakarta Islamic Index (JII), we demonstrate that the GA, although yielding a solution that slightly deviates from the ideal equal-risk-contribution, offers a more efficient and practical approach than SCRIP. Notably, the RP portfolio outperforms both the Equal Weight (EW) and Global Minimum Variance (GMV) portfolios in terms of lower Value at Risk (VaR) and Turnover (TO) ratios. This research contributes to the field by showcasing the GA as a viable tool for overcoming the limitations of traditional optimization methods, particularly in addressing the complexities of non-convex RP portfolios while considering practical investment constraints
Penyelesaian konflik dalam naratif epik Iban: Satu kajian terhadap Ensera Ayor: (Conflict resolution in Iban epic narrative: A study on Ensera Ayor)
No full textMalaysia bukan sahaja kaya dengan kepelbagaian masyarakat majmuk tetapi juga memiliki warisan kesusasteraan yang unik, merangkumi pelbagai etnik termasuk masyarakat Orang Asli serta etnik di Sabah dan Sarawak. Walaupun Sarawak dan Sabah dipisahkan secara geografi oleh Laut China Selatan daripada Semenanjung Malaysia, hal ini tidak menghalang perkembangan dan penyebaran karya kesusasteraan mereka. Ensera Ayor merupakan salah satu epik klasik yang sangat berharga bagi masyarakat Iban dan terus menjadi rujukan generasi kini. Sebagai sebuah epik, Ensera Ayor menampilkan pelbagai konflik yang diolah dengan penuh kebijaksanaan oleh pengarangnya. Konflik merupakan elemen asas dalam sesebuah karya sastera, namun ia dapat diselesaikan melalui pelbagai kaedah. Oleh itu, makalah ini membincangkan kaedah penyelesaian konflik yang terdapat dalam Ensera Ayor dengan berpandukan pendekatan penyelesaian konflik yang dikemukakan oleh M.d Yadi Said serta Blake dan Mouton. Hasil penelitian mendapati bahawa lima kaedah utama yang digunakan dalam penyelesaian konflik dalam Ensera Ayor ialah pengelakan, persaingan, mempertahankan diri, muslihat, dan penyesuaian diri. Kelima-lima kaedah ini berakar dalam adat serta nilai budaya masyarakat Iban, yang mencerminkan kebijaksanaan dan strategi mereka dalam menangani pertentangan sosial