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Collaborative leadership and school management committees' impact on primary teachers' job satisfaction in Sarawak, Malaysia.
No full textThis study investigates the relationship between headmasters' collaborative leadership, the role of School Management Committees (SMC), and teacher job satisfaction in Chinese National Type Schools (SJK(C)) in Sarawak, Malaysia. The aim is to explore how leadership styles and SMC involvement influence teacher satisfaction and improve the school environment. The study used a survey research design. Stratified, cluster, and simple random sampling were applied to select 120 teachers from 12 SJK(C) schools in Sarawak. Data were collected using questionnaires with Likert-scale items to measure headmasters' leadership, SMC roles, and teacher job satisfaction. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and regression to examine relationships and mediation effects. The results showed that headmasters' collaborative leadership (β = 0.392) and SMC involvement (β = 0.327) had a positive and significant impact on teacher job satisfaction. The descriptive analysis indicated high satisfaction levels, with average scores of 4.21 for leadership, 3.76 for SMC roles, and 4.11 for teacher satisfaction. The findings confirmed that SMCs mediate the link between leadership and satisfaction, highlighting the importance of collaboration and support in schools. This study provides unique insights into how SMC involvement mediates the impact of collaborative leadership on teacher job satisfaction, focusing on Sarawak context that has not been widely studied. The study benefits school leaders, policymakers, and educators by highlighting effective leadership practices and the role of School Management Committees in improving teacher job satisfaction. It also supports better management and development strategies for rural schools
Wudu as a form of Islamic water therapy: Insights from hadith and ecotherapy studies
No full textThe approach of ecotherapy in health has been gaining increasing attention in modern medicine, particularly in enhancing mental well-being through interaction with natural elements. In Islam, this concept can be linked to acts of worship that involve the use of natural elements, such as wudu (ablution). Wudu is not only a physical purification ritual before prayer but also holds significant spiritual and psychological dimensions. This study aims to assess wudu as a form of ecotherapy in Islam by analyzing relevant hadiths from the perspective of fiqh al-hadith. The study employs content analysis methodology, examining hadith texts from major hadith compilations alongside scholars’ interpretations regarding the effects of wudu on spiritual and emotional well-being. Thematic analysis is used to identify therapeutic elements within wudu, including the role of water as a cleansing and calming element, as well as how wudu contributes to stress and anger management based on the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The findings indicate that wudu exhibits characteristics of ecotherapy, particularly in the use of water as a therapeutic instrument, spiritual tranquility, and mental well-being restoration. This study suggests that wudu is not merely a ritual act of worship but also a holistic Islamic therapy that can be applied in the context of mental health treatment among Muslims. Further research is recommended to explore in greater depth the relationship between wudu and psychological well-being through empirical approaches, such as field studies or experiments examining the psychological effects of wudu in stressful and anxiety-inducing situations
When life-saving measures leave a mark: Non-traumatic subperiosteal orbital hematoma after cardiopulmonary resuscitation
No full textSubperiosteal orbital hemorrhage is rare, usually seen in young adult males following direct facial or orbital trauma. However, nontraumatic subperiosteal orbital hemorrhage (NTSOH) has been infrequently reported in association with sudden elevations in cranial venous pressure, venous congestion, bleeding diathesis, or paranasal sinusitis. Compressive optic neuropathy may ensue if it is missed or left untreated
Nutritional properties of selected edible insects
No full textThis study aimed to determine the nutritional properties of selected edible insects as a potential future food. A total of eight species of edible insects, including the dubia roach (Blaptica dubia), super worm (Zophobas morio) larvae, locust (Locusta migratoria), silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae, house cricket (Acheta domesticus), sago palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) larvae, black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae, and grasshopper (Oxya Yezoensis) have been obtained and analyzed for their macronutrient contents. Results showed that grasshopper (68.18 g/100 g) has the highest protein content, which is comparable to conventional animal meats. This indicates that the edible insect is a valuable alternative protein and provides essential amino acids. Thus, some edible insects could serve as a source of sustainable nutrients for daily requirements and mitigating food insecurity in the future
Preschool teachers' needs for vegetable and fruit learning modules
No full textThis study was conducted to identify Preschool teachers' perceptions of the need for a vegetable and fruit learning module for 5-6-year-old children. The study employed a quantitative approach in the form of a survey for data collection and analysis. The survey method involved the use of a questionnaire through Google Form. A total of 30 Early Childhood Education teachers in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah participated in this study. The findings of the study indicate that the component with the highest score is the Teachers’ Teaching Module Needs component was (M = 4.83, SD = 0.45). While, the Teaching and Learning Content and Preschool Student Activities Component scored the lowest with a score of (M=4.73, SD=0.47). The results of this study suggest that Preschool teachers perceive the need for a vegetable and fruit learning module as important for 5-6-year-old children. Teachers also believe that the presence of this module in preschool is crucial for providing early exposure to the importance of consuming nutritious and balanced food for their growth. In this study, teachers need to implement the vegetable and fruit learning module so as to provide engaging learning materials to enhance student-centered learning development
Morphological and genetic characterisation of seahorse species (Syngnathidae: Hippocampus spp.) in the Waters of Sabah, Malaysia.
No full textSeahorse are teleosts belonging to the genus Hippocampus which consists of 57 species. Among the 57 species, only 12 species exist in Malaysian waters and 11 species in the coastal waters of Sabah. These records and checklists pre-date 2015, and no known studies or field surveys have been conducted in Sabah since then. In this study, a field survey was conducted in selected areas of Sabah waters to document the species composition through morphological and genetic identification. Out of the 11 species that were recorded previously, only two species (Hippocampus barbouri and Hippocampus comes) were found and identified using taxonomic keys. CO1 mitochondrial gene was used for genetic identification and phylogenetic tree reconstruction of Maximum Likelihood (ML). The dataset comprises sequences of 11 species from Malaysian waters (excluding H. satomiae). The genetic distances, i.e., p-distances, for H. barbouri and H. comes were recorded to be less than 1% inter-species and more than 10% intra-species, which confirmed the distinct species genetically. Furthermore, findings highlight the urgency of implementing conservation strategies to protect the remaining populations, in light of limitations of this study
Evaluating the vertical accuracy of lidar and open source dem for oil palm plantation planning and design
No full textAccurate elevation data are essential for effective oil palm plantation planning, hydrological modeling, and environmental management particularly in tropical regions characterized by complex topography and dense vegetation. While LiDAR-derived Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) offer high vertical precision, their acquisition costs often hinder adoption in resource-limited settings. Open-source DEMs provide accessible alternatives but are frequently affected by vegetation interference and coarse resolution, leading to reduced vertical accuracy. This study proposes a hybrid correction framework that integrates a random forest (RF) machine learning algorithm and a geographically weighted regression (GWR) a spatially adaptive statistical method to enhance the vertical accuracy of open-source DEMs for terrain-sensitive applications. The study used377 high-precision Ground Control Points (GCPs) and LiDAR data to evaluate and correct six global DEMs: Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS), TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement (TanDEM-X), Copernicus GLO-30, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), Forest And Buildings removed Copernicus DEM (FABDEM), Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) GDEM, and a high-resolution drone-derived DEM. RF was used to identify key topographic predictors, including aspect, slope, curvature, Topographic Position Index (TPI), and Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI), while GWR applied spatially adaptive corrections to the RF residuals. The integrated RF–GWR model significantly improved the vertical accuracy across all DEMs. The post-correction R² values reached 0.914 for TanDEM-X, 0.910 for ALOS, and increased from 0.608 to 0.914for Copernicus, with the residual standard deviations reduced by up to 75% and near-zero mean bias. These results highlight the model’s ability to correct both systematic and spatially varying elevation errors. The framework presents a scalable and alternative to LiDAR for use in precision agriculture, flood risk modeling, and infrastructure planning. Future work should explore integration with deep learning to improve the temporal responsiveness and operational scalability. Keywords: Digital Elevation Models, Machine Learning, Random Forest, Geographically Weighted Regression, Vertical Accuracy.1. INTRODUCTION Accurate terrain data are fundamental to informed land-use planning, hydrological modeling, and precision agriculture, particularly in tropical environments characterized by dense vegetation, high rainfall, and complex topography. In the context of oil palm plantation development, reliable elevation models are critical for the design of efficient drainage systems, optimization o
Determinants of consumer preference for Gold-I investment: A Malaysian case study
No full textThis study examines the application of the extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in influencing consumer decisions to invest in Gold-i, a Shariah-compliant product that enables participation in the metals market, with returns generated from capital appreciation. Employing a quantitative research methodology, data were gathered through an online survey of 216 Malaysian consumers using convenience sampling. The analysis was conducted using multiple regression techniques with SPSS version 28. Results indicate a significant correlation between the intention to invest in Gold-i and factors such as attitude and knowledge, while subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and religiosity were not significant predictors. The study, limited to a cross-sectional design and focused on Malaysian consumers, offers valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and investors. The findings provide a foundational understanding for Islamic financial institutions seeking to enhance their interventions and strategies. Moreover, this research contributes to the sparse literature on Gold-i investment in Malaysia, serving as a reference for future studies. As one of the first empirical investigations in this domain, this study is anticipated to encourage further research into the determinants of Gold-i investment behaviour among Malaysian consumers
Exploring sustainable brand equity formation in tourist destinations through factor analysis
No full textRecent research highlights the potential of destination branding as a marketing tool, yet few studies have applied the Customer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) approach to assess destination brand equity, particularly in combining various dimensions. This study addresses this gap by empirically evaluating Sabah’s brand equity through a consumer survey targeting Japanese tourists. It examines the causal relationships among nine brand equity dimensions: brand awareness, brand uniqueness, perceived brand quality, perceived brand value, brand image, perceived destination risk, perceived brand reputation, brand satisfaction, and brand loyalty. Data were collected from 100 tourists at Kota Kinabalu International Airport using questionnaire to refine the factor structure and assess concurrent validity. The analysis included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, confirming the dimensionality of the constructs and integrating “perceived destination risk” into the existing framework to address security concerns and general risks associated with the destination. This research contributes to understanding Japanese tourists’ sentiments toward Sabah as a tourism destination. The findings may offer strategies for policymakers to enhance Sabah’s brand performance. Reliability assessments indicated acceptable to good reliability across most constructs, with improvements observed after item revisions. This study fills a gap in empirical research on destination marketing and brand equity, focusing on a specific target market
Determinant factors and foreign direct investment in Malaysia cointegration and causality analysis
No full textThis research attempts to examine the determinants of FDI in Malaysia. The infrastructure, market size, exchange rate and inflation rate are considered independent factors that impact the FDI in this research. Yearly data from 1991 to 2020 was sourced from World Bank. The ARDL model was used to test the cointegration and causal relationship between the determinants and FDI. Based on the results, the infrastructure has positively influenced the FDI in the long and short run. The impact of market size, exchange rate and inflation rate on FDI is statistically insignificant in the long run. However, the market size and exchange rate have a significant short run relationship with FDI but none between the inflation rate and FDI. This research provides decision-making insights for investors, policymakers and practitioners. It plays a vital role in formulating FDI related policy in Malaysia. Despite facing limitations, this research concluded with some recommendations for future research