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Introduction: The influence of new bilateralism on southeast Asia–middle east relations and the path to deeper trans regionalism
No full textTrans regionalism, characterized by flexible, non-institutional cooperation across regions, contrasts with interracialism's structured, rule-based interactions. New bilateralism, on the other hand, emerging post-Cold War, extends beyond economic governance to include strategic, security, and cultural dimensions, bypassing institutional constraints. This special issue examines the conceptual and practical complementarity of these frameworks in Middle Eastern–Southeast Asian interactions. Despite weak regional organizations and uneven intra-regional power distribution, trans regionalism and new bilateralism create adaptable, issue-specific collaboration channels. Key regional actors—Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore—leverage these mechanisms to engage in strategic partnerships outside great-power dominance. This issue highlights the efficacy of non-institutional, pragmatic diplomacy in addressing contemporary geopolitical complexities. Case studies, such as the Indonesia-UAE and Malaysia-Saudi Arabia agreements, illustrate how these frameworks enable dynamic, sustainable cooperation. The study ultimately argues that trans regionalism and new bilateralism offer viable alternatives to formal institutions, empowering small and middle powers to navigate evolving global and regional challenges
RUSLE-based erosion analysis and its contribution to flooding in Kota Belud, Sabah
No full textErosion and flooding are closely linked processes that influence each other through sediment transport and hydrological changes. Erosion reduces the capacity of river channels by depositing sediment, while flooding accelerates soil detachment and transport. In Kota Belud, Sabah, this interplay is intensified by deforestation, agricultural activities, and unsustainable land development. This study employs the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) within a GIS environment to assess erosion prone areas and their contribution to flooding. A 5 m × 5 m resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was used to derive the LS factor, while rainfall data, soil series, and land cover were used to compute the R, K, and C factors, respectively. The model was validated using flood-prone area data through an Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis, resulting in an accuracy of 81.22%, indicating good predictive capability. The erosion susceptibility map revealed that 83.6% of the area has very low susceptibility, while 0.5% falls under high to very high categories. These critical zones likely contribute to sedimentation in rivers, exacerbating downstream flooding. The findings provide essential insights for regional flood management, emphasizing the need for targeted soil conservation and sustainable land-use planning in Kota Belud
Physicochemical analysis of bay leaf (Syzyium polyanthum (Wight) Walp.) and its effect on healthy adults’ blood glucose
No full textBay leaf (Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp.), a common culinary ingredient, is known for its potential to regulate blood sugar levels. This study aimed to develop bay leaf tea, evaluate its physicochemical composition and proximate values, assess its acceptance in the community, and examine its impact on blood glucose levels. The bay leaf tea was prepared using the freeze-drying technique, which lasted for 96 hrs at -85°C. Small pieces of ground bay leaves (2 g) were placed in tea bags and stored in airtight containers. The phenolic content of the tea was analyzed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and its color was assessed with a colorimeter as part of the physicochemical analysis. Moisture and ash content were also measured in the tea powder for proximate analysis. A total of 33 participants took part in the bay leaf tea acceptance test to evaluate the community perception of the tea's development process. The participants were adults aged between 20 and 30 years, in good health, and not pregnant. Blood glucose levels were measured via capillary blood sampling before consumption of the tea. Participants were then instructed to refrain from consuming any food or liquids for 30 mins before a second blood glucose measurement was taken. Although 46 subjects were initially recruited, only 33 met the study’s protocol and eligibility criteria. To assess the tea’s effect, participants consumed 200 mL of bay leaf tea at 80°C. The results indicated a significant reduction in blood glucose levels after consuming the tea compared to the baseline measurements
Promoting sales in e-commerce live streaming: How streamer credibility, attractiveness, and time pressure drive purchase decisions
No full textThis study examines the factors influencing consumer purchase decisions within the rapidly expanding e-commerce live streaming landscape. Drawing on source credibility theory and perceived value theory, it examines the direct effects of host credibility (encompassing trust, expertise, and attractiveness) and product attractiveness on purchase decisions. Furthermore, it uniquely explores the critical moderating role of time pressure, a defining characteristic of live streaming environments. Empirical analysis confirms that both host credibility and product attractiveness significantly and positively influence viewers' purchase decision. Crucially, the study reveals that time pressure acts as a significant moderator, strengthening the positive relationships between (a) host credibility and purchase decision, and (b) product attractiveness and purchase decision. These findings challenge the assumption of purely rational decision-making in e-commerce, highlighting the potent influence of real-time urgency and product perceptions in interactive, time-constrained live streaming. The research contributes theoretically by integrating temporal pressure into the digital persuasion framework of live commerce and offers practical insights for platforms, brands, and hosts to optimize live streaming strategies. Specifically, it underscores the importance of selecting credible hosts, enhancing product visual appeal, and strategically leveraging time-limited promotions to amplify persuasive impact and drive sales conversion
The influence of academic management and lecturer-student relationship on achievement motivation among students in a Chinese University
No full textChina holds a unique position because it has consistently placed a high value on education, with higher education being considered the forefront of education. China's gross enrolment rate in higher education hit 51.6% in 2019, marking the country's entry into the popularization stage. In order to further investigate the influence of academic management (AM1) and lecturer-student relationship (LSR) on students' achievement motivation (AM2) within Chinese higher education that has entered the stage of popularization of higher education, the researcher chose the second-year students of Huanghe Jiaotong University, which is located in the central region of China, as the research object. The researcher used the positivist paradigm, the quantitative research design, and the survey method to carry out a further study through the 388 valid questionnaires that were returned. The study revealed a significant difference between students' AM2 and LSR. There is a significant correlation between AM1, LSR, and AM2, with LSR having a more significant influence on AM2. The results of the study provide empirical research data on how to develop LSR in modern times, and provide a basis for adopting reasonable and scientific ways and methods for AM1, as well as new requirements. These can help improve the quality of talent cultivation in Chinese universities and even foreign universities by encouraging students to pursue goals and achieve them
Compliance to the agreement on technical barrier to trade (TBT): The case of Malaysia’s environmental protection measures
No full textThis article examines the impact of Trade-Related Environmental Measures (TREMs) on Malaysia, with a specific focus on the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement under the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework. As international trade increasingly incorporates environmental standards, developing countries like Malaysia face unique challenges and opportunities in balancing trade liberalization with environmental sustainability. The articles explore how TREMs imposed by major trading partners affect Malaysia’s import and export sectors, particularly in industries sensitive to environmental regulations such as palm oil, electronics, and manufacturing. Through an analysis of key WTO disputes, domestic regulatory adjustments, and the WTO trade agreements, this article assesses the effectiveness of Malaysia’s compliance with the TBT Agreement and its application of the domestic regulations, while highlighting potential barriers and benefits. The findings suggest that while TREMs can drive improvements in environmental standards, they may also impose additional costs and technical challenges on Malaysia’s imports and exports, necessitating enhanced regulatory capacity and international cooperation
Compliance to the agreement on technical barrier to trade (TBT): the case of Malaysia’s environmental protection measures
No full textThis article examines the impact of Trade-Related Environmental Measures (TREMs) on Malaysia, with a specific focus on the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement under the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework. As international trade increasingly incorporates environmental standards, developing countries like Malaysia face unique challenges and opportunities in balancing trade liberalization with environmental sustainability. The articles explore how TREMs imposed by major trading partners affect Malaysia’s import and export sectors, particularly in industries sensitive to environmental regulations such as palm oil, electronics, and manufacturing. Through an analysis of key WTO disputes, domestic regulatory adjustments, and the WTO trade agreements, this article assesses the effectiveness of Malaysia’s compliance with the TBT Agreement and its application of the domestic regulations, while highlighting potential barriers and benefits. The findings suggest that while TREMs can drive improvements in environmental standards, they may also impose additional costs and technical challenges on Malaysia’s imports and exports, necessitating enhanced regulatory capacity and international cooperation
The reality of the life of Filipino refugee community settlement scheme, Sabah in the aspects of education and health care services: An analysis from the perspective of Maqasid Syariah
No full textThe absence of a distinct legal framework for refugee management makes Malaysia's refugee management system, particularly in Sabah, unsystematic and inadequate. Hence, lacking assurance of human rights, leaves refugees with limited access to education and healthcare. Although Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1967 Protocol, education and healthcare remain crucial for human subsistence. As a result, this study examines the real-life situation of Filipino refugees in the Refugee Community Settlement Scheme (SPMP) concerning their access to education and healthcare services, while discussing these issues from the perspective of Maqasid Syariah. The study focuses on whether the education and healthcare services refugees received align with the five fundamental needs (dharuriyyah) defined by the Maqasid Syariah framework. This qualitative research incorporates both literature and field research, analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. The findings indicate that the education and healthcare services provided to Filipino refugees in Sabah do not fully meet the five fundamental dharuriyyah needs outlined by the Maqasid Syariah framework. This research aims to serve as a reference for policy development concerning refugee education and healthcare services
Administrator support, motivation, and commitment among secondary school teachers in Sabah, Malaysia
No full textThis study aimed to identify the administrator support, motivation, and teachers' commitment among government-aided daily secondary school teachers in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. This non-experimental study employed a survey method by integrating several probability sampling techniques to obtain the sample. Data were collected using an adapted questionnaire administered to 379 teachers. The data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 21.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and independent t-tests were utilized to answer the research questions. Descriptive analysis indicated that administrative support, motivation, and teachers' commitment were at high levels. The findings also revealed no significant difference in mean scores for administrative support based on gender. Similarly, motivation showed the same results as administrative support. However, teachers' commitment showed a significant difference in mean scores based on gender. The implications and recommendations for further research are also discussed
Acute scrotal pain - role of sonographic evaluation in solving diagnostic dilemma
No full textThe authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the legal guardian has given his consent for images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The guardian understands that the names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal the identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed