21 research outputs found
Awakening: The Abdullah Badawi Years in Malaysia
No full textTun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi served as Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2003 to 2009. Better known as Pak Lah, he came in office with a huge mandate. In the 2004 General Elections, the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) won its best performance since 1969. Five years later in the 2008 GE, the BN won only 140 of 222 seats, a net loss of 58 seats. More importantly it meant the BN lost its customary two-thirds majority in parliament. More than thirty authors, Malaysians and non-Malaysians, give an assessment of the one-term Abdullah administration. The central theme of the book is the question: how did Tun Abdullah change the Malaysian political landscape? This volume offers a comprehensive glimpse of the Abdullah administration from both inside and outside the administration. “He assumed office as PM on a vast sea of optimism and he could have accomplished more. Indeed his motto when assuming office was “work with him, not for him”. He should have taken the opportunities of making sweeping changes in the cabinet, the civil service, judiciary and other organs of power and governance." -Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah- Contributors: Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi; Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah; Dato’ Seri Abdul Azim Zabidi; Datuk Zaid Ibrahim; Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khir Bin Toyo; Datuk Denison Jayasooria; Datuk Ramesh Chander; YB Liew Chin Tong; Edmund T. S. Bon; William Case; Chua Sue-Ann; Mohd. Faisal Syam Bin Abdol Hazis; Farish A. Noor; Edmund Terence Gomez; Wan Hamidi Hamid; Gerhard Hoffstaedter; K. Kabilan; Clive Kessler; Khadijah Khalid; Khaw Veon Szu; Kuik Cheng-Chwee; Lee Kam Hing; Joseph Chin Yong Liow; Lim Teck Ghee; Maria Chin Abdullah; Anil Netto; Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad; Ooi Kee Beng; Oon Yeoh; Arnold Puyok; Rita Sim; Jason Tan; Andrew Willford and Zulkifli Bin Sulon
CONTEMPORARY SHARI'AH STRUCTURING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF WAQF ASSETS IN SINGAPORE
No full textThe institution of waqf proves to bring about social, economic and religious benefit to mankind. It is a vehicle for financing society as a whole (Hodgson, 1974). However, of late there has been a pervasive underdevelopment of waqf assets in the world (Kahf, 1998; Kuran, 2004). One of the reasons cited by Kuran for this underdevelopment is the issue of perpetuity and the inalienability inherent in the features of waqf ( 2004). The other reason, as cited by Kahf and Cizakca (2000; 1998) is the issue of mismanagement and the nationalisation of waqf . However a plethora of reasons can be advanced for the underdevelopment of waqf which includes the entire administration, management, financing and development of waqf.
This research therefore aims at indentifying factors needed for the contemporary shari’ah compliant structuring of waqf assets in Singapore and how this can be achieved. The factors and gaps that have been identified include legal, financing, management structure, perception of stakeholders and the shari’ah issues in managing the waqf assets which form the largest group of assets managed by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis).
The research utilised the semi-structured interview of the various stakeholders and expert opinion relating to waqf. In addition, secondary sources from the case study analysis of Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis) provide an important and useful insight in understanding the management of waqf in Singapore. The study revealed some interesting findings such as the attitudes towards and the perception of non-shari’ah compliant activities carried out in waqf management, the possibilities of the various instruments that can be used to develop waqf assets and the polar shari’ah interpretation of investment and financing of the waqf assets. All issues are presented with real case study in this thesis. The research will then conclude by offering the possible new structuring of waqf assets using the instruments of Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs) and the various policy changes required to move waqf to the next level of its management in order to realise its full potential
WORK ETHIC OF MALAYSIAN CIVIL SERVANTS
No full textThis paper seeks to explore work ethic of Malaysian civil servants. Positive work ethic among others emphasize on hard work, commitment and dedication, and avoidance of wealth accumulation through unethical methods. This ethic is indeed valued by organizations. Employees holding strongly to positive work ethic ensure organization of its goal. The questionnaire used to gauge the level of work ethic among Malaysian civil servants is the Islamic work ethic developed by Ali (1988). A total of 90 civil servants of the Islamic faith responded to the questionnaire. The result shows respondents hold strongly to Islamic work ethicHuman Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, Ethic
Intestinal knotting : A case report and brief literature review
No full textIleo-ileal knotting is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. In this condition, one bowel loop makes a knot with an adjacent bowel loop, resulting in mechanical obstruction and even gangrene of the bowel. We present a case of a young girl with ileo-ileal knotting resulting in a closed-loop obstruction and gangrene of the small bowel loop. This is a difficult condition to diagnose; a high index of suspicion and early surgical intervention are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality
Right ureteric reconstruction with vascularised interpositional appendix graft in retroperitoneal leiomysarcoma
No full textWe present here a case of a 66-year-old lady who was diagnosed with right iliac fossa retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma at Hospital Umum Sarawak. The challenge in this case was the extension of tumour with the involvement of her right ureter causing proximal hydroureter and hydronephrosis. After resection of tumour en-block with the involved segment of ureter, it was not possible to repair the ureteric defect directly. We used interpositional vascularized appendix graft to repair this large (7 cm) ureteric defect. We describe here this uncommon technique of ureter reconstruction
Jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumour masquerading as an ovarian cancer: A case report
No full textA 60-year-old lady presented with lower abdominal
discomfort and a huge palpable intra-abdominal mass for 4
months, with significant weight loss over half a year.
Transvaginal ultrasonography and computed tomography
(CT) abdomen showed a large right solid cystic mass likely
ovarian in origin. The CA-125 was raised. With the
provisional diagnosis of ovarian cancer patient underwent
laparotomy at Hospital Umum Sarawak, Malaysia. However
intraoperative findings showed that uterus and both ovaries
were normal. The tumour was arising from the jejunum and
adherent to the dome of the urinary bladder and right broad
ligament. The tumour was resected and final diagnosis was
jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). We described
this case which was misinterpreted as an ovarian cancer
The Peridynamic Model of Viscoelastic Creep and Recovery
No full textPurpose
– The purpose of this paper is to establish a peridynamic method in predicting viscoelastic creep behaviour with recovery stage and to find the suitable numerical parameters of peridynamic method.
Design/methodology/approach
– A rheological viscoelastic creep constitutive equation including recovery and an elastic peridynamic equation (with integral basis) are examined and used. The elasticity equation within the peridynamic equation is replaced by the viscoelastic equation. A new peridynamic method with two time parameters, i.e. numerical time and viscoelastic real time is designed. The two parameters of peridynamic method, horizon radius and number of nodes per unit volume are studied to get their optimal values. In validating this peridynamic method, comparisons are made between numerical and analytical result and between numerical and experimental data.
Findings
– The new peridynamic method for viscoelastic creep behaviour is approved by the good matching in numerical-analytical data comparison with difference of < 0.1 per cent and in numerical-experimental data comparison with difference of 4-6 per cent. It can be used for further creep test which may include non-linear viscoelastic behaviour and creep rupture. From this paper, the variation of constants in Burger’s viscoelastic model is also studied and groups of constants values that can simulate solid, fluid and solid-fluid viscoelastic behaviours were obtained. In addition, the numerical peridynamic parameters were also manipulated and examined to achieve the optimal values of the parameters.
Research limitations/implications
– The peridynamic model of viscoelastic creep behaviour preferably should have only one time parameter. This can only be done by solving the unstable fluctuation of dynamic results, which is not discussed in this paper. Another limitation is the tertiary region and creep rupture are not included in this paper.
Practical implications
– The viscoelastic peridynamic model in this paper can serve as an alternative for conventional numerical simulations in viscoelastic area. This model also is the initial step of developing peridynamic model of viscoelastic creep rupture properties (crack initiation, crack propagation, crack branching, etc.), where this future model has high potential in predicting failure behaviours of any components, tools or structures, and hence increase safety and reduce loss.
Originality/value
– The application of viscoelastic creep constitutive model on peridynamic formulation, effect of peridynamic parameters manipulation on numerical result, and optimization of constants of viscoelastic model in simulating three types of viscoelastic creep behaviours
Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: The first Malaysian experience
No full textSummaryIntroductionSingle-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is an evolving concept in minimally invasive surgery. It utilizes the concept of inline viewing and a single incision that accommodates all of the working instruments. Here, we describe a single surgeon's initial experiences of using this technique in a tertiary hospital.MethodsBetween January and September 2010, 21 patients underwent SILC for symptomatic cholelithiasis. The umbilicus was the point of access into abdomen for all patients using a 2.0–2.5-cm incision. The surgeries were performed using the Covidien SILS port with a 30° angled scope and two 5-mm conventional laparoscopic instruments.ResultsNineteen patients successfully underwent surgery (8 males and 11 females; mean age: 43 years). The mean body mass index was 25.9kg/m2 (range: 19.0–38.2kg/m2). The mean operative time was 89 minutes (range: 55–135 minutes). Minimal blood loss was noted in each patient. The mean length of the postoperative stay was 1.1 days (range: 1–3 days). No complications or mortalities were associated with the technique. The visual analogue score for pain at the 1-day and 6-week follow-up examinations was 2 (range: 1–7) and 0.6 (range: 0–3), respectively. At 6 weeks, the mean satisfaction score for the resultant scar was 8.8 (range: 4–10) and the mean overall satisfaction score was 9.2 (range: 7–10). The mean time until returning to work or normal activities was 8.8 days (range: 1–21 days).ConclusionSILC is feasible and demonstrates a good clinical outcome
Laparoscopic transabdominal approach and its modified technique for incarcerated scrotal hernias
No full textSummaryIntroductionUsing laparoscopic methods for incarcerated scrotal hernias is controversial because of the perceived technical difficulties in treating such hernias. Herein, we present our experience with laparoscopic repair of such hernias.Materials and methodsA retrospective review was undertaken to evaluate our experience with laparoscopic transabdominal approach and its modification for incarcerated hernias over a 3-year period. Two laparoscopic techniques were used for the repair of such hernias. The first technique, an exploratory laparoscopy, was performed to inspect the content of the hernia. This was followed by gentle retraction of the hernial content into the abdominal cavity and performing a standard transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. If the hernia was not reducible, then a second technique involving a paramedian scrotal incision was performed. The sac was isolated, opened, and its contents were examined. If the bowel was encountered, it was reduced into the peritoneal cavity. However, if it was the omentum, it was excised. Following ligation of the scrotal sac and re-insufflation of the abdomen, a standard TAPP ensued.ResultsA total of 20 male patients with incarcerated scrotal hernia underwent laparoscopic TAPP repair (mean age: 48 years). Six had scrotal incision. Surgical site or mesh infection was not observed in any of the cases. Likewise, no recurrence after a mean follow-up of 22 months was encountered.ConclusionUsing the above modifications, we were able to perform laparoscopic repair of large incarcerated scrotal hernias, which previously would have been treated with an open procedure
Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: The first Malaysian experience
No full textSingle-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is an evolving concept in minimally invasive surgery. It utilizes the concept of inline viewing and a single incision that accommodates all of the working instruments. Here, we describe a single surgeons initial experiences of using this technique in a tertiary hospital. Between January and September 2010, 21 patients underwent SILC for symptomatic cholelithiasis. The umbilicus was the point of access into abdomen for all patients using a 2.0–2.5-cm incision. The surgeries were performed using the Covidien SILS port with a 30° angled scope and two 5-mm conventional laparoscopic instruments. Nineteen patients successfully underwent surgery (8 males and 11 females, mean age: 43 years). The mean body mass index was 25.9 kg/m2 (range: 19.0–38.2 kg/m2). The mean operative time was 89 minutes (range: 55–135 minutes). Minimal blood loss was noted in each patient. The mean length of the postoperative stay was 1.1 days (range: 1–3 days). No complications or mortalities were associated with the technique. The visual analogue score for pain at the 1-day and 6-week follow-up examinations was 2 (range: 1–7) and 0.6 (range: 0–3), respectively. At 6 weeks, the mean satisfaction score for the resultant scar was 8.8 (range: 4–10) and the mean overall satisfaction score was 9.2 (range: 7–10). The mean time until returning to work or normal activities was 8.8 days (range: 1–21 days). SILC is feasible and demonstrates a good clinical outcome
