Mohamed Asmy Mohd Thas Thaker

Developing cash waqf model as an alternative source of financing for micro enterprises in Malaysia

Purpose This paper aims to attempt to offer a viable alternative model of source of financing which is known as integrated cash waqf micro enterprises investment (ICWME-I) model for micro enterprises in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The literature on the issues of accessing to finance faced by micro enterprises and cash waqf are reviewed critically and used in the attempt of proposing an alternative model. Findings The paper has developed ICWME-I model as a source of financing for micro enterprises. This model is expected to provide financial services by using cash waqf fund and involved the participatory contract between non-profit organization and micro enterprises. In addition, with the proposed model, there will be no collateral requirement, interest rate and other stringent requirements which usually imposed by existing conventional financial institutions. Research limitations/implications The paper is based on conceptual explorations of literature in the area of micro enterprises and cash waqf. This is a conceptual paper, so it did not use any empirical analysis. Practical implications The findings of this paper will provide micro enterprises with an alternative source of financing to start-up or expand their business by using cash waqf fund. The present study also has implications for government and policy makers. With the involvement of non-profit organization that is proposed in this model, it helps the government to reduce its expenses for the development of micro enterprises. Originality/value This paper offers an additional literature on cash waqf especially from the Malaysian context. Furthermore, this paper adds to the literature on waqf and cash waqf. The paper proposes a viable alternative model for micro enterprises as a source of financing by using cash waqf fund. This model incorporates Musharakah Mutanaqisah (diminishing partnership) as a financial arrangement between non-profit organization and micro enterprises.

An Examination of Cultural-Economic Model and Public Relations in The Malaysian Islamic Banking System

By adopting the study by Gaither and Kandari on cultural-economic model of, the current study was designed to analyse the cultural-economic model of public relations practice of two prominent Islamic banks (full-fledged Islamic bank and Islamic window bank) in Malaysia. This study is mainly focusing on their communication tool particularly websites and relevant reports. The study is advancing the understanding of Islam and public relations in the context of Islamic banking institution in Malaysia, an understudied area in public relation literature and enlightens the relationship between religion and public relations. The analysis has identified six Islamic value orientations elements especially respect for religious authority, affinity with the past, fatalism, communal kinship, attachment to the eternal life and spirituality and idealism relative to public relation practice among the particular Islamic banks. The study concludes with observation that there is inseparable relationship between religion and culture in the context of Islamic banking industry in Malaysia.