Noraini Johari

A Pilot Framework of Corporate Real Estate Sustainable Performance Measurement (CRESPM)

Sustainability is now recognised as an emerging important area and is a subject of discussion in recent studies. Sustainability is a current issue discussed in various platforms not only in Malaysia but throughout the world. Despite that, there is lack of scholarly discussion on sustainability relating to corporate real estate sustainable performance measurement (CRESPM). Corporate Real Estate Sustainable Performance Measurement (CRESPM) merits serious discussion as it contributes greatly towards the direction and decision-making of the organization in attaining maximum added value for the business; and contributing to the overall performance of the corporation. Thus, this research aimed at exploring, and then summarizing the best performance measurement indicator related to sustainable real estate by referring to the sustainability parent theory. The objectives of this study include to identify the existing CRE sustainable performance measurement indicator available from previous research; and to design a pilot model and framework for CRE sustainable performance measurement. The research uses content analysis method to analyse data gathered from literature and previous studies. The findings will be demonstrated in the form of a pilot framework model on CRESPM that will include 102 indicators of performance measurement derived from analysis. The framework is hoped to be available in the near future as an evolution for the future exploration on CRESPM.

A Conceptual Framework in Synergizing Waqf Real Estate and Zakat through Strategic Integration for Malaysian Asnaf

Strategic integration in waqf real estate and zakat projects yields sustainable benefits generated by State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs) for asnaf development. Among Muslims, asnaf groups have been highlighted in Islam to be eligible to receive zakat funds. There are eight categories of asnaf that represent the basic needs of an individual in Islam. The Islamic philanthropy study takes place theoretically and empirically in many Muslim countries. In Malaysia, the operation of waqf and zakat systems in institutional form has been well developed. However, the potential significant utilization of waqf real estate and zakat fund integration for asnaf development is limited and as yet still untapped. This paper reviews the relevant literature on the integration of waqf and zakat and then developing and proposing a conceptual framework in synergizing waqf real estate and zakat through strategic integration for asnaf development. The paper identifies the appropriate components such as cash waqf, funds from Baitulmal and involvement from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as the elements to strengthen the integration. In cognizance with this study, the government as policymaker, SIRCs, corporate bodies and Islamic charity organizations must collaborate to boost asnaf abilities in many areas.

Affordability Measurement among Public Housing Tenants In Ipoh, Malaysia

Affordability issues are frequently debated by housing policy makers. These debates on housing affordability issues occur not only in developing countries, but have attracted attention even in developed nations. Housing affordability requires careful consideration since housing forms one of the biggest expenditure that needs to be allocated for by a family, especially those from the low-income bracket. As not all households can afford to own a house, renting is the last resort for such households. Some of them must rely on public housing tenancies. It is thus crucial for housing management to use a discerning selection process for eligible tenants for the public housing due to the limited supply. Hence, a suitable method of measuring affordability needs to be adopted by the housing management. Affordability measurement methods offer various benefits not only to the policy makers; they also help households determine their own housing affordability levels. The approaches employed in this study are through literature review, reviews of tenant selection forms and interviews with the housing management. Data collated will then be analysed using content analysis method. It is hoped that the findings of the study will aid public housing management to revise the existing tenant selection policies especially on aspects of selecting the most eligible tenants to occupy public housing.

The Green Building Concept: Is that a Trend

The building industry is an important contributing element to the economy of the country. Evidence revealed that the building industry has contributed to the environmental impact in so many ways. Realizing this important role played by the building industry, most building projects have now adopted the concept of green building. In Malaysia, the green building concept has been gradually initiated into the building industry. Reference to the Green Building Index (GBI Malaysia) database shows an increasing number of buildings being certified day by day. Not only that, the green building concept indicated a positive escalation especially within the commercial and residential property sectors. In conjunction with the growing number of green buildings in Malaysia, several questions have arisen; one of which is whether this is just a passing trend or is it because of the benefits received from it. Therefore, this study is conducted mainly to investigate the reasoning behind the corporation’s involvement in green building industry. This study used the qualitative method whereby, semi-structured interview has been chosen as the best data collection method. Seven participants from different sectors were selected to generalize the results. Results indicated that at the initial stage of involvement in green building concept, most of the corporations were in it for the trend and novelty of trailblazing the evolutions of the world building industry. It was only recently that green building concept is embedded by corporations due to the benefits they received which indirectly boosted their business operations. Nevertheless, the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and corporations still need to increase efforts to mould and embed the green culture for every Malaysian because the awareness level in the implementation of green building concept is still at an early stage.

Evaluating off-campus student housing preferences: A pilot survey

In recent decades, the term student housing has been highlighted as a body of knowledge in housing studies. In providing better quality of life, student housing evolved into a critical agenda in developing higher education learning. This research paper aims to discuss on a pilot study examining student housing preferences among university and college students should they reside off-campus. The research aims at identifying the attributes of off-campus student housing preferences to give a significant input for the development of an off-campus student housing preferences conceptual framework. This research is a cross-sectional study in which survey participants are currently-enrolled students throughout the period of survey. During this pilot study, questionnaires were distributed among university students in Shah Alam, Selangor in Malaysia. A total of 86 survey questionnaires were collected, consisting of questions reflecting students’ background, Likert scale questions to specify their preferences, and open-ended questions. This preliminary pilot result shows that the 46 variables student housing preferences have a good reliability and validity. The outcomes from this research provide insight into students’ preferences on how off-campus housing should be developed. Since Selangor is divided into various districts with a plethora of different local contexts including different university campuses, there is a need for further study to avoid generalization.In recent decades, the term student housing has been highlighted as a body of knowledge in housing studies. In providing better quality of life, student housing evolved into a critical agenda in developing higher education learning. This research paper aims to discuss on a pilot study examining student housing preferences among university and college students should they reside off-campus. The research aims at identifying the attributes of off-campus student housing preferences to give a significant input for the development of an off-campus student housing preferences conceptual framework. This research is a cross-sectional study in which survey participants are currently-enrolled students throughout the period of survey. During this pilot study, questionnaires were distributed among university students in Shah Alam, Selangor in Malaysia. A total of 86 survey questionnaires were collected, consisting of questions reflecting students’ background, Likert scale questions to specify their preferences, and op...

The Views of Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah on the Religious Rights of Non-Muslims in Ahkam Ahl al-Dhimmah

The right to one’s religion is an important issue in Islamic politics. It has been acknowledged over the ages that Islam recognizes the liberty of choice of religion of non-Muslims residing in an Islamic state. This, however, does not construe to absolute freedom in the way that non-Muslims understand it since Islam has outlined specific rules and procedures by which they are bound as prevention to excesses of such freedom. The focus of this research is on the views of Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah on the religious rights of non-Muslims which he addressed in his writings compiled in Ahkam Ahl al-Dhimmah. This research can be classified as library research. It has been specifically designed using two main methods namely the data collection method and data analysis methods which include the historical method, content analysis method and biography analysis. A result of this research found that the views of Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah are not so different from other scholars’ views. In fact, the similarities occur more often than the differences. This circumstance happened because the methodologies used by Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah are also used by other scholars. However, there are also some differences in the issue especially to indicate the application of maslahah towards the contemporary issues. Generally, it can be concluded that the religious rights of non-Muslims are guaranteed because the scholars’ views are based on guided methods and not merely on their unguided opinions.