Rosta Harun

From Sources to Solution

There is currently no bacteriological beach quality monitoring (BQM) program in place in Malaysia. To initiate cost-effective, sustainable bacteriological BQM schemes for the ultimate goal of protecting public health, policy decision makers need to be provided robust, indigenous empirical findings that validate appropriate water quality parameters for inclusion in such monitoring programs. This is the first study that assesses the validity of enterococci as an ideal indicator for bacteriological BQM in Malaysia using a multivariate approach. Beach water and sand samples from seven beach locations were analyzed for a total of twentyone microbial and non-microbial water quality parameters. A multivariate approach incorporating cluster analyses (CA), principal component analyses (PCA), and factor analysis (FA) was also adopted. Apart from the weak correlations of Staphylococcus aureus with concentrations of Vibro species (r = 0.302, p = 0.037) and total coliforms (r = 0.392, p = 0.006) in seawater, no correlation existed between S.aureus concentration and other parameters. Faecal coliforms failed to correlate with any of the tested parameters. Enterococci also correlated with more quality parameters than faecal coliforms or any other indicator. PCA/ FA clearly delineated enterococci and faecal coliforms as parameters that weighed A. Ahmad A. C. Dada (&) School of Biosciences & Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia e-mail: ayokunled@yahoo.com G. Usup School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia H. L. Yook School of Chemical Sciences & Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia A. Z. Aris et al. (eds.), From Sources to Solution, DOI: 10.1007/978-981-4560-70-2_1, Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2014 1 strongly for BQM while Staphylococcus aureus, faecal coliforms and enterococci weighed strongly for beach sand quality monitoring. On the whole, higher correlations of enterococci level with other parameters than was observed for faecal coliforms suggest that the former be considered a preferred parameter of choice for BQM in Malaysia.

Environmental awareness, attitude and behavior among under graduates in Malaysia

This study was undertaken to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and behaviour on the environment among 650 undergraduates. The representative samples were selected through a two-stage sampling method. The validated questionnaires developed by the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) process and expert opinions were utilized in this study. The pre-testing of the questionnaire was carried out among 50 undergraduates. Explanatory Factor Analysis revealed three components existed in the questionnaire, namely knowledge, attitude and behavior. Each Component shows good reliability, awareness component (8 questions—Cronbach Alpha0.72), attitude (9 questions—Cronbach Alpha-0.78) and behavior (8 questions, Cronbach Alpha 0.70). This study revealed the level of environmental knowledge and attitudes among students was high 4:15(sd0.42) and 4:19(sd0.49), however, they score moderately on behavior component (3.20(sd0.46). There are no significant difference in awareness, attitude and behaviour between gender, However, different age groups differed significantly (4.24 vs. 4.14, p = 0.013). Meanwhile, the awareness score was also significantly different between undergraduates from different programs (4.11 vs. 4.20, p = 0.005). Multivariable Linear Regression indicates the positive association between high knowledge and attitudes with pro-environmental behavior.

Evaluation Approach in the Practice of Sustainability from Cultural Landscape Perspective: A Case Study of Masjid Kampung Kling, Malacca

The purpose of this paper is to view sustainability practice from the perspective of cultural landscape by looking at Masjid Kampung Kling, Malacca. The selected mosque is a traditional building gazetted under National Antiquity Act (2005) and is located within the area of UNESCO World Heritage Site. A qualitative case study was used in uncovering the practice of sustainability. The cultural landscape approach has guided the study by questioning the meanings embedded within the traditional mosque’s features thus providing a new angle of viewing the landscape as a social expression of symbols, icons, and metaphors. Concepts of sustainability and cultural landscape were reviewed for acquiring the sense of connection with each other. As for evidence, data was collected from several series of observation and interviews. Masjid Kampung Kling can be seen as a sub-cosmic from an enormous multi-culture of Malacca. Findings from the study suggested that the mosque has the portrayal of practical sustainability practice by both the contextual mean and testimonial proof. The sustainability practice can be viewed from three significance values of cultural landscape of the mosque namely (1) history (2) architecture and (3) archaeology. Current management should recognise Masjid Kampung Kling and other traditional mosques in general, for having the potential to present sustainability from cultural landscape perspective. Though Masjid Kampung Kling is already known as tourist attraction, concept improvement in the context of tourism will definitely add more values especially for academic and learning purpose.

Social implications of palm oil production through social life cycle perspectives in Johor, Malaysia

PurposePalm oil is considered as the primary source of income for many farmers in Southeast Asia and become a very important agricultural commodity for the Malaysian economy in recent years. Besides its main usage as cooking oil, it is also exported to be used in many commercial foods and personal care products, as well as biofuels productions (Wong et al. Pertanika Journal of Scholarly Research Reviews 1:33–39, 2015). Over the years, the agricultural sector, especially the livestock and dairy sectors in particular, has been increasingly criticized for their environmental as well as social impacts (Revéret et al. 2015). However, while the products of the agricultural sector contributed significantly to the economic mainstay, the social aspects of it especially those associated with the workers, communities, and environment are equally important and often neglected. The purpose of this research is to identify potential social impacts (implications on workers and local community) throughout the whole life cycle of palm oil production using the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) methodology.MethodsThe methodology of this study consisted of several steps in the framework of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study. The steps involved were goal and scope definition, Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) analysis, Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), and interpretation. Descriptive analyses that involved the social impact associated with the operation of palm oil mill, local community, and workers were used. In order to acquire information from these stakeholders, two sets of questionnaires were constructed based on the subcategories proposed by UNEP (2009).Results and discussionThe results on social aspects showed that the workers exhibited high value of satisfaction regarding social benefits conferred upon them such as annual leave, panel clinic, Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Social Security Organization (SOCSO) scheme, and public holidays. Meanwhile, the satisfaction level of the local community is different according to specific categories. For instance, a small percentage of satisfaction exists among the local community regarding the palm oil industry especially in heritage and cultural conservation.ConclusionsFindings from the S-LCA analysis are positive as palm oil production still met the required criteria in terms of social significance to those who are in direct contact with this operation especially the workers and local community.

Awareness of Behaviours that Cause and Alleviate Global Warming and Intention to Perform the Behaviours Among Malaysian Educated Laypeople

Reducing global warming is not simply the domain of government but should start at the individual level, by knowing the right behaviours for mitigating global warming. This study examines Malaysian educated layperson’s knowledge about global warming and their awareness of behaviours that both cause or alleviate global warming. In this study, a total of 300 participants were asked to list their behaviours which cause global warming and their behaviours they might think reduce global warming. They were then asked to rate their intention regarding these behaviours. Results showed that the respondents were well aware on the effects of air-conditioning and automobiles on global warming but underrated eating meat and using washing machines as causes of global warming, while also misjudging the impact of littering as a cause of global warming. Respondents did well in rating recycling and driving less as a relative impact in reducing global warming but underrated the impact of reducing meat consumption and reduce air travelling as a global warming mitigation. Even though knowledge about behaviours that reduce global warming was not strongly linked to intention to perform the behaviour, the belief in effectiveness that an action that reduces global warming, whether the behaviour is accurate or not, was strongly linked to intention to perform the behaviour.

Retrofitting as an Environmental Hybrid Approach (EHA) in Conservation Works on Historical Buildings in Malaysia

Historical buildings bring out the symbols of history, memories, social and culture of a place as well as representing the economic standard of the local people. It can be seen from the architecture style of the building, size and material used. That is why it is very important for us to preserve and conserve it not only for county’s heritage and legacy but also making them as tourist attractions. Therefore, this paper is aim to identify the potential of retrofitting mechanism as Environmental Hybrid Approach (EHA) in conservation works on the historical buildings as well as to investigate students perception on retrofitting mechanism. Triangulation methods were used for this research. Retrofitting means fitting in new mechanism that was not installed during first construction. It can be adapted as cross-integrated mechanism and can be use in architecture sector. By retrofitting, the vacant historical building can be reused back for new purpose such as an office or theater that can be use to generate income while maintaining the historical values of the original historical building. Practically, this method also brings positive impact to the environment. Retrofitting is consider as an Environmental Hybrid Approach (EHA) in conservation works of historical buildings due to the facts that it use less new materials for new construction by reuse and re-enhancement back original material from historical building, reduce the production of construction waste thus minimizing negative impact to the environment. Retrofitting mechanism also undergo shorten construction period, hence it use less energy, less construction workers on-site and able to reduce the total cost construction compare to conventional construction.

Contribution Fuel Consumption of Fishing Vessel Operation to Greenhouse Gas Emission

Fishing vessel operation highly depends on fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel to generate power. Combustion of fossil fuel would generate greenhouse gas emission such as carbon dioxide. However, the estimation of carbon dioxide emission from fishing vessel is rather scarce in Malaysia. This paper describes carbon dioxide emission estimation from fishing vessels operation in Selangor. This study was conducted at four fisheries districts in Selangor where fishing vessels anchored for operation. Fishing operation activities were divided into four fisheries operation zones (A, B, C, and C2). It involved 3,252 fishing vessels. Firstly, carbon dioxide emission for each vessel is determined by using tier 1 method waterborne navigation equation provided from Chapter 3 mobile combustion, volume two Energy, 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory. After the carbon dioxide emission estimation was calculated, an inventory of emission was carried out. Then, ANOVA test was used to determine the significant differences between fishing gear and fisheries zones. Total carbon dioxide emission from fishing vessels operation in Selangor is 295.44 Gg CO2 for 2012. ANOVA test indicated there is difference in the mean carbon dioxide emission estimation between different types of fishing gear. There are also significant differences in the mean carbon dioxide emission estimation from four different fisheries zones in Selangor. Turkey Kramer Multiple Comparisons was applied to determine the pair of carbon dioxide emission of fishing vessels between types of fishing gears and fisheries zones. The burning of 89.35 Gg of fossil fuel by fishing operation released 295.4 Gg in 2012. Total amount of carbon dioxide emission from fishing vessel is low compare to latest Malaysia total carbon dioxide emission in 2000, 222,990 Gg CO2. In conclusion, status of carbon dioxide emission by fishing vessel operation has been determined for Selangor.

The needs of having a paradigm shift from public sector to private sector on funding digitizing management work of historical buildings in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the government agencies that handle the management of historical buildings are finding themselves facing a shortage of funds to provide the necessary work on digitalising management works. Due to the rising cost of management, which also covers maintenance and infrastructure works, there is a need for a paradigm shift from public sector to private sector provision on infrastructure and management works. Therefore the government agencies need to find the suitable mechanism to encourage private sector especially the private property and developers to take part in it. This scenario has encouraged the authorities to look new ways of entering into partnership and collaboration with the private sector to secure the continuity of provision and funding. The paper first reviews the different approach to facilitate off-site local management system of historical buildings and then examines options for both private and public funding in digitalising the historical buildings management works by interviewing government officer, conservator and member of nongovernment agencies. It then explores how the current system of management may adopt the shift to avoid any vulnerability and threat to the existing historical buildings. This paper concludes with a short summary of key issues in management works of historical buildings and recommendations.