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On the globe, Malaysia is located far from a region known as the Pacific Ring-Fire. The latter is recognized as one of high seismic region in the world. However, the nation is still exposed to the tremors originated from Sumatra-Andaman and Philippines earthquakes. Besides, Malaysia also has its own local earthquakes originated from local faults. After experiencing both local and global earthquakes, the government came out with initiative to launched the Malaysia National Annex in order to implement seismic design for new buildings. However, the suggestion is still not fully implemented yet. This is due to uncertainty about the effect of considering seismic design on the cost increment. Hence, this paper presents an investigation to analyze and evaluate the increment of cost of structural work if earthquake load is considered in design. A 6-story reinforced concrete hotel building had been designed repeatedly for two parameters which is the level of seismicity and the soil type by referring to Malaysia National Annex. Based on results, the weight of steel as reinforcement increased for models which considering seismic design. Total cost for structural work increases around 0.9% to 8.8%, which depend on the level of seismicity and the soil type. Therefore, considering seismic design for new RC buildings in Sabah is worth for the sake of safety and to prevent greater damage and loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plantation sector, especially the oil palm commodity, is currently the largest agricultural-based contributor to Malaysia economic projection involving both upstream and downstream activities. Due to the rapid expansion in this palm oil industry, there are high labour demands required in this sector. Since the fate of this sector is being put on a stake, recruiting foreign labours is the only way out from this dilemma. As a result, more than 78 % of labour [1] in this sector is mainly came from Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Philippines. Malaysia has become the main attention for the foreign labours to work in this country due to the wages being more competitive and generative working condition, especially in the plantation sector, provides the suitable accommodation compared to their origin country. The pressing issue now plantation and agriculture sectors too much dependence on foreign labour. As a result, all operation in this both sectors cannot be operated especially during covid 19. One of the best solutions is to hire the local youth to work in oil palm plantation and retain them to work in this sector. This study was done in order to analyse the pull or push factors in constructing a particular pattern of participation among the local's youth which by using Probit model which were working in oil palm plantation. A survey method through questionnaire was used to collect data from 942 of local youths between 16 years to 40 years old as focused respondents which were selected using random sampling method. The results showed the probability the local's youth to work in the plantation sector influence by demographic factors and job satisfaction. From this result can attract the local's youth which was not working in oil palm plantation to substitute foreign labour in plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]