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Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is common among populations globally, and in Asia and Malaysia. The purpose of this Position Paper is to propose recommendations for both clinicians and non-clinicians to promote vitamin D sufficiency in Malaysian adults. Formation of a national multisector, multidisciplinary alliance is also proposed to progress initiatives relating to safe sun exposure, adequate vitamin D intake through food fortification, and vitamin D supplementation for high-risk groups. Methods: Literature reviews were undertaken to inform summaries of the following: vitamin D status globally and in Asian and Malaysian populations, vitamin D status among individuals with common medical conditions, and current recommendations to achieve vitamin D sufficiency through sun exposure, food intake and supplementation. Recommendations were based on the findings of the literature reviews, recent European guidance on vitamin D supplementation, the 2018 road map for action on vitamin D in low- and middle-income countries, and research recommendations proposed by the Malaysian Ministry of Health in 2017. Results: Recommendations on assessment of vitamin D in the adult Malaysian population include using serum or plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration as a biomarker, widespread participation by Malaysian laboratories in the Vitamin D Standardization Program, adoption of the US Endocrine Society definitions of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, and development of a comprehensive nationwide vitamin D status study. Specific high-risk groups are identified for vitamin D assessment and recommendations relating to loading doses and ongoing management are also made. Conclusion: This Position Paper provides individual clinicians and national stakeholder organisations with clear recommendations to achieve vitamin D sufficiency in the adult population of Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore the relationship between the Air Quality Index (AQI), COVID-19 incidence rates, and population density within Malaysia's ten most populous cities from January 2018 to December 2021. Data were sourced from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the World Air Quality Index Project, and Our World in Statistics. The methodology integrated population-based city classification and AQI assessment, cluster analysis through SPSS, and Generalized Additive Mixed Model (GAMM) analysis using R Studio despite encountering a data gap in AQI for five months in 2019. Cities were organized into three clusters based on their AQI: Cluster One included Ipoh, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Melaka, Cluster Two comprised Kuantan, Seremban, Johor Bahru, and Kota Bharu, Cluster Three featured Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. GAMM analysis revealed prediction accuracies for AQI variations of 58%, 60%, and 41% for the respective clusters, indicating a notable impact of population density on air quality. AQI variations remained unaffected by COVID-19, with a forecasted improvement in air quality across all clusters. The paper presents novel insights into the negligible impact of COVID-19 on AQI variations and underscores the predictive power of population dynamics on urban air quality, offering valuable perspectives for environmental and urban planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Resettlement to a third country offers a durable solution for refugees who cannot integrate into their asylum or transit countries. While most studies focus on the experiences of refugees after their arrival in resettlement countries or on the political aspects of resettlement, fewer studies explore refugees' perspectives prior to resettlement. This paper examines how Rohingyas in Malaysia view their resettlement opportunities. We collected qualitative micronarratives from 56 adult Rohingyas living in Malaysia between March and September 2019, to explore the complexities of their decision-making processes. The findings indicate that most Rohingyas aspire to resettle in another country to gain legal status or citizenship, providing a better future for their children, including access to education and healthcare. However, preferences among Rohingyas vary: while some are eager to resettle, others express a strong desire to return to their home country in Myanmar. Still, others wish to reunite with family in Myanmar or Bangladesh, and a significant minority are reluctant to resettle in non-Islamic countries, reflecting broader concerns about cultural and religious compatibility. This study highlights the varied resettlement preferences among Rohingyas, underscoring the need for resettlement policies to consider these diverse priorities to enhance the effectiveness of resettlement programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper examines the relationship between heterogeneous political connections and corporate overinvestment. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a comprehensive Malaysian dataset of 834 publicly listed companies from 2000 to 2022, the authors employed multivariate ordinary least squares regression to test the relationship. Findings: Despite different types of political connections, the findings demonstrate a positive relationship between political connections and corporate overinvestment. In particular, the association is more profound in government-linked companies (GLCs) but weaker in firms that developed political ties through family members of ruling elites. Further analysis reveals that the "helping hand" effect is only observed in GLCs and firms with politically connected directors and businessmen, whereas the "grabbing hand" effect is observed among firms connected through board, businessmen, and family ties. Moreover, the relationship is more persistent among firms with politically connected directors and businessmen around the regime change. Research limitations/implications: Regardless of the types of political connections, the findings show that politically connected firms tend to engage in rent-seeking through political patronage networks and high levels of government interference in resource allocation. Therefore, a more sophisticated monitoring system should be developed within the political patronage networks to reduce the likelihood of different types of political-business collusion. In terms of research limitations, the research design does not consider the influence of financial constraints and management efficiency. Future research could explore these facets to comprehensively understand the dynamics between political connections and corporate investment decisions. Practical implications: The evidence informs market participants about the relationship between heterogeneous political connections and corporate overinvestment, reinforcing previous findings that crony capitalism, political patronage, agency problems, and weak governance are well-entrenched in Malaysia's emerging economy. The government should acknowledge these concerns by enacting anti-corruption campaigns and promoting a fair business environment. In the meantime, policymakers might redesign regulations and revise corporate governance frameworks to substantially reduce the value of political connections, thereby diminishing the bargaining power of politicians. Social implications: As corporate investment efficiency has a considerable impact on firm value, investment decisions that enhance firm value will increase share price and maximise shareholder value. Conversely, firms may damage shareholder value if they overinvest or undertake projects that do not yield sufficient. Hence, the findings of this study may assist investors in making more informed judgements, particularly by understanding different types of business-government relations, as political connections are one of the determinants of corporate overinvestment. Originality/value: This study reveals that the degree to which overinvestment issues manifest within firms is influenced by the nature of the political connections those firms possess. This indicates that politically connected firms should not be regarded as a homogenous group of firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the influence of psychosocial safety climate (PSC) on work engagement, job satisfaction and the mediating role of job demands among young academics in Malaysian research universities. Design/methodology/approach: The study participants consisted of 177 full-time lecturers employed by Malaysian research universities for at least one year. Respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Findings: The findings reveal the significance of PSC in fostering work engagement and job satisfaction by mitigating the impact of job demands. However, the finding indicates that the relationship between job demands and work engagement was not statistically significant. Research limitations/implications: The necessity for a thorough three-wave research to precisely analyze the model's longitudinal impacts was discovered in all correlation and cross-sectional studies. Practical implications: The results indicate that the university should focus on job design and PSC support to enable university management to investigate further avenues for minimizing the impact of job demands to support academicians in RUs and enhance their job satisfaction. The results also indicated that young academicians' work engagement might be improved by appropriate job demands. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine these relationships among young academic staff in Malaysian universities. This paper offers recommendations to university policymakers on enhancing PSC, work engagement and job satisfaction among young academicians. It highlights the mediating role of job demands in Malaysian research universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zingiber, a notable genus within the Zingiberaceae family, is widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia. It encompasses a total of at least 141 species on a global scale, with 25 native species and 30 known taxa identified specifically in Peninsular Malaysia. Of these known taxa, at least 7 are categorised as threatened, 5 are endemic, and the rest remain unassessed regarding their conservation status. This article provides a comprehensive checklist and taxonomic insights for all native Zingiber in Peninsular Malaysia. Remarkably, from the current fieldwork, the discovery of a peculiar Zingiber plant from the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia holds the potential to contribute additional records within this genus. Initially, this species resembles Z. belumense and Z. purpureum in their inflorescence colouration, displaying shades ranging from brownish maroon to dark purple with green bracts, but this newly proposed taxon stands out due to its combination of distinctive traits. An intriguing observation notes the presence of red sap when the leafy shoots were cut and needs further corroboration. This article establishes a provisional taxonomic designation for the newly discovered species, Zingiber sp. (Bahangense130). A comprehensive description supported by robust molecular phylogenetic evidence is currently underway, while brief notes and illustrative images of the proposed taxon are provided within this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Manufacturing firms must embrace smart technologies and develop complex leadership approaches to achieve sustainability. Using the dynamic capability theory, this paper aims to examine the influence of the adoption of industry 4.0 technologies (AT) and paradoxical leadership (PL) on corporate sustainable performance (CSP) of manufacturing small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Moreover, organisational ambidexterity (OA) is a mediator and strategic flexibility (SF) is a moderator in the study. Design/methodology/approach: The study is a cross-sectional, quantitative study design that collected 395 usable responses through a simple random sampling technique and a close-ended structured questionnaire. Structural equation modelling (SEM) procedures were followed to analyse the data. Findings: The statistical outcome implies that the AT significantly influence CSP and OA and mediate with CSP in the presence of OA. Moreover, PL shows a significant impact on OA, is insignificant on CSP and mediates with OA and CSP. The authors found a significant association between OA and CSP; however, SF did not provide evidence of a moderate effect. Research limitations/implications: The findings of this study clarify the role that organisational capabilities (OA, AT, PL and SF) play in fostering sustainability. The authors suggest incorporating SMEs from different geographies in other sectors by applying diverse methodologies and relevant constructs. Practical implications: The result injects new perspectives into policy, managerial and individual levels. Installing OA, AT, PL and SF makes SMEs sustainable. Originality/value: The empirical validation of the influence of OA and AT on CSP and the interaction of PL and SF enriches the organisational and entrepreneurial literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since Malaysian authorities developed the Maid Online System (MOS) to recruit foreign domestic workers remotely, including Indonesian workers, the government of Indonesia has enacted a moratorium policy. The system allows Malaysian employers to have low-cost overseas workers. Nevertheless, it offends the bilateral agreement signed in the Memoranda of Understanding between Indonesia and Malaysia. Within the system, the sending countries like Indonesia cannot appropriately protect the workers who utilize MOS independently. In contrast, the host countries dominate the process from pre-departure to arrival. Without proper protection from the country of origin, the workers are more likely to become victims of human trafficking and slavery. This study investigates the positive support of online Indonesian public opinion for Indonesia's moratorium policy concerning Malaysia's Maid Online System (MOS) to recruit foreign domestic workers, including Indonesians. The paper focuses on secondary data from YouTube, Instagram, and online news. The data analysis of this paper utilizes netnography to elaborate on domestic politics in which public opinion (comments on YouTube, Instagram, and online news) strongly supports Indonesia's moratorium policy. Considering Putnam's two-level game theory, this article argues that netizens support Indonesia's moratorium policy because of cost and benefits considerations, rivalry among states, and meritocratic authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home-based childcare (HBCC) services are among the childcare services available in Malaysia, as ensconsced in the Child Care Centre Act 1984. In Malaysia, HBCC providers are only allowed to care for a minimum of four and a maximum of 10 children. However, this definition does not include small home-based childcare services or childminders who care for less than four children. Employing the qualitative method of content analysis, this study discusses the laws and regulations governing HBCC in Malaysia, particularly the legal requirements that need to be fulfilled. This is further supported by interviews conducted with childcare providers who look after children at their home to examine their level of understanding of the legal requirements under Malaysian childcare laws and regulations. Findings indicate, among others, that the HBCC operators are unaware of the need to register with the Social Welfare Department. The adherence to the legal requirements for this HBCC should not be taken lightly, as it is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of children. Consequently, greater efforts are required to ensure the children's health and safety because the current procedures rely solely on the experience and expertise of the childcare providers. This paper contributes to the extent of knowledge of HBCC in Malaysia especially towards policy makers, child care operators and parents by exploring the experiences of HBCC childcare providers. It is proposed that continuous improvements need to be made to the laws and regulations on HBCC in ensuring high quality services of HBCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified global social inequalities and disrupted socio-economic stability, as recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). This study uses Marxist and critical theoretical frameworks to analyze how the pandemic has exacerbated class struggles and socio-economic disparities, focusing on the working and lower-middle classes in Southeast Asia. Through case studies of Indonesia and Malaysia, the research evaluates national policy responses designed to protect these groups. Employing a descriptive and qualitative methodology, including analysis of official data and media discourse, the study highlights how the pandemic has amplified existing contradictions within capitalist systems, leading to increased job losses and widening labor market inequalities. Despite the introduction of economic stimulus packages, these measures often fail to address the underlying systemic issues of capitalism that perpetuate class exploitation and inequality. The paper critiques the capitalist framework for exacerbating the challenges faced by the working class during the pandemic, arguing that these policies offer only temporary relief without tackling the root causes of socioeconomic disparities. This analysis underscores the need for a more transformative approach to understanding and addressing capitalist dynamics in Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the determinants of the long-term performance of 351 initial public offerings (IPOs) launched in Malaysia over the 2002-2010 period. This paper used a panel regression analysis framework based on the ordinary least squares (OLS) technique to examine the potential determinants of IPOs' long-term performance. The findings revealed that the volatility of aftermarket returns, the dummy ACE market and concentration ownership significantly influence the long-term performance of Malaysian IPOs. This paper offers important implications specifically for investors as the findings can help them understand more about public companies' long-term performance and how to better predict their performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore the factors that influence Malaysian online shoppers' behaviour in recycling e-commerce packaging waste. This study employed an in-depth semi-structured interview. In total, 12 participants were recruited in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia, including eight females and four males aged between 25 and 50. ATLAS.ti version 8 software was used to analyse the details of the content and interpret it holistically. The study reveals that Malaysian online shoppers still lack awareness of the environmental impact, particularly in recycling e-commerce packaging waste. It also indicates that social influences play a major role in influencing them to recycle e-commerce packaging waste. The paper is a new research area with global implications. While limited to sample size, several recommendations are made, covering recycling facilities, consumer empowerment, and individual responsibility to increase future recycling for better environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many shocks, including COVID-19, wars, inflation, contractionary U.S. monetary policy, and oil price hikes, have recently buffeted the world economy. The literature has reported mixed results concerning how these shocks impact Malaysian stock returns. Some studies found that U.S. monetary policy mattered for Malaysia, while others reported that it did not. This paper, employing two U.S. monetary policy measures over the 2001–2019 period, finds that U.S. policy matters little for Malaysian equities. Some studies found that oil price hikes increased Malaysian stock returns while others reported that they did not. This paper, employing updated data, reports that oil price increases, driven by both world demand shocks and oil supply shocks, raise Malaysian stock returns. The paper also compares the performance of Malaysian equities since the pandemic began, with returns forecasted based on macroeconomic variables. The period since the pandemic started has been labeled the megacrisis era. Interconnected crises, including the pandemic, wars, rising commodity prices, and climate events, all overlapped. The results indicate that industrial metals and banks have performed well since the pandemic began. Food producers, healthcare providers, medical equipment suppliers, tourist-related companies, and semiconductor firms have suffered. This paper considers several steps that could help these sectors to recover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of Industry 4.0 between the academicians and industry players in construction engineering, further suggesting a mechanism to narrow the gap between the distinct parties. Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted through structured online and face-to-face interviews, using KAP survey, and semi-structured interviews. This constructive research was conducted among Malaysian construction industry players and academicians from the construction engineering department in public universities. Findings: The findings exhibit the similarities and differences of KAP between academics and industry on Industry 4.0 in construction engineering. In general, both categories of respondents have displayed more similarities than differences in all aspects, except for knowledge. The better knowledge profile of Industry 4.0 among the academicians reflects the nature of the academic works that constantly seek new knowledge, thus suggesting the establishment of an industry-academic (I-A) knowledge equilibrium framework to leverage the knowledge profile between both parties. Research limitations/implications: This exploratory study that showcases the perspective of the academia and industry practitioners on Industry 4.0 acts as a cornerstone for bridging the gap between the two distinct sectors within the same field. Practical implications: The gap between the academic and industry was highlighted, further establishing the I-A knowledge equilibrium framework that could also be applied to other fields of study. Originality/value: The originality of this paper was the profiling of the KAP of Industry 4.0 for the academicians and industry players in construction engineering, further distinguishing the gap between both parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The literature has dealt with the relationship between board characteristics (BC) and firm performance (FP) on a large scale. However, it yielded inconsistent results. Thus, this paper aims to examine the indirect relationship between BC and FP through the mediating role of the capital structure (CS). Design/methodology/approach: This study used a sample of 528 non-financial companies listed on Bursa Malaysia from 2015 to 2019. Also, a two-step system generalised method of moments estimation technique was applied. Findings: The results show that board diversity and the frequency of board meetings positively affect financial performance, and it is negatively influenced by board turnover, size and independence. Also, the results indicate a positive relationship between the independence of the board and all CS variables. Importantly, the findings support the policy-setting role of the board of directors where CS (measured by total debt and short-term debt) suppresses some governance mechanisms' detrimental effect on FP. Hence, the board of directors, apart from the monitoring function, introduce various policies (financial and non-financial) that enhance the overall performance of companies. Originality/value: These results are consistent with the agency's perspective that management practices in selecting the optimal capital reduce agency costs and improve performance. The findings contribute to developing a broader theoretical framework that accounts for the policy-setting role of the board of directors. The current study model of corporate governance offers insight for policymakers into the role of corporate governance other than monitoring functions in organisations and how CS should be taken into consideration with corporate governance and FP association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to achieve two goals: first, to evaluate the existing interest-free monetary policy tools in the major Islamic financial hubs of Malaysia, Pakistan and Bahrain and; second, to suggest how monetary policy tools in Turkey can be used in other countries. Design/methodology/approach: This study follows a qualitative research method based on literature review, comparison, evaluation and design. Findings: The policy rate cannot be used due to Shariah concerns. The reserve requirement depends on qard, and the reserves should be kept separately in the central bank. In terms of ijarah sukuk, Shariah concerns should be taken into account and a new structure, as displayed in Figure 3, should be followed. Government investment certificates can be used as an interest-free monetary policy tool. A genuine mudarabah interbank investments can also be used. Wadiah acceptance with no habitual gift can be used as well, and Tawarruq and central bank notes are not preferable due to Shariah concerns as well. Having said that, a Turkey-based tawarruq platform can be structured for others to use instead of applying to London. Originality/value: This paper's unique suggestion is to develop an interbank taqaruz market and a taqaruz method with the central bank. It is also unique for Turkey in the subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to characterise the association between business network and the balanced scorecard used by Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a method for assessing firm efficiency. The business network takes into account both the dimensions of stability and efficiency. The business network can help SMEs, with fewer resources to remain competitive. By having a secure business network, the performance of SMEs in Malaysia can be further improved. A business network can facilitate swift coordination amongst distant geographies to create new competitive advantages by accessing market segments, resources as well as building strategic business alliances. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 404 sets of data collected by using stratified random sampling and structured questionnaire as an instrument. The list of SMEs collected from the Malaysia Foreign Trade Growth Corporate Directory (MATRADE) directories. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to analyse the data. Findings: The findings show that the business network plays a role in the balanced scorecard (BSC) outcomes of Malaysian SMEs. Originality/value: This article provides the owners and managers with an awareness to rapidly achieve the company's efficiency. Finally, the new article often has some consequences for decision-makers and regulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine how information and communication technology (ICT) coordination, information reliability, social pressure, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use affect citizens' intentions to use e-government services. Design/methodology/approach: The study is a quantitative type of study conducted through a causal study design. Noncontrived and cross-sectional methods were used, targeting Malaysian citizens who were 18 years of age or older. Due to an inaccessible sample frame, convenience sampling was used. After cleaning and removing necessary outliers, the final data set used for hypothesis testing consisted of 323 responses, which is considered sufficient as the study required a minimum sample size of 220. Findings: A study has found that social pressure, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness positively affect people's intention to use e-government services. The impact of social pressure is influenced by perceived usefulness and ease of use, suggesting that government agencies can encourage usage by improving perceived usefulness and leveraging social pressure. The study emphasizes the significance of perceived usefulness and social pressure in promoting adoption. To enhance the user experience, agencies can use targeted marketing, improve service quality, collaborate with communities and develop mobile applications. Originality/value: The study underscores the importance of examining the relationship between perceived usefulness, ease of use and the popularity of e-government services while emphasizing the need to comprehend the impact of ICT coordination, information reliability and social pressure on the adoption of e-government applications in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright law is the bedrock of the music industry, governing the ownership, distribution and commercialisation of musical works and sound recordings. It serves as a linchpin that sustains the complex ecosystem made up of users, authors, and owners. Supported by various multifaceted justifications for its existence, the landscape of music copyright law in Malaysia is characterised by diversity and cultural richness. Despite being primarily governed by the Copyright Act 1987, which offers protection for both sound recordings and musical works, there remains a notable lack of awareness regarding the applicability of copyright law and possible infringements. Addressing this is imperative, alongside the need to align Malaysian copyright law with international standards. With the rapid advancement of the global music industry, ongoing efforts are essential to foster a thriving music industry that benefits creators, consumers, and owners. Therefore, this paper aims to comprehensively analyse and understand music copyright law in Malaysia and provide insights into the global issues shaping the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The increasing growth of urbanisation, especially in developing countries, coupled with affordable housing leakages, may thwart achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 (sustainable cities and communities). Studies regarding affordable housing leakages and their aftermath to Goal 11 in one study are scarce in Malaysia. The study investigated Malaysia's low-cost housing (LCH) leakages and their aftermath to Goal 11 and proffered measures to achieving Goal 11 and its targets. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach: The researchers covered four of Malaysia's major cities via a qualitative approach. The study used 40 participants via semi-structured virtual interviews, and saturation was achieved. The study adopted a thematic approach for the collected data and honed them with secondary sources. Findings: Findings group Malaysia's LCH leakages into government/agencies/departments in housing, housing developers/building contractors and client/building owners' root causes in Malaysia's context. It shows a threat from Malaysia's LCH leakages to achieving Goal 11 and proffered measures to enhance achieving Goal 11. Achieving Goal 11 will strengthen and improve Malaysia's many SDGs accomplishments because of their link. Originality/value: Apart from proffering measures to mitigate long-standing issues (leakages) in Malaysia's LCH delivery from achieving Goal 11, findings will stipulate the accomplishment of other SDGs related to housing delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The bureaucratization of religion represents a significant and often underexplored dimension of governance in Southeast Asia. This study delves into the administrative regulation of religious practices and institutions in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, as highlighted in the September 2023 United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report. By focusing on these countries, the paper aims to elucidate the broader implications of bureaucratization on freedom of religion and belief (FoRB). Methods: A qualitative research methodology was employed, involving a critical review of the September 2023 USCIRF report and other relevant literature. The study analyzed governmental policies, administrative measures, and their impact on religious practices and FoRB. Comparative analysis across the four countries was conducted to identify common patterns and unique deviations in the bureaucratization process. Results: The study found that the bureaucratization of religion in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand is characterized by intricate administrative controls over religious institutions and practices. Key features include registration requirements, restrictions on religious gatherings, and monitoring of religious discourse. These measures, while varying in form and intensity across the countries, collectively impose significant limitations on FoRB. The analysis revealed that these administrative controls are strategically employed by governments to regulate religious expression and maintain socio-political stability. Discussion: The findings underscore a substantial threat posed by the bureaucratization of religion to FoRB and related human rights. The nuanced use of administrative measures enables governments to subtly control and restrict religious practices without overtly violating international norms. This regulatory approach not only curtails individual freedoms but also affects the overall religious landscape, influencing cultural diversity and inter-religious relations. The study enhances the understanding of the complex interplay between religion and state, highlighting the need for more robust mechanisms to protect FoRB in the region. Conclusion: The bureaucratization of religion in Southeast Asia presents a profound challenge to FoRB. By critically examining the practices in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, this study provides valuable insights into the administrative strategies used to control religious discourse. The research underscores the importance of addressing these issues to safeguard religious freedoms and promote a more inclusive and respectful religious landscape in Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how Malaysian English language teachers utilize networking sites for social support. It focuses on the social and discursive practices of Malaysian English language teachers as they coconstruct social support on Facebook Timelines. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 Malaysian English language teachers to identify the value of social networking sites for teachers' development. The findings revealed that the majority of the teachers interviewed had a positive view of the engagement with instrumental support on Timelines even though some teachers questioned the efficacy of Timelines as a platform for the co-construction of instrumental support. The teachers mainly engaged with informational support on Timelines as they perceived the usefulness of Facebook in facilitating the exchange of informational resources. The teachers associate obtaining informational support on Timelines with the ability to communicate important information, communicate immediately, and participate as a lurker, which is useful when teachers want to obtain informational resources without having to engage in conversation with others. This paper argues that teachers' postings on Facebook serve as tools to obtain desirable support, facilitating the improvement of their practices and helping them navigate daily challenges in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Driven by the evidence from the literature on the significance of mobile (m-)payment in economic growth and productivity and at the same time the relative dismal adoption of this service, the purpose of present paper is to elucidate the merchants' m-payment adoption from the perspective of trust, drawing upon the game theory framework, in the Malaysian context. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey consisting of 302 respondents was carried out to investigate the impact of trust and opportunism on merchants' perceived trustworthiness using a two-staged structural equation modeling–neural network approach to determine the significance and relative importance of variables. This study also applies a game-theoretic approach to analyze the impact of trust on the relationship between merchants and m-payment service providers. Findings: The results indicate a positive and statistically significant relationship between merchant trust, merchant opportunism and perceived trustworthiness, and a statistically significant negative relationship was found between m-payment provider opportunism and perceived trustworthiness. The findings from the prisoner's dilemma two-player model indicate that the scenarios of mutual trust and mutual opportunism as paradigmatic of cooperation and defection produce the best and worse outcomes, respectively. An intriguing result was the positive impact of merchant opportunism on perceived trustworthiness, which indicates a very calculative orientation of merchants in m-payment contracting. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is among the first attempts to propose a game theory approach to the interaction between merchants and m-payment providers under the framework of trust and opportunism. A game theory study in the context of m-payment adoption can contribute to the theoretical literature by providing insights into the decision-making processes of merchants. By incorporating trust and opportunism into the game theory model, we can gain a better understanding of how they affect the decision-making process and overall adoption rates. The conclusions and implications provide useful insights for managers of both m-payment platforms and merchants in this relational exchange. The results of the present research can provide insights into the factors that influence merchant decisions and guide them toward suitable partnerships for successful adoption and can guide authorities for policy interventions and supporting adoption efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Graduate architect plays an important role in contract implementation management when handling building construction projects. Graduate architects had been authorized to manage the projects in construction industry due to limited architects in the country. The capability of graduate architect when manage project is critical in reducing performance barriers encountered. The aim of this paper is to identify critical factors that affect graduate architect's performance during project implementation. Design/methodology/approach: An explorative study was undertaken to provide an insight into actual experiences of graduate architects in contract implementation management. The data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews providing case studies on contract implementation management on housing projects in Malaysia and observation of the actual on-going projects. Findings: The five most crucial factors affected graduate architects' performance related to lack of training in project documentation, failed to obtain professional and peer support in quality and assessment, isolate in role during project coordination, lack of education support in design process and unaware of legal aspects which delayed response to contractor. Research limitations/implications: This research focuses only on seven housing projects and semi-structured interviews with twenty graduate architects who in charge of those projects. As such, the resulting factors that affect graduate architect's performance are limited and are constrained only to the construction industry in Malaysia. Practical implications: This research examined the factors affecting graduate architect's performance which is a timely study, as the increasing number of population and developments will provide ample opportunities for them to perform. Originality/value: The outcome of the study is expected to facilitate graduate architects to devise proactive risk mitigation measures to reduce impact of these factors and improve project delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the Muslim-friendly homestay business in Malaysia to help identify and recommend practical strategies to capitalize on the strengths and potentials while overcoming the current shortcomings and threats. Design/methodology/approach: The Muslim-friendly business owner and operators in Sabah, Malaysia, were the subject of a series of focus groups and expert opinion interviews. The data was transcribed, and then the variables were categorized into the four SWOT categories using content and thematic analysis. Meanwhile, threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths (TOWS) analysis is used to identify the best strategy alternatives. Findings: The SWOT analysis identifies several strengths (e.g. diverse and unique Islamic culture and heritage [S1], iconic Islamic landmarks [S2], rich natural beauty [S3], well-established halal tourism industry [S4]); weaknesses (e.g. limited awareness [W1], limited infrastructure and facilities [W2], limited human resources and trained personnel [W3], lack of Islamic tourism products and experiences [W4]); opportunities (e.g. growing demand for Islamic tourism [O1], increasing disposable income [O2], potential for collaborations [O3], potential for partnerships [O4], potential for expanding Sabah's halal tourism offerings [O5]); and threats (e.g. competition [T1], political instability [T2], economic downturns [T3] and environmental and social challenges [T4]). Practical implications: This paper could serve as a guideline and supplementary information for stakeholders in the homestay industry to grasp their business environment better. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study of its type to blend SWOT and TOWS analysis with the sector of Muslim-friendly homestays. Hence, the findings might expand understanding of the Muslim-friendly homestays industry and aid businesses in penetrating this growing market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the role of Malaysian media in the revitalisation of familism, which seems to descend in most Asian societies. The examination of news articles published in English-language Malaysian newspapers between 2011–2021 through critical discourse analysis reveals that newspapers in Malaysia are playing a moral guardianship role by warning readers of the slipping of filial responsibility and the dangers of the alternatives. The papers construct a discourse in support of an established social norm of traditional family roles in caring for family members – particularly, elderly people who are on the rise throughout the world – something the government supports as well, as it relieves it of any obligation to elderly citizens. The role of journalists in the rekindling of familial piety can be linked to development journalism that emphasises the media's partnership with the government as care of older family members absolves the government from the cost of care associated with an increasingly ageing population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presented the views of Malaysians regarding their perception of cryptocurrency. Data were collected through interviews with 59 existing and potential users of cryptocurrency. Text analytics through keyword extraction and content analysis on the responses from the survey were then performed. Keywords on the question related to the regulation of cryptocurrency included "Government should", "Should regulate", and "Money laundering". Keywords such as "Government should", "Should issue", and "Regulatory regime" appeared for the question related to whether the government should develop a cryptocurrency regulatory regime. On issuing their own cryptocurrency, 49% of the respondents supported it, while 42% were against such a move. 88% of the respondents felt that the government should not ban cryptocurrency transactions. For the question related to suggestions to overcome issues associated with cryptocurrency, keywords such as "financial system", "privacy seriously", and "enhance financial" were reported. This paper adds to the body of knowledge on cryptocurrency by shedding light on the regulation landscape in an emerging market. In view of the increased usage of cryptocurrency, the public should be educated, and relevant bodies should establish regulations to minimise possible related illegal activities while developing a cryptocurrency-friendly regulatory regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholarly treatments of the human rights agenda tend to posit civil society organisations (CSOs) as its defender and the state and mainstream political actors as its violators. Even when raising the problem of an 'uncivil society', the literature labels these CSOs as reactive and hostile to the human rights agenda they perceive as 'Western' and 'foreign'. I argue that these treatments of the issue overlook another phenomenon: the emergence of CSOs that adopted the language of human rights and participated in its formal processes yet subtly redefined, subverted, and undermined the core commitments of the human rights agenda. This paper discusses such developments by referencing right-wing non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia that redefined the parameters of the human rights agenda to undercut state commitments to protect religious freedom, sexuality rights, and gender minorities. Through actor and discourse tracing, this paper illustrates how right-wing Islamist NGOs employed a novel two-pronged strategy that no longer openly repudiated the human rights agenda but continued to erode, eviscerate, and reformulate its contents and principles. The first prong involved institutional measures of 'getting in' to gain legitimacy by participating as a stakeholder within local and international human rights processes. The second prong encompassed social strategies of 'pushing out', whereby actors and their networks mobilised populist pressure to expose, ostracise, and subvert established human rights norms, institutions, and actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China announced a shift towards green infrastructure, green investment and green financing at the 2019 Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in response to criticisms of the negative environmental impact of some earlier BRI infrastructure projects. The objective of this paper is to explore whether there has been a shift in Malaysia towards the new green-aspired goals of the BRI in terms of green governance and projects. The key findings of this paper suggest that there is no discernible shift to green projects as nongreen investments are also accepted. Malaysia has requirements for green governance, but implementation can be an issue. Host economies, like Malaysia, must take ownership of green requirements for there to be a sustained shift towards green governance. Likewise, China’s investments have to comply with local laws, which can improve the environmental impact when local laws and regulations are judiciously implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a significant global focal point due to the increasing influence exerted by China and the United States. In light of the dynamic nature of the global geopolitical landscape, Malaysia and Indonesia, as two prominent Southeast Asian states, find themselves at the nexus of this competition. China and the United States are two regional superpowers which have strategically positioned themselves in the Indo-Pacific. A systematic literature review was conducted to examine the crucial role of Indonesia and Malaysia in the context of the escalating Sino-US strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region. By focusing on research articles, books and reports, this work explored the policy and strategic outlook, methodological approaches and methods underpinning Indo-Pacific discourse in Indonesia and Malaysia. The methodology adopted for this review was systematic by following the seven stages suggested by Petticrew and Roberts (2008). This review's findings indicated the diverse range of theories, methodologies, practical strategies, and approaches that scholars have employed in examining the roles of Indonesia and Malaysia in the Indo-Pacific region. Consequently, this paper broadens the scope for scholars by expounding upon the strategic outlook of Indonesia and Malaysia within the Indo-Pacific discourse, along with the various methodological and theoretical frameworks and conceptual models that may inform future research endeavours. This study was however, limited to gathering input from journal articles, books, book chapters, and reports, and excluding other sources such as conference papers and op-eds. Furthermore, the scope of studies accessed was limited to data available from 2013 to September 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Total factor productivity (TFP) change is an important driver of long-run economic growth in the construction sector. However, examining TFP alone is insufficient to identify the cause of TFP changes. Therefore, this paper employs the infrequently used Geometric Young Index (GYI) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) to measure and decompose the TFP Index (TFPI) at the firm-level from 2009 to 2018 based on Malaysian construction firms' data. Design/methodology/approach: To improve the TFPI estimation, normally unobserved environmental variables were included in the GYI-TFPI model. These are the physical operation of the firm (inland versus marine operation) and regional locality (West Malaysia versus East Malaysia). Consequently, the complete components of TFPI (i.e. technological, environmental, managerial, and statistical noise) can be accurately decomposed. Findings: The results reveal that TFP change is affected by technological stagnation and improvements in technical efficiency but a decline in scale-mix efficiency. Moreover, the effect of environmental efficiency on TFP is most profound. In this case, being a marine construction firm and operating in East Malaysia can reduce TFPI by up to 38%. The result, therefore, indicates the need for progressive policies to improve long-term productivity. Practical implications: Monitoring and evaluating productivity change allows an informed decision to be made by managers/policy makers to improve firms' competitiveness. Incentives and policies to improve innovation, competition, training, removing unnecessary taxes and regulation on outputs (inputs) could enhance the technological, technical and scale-mix of resources. Furthermore, improving public infrastructure, particularly in East Malaysia could improve regionality locality in relation to the environmental index. Originality/value: This study contributes to knowledge by demonstrating how TFP components can be completely modelled using an aggregator index with good axiomatic properties and SFA. In addition, this paper is the first to apply and include the GYI and environmental variables in modelling construction productivity, which is of crucial importance in formulating appropriate policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the influence of green human resource management (green HRM) on employee ecological behaviour (EEB) by drawing on Ability‐Motivation‐Opportunity theory. The mediating roles of green culture and green satisfaction are also investigated. The paper employs a quantitative design using a convenience sampling technique/approach by collecting data using a structured questionnaire from 308 academics working in the Malaysian higher education institutions. Partial least squares‐structural equation modelling is employed to verify the proposed hypotheses. The results demonstrate that green HRM positively impacts green culture and green satisfaction. Furthermore, green satisfaction positively influences EEB, where it fully mediates the association between green HRM and EEB. These results are helpful for HR professionals and senior management in terms of how green HRM may impact employee green outcomes. To date, the literature on green HRM in the higher education context is limited. This study not only enriches the general literature on green HRM but also offers a novel contribution regarding the introduction of green culture and green satisfaction as mediating variables in the association between green HRM and EEB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study contributes to the existing literature by examining the relationship between family‐controlled firms (FCFs), politically connected firms (PCFs), and sustainability reporting quality (SRQ) in Malaysia. The study utilizes panel regression techniques to test the hypotheses. The study's findings revealed that FCFs have a significant negative effect on SRQ. On the other hand, PCFs show a positive significant effect on SRQ. Moreover, the study uncovers a significant and positive interacting effect of PCFs in the relationship between FCFs and SRQ. The implication of this is that politically connected family‐controlled firms (PCFCFs) exhibit higher levels of sustainability performance and disclosure quality. The study offers valuable implications for regulators, scholars, and practitioners. Policymakers can use the insights from this paper to develop regulations and guidelines that encourage family‐controlled firms to improve the quality of their sustainability disclosures. Furthermore, the study provides a foundation for further research in this domain to confirm the result of the present investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain technology has attracted widespread attention due to its compelling features, such as decentralization, transparency, and smart contracts, which can address significant issues in various industries in developing countries such as Malaysia. However, although several studies have arisen from diverse academic backgrounds addressing blockchain in Malaysia, no studies provide a comprehensive review and classification of the research in this field. The main goal of this research is to conduct a bibliometric analysis and systematic review of all blockchain papers published in Malaysia to understand the evolution of knowledge and present state and identify prospective future research fields. Web of Science and Scopus databases searched for existing literature on blockchain in Malaysia, and 76 papers were reviewed and categorized based on study purpose/focus, domain/sectors, the methodology employed, theories applied, and level of analysis. The findings show that blockchain is under-explored in Malaysia, and most current studies focus on Blockchain adoption in specific industries such as finance and supply chain management. However, in other areas, such as healthcare and education, Blockchain conceptual progress is still in its infancy. These findings are being utilized to suggest future research paths in this discipline, such as the need for methodological improvements and a theoretical basis to study blockchain in different sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The government has set an ambitious target of renewable energy development in Malaysia. As a promising renewable energy source, wind energy plays an important role in the Malaysia renewable energy roadmap. Compared to onshore wind energy, offshore wind resources with better quality can be provided in the areas away from the coast, which has greater potential to contribute to electricity generation. Wind and bathymetry conditions are two important factors that determine the feasibility and economics of offshore wind turbines. In this paper, an investigation is conducted on wind and bathymetry conditions around Malaysia. The data source mainly originates from the Global Wind Atlas. The conditions of the coastal areas in different states and federal territories of both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia are analysed, with a specific focus on wind speed, wind energy density, and bathymetry conditions in high-wind-speed regions. The data and survey are verified and compared with the past published literature. This paper aims to investigate the wind and bathymetry conditions around Malaysia, assess the potential of offshore wind energy, discuss the feasibility of offshore wind turbines, and provide references for offshore wind development in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One method for disposing of old, damaged, or misprinted Qur’an pages is to burn them. Recently, there have been cases of al-Quran mushaf disposal management that do not comply with the maqasid of al-Quran text disposal as stipulated in established guidelines. Furthermore, the number of damaged al-Quran manuscripts is growing, making the collection site increasingly limited in capacity. To save money and space, it was discovered that some institutions in charge of disposal have delegated this task to unauthorized parties, such as non-Muslim parties, which disposed of al-Quran text at paper mills. Therefore, this article discusses the perspectives and evaluations of religious scholars on the methods used by Malaysian institutions to dispose of al-Quran text. Document analysis and interviews with the State Muftis of Selangor, Kelantan and Terengganu were used to collect data. It was done through semi-structured interviews and descriptive analysis. According to findings, the Malaysian government has implemented several methods. One method used is to burn it to ashes, bury it, and then wash it into the sea. Many authorised institutions carry out disposal in accordance with the established guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A widely adopted measure of housing affordability is that households should spend no more than 30% of their household income on housing. However, this normative threshold is an arbitrary Great Depression-era guideline and may not be relevant today. This paper proposes a subjective indicator of housing affordability by introducing a method commonly used in the medical sciences. It utilizes discrete information to estimate a subjective affordability ratio that discriminates between subjective house-poor and non-house-poor households. We apply the proposed method to household-level data collected in Selangor, Malaysia, and show that the optimal cut-off point is 23.5%. This estimated value suggests a higher prevalence of house-poor households than is implied by the regularly assumed 30% threshold. In addition, we perform a sensitivity analysis and find the bias in the estimated cut-off point is close to zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to analyse in the health access of Indonesian illegal migrant workers in Malaysia, during which time they were not covered by Indonesia's national social health insurance. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a sociolegal approach, the research approach is conducted to understand the effect of a law, policy and regulation on access to health-care access among Indonesian migrant workers working illegally in Malaysia. This research involved 110 respondents who work illegally in Malaysia. The research explored the perceptions of respondents concerning to health access services of illegal migrant workers. Findings: The study demonstrated the weakness of provisions intended to guarantee the health access to health care of migrant workers from Indonesia illegally working in Malaysia. A decline in health status was observed, but it was not significant. Bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia is necessary to provide a framework for Indonesia providing health care to its citizens working in Malaysia, regardless of their legal status. Originality/value: This paper concerns on the Indonesia illegal migrant workers experiencing illness and the access to the health service in Malaysia, and also the implementation of international regulation to protect Indonesian illegal migrant workers in Malaysia under ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper offers a comparative study of Israel and Singapore to understand the national security policies of geographically smaller states. These states are militarily powerful, geographically small, and in close proximity with much larger potential adversaries. These states are also different in terms of their relationship with that much larger state as well as their independence narratives. Israel remains in a state of conflict with Iran through Syria and through terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel was created through war. On the other hand, Singapore has a complicated relationship with Malaysia based on suspicious cooperation. Malaysia also allowed Singapore independence given differences in the voting behavior of Singaporeans. Both states share a military strategy of preemption or prevention. Since these states are geographically small, striking first may offer Israel and Singapore a better chance at avoiding annihilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present work investigated the effect of corporate social responsibility and top management support on employee ecological behaviour (EEB) with the mediating role of green culture and green commitment. Social identity theory (SIT) was used to describe the association between green culture, green commitment and EEB. Further, a conceptual model that summarises the interaction between perceived corporate social responsibility, top management support, green commitment, green culture and the adoption of ecological behaviour was developed. Design/methodology/approach: The paper opted for a quantitative design using convenience sampling by collecting the data through a structured questionnaire gathered from 308 academics working in five Malaysian higher education institutions. Findings: Corporate social responsibility and top management support positively influence green culture and commitment. Moreover, green commitment positively influenced EEB and fully mediated the relationship between corporate social responsibility and EEB and between top management support and EEB. Research limitations/implications: The academic staff of universities was the target population of this research. Nevertheless, universities have a diverse population with complex activities that can affect the implementation of a sustainable workplace within the campus. Future research should also examine non-academic staff, including administrative, technical and operational staff, due to different employees' perceptions. Originality/value: As far as the authors know, this is the first study to assign the mediator role to green culture in a relationship between top management support and EEB amongst academic staff in the Malaysian context. Future research should consider other intervening variables that influence adopting ecological behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Malaysia, Islamic affairs institutions play an essential role in ensuring the development and progress of Islamic affairs. However, in most cases, the institutions in charge of Islamic affairs face many challenges in maintaining the purity of the Islamic faith and teachings in this country. In response to this, it is imperative to understand the factors that can enhance the sustainability of Islamic affairs. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to explore the factors affecting the sustainability of Islamic affairs in Malaysia. By integrating Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and Matrix of Cross-Impact Multiplications Applied to Classification (MICMAC), this study developed a novel model to ensure the sustainability of Islamic affairs. The findings of the model indicated that Islamic Religious Education (IRE) is the most influential factor in creating the sustainability of Islamic affairs. On the other hand, Society Well-Being (SWB) is the most dependent factor influenced by all other factors considered in this study. Accordingly, it is postulated that the identification of significant factors and the utilization of the proposed model could guide various stakeholder groups, such as policymakers, policy executors, and Islamic affairs practitioners, to achieve long-term sustainability. This model could also be adapted by Islamic institutions in other countries to formulate appropriate efforts to strengthen the development of Islamic affairs based on the critical factors of relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the obligation of zakat on Government Linked Companies (GLCs), highlighting a disparity where most zakat is collected from salaries despite business taxes constituting over half of Malaysia’s tax revenue. The study aims to identify the shariah ruling concerning zakat on GLCs, by examining the requirements for zakat on both the payer and the wealth. It includes an analysis of Malaysian laws and fatwas related to zakat on GLCs, assessing the current applications and the feasibility of enforcing it on these entities. The study finds that al-fuqaha’ disagree on the obligation of governments to pay zakat on investment funds, with a majority deeming them exempt, while a minority advocate for their zakat obligation. The dispute arises from varying interpretations of zakat eligibility for certain types of governments’ wealth. Despite this, several Malaysian states have issued fatwas that seems to support the minority view. However, the enforcement of these rulings may be unconstitutional, due to some misalignments between state authority over zakat and federal authority over corporations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the extent of price clustering in a selection of Islamic stocks listed in Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan and also investigates the determinants of the phenomenon at the firm level. Design/methodology/approach: The author test the uniformity of price distribution in the selected securities. Then, the determinants of price clustering were investigated through multivariate analysis based on a binary logistic regression model. Following the arguments of Narayan et al. (2011), who emphasize the importance of considering firm heterogeneity when studying the phenomenon, the author conducts the empirical study at the firm level. Findings: The evidence indicates that Islamic stocks show a mild level of price clustering. Only half of the stocks under analysis rejected the uniformity test in the distribution of prices. In these cases, investors exhibited a preference for prices ending at zero and five. The evidence does not confirm the cultural clustering theories. Price clustering is found to be positively associated with price level and relative bid-ask spread. Overall, the negotiation hypothesis, which predicts that investors prefer round prices to minimize the costs associated with negotiations, best explains most of our results. Research limitations/implications: The existence of price clustering is difficult to reconcile with the prediction of the efficient market hypothesis that prices should follow a random walk. Moreover, the evidence indicates that Muslim investors share a preference for round prices in some settings, under the assumption that Islamic stocks are mostly traded by Muslim investors. Originality/value: To the author's best knowledge, this is the first study to address the subject of price clustering in Islamic stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective - Studies related to the distribution of income are very important for national development as they are related to efforts to reduce the gender earnings disparity. Women have overcome many challenges within the labour market, but gender income differentials persist in Malaysia. Methodology/Technique--Reducing gender income differentials is one ingredient for sustained economic growth. This article examines the gender income distribution in several submarkets within the Malaysian labour market and discusses some initiatives to reduce income disparities therein. The data used here were drawn from the Department of Statistics and cover the 10-year period from 2010 to 2019. Findings - Data show evidence that there exists gender earning disparity in Malaysia along the lines of education, specifically tertiary education, and ethnicity, specifically in Indian and Chinese communities. Novelty - This paper proposed a few policy recommendations with the hope that they will aid in the effort of reducing gender income differentials, which are a critical share of the country's human capital development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore multiple stakeholders managing the different type of knowledge in a flood-prone area. Different stakeholders hold different types of knowledge in their area of interest, and both knowledge streams have their intrinsic potentials and limitations. In this paper, the issue of knowledge complementarity is explored in the context of flood hazards. Hazards such as floods may appear messy, unpredictable, with unsorted and unorganised forms of data, information and knowledge on the part of diverse stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach: Case study design had been used in this study to explore how stakeholders: Orang Asli, Malay, and humanitarian organisations manage the differences in terms of type of knowledge each of them have. To illicit the response from participants from each of the stakeholders, in-depth interviews had been used. Findings: This research has led to the development of a conceptual framework based on the case study. The lessons learned from the framework is discussed, together with the barriers to their implementation. Originality/value: This paper presents a research case study on multiple stakeholders in the district of Pekan, the state of Pahang, Malaysia, and how these multiple stakeholders manage flood hazards with their different types of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To give a comprehensive assessment of the B40 household groups research sector, a bibliometric analysis of 246 papers from the Scopus database between 2019 and 2023 is being conducted by this project. The study aims to learn about the latest research topics being worked on by researchers, examine Malaysia's contribution to the field, highlight author, university, and country collaborations in the field, and identify the most influential authors, universities, nations, and citations. Based on the study, Malaysia, the US, and the UK are the top three countries that have looked at B40 household groups. Focusing on B40 family groups most of the researchers at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, and Universiti Malaya. On this subject, Sani, N.S. is the most well-known author. Due to its unique demographic of B40 people, Malaysia is the only country in the world that carries out extensive research on B40 household groupings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the relationship between firm-specific factors and the capital structure of the oil and gas (O&G) industry in Malaysia.. In addition, this paper adds to the literature by investigating the moderating effect of earnings volatility on the relationship between firm-specific factors and capital structure. Random effect models with cluster-robust standard errors were used to analyze this relationship. Using the secondary data from 30 O&G firms listed on the main market of Bursa Malaysia collected between 2010 and 2019 (10 years), the results show that profitability, asset tangibility, liquidity, and firm size significantly impact the capital structure of the O&G industry in Malaysia. However, growth opportunities, non-debt tax shields, and firm age had no significant impact. In addition to this, earnings volatility significantly moderated the relationship between asset tangibility and leverage. In short, when earnings volatility acts as a moderating variable, the relationship between asset tangibility, which is otherwise positive without moderation, turns negative. This study is useful for policymakers in the O&G industry in Malaysia and will help their managers to decide on capital structure for sustainable growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]