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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the hard and soft measures of service quality and visitors' satisfaction, which ultimately contribute to visitor loyalty to the destination, specifically in the context of the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) in Sibu, Sarawak (Malaysia). Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a quantitative research approach with 427 valid responses from domestic and international tourists of BCF and employs the cognitive-affective-conative theory to examine how the festival impacts visitor loyalty. Findings: The findings indicate that both hard and soft measures significantly contribute to the service quality and visitor satisfaction at the BCF. Additionally, service quality and visitor satisfaction were found to positively influence destination loyalty, while the relationship between legibility and visitor satisfaction was not significant. Practical implications: The findings encourage the ministry and event organisers to adopt a destination event strategy that positions Sibu as an attractive event destination capable of attracting domestic and international tourists. Originality/value: The findings of this study contribute to the existing body of knowledge on event tourism and destination loyalty by applying the cognitive-affective-conative theory. This study marks the first of its kind, analysing both the tangible (hard) and intangible (soft) measures of service quality and their impact on visitor satisfaction, ultimately influencing visitor loyalty to the destination, particularly in the context of the BCF in Sibu, Sarawak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports a study to determine the challenges faced by households in managing packaging waste, to compute the theoretical recovery rate, actual recovery rate and the total recovery potential of packaging waste generated, and to forecast the amount of waste generated by the households in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak for the next ten years. This study applies semi-structured interview, mathematical formulation and simulation modelling. The results reveal that the theoretical recovery rate among the majority of respondents is higher and the actual recovery rate among respondents is lower than it should be. There is an upward trend in the production of waste in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a highly competitive business scenario, it is crucial for any industry to ensure its significance in terms of its business sustainability to gain a considerable competitive advantage. While the business sustainability of other industries has been extensively explored, there is a significant gap in determining the sustainability of the tourism industry. The importance of ensuring the sustainability of the tourism industry is observed in a healthy balance between the ecological, cultural, infrastructural, and other human factors of tourism. This paper presents an extensive review of the previous studies exploring the different dimensions of sustainability of the tourism industry. This paper also reviews the various initiatives undertaken by the Sarawak tourism board in establishing the sustainability of the tourism industry. Further, this paper presents the research gap persisting in this domain and highlights the need for a deeper exploration of tourism sustainability in Sarawak. Finally, it presents a comprehensive conclusion of the observations derived from the previous studies and highlights the significance of sustainability of the tourism industry and the role of tourism boards in ensuring the same. The researcher has conducted secondary research on various databases, including Emerald Insight, and Google Scholar. The findings of the study revealed that the tourism board's involvement in creating a favorable destination image for travelers by emphasizing specific tourism attributes like the natural environment, the friendliness of the local communities, safety, hygiene, and etc. as part of their sustainable tourism policy has also positively impacted the sustainability of the tourism industry in Sarawak. In order to encourage sustainable tourism practices and responsible tourist conduct, the tourism board's involvement in ensuring the conservation of these protected regions is vital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper endeavors to construct a comprehensive conceptual model for steering the sustainable evolution of Sarawak Digital Community Centers (SDCCs). The main emphasis is on figuring out crucial elements and procedures necessary for long-term sustainability and the constructive transformation of communities. The report examines the current state of Sarawak's Digital Community Centres in-depth and evaluates how they could support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) listed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations. Three basic pillars—economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability—support our conceptual framework for sustainable development. Within this paradigm, we investigate the crucial functions played throughout the SDCC lifetime by governmental assistance, collaborative efforts, and technology innovation. To ensure relevance in a constantly changing digital environment, we also stress the crucial need of cybersecurity education and adaptability to emerging technology. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines thematic analysis and phone interviews, the Sarawak Digital Community Centres want to acquire insights into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and dangers they are currently facing. The SWOT analysis framework draws on this assessment to generate its suggestions and policy directives for sustainable development. In conclusion, Sarawak's Digital Community Centres have enormous potential to strengthen local communities, promote inclusivity, and promote societal and economic growth. The suggested model offers stakeholders and policymakers a road map for strengthening SDCCs and maximizing their impact on sustainable community development in the age of the digital economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as a booster of employment opportunities in Sarawak, highlighting the importance of TVET as a catalyst that promotes individuals' chances to gain employment, with the ultimate goal of improving their socioeconomic living conditions and overall development. As a case study focusing on Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Sarawak (TEGAS) TVET programmes and applying the qualitative research methodological approach, this paper gathered and analysed raw data from research participants and concluded that (1) TVET plays significant roles in facilitating individuals' or groups' employment chances, especially within tech‐based industries, and (2) employments are rewarded with remunerations and thus facilitate individuals' socio‐economic developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the famous traditional textiles in Sarawak is the Iban Pua Kumbu. This paper presents the crystallographic patterns, geometry concept and symmetry analysis present in the Iban Pua Kumbu patterns. This paper will also look at the colour-symmetrical patterns and motifs used in these textiles. The Ibans' weaving technique subtly incorporates geometric concepts using exquisite and precious designs. The Pua Kumbu of the Iban can be similarly classified according to the patterns displayed in the wallpaper and frieze. The current research findings could assist students to learn mathematics. In this study, samples comprising eight (8) repeated patterns were collected from field visits, museums in the Sarawak, and personal collections of scholars. From the findings, it shows that all Pua Kumbu patterns bear at least one of the seventeen crystallographic groups. Most of the Pua Kumbu motifs are symmetrical and those motifs is mathematically identified as a design. The Pua Kumbu contains decorative patterns whose relevance and imaginative portrayal are demonstrated by the intricacy of the creative process. Pua Kumbu weavers appear to have excellent memory skills, strong visual perception, and an innate aptitude for applying mathematics to their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is a key determinant of disadvantage among rural and remote communities in the developed and developing world that can limit economic development and obstruct digital forms of social and political participation. In this paper, we discuss how the ability – or inability – to access ICTs affects everyday life in Indigenous communities in remote Sarawak, Malaysia. We focus on social connectedness and on the role of relationships and networks as motivating factors for ICT uptake, for enabling new livelihood strategies and in supporting the maintenance of social networks. The paper is based on data collected between 2015 and 2017 in 20 villages located in the north-east of the state. Methods of data collections included semi-structured interviews, group discussions and participant observations carried out during multiple visits to these villages over a two-year period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Geological carbon storage site. Understanding complex carbonate fracture networks and karstification at various geological scales is challenging, especially with limited multi-scale datasets. This paper aims to reduce uncertainty in the fracture architecture of Central Luconia karstified reservoirs by narrowing observational gaps between seismic and well data by using the discrete fracture models of exposed limestone outcrops as analogues for the subsurface carbonate reservoir. An outcrop-based fracture network characterisation of a near-surface paleo-karst at Subis Limestone combined with lineament analysis was conducted to extract fracture parameters. The karst structure was first delineated using a digital elevation map and outcrop examination. Then, topology analysis was performed, following the creation of two-dimensional discrete fracture models. Two main fracture sets oriented northeast–southwest and northwest–southeast and 79 potential dolines were identified. Fracture intersections, northeast–southwest major orientations, and drainage systems highly influenced the karst features. The Subis Limestone fracture model revealed that the highest number of fractures and total length of fractures were concentrated in the northern part of the Subis Limestone build-up (X: 250–350, Y: 150–250) and became denser towards the northwest direction of the outcrop (X: 600–800). The fractures in the Subis paleo-karsts appear isolated, with I-nodes ranging from 0.74 to 0.94. Hence, it is crucial to incorporate matrix porosity into multiple scales of fracture network modelling to improve upscaling and the modelling of fracture–vug networks, as well as to minimise the underestimation of discrete fracture networks in fractured and karstified limestone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater Gastropoda can be considered as the biological indicator in ecosystems such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. The objectives of this study are to identify freshwater gastropod species, diversity, and distribution along Sungai Penebak, Sungai Nanga Tiga, and Sungai Kabo in the Betong division. The study was conducted on 10 November 2020. A 50 m transect was laid on the riverbank of all three stations. The existing specimens were counted and collected from each sampling point and stored were taken to the laboratory for species identification. The diversity index and morphological study of freshwater gastropods were performed. Five species of freshwater gastropods belonging to four families were discovered. The five species of freshwater gastropods consisted of Sulcospira pageli, which shows great abundance, followed by Clea nigricans, Brotia costula, Pila ampullacea, and Vittina pennata. The diversity indices of collected Gastropoda species from the different stations, for instance, Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H'), Pielou's evenness index (J'), and Margalef's richness index were assessed; where station 3 showed higher diversity of Gastropoda compared to other two stations. The information presented in this paper might be helpful for ecological wealth studies and considered as the baseline data for the stream ecosystem in Sarawak, Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menyimah Kuala (Feeding the Confluence) is one of the ceremonies still performed by the Kedayan community in Kampung Kuala Nyalau, Bintulu, Sarawak to express their gratitude to God and the supernatural powers for the sustenance enjoyed, to avoid any disasters and unto-ward incidents to the local community, and as a closing to the Makan Tahun (Annual Feast) ritu-al. Based on this study, there are no findings from previous researchers about the performance of the Menyimah Kuala ritual. In fact, according to the villagers, the ritual is only performed by the Kedayan community living in Nyalau, Bintulu. The focus of this paper is to uncover the ritual's process and to analyse symbols found in the ritual using the Theory of Symbols of Pu-rity (2020). This study uses the qualitative method (ethnography) which includes Field Study, Participant Observation, Interview, and Library Review. Based on the study, it was found that the ritual performed to attain well-being from either God or supernatural powers are based on the concept of purity which coincides with the Theory of Symbols of Purity (2020) introduced by Mohamad Maulana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of social media in the support of marketing mix has been gaining prominence in contemporary strategic planning. The indicators on how microenterprises can effectively benchmark their social media usage is ambiguous. This paper aims to identify possible indicators of social media effectiveness towards microenterprises strategic planning. A conceptual framework is developed based on marketing mix elements of promotion and place in identifying the possible indicators of social media effectiveness. Owner/managers of food and beverage microenterprises in the Malaysian state of Sarawak were approached to understand their Facebook promotional strategy, features in generating interest to their outlet and general outcome in supporting their marketing mix elements. Through thematic analysis, the findings indicated sales increment, customer retention and viral marketing are vital for social media effectiveness. The context of the paper is limited to microenterprises in developing market through a subjective-based strategic planning evaluation framework. Selective marketing mix elements are applied through the perspective of Food and Beverage industry in the development of the social media effectiveness indicators. The three themes from the findings: sales increment, customer retention and viral marketing could serve as the foundation for microenterprise strategic planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sago palms are mainly cultivated in Sarawak, especially in the Mukah and Betong division, for consumption and export purposes. The starches produced from the sago are mostly for food products such as noodles, traditional food such as tebaloi, and animal feeds. Nowadays, the sago palm and its maturity detection are done manually, and it is crucial to ensure the productivity of starch. The existing detection methods are very laborious and time-consuming since the plantation areas are vast. The improved CNN model has been developed in this paper to detect the maturity of the sago palm. The detection is done by using drone photos based on the shape of the sago palm canopy. The model is developed by combining the architecture of three existing CNN models, AlexNet, Xception, and ResNet. The proposed model, CraunNet, gives 85.7% accuracy with 11 minutes of learning time based on five-fold-validation. Meanwhile, the training time of the CraunNet is almost two times faster than the existing models, ResNet and Xception. It shows that the computation cost in the CraunNet is much faster than the established model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The city plan of Kuching is not influenced by systematic planning principles, but rather, it is deeply embedded within colonial infrastructural logistics to meet the demands of global trade services and social structures. The postcolonial city is a palimpsest of hierarchical and territorial imprints from former colonial governance. Much of urban growth is concentrated around nodes, prioritized for resource collection and distribution. Therefore, this paper delineates how the current state and city governance recalibrate inherited infrastructures of economic development from the past, resulting in fragmented hybrid spaces of ethnic enclaves and economically marginalized groups in this northwest city of Borneo. We narrate how the Brooke dynasty, British administration and the Malaysian state have each developed and reappropriated logistics infrastructure based on their own agenda, leaving an indelible mark on the urban fabric and society of Kuching today. These findings are based on content analysis of city plans, visual surveys, government media, and secondary sources. We aim to open up new ways of understanding how multi-layered infrastructure and spaces produced by successive waves of different political strategies resulted in uneven development around the postcolonial city, and why some centres are given preference over others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless transmissions at more than 10GHz can experience signal fading caused by the presence of hydrometeor particles in the atmosphere. Among these hydrometeors, rain is the largest contributor to the fading mechanism. Rain fade can be predicted or calculated using rain rate measurements. With climate change affecting the world due to the rise of carbon dioxide in the air, it is expected to affect the distribution of rainfall, which ultimately affects rain fade. This paper investigates the effects of climate change on rain rate distribution in Malaysia. Ten years of Hydro-Estimator data containing rainfall rates in Peninsular Malaysia and the Sabah and Sarawak region from 2011 to 2020 were collected and analyzed. Using the linear regression method, a small increment of rain rate distribution at 0.01% annual probability was detected for all regions, indicating a climate change effect on the rain rate distribution. For Peninsular Malaysia, the rate was 0.2356mm/hr per year while for the Sabah and Sarawak region, it was 0.4046mm/hr per year. An increase in the rain rate would increase the rain fade, causing signal losses and distortions in high-frequency wireless communication signals. The evaluation of climate change effects on the rain rate and rain fade distributions can help in developing a long-term prediction of the signal performance in 5G systems and high-frequency radio link frequencies due to hydrometeors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee production in Sarawak has been facing numerous challenges, such as low productivity, limited market access, lack of professional assistance, and poor production quality. In response, coffee tourism offers an alternative source of income for local farmers and creates opportunities to improve coffee quality and promote sustainable production practices. Through a qualitative case study design, this study purposively sampled eight local coffee producers and conducted semi-structured interviews with them to explore the potential of coffee tourism in Sarawak, Malaysia. The findings reveal that coffee tourism provides opportunities for growers to diversify their revenue sources, improve their knowledge and skills, and increase their market access. Additionally, coffee tourism can raise awareness on the different coffee varieties unique to Sarawak as well as the destination's cultural heritage. The findings also highlight barriers to coffee tourism development in Sarawak, including limited infrastructure, inadequate government support, and lack of coordination among stakeholders. Addressing these challenges will require collaborative efforts among government agencies, coffee growers, and tourism stakeholders. Overall, this paper highlights the potential of coffee tourism as a means of balancing production and supply chains and bridging the challenges faced by coffee farmers to promote sustainable development in Sarawak, Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the impact of selected judicial decisions on the claims to land rights by the indigenous peoples in Malaysia. A judicial impact study is important because court decisions can alter the status of law that controls social and political behaviour and/or elicit responses from other political actors, thus influencing policy and political outcomes. The Malaysian Courts have played a significant role in developing law that acknowledges indigenous customary rights in Malaysia. For example, the case of Nor Anak Nyawai and Others v Borneo Pulp Plantation Sdn Bhd [2001] 6 MLJ 241 not only clarified the legal position of native customary rights but also had a profound impact in the Malaysian legal system. The judgment had aided in the reoccupation of the Iban's territories. Sagong bin Tasi & Ors v. Kerajaan Negeri Selangor [2002] 2 CLJ 591 recognised that indigenous customary land rights were of equal legal status to full ownership or title to the land in Peninsular Malaysia. By applying doctrinal legal research, the three cases selected are, first, the landmark case of Director of Forest, Sarawak & Anor v. TR Sandah Tabau & Ors and Other Appeals [2017] 2 MLRA 91 which led to the amendment of the Sarawak Land Code 1958. The second and third cases are claims by the Orang Asli in Pos Dakoh and Pos Belatim against the government of Kelantan and in which consent judgments were entered. This study would be significant in emphasizing the impact of judicial decisions and the need for courts to ensure that the decision is carried out as well. Regardless of the courts' findings, the government's implementation of such decisions is still insufficient. Nonetheless, certain indigenous groups have re-occupied their territory without the state's consent. As a result, the court decisions have provided people with a significant motivation to physically reclaim their land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to provide a better understanding of the type of source input, quality, quantity, the condition of depositional environment and thermal maturity of the organic matter from Bukit Song, Sarawak, which has not been extensively studied for hydrocarbon generation potential. Petrological and geochemical analyses were performed on 13 outcrop samples of the study location. Two samples, having type III and mixed kerogen, showed very-good-to-excellent petroleum potential based on bitumen extraction and data from Rock–Eval analysis. The rest of the samples are inert—kerogen type IV. In terms of thermal maturity based on vitrinite reflectance, the results of this paper are akin to previous studies done in the nearby region reported as either immature or early mature. Ph/n-C18 versus Pr/n-C17 data showed that the major concentration of samples is within peat coal environment, whilst two samples were associated with anoxic marine depositional environment, confirmed by maceral content as well. Macerals mainly indicated terrestrial precursors and, overall, a dominance of vitrinite. Quality of the source rock based on TOC parameter indicated above 2 wt. % content for the majority of samples. However, consideration of TOC and S2 together showed only two samples to have better source rocks. Existence of cutinite, sporinite and greenish fluorescing resinite macerals corroborated with the immaturity of the analysed coaly samples. Varying degrees of the bitumen staining existed in a few samples. Kaolinite and illite were the major clays based on XRD analysis, which potentially indicate low porosity. This study revealed that hydrocarbon-generating potential of Bukit Song in Sarawak is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triangulation is a classical geodetic practice to establish survey control networks by using measurements of angles and some spare distances. In this way, a series of reference points or simply called 'trigs' is spreading over the country. This paper aims to review geodetic survey work that was carried out for the East Malaysia and Brunei from 1918 to 1968 which is covering about 204,119 square kilometres'. However, this classical geodetic datum is not directly compatible with the current surveying trends based on Global Navigation Satellite System technologies. Therefore, in this review covered concepts and history of triangulation systems, datums and the status of transformation plan to modernise geodetic datum for Sarawak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to establish Chang Kuei-hsing as a Sarawakian writer, or better still, a Sarawakian Taiwanese writer, rather than a Malaysian writer. Chang was born and raised in Sarawak before it was incorporated into Malaysia in 1963, and he left to become a Taiwanese citizen in the 1980s. All of his major novels are set in Sarawak, and several of them express a distinctively self-critical perspective that implicates Chinese settlers and their descendants in their exploitation of the Borneo Rainforest and the dispossession of indigenous Dayak peoples. A Sinophone ethic emerges from these moments of self-critique that does not shy away from confronting history in its place-based specificity and, within this specificity, the historical actors' complicity within it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality ocean colour observations are increasingly accessible to support various monitoring and research activities for water quality measurements. In this paper, we present a newly developed regional total suspended solids (TSSs) empirical model using MODIS Aqua's Rrs(530) and Rrs(666) reflectance bands to investigate the spatial and temporal variation in TSS dynamics along the southwest coast of Sarawak, Borneo, with the application of the Open Data Cube (ODC) platform. The performance of this TSS retrieval model was evaluated using error metrics (bias = 1.0, MAE = 1.47, and RMSE = 0.22, in milligrams per litre) with a log10 transformation prior to calculation as well as using a k -fold cross-validation technique. The temporally averaged map of the TSS distribution, using daily MODIS Aqua satellite datasets from 2003 until 2019, revealed that large TSS plumes were detected – particularly in the Lupar and Rajang coastal areas – on a yearly basis. The average TSS concentration in these coastal waters was in the range of 15–20 mgL-1. Moreover, the spatial map of the TSS coefficient of variation (CV) indicated strong TSS variability (approximately 90 %) in the Samunsam–Sematan coastal areas, which could potentially impact nearby coral reef habitats in this region. Study of the temporal TSS variation provides further evidence that monsoonal patterns drive the TSS release in these tropical water systems, with distinct and widespread TSS plume variations observed between the northeast and southwest monsoon periods. A map of relative TSS distribution anomalies revealed strong spatial TSS variations in the Samunsam–Sematan coastal areas, while 2010 recorded a major increase (approximately 100 %) and widespread TSS distribution with respect to the long-term mean. Furthermore, study of the contribution of river discharge to the TSS distribution showed a weak correlation across time at both the Lupar and Rajang river mouth points. The variability in the TSS distribution across coastal river points was studied by investigating the variation in the TSS pixels at three transect points, stretching from the river mouth into territorial and open-water zones, for eight main rivers. The results showed a progressively decreasing pattern of nearly 50 % in relation to the distance from shore, with exceptions in the northeast regions of the study area. Essentially, our findings demonstrate that the TSS levels on the southwest coast of Sarawak are within local water quality standards, promoting various marine and socio-economic activities. This study presents the first observation of TSS distributions in Sarawak coastal systems with the application of remote sensing technologies and aims at enhancing coastal sediment management strategies for the sustainable use of coastal waters and their resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effort was carried out to fully utilise fast-growing Acacia hybrid usage in the timber engineering field; however, the research data are still lacking. This paper aims to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties performance between untreated (control) and treated with 10% copper chrome arsenic of Acacia hybrid collected from Daikin Plantation Sdn. Bhd. Bintulu, Sarawak at air-dry condition at different age groups using the small clear method. Mechanical properties test refers to shear parallel to grain (tangential and radial directions), cleavage (tangential and radial directions), and tension parallel to grain test. Meanwhile, the physical properties test refers to moisture content (MC) and density test. After treatment, mechanical properties increase with an average of 13.67%; meanwhile, moisture content decreased with an average of 0.58% or 0.09% MC, and density slightly increased with an average of 0.44% or 0.002 g/cm3. Results indicate that 10-year-old Acacia hybrid exhibits the highest strength values in shear parallel to the grain, tension parallel to the grain, and cleavage, followed by 13-year-old and 7-year-old. Treated samples in the tangential direction performed better with consistent mean results than that of the untreated samples, while radial direction gave a high average strength increment when treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses Wandao. Lanhua. Zuolunqiang (彎⼑·蘭花·左輪 槍 Machete, Orchid, Revolver) (1983), an early novella by Taiwan-based Sinophone Malaysian (Sarawak) writer Chang Kuei-hsing (張貴興 Zhang Guixing). A widely read and one of the most respected Sinophone authors, since the 1990s Chang has been known for writing both short and long fiction centred on the trope of the Bornean rainforest, often processing it by means of personal and literary memories. However, through a close reading of the novella, I demonstrate that such a trope was already present in his early writings, albeit in an unprocessed way, being the rainforest a crude environment as well as a shared site of interethnic mis/communication between ethnic Chinese and Malays. Additionally, the novella is Chang Kuei-hsing's only work of fiction that directly addresses the issue of national identity, thus urging us to examine the 'Sinophone Malaysian writer' label he has unproblematically been given, especially considering that the term 'Malaysian' most often refers to West Malaysia and marginalises the Bornean states of Sarawak and Sabah. The paper, therefore, seeks to promote a deeper understanding of the multiple factors that should be taken into account when investigating and categorising Sinophone literature by authors who are (or once were) Malaysians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of biostratigraphic and lithofacies data is used to show that there is no major unconformity in the stratigraphic record of north Sarawak or southwest Sabah near the end of the Early Miocene (approximately 17-15 Ma). The existence of such an unconformity has been cited in many papers in the past decade and used as a data point in the construction of regional geological hypotheses. Exploration well and outcrop data identifies two major unconformities in SW Sabah (the base and top of Stage III; BMU and DRU; roughly 24 and 13-12 Ma), and in offshore west Sarawak a third unconformity (MMU c. 16 Ma) which fades in effect towards onshore Sarawak. In recent years the names of these distinct unconformities have become conflated as workers had overlooked the origins and definitions of these features. This history is reviewed here in order to clarify future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jugan Gold Deposit (JGD) is part of the Bau Mineral District (BMD) in Bau, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Although the mineral district is well studied, limited studies were conducted on the JGD. This paper presents the results of statistical studies using the multi-element geochemical data emphasizing the trace elements association with gold, alterationmineralization, and the precipitation mechanism of the gold-bearing sulfide minerals. The correlation matrix displays positive correlation associations, particularly those associated with gold mineralization, i.e., arsenic, sulfur, antimony, and bismuth. Factor analysis grouped the trace elements into eight factors that reflect lithologies, mineralization, alteration, and geological processes in the JGD. Elements comprising the gold mineralization assemblage have the most significant factor (Factor 1) with the highest variance. The mineral assemblage was enriched during the alteration-mineralization process, as confirmed by the isocon plot. The barren samples (<0.01g/t) and gold-bearing samples (>0.2 g/t) plotted in a Fe vs. S diagram indicate that sulfidation is the precipitation mechanism of gold-bearing sulfide minerals. The immobility of iron and the vertical trajectory trend in the Fe vs. S diagram suggest that the possible source of Fe for gold-bearing sulfide minerals is the sedimentary host rock. Collectively, characteristics such as (1) the association of gold-bearing sulfide minerals with carbonate mineral assemblage and (2) high bismuth loadings on the main mineralization stage suggest a distinct geochemical characteristic of JGD relative to both Carlin-type deposits (CTD) and Carlin-like deposits (CLD); hence it is inferred to be a sedimentary-hosted gold deposit (SHGD). Establishing the JGD characteristics will contribute to a better understanding of the deposit and the BMD. Exploration-wise, it will assist future exploration work in delineating Au mineralization zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between financial socialisation experiences, socio-economic factors, demographic characteristics and the financial knowledge of first year undergraduate students. Design/methodology/approach: Using a questionnaire, data were collected from a sample of 450 first year university students from both private and public universities. A multivariate regression method was adopted to examine the influence of financial socialisation among respondents of different ethnic groups and their social backgrounds on the individual's financial knowledge. Findings: The findings indicate that: firstly, financial knowledge is low among first-year university students in Sarawak. Secondly, male respondents outperform female counterparts in terms of financial knowledge. Thirdly, parental financial socialisation remains the main source of financial knowledge among the students. Fourthly, there are significant differences in financial knowledge across ethnic groups. Research limitations/implications: It is paramount to implement financial education programmes to elevate the financial literacy for both youth and parents since parents remain the primary source of financial socialisation for young adults. Practical implications: The study suggests that financial knowledge varies according to gender and ethnicity. Hence, financial education programmes should be designed to accommodate the differences between groups based on ethnicity and gender to achieve the best outcome. Originality/value: This is the first study that draws a representative sample of university students in Sarawak that examines the effects of ethnicity, gender and parental financial socialisation on financial knowledge among first year university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microgrid deployments are expanding around the world as the most suitable solution to integrate distributed renewable energy sources to meet the increasing load demands and to power-up the remote areas. The installation of DC microgrid can improve system efficiency and reduces the cost of electrical infrastructure compared to the AC microgrid. However, the main challenge of implementing DC microgrid is the existing structure of the AC distribution system. In addition to the previous researches performed on DC microgrids, this paper proposes a framework to assess the technical and financial benefits of implementing the AC and DC microgrids. The power loss, voltage drop and system efficiency have been investigated for the AC and DC microgrids during the steady-state condition. Furthermore, the dynamic behaviors of AC and DC microgrids have been analyzed when each system subjected to disturbance such as short-circuit fault, aiming to evaluate the system response. In the next stage, techno-economic analysis has been carried out to determine the optimal size of solar PV system connected to each AC or DC microgrid with its energy storage, according to the meteorological and load profile data of the selected remote area in Sarawak (Malaysia). The study presented in this paper justifies that DC microgrid is potentially more beneficial than AC microgrid. However, the stability of the system during fault condition is the main problem in the DC microgrid. Therefore, it can be concluded that the protection and control of DC microgrids should be the key areas of future researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to conduct a preliminary re-evaluation of the claim made by the Government of Sarawak regarding its jurisdiction over oil and gas on the continental shelf. The basis of Sarawak's claim is rooted in the pre-Malaysia status quo of state territory, which was established through the Alteration of Boundaries of 1954. This proclamation extended the borders of the state to include the continental shelf adjacent to its coast, ensuring the state's rights to natural resources, including oil and natural gas. However, this research questions the legality of the 1954 law based on the context of legal history. It appears to be incompatible with the 1958 Geneva Convention on the High Seas and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. These conventions provide the statutory basis for incorporating sea territorial waters beyond three nautical miles and designating Exclusive Economic Zones for specific nations. As such, obtaining jurisdiction over sea territorial waters was the responsibility of the federal government of Malaysia, which acted as the deemed signatory. The research will employ content analysis of relevant secondary sources, as well as selected historical and legal documents. By doing so, it hopes to bring clarity to the legal complexities in the historical context surrounding Sarawak's claim. The ultimate goal is to redefine the current dimension of the issue and seek an amicable solution to address the jurisdictional matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to explain at a glance the administration and implementation of Islamic law during the period of Brooke's reign in Sarawak. This study uses a historiographical approach that is historical writing, principles or methods of historical writing and works or results of writing related to Islamic law in Sarawak during the reign of Brooke. The historiographic research approach used in this study went through four steps, namely; heuristic; source criticism; interpretation; and historiography. The problems answered in this paper are related to the administration and existence of Islamic jurisprudence throughout the period of Brooke’s reign. Manuscripts, notes of Brooke and notes of British officials from the West relating to Islamic jurisprudence in Sarawak during Brooke's reign were collected, critiqued and interpreted to produce a new historiography of the development of Islamic jurisprudence in the state of Sarawak. All information obtained from historical materials is crosschecked or audit trail to test the validity of the information. Inductive and deductive analysis approaches are used in the content analysis of historical materials to give meaning to the historical facts found. This study successfully explains the administration and implementation of Islamic law from the beginning of the reign of James Brooke until the last Rajah Brooke in Sarawak. The historical materials also managed to prove that the administration and implementation of Islamic law is the result of the legacy of the governments in Sarawak before the appointment of James Brooke as Governor of Sarawak in 1841. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective - The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of the issues that prevent women from socially participating in NGOs. Methodology/Technique -- Qualitative research using in-depth interviews was used to collect relevant data. The findings were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach and discussed within the theoretical framework of social participation. In response to the nature of women's social participation in Sarawak, the researchers highlighted long, critical answers and discussions by 36 selected participants from various NGOs in Sarawak. Finding --There were four difficulties for Sarawak women's social participation in NGOs identified in this study. The factors were practical deterrents, a psychological barrier, discrimination and prejudice, and lack of resources. The impeding factors which were grouped in these four categories comprised 16 factors. This study hoped to help the stakeholders develop different strategies for assisting women to be more aware and active in a civil-based society. Novelty --The study highlighted the complex factors of Sarawak women's social participation in NGOs. These factors show different perspectives on the subject investigation in Sarawak, Malaysia. Furthermore, the adapted qualitative method conducted in this paper is further discussed regarding the complex factors of Sarawak women's social participation in NGOs. There are many studies conducted exploring political participation. However, studies on social participation that focused on NGOs that are not politically based are very low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Sarawak is rich with interesting landscapes and various ethnicities among the members of the society. To ensure the arts and cultural heritage, as well as the collection of publications related to the state, are gathered under one roof, the State Library of Sarawak has taken the initiative to collect all the materials and make them available as their Sarawakiana collections. A special collection was selected as a sample for the case study to understand the treatment of Sarawakiana collections. This paper discusses the purpose of acquiring the collections, the treatment, and the relevance of Barry Roper's collections to Sarawak State Library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A newly recognised Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) specimen re-discovered amongst the animal remains excavated by the Harrissons at West Mouth (Niah Cave) in 1958 re-opens the debate about the origin of the species in Borneo. This represents the only specimen of the species with clear stratigraphic information recovered from any controlled excavation sites in the whole island. The current study presents the first zooarchaeological evidence from Niah Cave that unequivocally confirms that Asian elephant was part of the large mammal community on Borneo during late Pleistocene times. This important find is put in a broader context of other prehistoric proboscidean remains recorded from the island, including one previously unreported post-cranial specimen from the fossil collection of Sarawak Museum. Key issues discussed in the present paper include: the geological age of the Niah specimen, geographic origins and the current distribution pattern, the validity of the available subspecific names, and the doubtful presence of the Straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon) in Borneo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses the key question in teaching English language, that is, how does teacher cognition interact with classroom practice. The paper is part of a larger study which was conducted in sub-urban schools in Sarawak, East Malaysia via qualitative case study method involving teachers in actual classroom practice. The teacher participants were video-recorded in two separate teaching sessions to capture as far as possible authentic teacher cognition practice. Each teacher was then asked to review his own recorded lessons and verbally report on his actions in the class via stimulated recall protocol technique. The qualitative data generated were analysed for specific features in relation to three main knowledge types representing teacher cognition namely, knowledge of students, pedagogical content knowledge and general pedagogical knowledge. Several features were identified and categorised according to the knowledge types. As far as Knowledge of students (KS) is concerned, it is important for teachers to be aware of their students' preferred learning styles as well as their proficiency levels. On Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), teachers should allow their students a lot of freedom in choosing the activities they prefer. As regards General pedagogical knowledge (GPK), teachers need to be less dominating in the actual classroom practice but instead acting more as facilitator to help guide and facilitate the students' learning process. For future research, it is recommended that longitudinal studies be conducted to further provide insights into teacher cognition via generation of larger corpus of data on evidence of teacher cognition processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, human activities especially in construction industry are causing negative impacts towards the environment. Construction industry currently faces challenges towards the implementation of sustainable development worldwide where we need to enhance and protect our natural environment without damage and destruction. Hence, the responsibilities of construction industry towards sustainable development are vital to be taken by implementing green technology into their project. Applications of green technology have been implemented internationally in order to reduce negative impacts to the environment. However, the use of green technology in Malaysian construction industry especially in Sarawak is one of the crucial issues since it is still at the low level of application. Hence, the aim of this research paper is to identify the adoption of green technology among the contractor in Central Region of Sarawak, Malaysia. This paper presents the result by using distribution of questionnaire as a main research method. About 200 respondents of construction player in Sarawak has been participated with have a strong experienced in the said issues highlighted. The survey however, has identified that most of construction player in Sarawak were refuse to use the existing green technology and choose to stick with the conventional types of projects due to their limited knowledge and expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past few years, the prime focus of supplying electricity to the longhouse communities in the rural areas of Sarawak has been initiated based on the utilization of a single-source microgrid configuration. The existing AC power supply-based solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in these areas pose many problems, mainly owing to the stages of conversion, energy losses, and the quality of power transfer. As the solar PV system is a DC source and most of the appliances in longhouse communities could be operated using DC source, an opportunity to design a microgrid with high reliability and efficiency would be achieved by the implementation of an optimal DC microgrid configuration. With this aim, the paper proposes a multiple-source DC microgrid configuration for the longhouse communities in Sarawak. Initially, a framework has been developed to design simulation models for both microgrid configurations (single and multiple sources) using MATLAB Simulink. The configuration of each system consists of a solar PV and energy storage to form a standalone microgrid. Due to the change in system configuration of DC microgrid, in the modeling approach, the standard power flow equations are modified to include solely the DC parameters. To validate the proposed configuration with the associated modeling approach in terms of the power flow reliability, system efficiency, and power-voltage curve, an experimental setup representing the Simulink model has been designed for each standalone microgrid configuration. The configurations have been assessed in the same location with different daily weather conditions. The obtained simulation and experimental results confirm that the proposed configuration of multiple sources is more reliable and efficient than the existing single-source configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The megalithic and non-megalithic monuments of the Kelabit Highlands gained prominence in archaeological circles and in public eyes through the pioneering research conducted by Tom Harrisson from the late 1940s to the 1970s. From the mid-1970s to 2000, however, there was a lack of new archaeological research on the monuments of the Kelabit Highlands. This changed beginning in the 2000s with new interests in the monuments of the Kelabit Highlands in terms of their preservation and conservation (Cluny and Chai 2007; Hitchner 2009), as well as in archaeological research (Barker et al. 2008; Barker et al. 2009; Lloyd-Smith et al. 2010; Lloyd-Smith 2012; Lloyd-Smith et al. 2013; Lloyd-Smith et al. 2017). With new findings coming to the fore in recent years, this paper reviews the present state of knowledge on the megalithic and non-megalithic monuments in the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak. This review is based on the study of existing literature and archival research, as well as archaeological excavations and surveys, and ethnographic research conducted in the field by the author. First, this article discusses previous archaeological research conducted on the monuments. Following that, this article discusses the chronology of the monument building tradition in the Kelabit Highlands and the typology of monuments. Next, this article focuses on the social contexts of monument building, as well as the cultural significance of monuments to the Kelabit people. By employing both archaeological and ethnographic perspectives, this article contributes a more holistic and nuanced understanding of a monument building tradition in the Kelabit Highlands that began more than 2,000 years ago and continued until around the middle of the 20th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to assess the impact of hard and soft measures on the competitiveness of tourism destinations. Additionally, this article examines the impact of tourism destination competitiveness on rural tourism sustainability management. Following that, knowledge sharing is used as a moderator variable to demonstrate its moderating effect on the relationship between tourism destination competitiveness and rural tourism sustainability. A total of 390 respondents, including both domestic and international tourists, who visited the six rural tourism destinations in Sarawak, Malaysia, voluntarily participated in this study. A PLS-SEM approach was used to evaluate the developed model, and WarpPLS software was used to perform the PLS estimate and hypotheses testing. The empirical findings indicated that destination appeal, tourism infrastructure, and service quality all have a significant and positive effect on the competitiveness of tourism destinations. Additionally, it was discovered that tourism destination competitiveness has a positive and significant effect on the sustainable management of rural tourism destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karstification in carbonate platforms of the Miocene age in Central Luconia province, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia, has been discussed since the onset of exploration and initial discoveries in the region, with over 200 mapped platforms to date. An extensive drilling program over the last decade confirmed the existence of karst during the drilling process where issues such as total loss circulation and bit drops were common. Karst in Central Luconia has been proposed by several authors; however, detailed quantitative description of the observed features have not yet been conducted. This study involves systematic mapping of loss circulation depths, chalkified/rubble/vuggy zones described from cores, and vugs of >2 mm in size and moldic porosity observed on thin sections of the Jintan platform. These data supplement the interpretation of karst from multiple 3D seismic attributes. Seismic interpretation of the Jintan and M1 platforms revealed an extensive dendritic pattern which is on average 70–100 m deep and 3–5 km long, and circular geobodies of 1 km in width that exist on the upper part of the platform. Spectral decomposition, also known as time-frequency analysis, was used to enhance the interpretation of karst features on seismics within a specific wavelength. In this study, a comparison of three spectral decomposition methods applied on the 3D seismic cube of the Jintan and M1 platforms was undertaken to determine the method which allowed for better delineation of the karst features. The results show that the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) method using frequencies of 46, 54, and 60 Hz delineated most of the karst features compared to the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) Morlet and CWT Ricker wavelet methods. This paper aims to discuss the dimensions, evolution and geometry of the karst features quantitatively on three selected karst horizons named "K1", "K2", "K3". Interpretation revealed that the dendritic karst features were found to be most prominent on the K2 horizon which lies below a conspicuous change of the external geomorphology of the platform. Backstepping of the platform margin by 12 km is observed in both platforms. Quantitative seismic interpretation shows that the karst observed in M1 platform is approximately 70–100 m deep, and the dendritic features are around 1–2 km in length and approximately 500 m wide; whereas, in the Jintan platform the dendritic features observed are up to 5 km in length with several 1 km wide circular/sinkhole features. More than 20 dendritic features orientated SE and NS were mapped mainly in the transitional area as well as the center of both platforms. The nature of the karst morphology in Central Luconia remains controversial; however, it is proposed to be of mixing zone karst origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borderland areas separating the state of Sarawak (Malaysia) and West Kalimantan (Indonesia) have long been a security concern for the Sarawak State Government. In general, such areas emerge as cross-border crime scenes, where many cases are constantly reported to the relevant security authorities. Despite the perseverance of Malaysia in enhancing border security, particularly that of the Sarawak state government, a discourse centred on state-centric security on people's security issues in the affected area remains lacking. Border communities are rarely asked about matters of personal safety which can shed some light on the depiction of borderlands as insecure regions threatening human security. Although calls to secure national borders are evident, the perspectives of border communities are often discounted. This paper aims to highlight the importance of an empirical study in understanding human security from a spatial context of a borderland. By analysing the perceptions of people residing close to the border, this study contextualises human (in)security focusing on border community narratives and experiences and reflects on how borders impact people's daily life. The analysis thematically underlined the value of including people's collective experiences gathered through focus group discussions (FGDs) among the border communities of Danau Melikin, Serian, Sarawak. The findings offered insights into the population's mental state and contributed to the current understanding of human (in)security from a bottom-up perspective. Accordingly, the study reported that people's perception of threats and fear resulted from cross-border threats, where the profound effects related to human security threats were mostly influenced by border vulnerabilities. In this vein, the border as a 'space' was essential in influencing insecurity among the border communities of Danau Melikin, Serian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine external event stakeholders' strategic actions to advance their interests in tourism events, based on their resource relationships with the event. It takes the novel approach of examining stakeholder influence strategies from the external stakeholder perspective. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a qualitative case study research design, with five government-owned tourism events in Sarawak, involving primary data from 37 interviews with external stakeholders. Findings: The stakeholders perceived that they were not overly dependent on the events studied due to their short duration. Two types of resource relationships were found: event-dependent stakeholders and event non-dependent stakeholders. Stakeholders were found to be deploying various influence strategies, which were largely subtle, positive and collaborative in nature, regardless of whether they were event-dependent or event non-dependent stakeholders. Research limitations/implications: The findings are limited to the context examined in this study. Going forward, stronger public–private partnerships and formalised resource relationships are needed to ensure continuity of resource supplies and greater event innovation. Originality/value: The study adds to the knowledge of how event external stakeholders exert their influence in accordance with their interests and resource dependency relationship with government-owned tourism events in the context of Sarawak, Borneo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tirathaba mundella Walker has emerged as one of the most prominent bunch feeding pests in Sarawak peat oil palm estates. Insecticides application is inevitable to prevent economic loss. However, to protect insect pollinators which co-habitat with the pest and reduce the risk of resistance development among the pest to insecticides, rotation treatments with more than one pollinator-friendly insecticides is recommended. This paper examines the effectiveness of rotating several pollinator-friendly insecticides in controlling the pest. To assess the effectiveness of different rotation combination, a field study on a seven-year-old peat estate was carried out using several insecticides combinations and application intervals, then the level of infestation post-treatment was assessed. Significantly, the results showed that only four single rounds of insecticides application in a year would yield relatively better control than nine rounds of Bacillus thuringiensis applications. Overall, there was no significant difference in clean bunches percentages obtained between five rounds of treatment compared to only four rounds per year. The result strengthens our confidence that the optimum and most cost-effective approach for one-year protection against T. mundella was two rounds of 30.0 g active ingredient of chlorantraniliprole per ha rotated with two rounds of 25.0 g active ingredient of chromafenozide. The material cost was calculated as RM 351.20 per ha per year. The findings of this study would benefit future pest management practice in oil palm plantation established on peatland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores English language teacher agency in rural Sarawak, Malaysia within the context of materials exploitation. The introduction of an international textbook series in all primary schools in Malaysia has brought about significant challenges for teachers who work in socially and economically deprived educational settings, where resources are scarce and where the textbook's cultural references may be alien to the learners. In order for it to be meaningfully used in the classroom, language teachers need to adapt and localize the textbook for their learners. However, diverting from the officially prescribed material and scheme of work may be a risky business and it requires high levels of teacher autonomy and agency. The data show that although research participants find the materials in need of adaptation, not all make changes due to possible deficiencies in their capabilities or their lack of willingness to act. Those who make changes and thus enact their professional beliefs and values are motivated by completely different reasons. The study found that teachers' interpretation of their work context significantly influences their agential roles and that teacher agency emerges from an interaction of individual capability, professional action, and the professional and social contexts in which the teacher operates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity generation from the sea has many advantages in comparison with other renewable energy resources. Power can be generated from new or existing barrages. Based on previous location research, a suitable system to produce tidal range energy from a potential site was developed in this paper. The main objective of this research is to calculate the energy output of the Kuching Barrage of Sarawak State of Malaysia. The daily flushing process of Kuching Barrage is conducted during the low tide period and therefore to put up the ebb generation process is appropriate. The calculated period of power generation is determined to about 6 hours. The annual energy output is calculated based on a theoretical method, with the average daily potential energy calculated to be 5.8MW and approximately 10.23GWh/year could be harnessed. This research can be beneficial for energy generation with the use of a double basin scheme for the construction of new barrages in East Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Coffea liberica; Borneo Liberica; Sarawak Liberica; Excelsa; Liberica sensory studies; Liberica application EN Coffea liberica Borneo Liberica Sarawak Liberica Excelsa Liberica sensory studies Liberica application 25 2 10/03/23 20230906 NES 230906 1. Coffea liberica, Borneo Liberica, Sarawak Liberica, Excelsa, Liberica sensory studies, Liberica application Descriptions of Liberica's sensory attributes recorded from interviews with specialty Liberica coffee producers and coffee scientists who are specialized in coffee sensory. [Extracted from the article]

National yearly events that are publicly funded often turn into large events that are appealing to the public and therefore need to benefit the community and society at large. While the government's role in organising or hosting public celebrations is to foster and enhance the spirit of patriotism, love for the country, strengthen unity and national integration among the people, others may argue that these celebrations are a waste of public funds which could be better spent on the economic development, repair and provision of infrastructure and improving social conditions in the state. This paper aims to examine public perceptions at the locality of the event and surroundings on the economic impact of these events. The study covered two major state events celebrated in Sarawak, the Governor's birthday and Malaysia Day, organised and funded by the State Protocol and Public Relations Unit of the Sarawak Chief Minister's Office. A self -administered questionnaire was developed to survey the attendees of two celebratory events via convenience sampling. The findings from the survey found that the public perceived these events could positively support the locality in gaining temporary employment, support local trade, revive the local economy, increase hotel occupancy, and provide opportunities for future employment. However, the study further found that such events failed to create permanent employment and extending shopping hours in the event locality. Overall, it was shown that while national celebrations are perceived as events that benefit the public economically, there are concerns regarding the funding of infrastructure, which could alter the public's perception in gaining a higher overall positive perception score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]