Isolation of 1,3-Propanediol Local Producers from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) and Biodiesel Wastewater Sludge

ZHAO KANG TEE,JAMALIAH MD JAHIM,BYUNG HONG KIM 한국생물공학회 2015 한국생물공학회 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.10

The Contribution of Non-conventional Microfinancing on Economic, Social and Household Empowerment of Women Borrowers in Malaysia

HAQUE, Tasnuba,SIWAR, Chamhuri,GHAZALI, Rospidah,SAID, Jamaliah,BHUIYAN, Abul Bashar Korea Distribution Science Association 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.2

This study investigated the effect of the Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) microfinancing on the economic, social, and household empowerment of women borrowers in Malaysia. The study used a quantitative approach based on primary data. For this study, the participants comprised 384 AIM borrowers from Terengganu, Kelantan, and Pahang in the east coast region of Malaysia. Purposive stratified random sampling was used as well as the Krejcie and Morgan method to count the number of samples. Descriptive statistics and the Women Empowerment Index (WEI) were used in the analysis. The study findings reveal that AIM microfinancing affects the economic, social, and household empowerment of women borrowers in Malaysia. However, in comparing the three categories, women enjoyed more freedom in social and household decision-making than in economic decision-making. The present study recommends policies for the successful and effective operation of microfinance programs by providing the necessary guidelines for the control of AIM loan for women borrowers; increasing income-generating activities, sufficient access of credit, and proper education for the borrowers; and giving economic freedom of choice with necessary skill training policymaking options for the government and NGOs with the aim to improve the total household income and empowerment of the microcredit borrowers in Malaysia.

A Manifestation of Accounting Conservatism: A Case Study in Malaysia

ASON, Yvonne Joseph,BUJANG, Imbarine,JIDWIN, Agnes Paulus,SAID, Jamaliah Korea Distribution Science Association 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.2

In the wake of several high-profile corporate accounting scandals, there has been evidence that companies are more eager to hire Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) with an accounting background. This signals that CEOs with an accounting background are recognized and trusted by the corporate world to boost the quality of financial reporting of a company. If it is so, in the context of combating the earnings management, hiring CEOs with an accounting background (being a conservative accounting practitioner), could become one of the effective internal corporate governance mechanisms (CGM) to bring down the earnings management activities. This study attempts to provide insight into the level of conservatism of the CEO with an accounting background. Following Basu (1997) and Khan and Watt (2009), the firm-year measure of conservatism (C_Score) was obtained, which later was associated with the accounting education of the CEO to determine their relationship. As expected, CEOs with accounting background exhibit a higher level of moral reasoning than their non - accounting educated counterparts. The finding of this study is useful to persuade the policymaker to consider lifting the trend of hiring a CEO with an accounting background as one of the best practices that the companies can work out to lessen earnings management activities.

Sequential fractionation of value-added coconut products using membrane processes

Ching Yin Ng,Abdul Wahab Mohammad,Law Yong Ng,Jamaliah Md Jahim 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.25 No.-

The coconut waste-skimmed coconut milk was employed for sequential fractionation using UF and NF membranes to produce value-added products (coconut proteins, plant hormones – kinetin and zeatin). The retention factors achieved by UF membrane (PS10): albumin (0.9822 0.0799) and globulin (0.9975 0.0783); NF membrane (NF1): kinetin (0.9238 0.0345) and zeatin (0.9511 0.0355). Coconut protein powder was obtained after spray-drying process using concentrated coconut protein (UF retentate). SDS-PAGE showed that molecular weights of the coconut proteins were 17, 34, 55 and 150 kDa. Proximate and HPLC analyses revealed that the obtained samples were enriched with basic nutrients and well-balanced amino acids composition, respectively.

Segmenting Nature-based Tourists and Perception of Servicescape at Taman Negara (National Park Malaysia)

Carol Teo Boon Chui,Faizah Abdul Rahim,Faridah Hj. Hassan,RosidahMusa,Jamaliah Md Yusof,Rohiyati Hj Hashim 세계문화관광학회 2009 Conference Proceedings Vol.10 No.0

Taman Negara (TN) Malaysia, as one of the oldest rainforest national parks in the world has attracted many tourists. Foreign tourist arrivals have declined in recent years and local visitors exceeded foreigners (DWNP Report, 2006). Travel destination selection can become a complex phenomenon because it is influenced by several factors. There is no differentiation as many leading destinations are offering excellent attractions, services and facilities. As a result, there is a need for destinations to portray a unique identity and servicescape and it is becoming more critical than ever. Tourists perceive destinations in many ways, looking for different 'signs', culture and the whole experience and adventure at a national park (Backhaus, 2003). Visits to TN are looking for authenticity with untainted, natural environment in harmony with local traditional culture. Understanding nature-based tourists through segmentation is deemed important for park management. This paper explores segmenting nature-based tourists at TN. This has significant value for nature-based segmentation strategy for TN. Few researches have embarked on environmental dimensions of servicescape in a tourist setting. There is a dearth of study on how tourists perceive servicescape in nature-based tourism. This study fills the gap by exploring tourist perceptions on the importance and satisfaction of servicescape at TN. Service quality on tourist-related and park support services is also examined. Methodology involved qualitative studies using personal interviews and focus group interviews with park stakeholders. Quantitative study entails on-site survey using questionnaire approach to 265 park visitors. Findings revealed extreme sport, leisure, fun and educational adventures as core segments of tourist activities at TN. The main tourist segments identified are hedonist, fun, leisure seekers and nature lovers. Tourists perceived servicescape as very important at TN. Overall servicescape satisfaction was fair. Visitors were dissatisfied with park cleanliness and hygiene. Service quality of transportation, hotels and restaurants, tour guide, public services were rated for reliability, quality, consistency and ease of use. Managerial implications on marketing-mix strategies formulation to park management and tourism marketers are discussed.

Homestay Program in The Vicnity of National Park Pahang : An Exploratory Study

Anizah Hj Zainuddin,Zubaidah Zahirudin,Noor Afizah Ismail,Rosidah Musa,Wan Jooria Hood,Samirah Hamzah,Jamaliah Mohd Yusof 세계문화관광학회 2008 Conference Proceedings Vol.9 No.0

This study focused on the potential supply and demand of a Homestay program in the vicinity of National Park, Pahang (TNNP) Malaysia. A visitor (tourist) survey in the form of questionnaire was designed based on researcher's interviews, visits to and observations in TNNP Malaysia. The questionnaire was appropriately divided into different sections in order to allow the focus on different aspects of the study. In addition, personal interviews were also conducted focused on tourism development at the villages in the vicinity of TNNP Malaysia. Details of the Homestay package offered including pricing, costing, activities included and benefits received from offering such program were also gained. Interviewees were also quizzed on problems and challenges faced, interest and expectation of running a Homestay program. Their opinion was also seek on how to make the Homestay program more successful in view of the Homestay program being a viable ecotourism product in the vicinity of TNNP, Malaysia. The result revealed that there are vast potential interest and demand by tourists (both foreign and local) who visited TNNP Malaysia to join a Homestay program. With the basic infrastructure for the establishment of a Homestay program already in place, available assistance from several relevant government authorities and willingness on the part of the villages as Homestay's operators; the researchers proposed for this Homestay program to be taken up. However there should be an identification of a relevant and capable government body governing and claiming ownership over the program. Nonetheless, the success of the Homestay program depends very much on the positive attitude of the Homestay providers. It is of utmost important that the involvement of the Homestay providers together with villagers to prevail to determine the success of the program. The elected committed members of the Homestay program should be committed to ensure that all related Homestay activities are continuously offered and monitored. Additionally, it was deduced that a smart partnership with other relevant authorities namely Ministry of Tourism at the state level, local authorities, travel agencies, hotel operators and boat operators should be firstly encouraged in order to form the viable framework for the whole successful operations of a Homestay program in TNNP Malaysia

Taman Negara (National Park) Malaysia : Perception or Reality of its Brand Equity

Faizah Haji Abdul Rahim,Faridah Hj,Hassan,Carol Teo Boon Chui,Rohiyati Haji Hashim,Rosidah Musa,Jamaliah Mohd Yusuf 세계문화관광학회 2008 Conference Proceedings Vol.9 No.0

Taman Negara (TN) of Malaysia is one of the oldest rainforest in the world. It has attracted a large number of visitors among the foreigners and also the locals because of the attraction of its rain forest. However, ever since then, the brand image that was portrayed by the visitors was never being explored by the management of the park. The stakeholders such as the hotel operators, restaurant owners and indeed the visitors themselves have their own view regarding the brand equity of the park. The consequence of this different brand equity of the park led to confusion not only among the stakeholders but also on how to promote the place of attraction not only among the foreigners but to the local Malaysians. The first phase of the research on Taman Negara has been conducted and results shows that the brand equity that comprises of brand awareness, brand loyalty and brand association of Taman Negara as an eco-tourism destination among foreigners is very positive and also a similar view is being portrayed by the locals too. Various brand association has been linked with Taman Negara. The preliminary findings showed that foreigners viewed differently from the locals. The locals viewed that Taman Negara is highly associated with river and jungles but the foreigners felt that the place is a rich heritage of tropical rain forest which they could not enjoy now in their home country. If this situation is not rectified, the whole operation of Taman Negara will lead to different alignment in order to drive the brand implementation of the park. The research was carried out during the peak season of visitor's arrival at the park. A total of 250 respondents were surveyed using a structured questionnaire and also a personal interview was conducted among the park stakeholders. This paper therefore explores the current situation of the brand equity of the park. It is imperative for Taman Negara to have their products with its own brand as a strong brand image could offer several important strategic advantages to the organization. A product that has a powerful brand identity creates a major competitive advantage that encourages repeat visitors.

Comparison of performance and ionic concentration gradient of two-chamber microbial fuel cell using ceramic membrane (CM) and cation exchange membrane (CEM) as separators

Daud, Siti Mariam,Daud, Wan Ramli Wan,Kim, Byung Hong,Somalu, Mahendra Rao,Bakar, Mimi Hani Abu,Muchtar, Andanastuti,Jahim, Jamaliah Md,Lim, Swee Su,Chang, In Seop Elsevier 2018 ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA Vol.259 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Ceramic membranes (CMs) with different pore sizes (0.14 μm CM1, 150 kDa CM2 and 5 kDa CM3) were tested as separators in two-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The performance and ionic gradient concentration of MFCs using CMs were compared with that of cation exchange membrane (CEM), Nafion 117. MFC with CMs exhibited a higher performance than that of CEM under batch operation. The highest power density of 1790 ± 60 mW/m<SUP>2</SUP>, columbic efficiency (CE) of 41 ± 10% and internal resistance of 102 ± 13 Ω were obtained for MFC with CM3 under batch mode operation. The highest power density, columbic efficiency and internal resistance of MFC with CEM were found to be 1225 ± 20 mW/m<SUP>2</SUP>, 21 ± 1% and 400 ± 10 Ω, respectively. The highest performance of MFC with CM3 was expected due to a higher porosity of CM3 (13.8%) compared with that of CM1 (11.0%) and CM2 (11.05%). MFCs operated with catholyte containing salt solution, phosphate buffer basal medium without carbon source and yeast extract (PBBM-SA), generated lower current than with phosphate buffer (PB) as catholyte. This difference was more significant in the MFCs with the CEM Nafion 117 than with ceramic membranes. The non-selective porous ceramic membranes improved the diffusion of protons in the presence of other high concentration cations and resulted in MFC with higher performance. Hence, the porous ceramic membrane is a potential candidate separator for the development of commercial scale MFCs.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Porous ceramics were tested as separators in two-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC). </LI> <LI> MFC with porous ceramic membrane showed a higher power density than that of PEM. </LI> <LI> The main issue with PEM is higher cation transfer compared to proton in MFC. </LI> <LI> The non-selective porous ceramic membranes improved the diffusion of proton in MFC. </LI> <LI> The PBBM supported the electrochemically active bacteria growth in anode chamber. </LI> </UL> </P>