No abstract

General flowering (GF) is a unique phenomenon wherein, at irregular intervals, taxonomically diverse trees in Southeast Asian dipterocarp forests synchronize their reproduction at the community level. Triggers of GF, including drought and low minimum temperatures a few months previously has been limitedly observed across large regional scales due to lack of meteorological stations. Here, we aim to identify the climatic conditions that trigger large-scale GF in Peninsular Malaysia using satellite sensors, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), to evaluate the climatic conditions of focal forests. We observed antecedent drought, low temperature and high photosynthetic radiation conditions before large-scale GF events, suggesting that large-scale GF events could be triggered by these factors. In contrast, we found higher-magnitude GF in forests where lower precipitation preceded large-scale GF events. GF magnitude was also negatively influenced by land surface temperature (LST) for a large-scale GF event. Therefore, we suggest that spatial extent of drought may be related to that of GF forests, and that the spatial pattern of LST may be related to that of GF occurrence. With significant new findings and other results that were consistent with previous research we clarified complicated environmental correlates with the GF phenomenon.

Isu gelandangan adalah antara fenomena yang mengundang ketidakselesaan kepada sebahagian masyarakat, terutama di bandaraya yang pesat membangun. Kesan urbanisasi yang mengakibatkan ketidakstabilan ekonomi di kalangan masyarakat bandar dikatakan telah menyumbang kepada peningkatan statistik gelandangan di Malaysia. Golongan ini bergelut dalam memastikan kelangsungan hidup mereka akibat kemiskinan dan keterdesakan yang melanda. Tujuan kajian ini dijalankan adalah untuk membincangkan isu berkaitan golongan gelandangan dari sudut sosial dan undang­ undang, bermula daripada definisi, terminologi, undang-undang berkaitan, serta isu penguatkuasaannya. Kajian ini adalah berdasarkan konseptual yang membincangkan isu-isu setempat berkaitan dengan gelandangan dan masyarakat orang papa. Kajian lepas telah digunakan bagi mengenal pasti kajian yang telah dijalankan berkenaan Akta Orang Papa 1977 dari segi terminologi, bidang kuasa, impak sosial dan pengehadan akta. Struktur operasi yang dijalankan oleh Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) dalam membantu golongan ini juga telah dibincangkan bersama pengehadan akta yang dikaitkan daripada pandangan sosial masyarakat. Kekaburan yang wujud pada Akta Orang Papa 1977 telah memberi kesan kepada keberkesanan penguatkuasan, pengurusan dan pemulihan gelandangan yang dapat dijalankan. Keadaan ini disebabkan oleh ketiadaan pentakrifan yang jelas terhadap konsep gelandangan menerusi akta ini. Maka dengan itu, ia telah memberi impak sosial penguatkuasaan akta, isu berkaitan Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia dan pengehadan Akta Orang Papa 1977 dari sudut sosial masyarakat. Beberapa cadangan bagi menambah baik keadaan yang melibatkan gelandangan seperti pindaan definisi dan penggunaan bidang kuasa telah dibincangkan bagi memastikan golongan ini dilindungi dan produktif dalam kehidupan.   ABSTRACT The issue of homelessness is a disturbing phenomenon to communities, especially in fast-growing cities. Apparently, homelessness statistics in Malaysia has risen due to urbanisation, which in turn has led to economic instability among urban residents. Homeless or destitute people struggle to survive due to poverty and despair. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyse issues associated with homelessness from a social and legal perspective, beginning with definitions, terminologies, to relevant legislation and enforcement issues. This study is conceptual-based which mainly discuss local issues related to the homeless and destitute community. Previous studies were used to identify studies that had been carried out concerning the Destitute Persons Act 1977 in terms of terminology and jurisdiction including the social impact and limitations of the act. The operational structure of the Department of Social Welfare in assisting these groups are also discussed along with limitations in the relevant legislation from social standpoints. The ambiguity that exists in the Destitute Persons Act 1977 has impacted on the effectiveness of the enforcement and the management and rehabilitation of homeless people. This situation is caused by the absence ofaclear definition oft he concept oft he homeless through this act. Thus, from the social point of view of the community, it has had a social impact on the enforcement of the Destitute Persons Act 1977, issues related to the Federal Constitution of Malaysia as well as limitations of the act. Several recommendations to ameliorate issues regarding homelessness which include modification in its definition and the use of jurisdiction have been proposed to ensure that these people are protected and productive in their effort to secure their livelihood. Keywords: Homeless, Destitute Persons Act 1977, Department of Social Welfare, destitute persons.

The increasing concentration of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to increased fossil fuel consumption for manufacturing activities to support population growth is worrisome. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) remain the two GHGs that contribute to the impact of global warming, and inventorying their concentrations is important for monitoring their changes, which can be used to infer their emissions over time. Hence, this article highlights sniffer4D, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based air pollutant mapping system that visualise and analyse three-dimensional (3D) air pollution data in real time, for mapping GHGs concentrations within industrial areas. Consequently, GHGs concentrations for two industrial and adjacent residential areas in Johor, Peninsular Malaysia were mapped. The GHGs concentrations were validated using a ground-based portable gas detector. The results revealed that CO2 has the highest concentration mean of 625.235 mg/m3, followed by CH4 with a mean of 249.239 mg/m3. The mapped UAV GHG concentration also reported good agreement with the in situ observations with an RMSE of 7 and 6 mg/m3 for CO2 and CH4 concentration, respectively. Ozone and nitrogen dioxide mixture (O3 + NO2) with a mean concentration of 249 μg/m3 and an RMSE of 9 μg/m3 are the remaining significant concentrations reported. This approach shall assist in fast-tracking the United Nations climate change mitigation agenda.

Modul Minda Keusahawanan yang telah dibina melibatkan sembilan modul yang telah disampaikan kepada gelandangan bekas banduan. Tujuan pembinaan modul keusahawanan ini adalah bagi memperkenalkan bidang keusahawanan kepada gelandangan bekas banduan agar dapat dijadikan sebagai salah satu bidang untuk diceburi. Seramai sembilan orang peserta yang terdiri daripada gelandangan bekas banduan dan tidak mempunyai tempat tinggal dan pekerjaan yang stabil telah dikenal pasti menggunakan kaedah teknik persampelan bertujuan dan bola salji. Modul ini telah dijalankan di Pusat Komuniti Pembelajaran Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur selama tiga hari. Objektif utama bengkel adalah untuk meneroka penerimaan dan kefahaman peserta terhadap modul. Di samping itu, kajian ini turut menyelami pandangan para peserta tentang cabaran yang dihadapi untuk menceburi bidang keusahawanan. Hasil kajian mendapati penerimaan dan kefahaman yang sangat positif terhadap modul ini. Namun demikian, wujud cabaran yang perlu ditempuhi oleh gelandangan bekas banduan yang berminat menceburi dunia keusahawanan. Hasil terakhir kajian ini telah membawa kepada pembinaan model output pengujian dan penilaian Modul Minda Keusahawanan khusus untuk gelandangan bekas banduan. Model output ini memberi gambaran yang menyeluruh tentang input, proses dan output keseluruhan kajian ini. Kajian ini signifikan dalam membentuk minat dan kefahaman dalam kalangan gelandangan bekas banduan untuk berusaha menceburkan diri dalam bidang keusahawanan dalam menjadi insan produktif sekaligus membantu ekonomi mereka dan negara.