Suchergebnisse

Malaysia pledged to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 in relation to its 2005 GDP figure. The sectors listed as the main focus of this effort included: energy, industrial processes, waste, agriculture, land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF). Several initiatives under myriad governments have been launched to reduce Malaysia's climate change impacts; among those has been the emphasis on renewable energy (RE).Malaysia's current energy mix relies heavily on coal and natural gas. Long-entrenched subsidies on these energy sources, coupled with greatly depreciating prices make it difficult for new RE producers to enter the market and increase their market share. This is in spite of positive developments in RE infrastructure and reduced RE material costs.Solar, biogas, biomass and mini-hydro have been put forward as the RE sources with the most potential, but all have issues of consistency and reliability. Because small energy generators cannot guarantee infallible energy production, they may not be the most viable options for the long term. Their size also denies them the economies of scale that would reduce their costs. Instead, these higher costs may be transferred to the consumer.Other issues include the competition for land in the development of large-scale solar farms, including the possible loss of community farmlands and hence livelihoods, if not displacement. A push for biomass and biogas as a source of energy might also lead to increased oil palm production to meet the need for consistent supplies of oil palm waste. Biogas from municipal landfills is made even more challenging given that Malaysian municipal waste is not sorted at source.One possible solution is the use of hybrid RE in rural areas, comprising a mix of micro-hydro, solar and diesel-based energy generation as a back-up. However an immediate win

As an increasingly conservative wave of Islam engulfs the globe, literalist Salafi interpretations of the faith have become prevalent in Malaysia. While there are several Islamic schools of thought in the country, including those deemed "deviant", the loudest voices are always the more extreme.Over the past year, there has been increasing recognition of women's roles as recruiters, financiers and influencers for radical Islamic groups. More women have been arrested for their support for and involvement in the Islamic State (IS), but much of the focus has been on their desire to marry a jihadi soldier or channel funds to the cause. In Malaysia, these women (including returnees from IS) are seen to be followers, not decision-makers or active agents in extremist action.

This study was carried out in Johor and Kedah through a combination of focus groups, formal and informal interviews and long-term ethnographic participant observation. Johor was selected for this study because it is the birthplace and long-time bastion of UMNO while Kedah was of interest because of the Mahathir family legacy in the state. The study shows that the rural vote is not homogeneous; views and perceptions that could lead to electoral action differs between regions, ages and genders.Daily survival and rising costs of living are the key common issues that were raised across all regions. The importance of Malay rights and the priority of Islam are also important to the rural voter. Another common problem mentioned is that of the middleman who prevents allocated funds or financial assistance from reaching the average rural resident.Malay cultural norms, traditional obligations of loyalty and patronage politics are major factors that affect the decisions of older rural voters.Younger voters might be open to the idea of a new government, but they need to overcome community and family pressure to break away from generational practices of voting for Barisan Nasional.Some rural voters feel that they gain no benefits from having either side of the political divide in power. While these voters generally do not see the point of voting, a last-minute decision to vote may go the way of the party that provides them with immediate gains

In 1990, the Malaysian state of Johor--along with Singapore and the Indonesian island of Batam--launched the Growth Triangle to attract foreign direct investment. For Johor, this drive was very successful, transforming its economy and driving up income levels. Today, Johor is one of Malaysia's "developed" states, housing large clusters of electrical and electronics, food processing, and furniture producing firms. While welcome, this structural transformation has also entailed important challenges and strategic choices. After three decades, Johor's manufacture-for-export model is under question, as it faces increasing competition and flat-lining technological capabilities. In response, the state has sought to diversify its economy through strategic investments in new, mostly service-based activities. Yet, Johor retains pockets of excellence in traditional sectors that also require support and policy attention.The state's economic transformation has also been accompanied by far-reaching political, social, and environmental change. Not least, Johor's growing population has generated demand for affordable housing and put pressure on public services. The strain has been exacerbated by workers from other states and overseas. These demographic factors and large-scale projects have, in turn, put stress on the environment. These economic and social changes have also had political ramifications. While Johor is a bastion of two of the country's oldest and most established political parties, the state's large, urban and connected electorate has made it hospitable terrain for new political organisations. Beyond electoral politics, Johor is also the home of a powerful and influential royal family, with very specific ideas about its role in the state's political life. Building on earlier work by the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute on the Singapore-Johor-Riau

This edited volume features a collection of disparate case studies that examine the varied ways in which local cultural, social, and political dynamics inform and mitigate the veritable road map toward palpable and meaningful progress with pursuing the goals of environmental sustainability in Southeast Asia.

Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- List of Maps -- List of Tables and Appendixes -- List of Figures -- Foreword -- Acknowledgements -- Prologue -- Contributors -- Abbreviations -- Introduction -- 1. Situating Johor -- Section I: Economics -- Maps -- 2. Agriculture in Johor: What's Left? -- 3. Johor's Oil Palm Economy: Past, Present and Future -- 4. Johor's Oil and Gas Sector: The Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex and Its Implications -- 5. The Private Healthcare Sector in Johor: Trends and Prospects -- 6. EduCity, Johor: Its Promise and Challenges -- 7. Tourism in Johor and Its Potential -- Section II: Politics -- Maps -- 8. UMNO and Barisan Nasional in Johor: A Time-Bound Fixed Deposit? -- 9. Electoral Politics and the Malaysian Chinese Association in Johor -- 10. Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in Johor: New Party, Big Responsibility -- 11. Parti Amanah Negara in Johor: Birth, Challenges and Prospects -- 12. The Johor Sultanate: Rise or Re-emergence? -- Section III: Social and Environmental Issues -- Maps -- 13. Foreign Workers in Johor: The Dependency Dilemma -- 14. Johor Remains as the Bastion of Kaum Tua -- 15. Johor Bahru's Urban Transformation: Authority and Agency Revisited -- 16. Housing Policy in Johor: Trends and Prospects -- 17. Johor's Forest City Faces Critical Challenges -- 18. The Struggle for Balance: Johor's Environmental Issues, Overlaps and Future -- Conclusion -- 19. Johor: Abode of Development? -- Appendix -- Sources for the Johor Maps -- Index