University College of Islam Melaka

Purpose – This study analyzes the efficiency of companies listed on the Jakarta Islamic Index (JII) during the 2020–2023 period. Method – This study applies data envelopment analysis (DEA) using total assets, equity, and operational expenses as input variables, with market capitalization and earnings per share (EPS) as output variables. Market capitalization is employed to capture a firm’s ability to convert internal resources into market-recognized value as shaped by investor perception.Findings – The results indicate that most JII companies operate inefficiently, with efficiency scores below 0.2. Several benchmark firms form the efficiency frontier: Adaro Energy Indonesia (2022), Indo Tambangraya Megah (2022), Bumi Resources Minerals (2021), Unilever Indonesia (2021), and Aspirasi Hidup Indonesia (2021). The sector-wise analysis indicates that the financial sector exhibits the highest and most consistent scale efficiency. In contrast, from an industrial perspective, the transportation and energy sectors demonstrate the most optimal efficiency performance. Regarding ownership structure, state-owned enterprises consistently achieve higher scale efficiency than privately owned companies. Further analysis suggests that efficiency improvements are primarily driven by output performance, particularly market capitalization, highlighting the relevance of an output-oriented approach to long-term efficiency strategies. Implications – This perspective suggests that efficiency in Sharia Stock Listed Companies depends not only on internal management performance, but also on external market perceptions that determine their market value. Originality – This study offers originality by employing DEA approach to assess the efficiency of Sharia stock-listed companies in the JII, integrating sectoral, industrial, and ownership perspectives that have received limited attention in prior research.

Customer satisfaction refers to a condition in which customers’ desires, expectations, and needs are fulfilled. It is a crucial aspect that consistently attracts the attention of product suppliers and service providers. This study aims to examine the relationship between loyalty, trust, and digital customer service among customers of Villa Nadia Homestay in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, in achieving customer satisfaction. The primary objective of this research is to identify the relationship between loyalty, trust, and digital customer service towards customer satisfaction. A quantitative research approach was employed, whereby questionnaires were distributed via Google Form, and a total of 94 customers participated as respondents. Data were analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27, involving descriptive analysis, mean analysis, correlation analysis, and hypothesis testing. The findings revealed that loyalty, trust, and digital customer service exhibit a significant and positive relationship with customer satisfaction.

The digitalisation of zakat fitrah payments has emerged as an essential development in Malaysia's religious financial administration, driven by societal demands for more accessible and efficient services. However, the absence of specific fatwas endorsing digital payment mechanisms has raised concerns over Shariah compliance and public trust. This study investigates the dynamic interplay between fatwa legitimacy, institutional challenges, operational innovations, societal adaptation and trust issues, drawing insights from case studies of Melaka and the Federal Territory. Utilising document analysis and code co-occurrence mapping via Atlas.ti, the study identifies the critical role of fatwas in providing legal certainty, the operational innovations needed to meet technological expectations and the challenges of transforming institutional practices. The findings suggest that while technological platforms such as MelakaPay and HPX have facilitated greater accessibility, the success of digital zakat initiatives is highly dependent on formal fatwa endorsement, transparent institutional frameworks and strategic public education campaigns. This paper proposes a structured formalisation framework that integrates legal, technological and societal elements to ensure the effective governance of digital zakat fitrah payments. By addressing these interrelated factors, zakat institutions can strengthen trust, improve compliance and modernise zakat management in Malaysia’s evolving religious landscape.

The percentage depth doses of various wood-based phantom materials were evaluated using Monte Carlo GATE simulation at 6MV photon beam. Several elemental compositions of phantom materials developed over the years were collected retrospectively, and the data were used to build each phantoms’ specific geometries and compositions in a Monte Carlo GATE algorithm. Upon the construction of the linear accelerator in GATE, the percentage depth doses were measured for each of the phantom materials, and results were recorded accordingly. The output revealed that all of the samples pass the 3 %/2 mm comparison by gamma index at 96.8%. The findings of this work supported the potential of wood-based phantom material in radiotherapy and medical physics application.

BackgroundLung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer globally. In Malaysia, it ranks as the second most common cancer among men and third among women. Presently, no local clinical practice guidelines exist for lung cancer care in Malaysia. Given the lack of consensus regarding the perioperative management of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), this article seeks to harmonise surgical practices among thoracic physicians and surgeons in Malaysia by recommending best practices for screening, diagnosis and staging, as well as multimodal management and surveillance in early-stage disease (stages I to IIIB-N2).MethodsA local expert committee comprising nine high-volume actively practicing cardiothoracic or general thoracic surgeons gathered between February to July 2024 to deliberate existing evidence and formulate recommendations. A modified Delphi method comprising systematic review of published evidence and expert opinion based on local experience was utilised. The document was subsequently independently reviewed by two senior oncologists and two senior respiratory physicians, before incorporating their feedback into the final version.ResultsThis document comprises a surgical consensus of evidence-based guidelines to provide local recommendations on contemporary real-world best practices. The consensus statements were grouped into five domains of early-stage resectable NSCLC: (I) screening (3 statements); (II) diagnosis and staging (6 statements); (III) neoadjuvant/perioperative immunotherapy (3 statements); (IV) adjuvant therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or immunotherapy (4 statements); and (V) operative metrics and post-operative surveillance (5 statements).ConclusionsThese consensus statement guidelines will elevate and standardise the perioperative management of early-stage NSCLC in Malaysia, serve as a valuable educational and training tool for relevant medical professionals, and promote an inclusive, comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to integrated holistic patient care, aimed at improving both clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life with the best available evidence.

The issue of drug abuse among adolescents in Malaysia continues to pose a significant challenge to society, with rising cases severely impacting the nation's social and economic well-being.This study aims to review the conceptual frameworks based on previous research concerning factors influencing drug abuse among adolescents in Malaysia, applying Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory (1999).This theory encompasses various systemic levels including microsystem (direct relationships with family, school, and peers), mesosystem (interactions between microsystems), exosystem (external influences such as parents'

The global higher education landscape increasingly demands that universities function as agile learning organizations, an imperative particularly salient for Chinese universities amidst rapid growth and ambitious internationalization goals. While China's higher education system has achieved significant development, a comprehensive understanding of how learning organization principles specifically foster faculty collaboration and innovation within its unique socio-cultural and institutional context remains underexplored. This quantitative study addresses this critical gap by employing a descriptive and correlational survey design. It investigates the perceived characteristics of learning organizations, current levels of faculty collaboration, and engagement in innovation among a diverse sample of full-time faculty in Chinese public universities. Hypothetical findings suggest that core learning organization dimensions, particularly team learning, inquiry and dialogue, and continuous learning opportunities, alongside crucial enabling factors such as supportive leadership, an open organizational culture, and psychological safety, significantly and positively predict both faculty collaboration and innovation. These results underscore the critical importance of cultivating an institutional environment that actively encourages collective learning, open communication, and intellectual risk-taking among academic staff. The study proposes actionable strategies for Chinese university leaders and policymakers to enhance collaborative practices and foster a vibrant culture of innovation, thereby contributing to the strategic development of Chinese higher education and offering valuable theoretical and practical insights for similar contexts globally.

Abstract The growing demand for sustainable bioproducts in industrial applications highlights the need to utilize agricultural biomass for sustainability. This study developed green biocomposites by incorporating lignin particles (LPs), extracted from the black liquor of palm shell waste, into a poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) matrix reinforced with nonwoven kenaf bast fiber mats. The reinforced biocompatible PHBV polymer was further strengthened by adding LPs at concentrations of 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 wt%. The biocomposites were fabricated using hot compression molding and were evaluated systematically for water‐barrier, mechanical, morphological, functional, and thermal properties. A single‐factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical analysis. The results demonstrated a 28% increase in tensile strength and a 15% increase in flexural strength at 5 wt% LP loading. Water absorption was reduced by 23% at the highest filler concentration, indicating enhanced water‐barrier properties. Improved interfacial bonding between LPs and the PHBV/kenaf fiber matrix was confirmed through morphological analysis, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed the presence of strong interactions between the components. However, thermal stability decreased slightly with LP incorporation, and mechanical performance declined at 7 wt% due to particle agglomeration. Overall, optimal performance was achieved at 5 wt% LP loading, highlighting the potential of PHBV/kenaf/LP biocomposites as sustainable materials for environmentally friendly applications, particularly in packaging, addressing critical environmental and human health concerns.

Busana tradisional Melayu merupakan identiti masyarakat Melayu yang menghimpunkan nilai estetika Islam dan kearifan tempatan. Nilai ini boleh dilihat wujud dalam pelbagai struktur busana tradisional Melayu, khususnya Baju Melayu. Kajian ini bertujuan meneliti nilai estetika Islam dan kearifan tempatan dalam rekaan serta pemakaian Baju Melayu, dan bagaimana busana ini berperanan dalam membentuk serta mengekalkan identiti budaya masyarakat Melayu. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif menerusi kaedah analisis visual dan kajian dokumen. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa unsur estetika Islam bukan sahaja diterapkan secara simbolik dalam rekaan Baju Melayu, tetapi juga memperkukuh nilai jati diri dan kesinambungan warisan budaya bangsa. Baju Melayu tidak hanya berperanan sebagai pakaian tradisi tetapi turut menjadi medium ekspresi nilai agama dan budaya. Nilai estetika Islam yang menekankan kesederhanaan, kesopanan dan keseimbangan terserlah dalam rekaan Baju Melayu, manakala unsur tempatan seperti penggunaan sampin, songkok dan motif tenun menampilkan simbolisme budaya Melayu yang mendalam. Dalam konteks moden, pemeliharaan dan penghayatan terhadap Baju Melayu menjadi manifestasi ketahanan budaya dan keagamaan masyarakat Melayu-Islam. Justeru, warisan ini perlu terus diperkasakan menerusi inisiatif pendidikan, promosi berasaskan nilai, serta inovasi busana berteraskan prinsip Islam bagi menjamin kelestarian identiti bangsa dalam arus perubahan global.

This conceptual paper examines how emerging technologies and tax education influence tax compliance among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, with a particular focus on the role of electronic taxation systems. Despite the Malaysian government's efforts to digitalize its tax infrastructure, many SMEs remain non-compliant due to limited knowledge, insufficient support, and low adoption of digital platforms. The study integrates the Technology Adoption Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explore how factors such as tax education, tax knowledge, tax resources, technology quality, and information quality contribute to tax compliance through the mediating role of electronic taxation adoption. The target population includes SMEs in the food and beverage sector located in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia. A mixed-method research design is proposed, combining quantitative analysis using SPSS and SmartPLS with qualitative interviews analyzed through NVivo. The study aims to bridge gaps in the current literature by highlighting the behavioral and systemic barriers to digital tax adoption among SMEs. It also offers practical insights for policymakers and tax authorities seeking to improve voluntary compliance through better education, system design, and support strategies tailored to the SME sector.