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This study examines the performance of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) component political parties (i.e. PKR, PAS and DAP) in the 2011 Sarawak state elections. The 2011 Sarawak state elections was held in April 2011 and it was a tense battle between the ruling BN and the new comer opposition Pakatan Rakyat. The study is based on the assumption that there is a linkage between PR’s campaign strategies and election manifesto and the voters’ preference. Therefore, the study investigates the linkage between campaign strategies and manifesto of Pakatan Rakyat and its performance in the 2011 Sarawak State elections. It uses Martin Harrop and William L. Miller’s theory of competitive elections as a framework for analysis. This study uses qualitative method of research for analysis of data. The data were collected from the primary sources such as formal and informal interviews, party manifestos, newspapers, documents from the Election Commission (EC) and secondary sources such as books and scholarly articles. The study argues that the opposition for the first time collectively campaigned as a single opposition coalition under the name of Pakatan Rakyat. PR’s campaign strategies were quite sound and practical as it divided its campaign strategies into traditional and non-traditional campaign strategies. Besides that PR proposed several strategies which can be labeled as a new type of approach. The study found that even though PR did not get the two-thirds majority in the State Legislative Assembly, it succeeded to capture more seats; pointing to the fact that there is a shift of support from the incumbent BN government towards the opposition PR. However, the study also found that the main factor contributing to PR’s inability to capture more seats was its inability to reach an understanding with the local opposition political party: Sarawak National Party (SNAP). The study therefore, among others, recommends that PR should work out a strategy to integrate some important local political parties such as SNAP if it wants to control Sarawak state legislative assembly.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that represents abnormality development of brain and its function. Few studies had seen the impact of early detection and intervention, and how it gives positive effect for the children to improve their life as good as other normal children. There are three major impairments of the autistic children namely: social interaction with others, communication and fine motor movements. A simple case of fine motor movements could be finger tapping, imitating other action and also managing their fingers towards objects. Many psychologists and psychiatrists diagnosed these autistic children as early as three years old. In Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies, finding shows the brain region such as prefrontal cortex (especially in the pre-motor cortex), occipital and etc, did involve in motor impairment in autistic children. Thus, it is possible to differentiate between normal and autistic children using motor imitation skills but all these process require the psychologists, psychiatrist or expert to monitor and make decision on their observations. However, fMRI is an expensive process and could not be automated and be used for masses. In this research, it aims to look at motor imitation skills for autistic children using electroencephalogram (EEG) approach. Preliminary result has shown great potential in identifying motor imitation skills impairment in autistic children. EEG device will be used to capture the brain signals, and two methods for analysis such as Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE). The Mutilayer Perceptron (MLP) will be adopted as the classifier. Although the MLP was used as classifier the end results shows great potential of using the EEG model approach based on the 2D affective space model (ASM) for early detection of motor imitation skills development disorder among autistic children.

This study is devoted to investigate the phase diagrams of 3-state Potts model with competing binary, ternary and quaternary interactions on Cayley tree. The 3-state Potts model was classified as the simplest quantum field-theory after Ising model and was an easily defined class of statistical mechanic model. The aim of this study is to analyze the phase diagrams of 3-state Potts model with competing interactions on Cayley tree of order 2 and 3. At vanishing temperature T, the phase diagrams are fully determined for all values of competing binary interactions J 1 , ternary interactions J t and quaternary interactions J q. The results show that there have significant change~ in the phase diagrams for the case of nonzero ]q. Lastly, we analyze in detail the set of modulated phases, with the phase being indicated by many different types of commensurate and incommensurate phases by plotting the wavevectors versus temperature. The Lyapunov exponent is computed to verify the stability of the large period phase in the narrow-interval modulated phase.

Femtocells are home access points installed by end consumers inside their houses which are an important and a promising technology in future wireless networks. It was proposed as a solution to the indoor propagation problems and to increase the indoor bandwidth. However, many challenges need to be addressed before deployment of femtocells. One of the most important challenges are assessing and mitigating the interference. In order to calculate the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), an accurate path loss model is required. Most of the studies in the open literature considered a two dimensional scenarios where the femtocell has specific location and uniformly distributed in the network. On the contrary, this research will consider more practical scenarios where the femtocell is randomly distributed in a three Dimensional (3-D) environment to accommodate interference from cells spaced horizontally on a terrestrial access or stacked vertically as in the case for office or residential towers. The vertical interference is still not considered in the open literature yet. The most important parameter that should be considered once calculating the interference is the path loss. Since femtocell is installed in an indoor environment, this thesis addresses only the indoor propagation channel. Most of the available propagation models are for long range communication networks like macro and micro cellular networks. Models for femtocell networks, where the effects of walls and floors are considered, appeared to be necessary. In this research six different models of indoor propagation were studied and compared with measured data. Comprehensive measurements were conducted in a four storey building using most popular frequencies for Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks of 1.8 and 2.6 GHz. Three different scenarios with different numbers of penetrated walls and floors were considered. The results were analyzed statistically using linear and non-linear regression methods. Further, a three dimensional path loss model based on two distance concept is proposed for indoor femtocells. In this model, the path loss intercept is made equal to the free space losses. Two path loss exponents were proposed. The first one is the vertical exponent that equals 7.62, and was inferred based on the vertical propagation measurements. The second path loss exponent is the horizontal one (variable) and it is found to be a function of transmitter and receiver heights. This model is found to be suitable for applications in LTE wireless networks and maybe applied in both LTE and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system level simulators. In addition, path loss has been evaluated in terms of various antenna aspects such as polarization and directivity. Finally a three dimensional system level simulator is developed and integrated into the famous Vienna LTE simulator in order to help the researcher in LTE femtocell field to analyze and investigate more real scenarios of femtocell deployment. The developed simulator allows the researcher to locate a multi-storey building in the region of interest, choose the number of floors, determine the ceiling height, and allocate the position of the femtocell inside the house. The proposed three dimensional indoor propagation model is implemented in the simulator and is used to assess and model interference. Different parameters such as Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), and throughput, were studied especially for vertically stacked femtocells. Results indicate the validity of the proposed 3-D model and confirm that it is a more realistic tool for assessment and model of femtocell interference.

3D maps in mobile devices for navigation aid have been created to overcome the weaknesses of conventional 2D maps which require users to interpret its various symbols and legends. Now it has become possible to render large and detailed 3D map of cities in mobile devices at interactive rates over 5fps (frame rate per second) to 30fps. Mobile devices with low computing resources may also use manipulated photos in order to give the illusion of 3D presentation. Owing to this recent development, the concept of 3D representation in mobile devices for multi-users interactive navigation aid is proposed. It is aimed at helping people to navigate in unfamiliar locations. In today’s world, mobility and communication have become essential. People may frequently find themselves asking: ‘Where am I right now?’, ‘How do I get from X to Y?’, and ‘How can I tell Z?” The proposed system of 3D maps in mobile devices for navigation aid allows several mobile device users to view their own and the other users’ locations at the same time, while being stationary or on-the-move. Voronoi diagram/Delaunay triangulation and A-star pathfinding are the algorithms for establishing user locations and their distances, apart from finding the shortest part from Location X to Y. A prototype of this system was developed to demonstrate the pros and cons of the practical application of this new concept. This research uses an observational research, field experiment, qualitative interview and quantitative survey to investigate navigation practices with 3D representation in mobile devices as a navigation aid. The research findings include discussion of the features of navigation practices with the aid of 3D representation in mobile devices and a critical assessment of the factors influencing its usage.

The aim of this study is to examine the Christian perspective on the concept of (Allah) in Nigeria, which contradicts the true understanding of the concept of (Allah) in Islam. It begins with a discussion on the concept of Allah according to the Christian scholars in Nigeria followed by the Muslim scholars in Nigeria. The research continues with the explanation on how the concept of (Allah) is presented in the Qur’Én, ×adith and the work of classical and contemporary Muslim scholars. The methodology applied in this study is textual analysis, using descriptive and analytical methods on numerous works on the subject. This study identifies that most of the current module used to understand the concept of Allah by Christian scholars is wrong. Finally, the study concludes that it is crucial for both Muslims and Christians to have a comprehensive knowledge about the concept of (Allah). The proper knowledge would guide them to understand the real God of the entire universe

In this research, we consider the λ-model with and without competing interaction on Cayley tree of order two. Description of ground states becomes one of the main elements to study as phase diagram of Gibbs measure for a Hamiltonian is close to the phase diagram of isolated ground states of the Hamiltonian. For the λ-model on infinite Cayley tree, we describe the set of periodic and weakly periodic ground states corresponding normal subgroup of the Cayley tree group representation. We construct 81 different combination of configurations and classify the configurations under 10 different regions so that the configurations will achieve ground states. We describe periodic and weakly periodic ground states for the considered model by using periodic and weakly periodic configurations. For the second result of the research, we consider λ-model with competing Potts interaction on Cayley tree of order two. As explained in previous section, we describe the periodic ground states for the considered model. Note that for this model, we have 12 different regions for the configurations to achieve ground states. For some domain of interactions strength, the configuration of periodic ground states cannot be achieved. By using Kolmogorov criteria, Gibbs measures for this model was described by deriving infinite volume distribution using given finite-dimensional distributions and find the probability measures with given conditional probability. By considering translation invariant Gibbs measure, we analyse the system of equations derived and study the phase transition phenomenon by proving the existence of multiple translation-invariant solutions for the system of equations. Phase transitions occurs if there exist two or more solutions.

Abandoned housing projects are pathetic phenomena occurring in the housing industry in Peninsular Malaysia. Even though, the housing industry has developed and permeated throughout the nation since Independence day, a negative phenomenon that keeps recurring is abandoned housing projects. Though land, planning, building and housing laws as ,vell as their regulations have been passed by Parliament with the purpose of control ling and regulating the housing development industry in Peninsular Malaysia, it is regretted that, this catastrophe--abandoned housing projects are still common and persisting until today. Thus, certain review and study is required to reevaluate and re-examine the existing legal provisions and remedies, in particular the Housing Development Act 1966 (Act 118) and its Regulations, the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133), the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172), the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (ON .5178/84 ), the National Land Code 1965 (Act No. 56 of 1965) and other relevant legislations in order to find and investigate clear and potential legal weaknesses which have caused and could cause the abandonment and its consequences. This research, will be based on qualitative case study and will use legal research methods. It intends to explore the facts and the legal phenomena in two (2) abandoned housing projects viz, at Phase II, Taman Harmoni, Lot 82, Mukim of Cheras, District of Hulu Langat, Selangor and Phase I A, Taman Lingkaran Nur, KM 21, Jalan Cheras-Kajang, P.T No. 6443, H.S.(D) No. 16848, Mukim of Cheras, District of Hulu Langat, Selangor. From the research, it is hoped that certain findings in regard to their legal causes, the legal problems plaguing the said projects and legal approaches toward their rehabilitations can be established for future guidelines and suggestions to overcome the same. These will hopefully, assist the authorities concerned to adopt legal policies and take certain legal measures to avoid similar problems from recurring in the future. In case rehabilitation for abandoned housing projects are to be carried out, the findings and suggestions in this research can be applied for facilitating the rehabilitation until full completion.

Over the years, the number of issues on environmental degradation and the severity of each keep climbing at alarming rates causing great adversities onto humanity and biodiversity. All of the efforts made by nations individually and collectively to abate and control the environmental crises have thus far yet to be sufficient. This situation has attracted scores of responses from the world religions on developing frameworks and action plans to resolve this matter successfully. To date, academic writings in this particular area by Muslim scholars of tafsÊr are not many and the works are scattered in different places. There is a need to produce scholarly writings that thoroughly discuss environmental issues in the light of tafsÊr approach.This thesis attempts to address the problems of environmental degradation such as pollution, global warming and loss of biodiversity in the light of Qur’Énic instructions. In addition it analyses the Qur’Én?s perception on natural environment, harmony of man with nature, and the Qur’Énic principles on abatement and control of environmental degradation namely trusteeship, justice, and public interest. It also discusses issue of Sustainable Management of Wetlands, Sustainable Consumption and Production, and Sustainable Waste Management. This study is a library based research employing descriptive, historical, and critical analysis methods. This research finds that the classical and contemporary works of Qur’Énic commentaries are of immense values for Islamic literature in environmental ethics.

The ongoing difference of opinions on ilahiyyah (divinity) has become a source of confusion among common people leading towards division in the Muslim community. Despite vast discussion on ilahiyyah (divinity), little is known about the methodologies of ʻAbd al-Wahhab al-Shaʻrani on its issues. This study provides an understanding of al-Shaʻrani’s synthesis of the methodologies of ahl al-fikr (people of cognitive knowledge) and ahl al-kashf (people of unveiling knowledge) on ilahiyyah (divinity). This study used two methods of assessment, namely data collection and data analysis. Through the method of documentation in the method of data collection, this study examines to two selected al-Shaʻrani’s work entitled al-Yawaqit wa al-Jawahir fi Bayan ʻAqa’id al-Akabir and al-Qawaʻid al-Kashfiyyah al-Muwaddihah li Maʻani al-Sifat al-Ilahiyyah. The study concludes that Al-Shaʻrani developed a more effective approach to understand ambiguous Qur’anic verses (mutashabihat). Al-Shaʻrani uses both methodologies with priority given to the usage of knowledge by presence (al-ʻilm al-huduri).

This present research is an attempt to explicate Abdullah bin Nuh’s critique on development of modern ideologies particularly in Indonesia after its independence. The development of modern ideologies particularly materialism, Marxism, and communism have become a matter of alarming since the early 20th century in Muslim world through colonization and imperialism. Indonesia as the one of the world’s largest Muslim population in the world did not miss on globalization of modern ideologies. Basically, Indonesia based on the Eastern and Islamic values, but after Western colonization, colonizers began to apply their ideologies in Indonesia through imperialism. As the result, clash has occurred between local ideologies and western ideologies through high tension in the forming of basic principle of state and governance system. Abdullah bin Nuh was one of the Indonesian scholars who are concerned with the affairs of Muslim in general and Indonesian Muslim in particular his responds and critiques to modern ideologies. This study attempts at examining Abdullah bin Nuh’s views in materialism, Marxism, and communism and his critiques of those modern ideologies. The approach of this study is based on textual analysis, using descriptive and analytical methods from various works of the subject under study. It seeks to discover several aspects of Abdullah bin Nuh’s thought of modern ideologies as well as Islamic thought such as the in coherent relationship of materialism and Marxism, Marxism and communism, with Islamic worldview and perspective. This study concludes that Abdullah bin Nuh devoted his live to counter modern ideologies which were developed in Indonesia with presenting the understanding of those ideologies and its detrimental to social live in Indonesia. He also asserted Marxism and communism are misled ideology based on materialism which have difference culture and values with Eastern Muslim countries particularly Indonesia. His noble struggle was successful for he end up with the foundation of Islamic Research Institute as the centre of Occidentalism studies.

This study focuses on two novels entitled "The Bamboo Stalk" by Saud Al-Sanousi and "Interlock" by Abdullah Hussein's . This study discusses the framework of social issues and artistic composition materialized in these novels. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate their creative abilities in composing the two novels, as well as to disclose the similarities and variations between them in terms of social issues and artistic structures. Analysis and comparison are the two approaches that the researcher employs. The researcher includes the novelists' biographies at the beginning of the study. This study also compares the two novels' social issues and artistic frameworks, identifying the manifestations of artistic innovation in each, before revealing their parallels and variances in terms of vision and formation between the two novels: Arabic and Malaysian. The researcher concluded that the two novels uncover common social issues highlighted by the novelists, including their dialogue of rural features, the journey to find a job, the preservation of religious rituals, symptoms of drug abuse, family disintegration, and concern for descendants. The cost of life, social cooperation, belief in witchcraft, and the issue of marriage were among the themes that they differed on. The two novels were comparable in their artistic structures in the utilisation of some artistic techniques, including the title metaphor and the fluency of the language, while the two diverged to varying degrees in the employment of certain other techniques.

The crisis of freshwater has been occurring in the world including Indonesia. Up to now, almost two-thirds of Jakarta’s inhabitants and other big cities of Indonesia still rely on the shallow groundwater individually as source of freshwater. The problem is that they always suffer from drought regularly due to the decreasing water table levels in their surroundings. Precisely, the problem relates with the absence of well-planned urban ecosystem. The condition of shallow groundwater is affected by related factors of population density, land use, and green space elements mainly the urban parks. Through the interpretation of the Qur’ānic verse (an-Naml: 60) and utilisation of the Zalewski’s ‘eco-hydrology’ concept that stresses the relationship between vegetation and hydrology, this study explores water conservation through urban park. The research method covers observation of the urban parks condition in Jakarta and measurement of the soil water status on roots zone beneath the vertical class of vegetation in Ragunan and Pondok Kopi Parks (2004-2005). The study concludes that urban park has ability and suitability to conserve water. The bigger the urban park is the better for water conservation purposes. Regarding with water status as well as roots zone volume of selected species, tree is more valuable for water conservation than shrub, grass, and bare land. Besides, the study introduces the interlinking parks model that connects to green space elements for improving urban ecosystem including groundwater properly. Hence, this study is useful to add the roles of urban landscape planning, water conservation, urban development policy and urban ecosystem. It is also academically worthy of support since it could help disseminate ideas on Islamisation of knowledge. Keywords: urban ecosystem, water conservation, ecohydrology, urban park, and roots zone.

Recently, there has been a development of modern ballistic armor due to the creation of high performance composite materials based on aramid fibers with better weight reduction, higher strength and toughness. The use of metal for many critical applications has dramatically decreased since the new composite materials such as aramids provide excellent protection against handgun level threats. However, aramid fibers (Kevlars) are very difficult to machine by conventional machining techniques which cause various forms of material damage such as delamination and fiber pullout that normally occur during the machining of composite materials. The processes also result to high tool wear rates and poor surface roughness which ultimately may cause costly secondary rework as well as part rejection. As the use of these composite ballistic materials is anticipated to be increasing in large volume, the processing costs will be an important factor in order to provide cost-effective components and to gain competitive advantages over other materials. In this thesis, abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining of a representative ballistic material namely Kevlar-reinforced phenolic, an aramid fibers and a product of Du Pont was used to conduct the machining experiments in order to determine the viability of the machining process for manufacturing protective components with the above materials. Design of experiments (DOE) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to measure systematically the various parametric combinations of pressure, standoff distance, traverse rate and abrasive flow rate on the kerf taper and the changes of surface roughness as a function of cutting depth for the Kevlar composite specimens. Stylus profilometry was used to measure the surface roughness and a visual inspection including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted. It was found that a smoother surface is obtained at the mid region along the depth of the specimens compared to that at the region of jet entry and jet exit. It was also observed that a higher jet pressure and a low traverse rate produces a smoother surface. Width of the kerf both at the jet entry and the jet exit was found to have a decreasing tendency with increase in traverse rate. Mathematical models were formulated to predict the surface roughness and kerf taper in terms of the selected cutting parameters mentioned earlier for the Kevlar composite to the cutting depths of 9.2mm. The cut surface of this material using a band saw machine was compared with that of the water jet in terms of surface roughness and damages incurred.

The problem of soul is among the most important issues discussed in Islamic philosophy. Many important works on soul have been written by Muslim philosophers and most of them did contribute something in the development of the philosophical psychology in Islam. Abu al-Barakat al-Baghdadi’s Book on Soul (Kitab al-Nafs) is one of those important literatures which reflect the later development of the psychological discussion in Islamic philosophy. His reputation as a critic of the Peripatetic philosophy in Islam has placed his works and philosophy in a spot which attracts the supporters as well as the opponents to read and study them. This study entitled Abu al-Barakat’s Psychology: Critical Edition of the Section on Soul (alNafs) from al-Muc tabar fi al-Hikmah with Analysis and Translation of Selected Texts, as it is motivated by the above motivation, is also an attempt to place and make available one of his important and certainly among the most valuable works on soul in Islamic philosophy. It comprises of three major parts namely the analysis, the translation of the selected texts of the Book and the critical edition of its Arabic text. The analysis part focuses on the selected problems concerning the very nature of human soul such as its definition and existence, its immateriality and substantiality, its soul-body relationship, and its faculties and unity. This is followed by the translation part which comprises a complete translation of the selected five chapters on the nature of soul and its perception. The most important part is the critical edition of a complete Arabic text of Kitab al-Nafs which would be the first critical edition ever. It is undeniable that there are many unexpected and important views raised by Abu alBarakat in this work which, in some instances, may give a critical impact on the Peripatetic reputation especially of Ibn Sina.

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Islamic reformism has been the prime concern of Muslim scholars and intellectuals since the 18th century C.E. and as a means to arrest the mushrooming and all around decay in their societies. In northern Nigeria, Muslims are plunged into backwardness because of the colonial legacy and the rising of un-Islamic practices (bida` or innovations) that have been instrumental in instigating serious problems in the region as well as the entire country. Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi was a great reformer who stood firm to salvage the society from further religious decline during his time. He believed that the cause for the Muslims` decline in the area was their departure from practising the pristine Islam as laid down in the Qur`an and the authentic Sunnah. In his quest for a solution, Sheikh Gumi articulated a reformative drive, which contravened the long-aged traditions of northern Nigeria. Thus, this study examines the reformist ideas of Sheikh Gumi and the degree of their influence on the society. The study employs an analytical research method and is based on a collection of primary sources, particularly Sheikh Gumi`s masterpiece al-Aqidah al-Sahihah bi Muwafaqat al-Shariah (The Correct Belief in Line with the Shariah) and some of his other major writings. The roots or main features of Gumi`s thought, as well as his contributions to Islamic reformism in northern Nigeria, particularly in the educational, judicial and political fields, are highlighted.

The abuse of polygamy in Malaysia is a reality that can no longer be ignored. This research is based on the theoretical assumption that the abuse has nothing to do with the Sharrah provision on polygamy, but with the human agency which has failed to apply it according to its Sharf ah general intents (maqii$id al-Sharf`ah) as enshrined in the Qur`an and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). This is mainly a qualitative research that involves an analytical study of relevant Qur`anic verses and Prophetic traditions (a/:ziidith) of the Prophet (PBUH) related to polygamy, and their interpretations by both classical and modern commentators. This textual analysis is aimed at determining the general intents of Sharr ah legislation on polygamy, and to identify basic qualifications that qualify Muslims to practice it. The same analytical method is applied to study a total of 220 selected polygamy application files from 2007 to 2009 available at Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Shariah Judiciary Courts. Its main objective is to determine the educational background and financial capability of the polygamy applicants, and to ascertain as to whether the "reasons for polygamy" stated in their applications are explicitly consistent with the basic qualifications and the general intents of Sharr ah legislation on polygamy. Critical analysis on IFLA (Islamic Family Law Acts) has shown that its legal provisions on polygamy and penalties on those who break the law on polygamy are inadequate to curb the abuse of polygamy. The study has also found that the majority of polygamy applicants were not equipped with the basic qualifications required by the Sharrah, and the reasons they produced in the application forms were not consistint with the general intents of Sharr ah legislation on polygamy as reflected in the Qur`an and Prophetic traditions. Based on the findings, the study demonstrates; first, the absence of basic qualifications on behalf of the applicants is one of the main causes of the abuse of polygamy; and second, many of the reasons produced by the applicants were simply concocted, uncorroborated with evidences and unjustified, and thus may lead to the abuse of polygamy. Finally, in order to address this problem, this research proposes a comprehensive reform of the administration of Islamic Family Law in Malaysia and Sharrah judicial system and the introduction of parenting course in schools and higher institutes of learning.