Law Enforcement and Water Resources of the Malacca River A Case Study of Public Perception

Abstract

Malacca state is a historical tourism based economy, and has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. However, Malacca River pollution can be attributed to human activities such as agriculture, livestock, factories, commercial, and settlements. So, this research study has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of law enforcement of water resources in the Malacca River. The research involves a quantitative approach, which is a questionnaire divided into two parts. Part A is a demographic profile and part B concerns water pollution in the river and the effectiveness of law and regulation towards water resources in Malacca River. The sample size of 400 was decided with a sampling area of Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah. Analyses involve chi-square (x2) analysis and correlation analysis. A majority of respondents agree that the Malacca River is dirty due to industrial and excretory waste turning the water black, smelly, and contaminated. Polluted water cause disease and poisoning aquatic animals to death, and affect plant species through nutrients loss. At worst, polluted river leads to aquatic species becoming extinct and dirty the habitat of animals. Hence, the Water Act 1920, Environmental Quality Act 1974, Sewage and Industrial Effluent 1979, Sewage Service Act 1993, and River Act could stop pollution and protect the water resources of the Malacca River.

Keywords: Human Activities, Water Pollution, Law Enforcement, Wastes, Protect

Citation of Article:
Hua, A. K. (2015). Law enforcement and water resources of the Malacca river a case study of public perception. International Journal of Scientific Research in Science & Technology, 3(1), 111-116.

Introduction

Water is one of the important resources among the air, soil, solar energy, metals, minerals, and so on, which act to protect the Earth from overheating through the evaporation process, generate food sources, serve as transportation, and help the growth of animals and plants. According to a research entitled ‘Water in Crisis: A Guide to the World’s Fresh Water Resources’, ice caps, glaciers and permanent snow have 68.7% of freshwater, followed by ground freshwater with 30.1%, lake freshwater with 0.26%, swamp freshwater with 0.003%, and river freshwater with 0.006% [5]. However, only 0.26% of freshwater is available as a source of water for drinking, bathing, washing, and others activities, and these water sources are lakes and rivers [5]. The situation becomes worst as 90% of wastewater produced in underdeveloped countries is discharged untreated into water bodies and cause water pollution to happen [16]. For example, 80% of China’s major river is polluted and no longer able to support aquatic life while 90% of all groundwater systems under major cities in China are contaminated. 75% of India’s rivers and lakes are polluted and cannot be used for drinking or bathing, while 60% of rural Russian drink water from contaminated wells [4]. So, increasing of river water pollution is not only happening worldwide, but these problems also affect a country like Malaysia.

According to Department of Environment Malaysia [2] stated that among 473 rivers monitored, only 278 (59%) are believed to be clean, but 161 (34%) are considered as slightly polluted and 34 (7%) are totally polluted. In other words, among 34 polluted rivers, 19 rivers are classified as Class III, 14 rivers as Class IV, and only one river is Class V [2]. The rivers that categories as polluted are Sungai Rajang, Sungai Selangor, Sungai Sarawak, and etc., which also include Sungai Melaka or Malacca River in Malacca state [2]. As proved, water contamination in the Malacca River had affected local residents in carrying out daily activities such as fishing, bathing, washing, and so on [13] [9] [6]. Generally, Malacca is a state that based on historical tourism which been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site on July 07, 2008 [15] [1]. Tourism is an industry that generates economic value to the country through arrival of tourists from local and international [14]. Therefore, if water pollution is continuously happen in Malacca River, so this will not only affect the environment but also have a negative impact on the tourism industry. So, this issues and problems should be taken seriously in dealing with water pollution in Malacca River.

Malacca River pollution can be attributed to human activities such as agriculture, livestock, factories, commercial activities, and settlements [7]. According to a research done by Hua [8], stated that application of policy in controlling and managing the water resources in Malacca River can be successfully implement. However, the policy will take a long term to implement. So, there are suggestion to use law and regulation in preventing water pollution from continuously happen in Malacca River for this short term. The law can be categorized into several sections, namely Water Act 1920, Environmental Quality Act 1974, Sewage and Industrial Effluent 1979, Sewage Service Act 1993, and River Act [3]. Generally, the main purposed of Water Act 1920 is that any individual is prohibited from releasing or removed any material into the river that can change the original quality of the water; continued by Environmental Quality Act 1974, which states any individual release, remove, settling of waste in an area, segment, or any feature of environment without following the prescribed conditions; Sewage and Industrial Effluent 1979 states that individual is prohibited from removing or causing or permit the discharge of any material involve with liquid or solid form in upstream area which can cause river water quality to decrease. The Sewage Service Act 1993 states that any individual shall not discharge or allow any public sewer or public treatment of any industrial effluent except formal permission from Director General of Sewage Services into river water; and the last one is the River Act which imposes restrictions and sanctions for inland water pollution (only for those who have licensed and followed the conditions can release or discard wastes into inland water or inland waters) [3]. Therefore, research studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of law enforcement for the water resources in the Malacca River.


Methods and Material

The method used in this research study is a quantitative approach, which involves questionnaires for collecting the data. In other words, the data as collected and gathered will only involve primary data. In this questionnaire, will be divided into two main parts. Part A is respondent’s demographic profile and part B is respondent’s perception on water resource in Malacca River. There are another two parts in part B, while part B (I) contains respondent perception on water pollution in Malacca River and part B (II) contains respondent perception on the effectiveness of law and regulation on the environment, especially towards water resources in Malacca River. The questionnaire in part B (I) and part B (II) only has 5 questions for each part and is based on a Likert Scale (5 points: 1-Strongly Disagree, 2-Disagree, 3-Normal, 4-Agree, 5-Strongly Agree), which is referred to as a ‘close-ended’ approach. However, the part A is based on Thurstone scale of ‘close-open ended’, where respondent are given an answer to fill in the empty space (where applicable).

Since this research study is based on the Malacca River, the sampling area will be in Malacca state, especially respondents settled near the Malacca River. In general, the Malacca River spans two districts in Malacca State, namely Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah (or Malacca Central) [11]. So, the questionnaire is concentrated on and distributed to respondents within Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah, especially along and near the Malacca River. Once the sampling area is specified, the researcher determines the sample size needed. Since total population that lives in Malacca state is 830,900 [12], so the appropriate amount to collect data is 400 respondents [10]. The questionnaire was collected and gathered after the respondents successfully answered all parts. The analysis used in this research study is chi-square (x2) analysis and correlation analysis. So, the value of reliability test (or Cronbach’s Alpha) is 0.813; means items are satisfactory, suitable, and eligible for use in this analysis study.


Results and Discussions

The analysis for this research study can be seen in Table 1 for respondent’s demographic profile, Table 2 for respondent’s perception on water pollution in Malacca River, and Table 3 for respondent’s perception on the effectiveness of law and regulation on the environment, especially regarding water resources in the Malacca River.

According to the Table 1, the total respondents involved in this research study were 200 males and 200 females with a majority at age 31-40 (45.75%) and working as a business owner or self-employment (131 respondents or 32.75%). Basically, minority respondents that run business will have higher education, but the respondents will only be studied until the secondary level (166 respondents or 41.5%) or even primary level (52 respondents or 13%) because they must continue the family business to prevent from closing, and most of respondents are in the age of 41-50 with 130 respondents (32.5%). There are also respondents that working in the private sectors with 86 respondents (21.5%) and government sector with 30 respondents (7.5%). In other words, a majority of respondents have a higher education level, with 74 respondents (18.5%) are graduate university and 108 respondents (27%) are graduate college. Only a small number of respondents at 8 respondents (2%) have an age of more than 51 and have chosen to retire and stay at home (78 respondents or 19.5%; with certain respondents are age 41-50). It is important to know the duration of respondents living in Malacca state especially near to the river (with a majority of respondents at 130 or 32.5% stay at Malacca for 21-30 years, 1 respondent or 0.25% resided more than 51 years in Malacca) because the exposure and experience of respondents with water resources in Malacca River will provide accurate and precise answers to the questions in the questionnaire provided.

Analysis of respondent’s perception on water pollution in Malacca River may be seen in Table 2. This analysis involves a chi-square (x2) test between education level and perception on water pollution in Malacca River.

According to the Table 2, the analysis of respondent’s perception on water pollution in Malacca River can be describe through x2 test between education level with five variables, namely variable A, Malacca River is dirty; variable B, industrial waste and excretion waste will cause the water in the river to become black color, smelly and contaminated; and variable C, that polluted water river can cause disease, cause aquatic animals to die and become a dirty habitat to animals; variable D, contaminated water can cause aquatic species to become extinct; and variable E, water pollution can cause the loss of nutrients and affect plants. The results show that there is a significant correlation (x2 = 38.649, df = 9, P < 0.05) in variable A between education level (university level: 26 agree, 21 strongly agree; college level: 9 normal, 28 agree, 38 strongly agree; secondary level: 58 agree, 48 strongly agree; primary level: 4 agree, 13 strongly agree) with Malacca River is dirty. Secondly, variable B showed significant correlation (x2 = 19.291, df = 9, P < 0.05) between education level (university level: 12 strongly agree; college level: 8 normal, 37 agree, 17 strongly agree; secondary level: 57 normal, 68 agree; primary level: 4 normal, 21 agree, 18 strongly agree) with agreement that industrial waste and excretion waste will cause the water in the river to become black,, smelly, and contaminated.

Continuously, variable C indicates a significant correlation (x2 = 34.443, df = 9, P < 0.05) between education level (university level: 32 agree, 33 strongly agree; college level: 11 normal, 48 strongly agree; secondary level: 18 normal, 74 strongly agree; primary level: 1 normal, 22 agree, 5 strongly agree) with polluted water river can cause disease, cause aquatic animals to death and become habitat to dirty animals. Fourthly, variable D provided the result of a significant correlation (x2 = 24.498, df = 9, P < 0.05) exist between education level (university level: 35 strongly agree; college level: 1 normal, 15 agree, 51 strongly agree; secondary level: 79 strongly agree; primary level: 1 normal, 19 agree, 7 strongly agree) with contaminated water can cause aquatic species to become extinct. Lastly, variable E showed a result with a significant correlation (x2 = 22.586, df = 9, P < 0.05) between education level (university level: 30 agree, 11 strongly agree; college level: 34 normal, 16 agree, 17 strongly agree; secondary level: 67 agree, 26 strongly agree; primary level 16 normal, 6 agree, 8 strongly agree) and the claim that water pollution can cause the loss nutrient and will affect the plants species.

Based on the results, education level has a significant correlation with all the variables. In other words, education is very important to all aspect because it helps people to think critically and advanced towards a particular issue or problem that may harm or cause dangerous to the society. For example, the Malacca River will never be polluted, except when human activities are carried out such as industries or factories which leading to the releasing of wastes and excretion either directly or indirectly into the river. This is the main reason for the river to change and become black, smelly, and contaminated. A majority of respondents from university level to the primary level are agreed that when there is water pollution in the river, it will cause disease and poisoning the aquatic animals until death. If contamination in the river is elevated, this will cause aquatic species to become extinct. At the same time, the polluted water can become habitat to the dirty animals. Due to the length of time they have stayed near the Malacca River, some respondents strongly agree that water pollution not only can harm the ecosystem, but also affect plants through the loss of soil nutrients. This issue is affecting the respondents that carry out agricultural activities surrounding the house which cause ‘death’ to the plant. Therefore, most of respondents are agree that water pollution in Malacca River will cause death poisoning and extinction to aquatic animals, affect the plants through loss of soil nutrient, increase dirty animals through habitat, and destruct the environment if the water pollution in river is continuously happening.

After considering respondent perception on water pollution in Malacca River, these issues should be taken seriously and find a solution for the short term before successfully implementing water resource policies in Malacca River. Among the most suitable suggestions is to introduce and applies the law and regulation towards local residents to protect water resources in Malacca River. Hence, the analysis in this section is to determine the effectiveness of law against river pollution in Malacca through the perceptions of local residents, which can be seen in Table 3.

Referring to the Table 3, the law and regulation will be versus with water pollution in Malacca River to evaluate the significant between two variables through correlation analysis. Water Act 1920 showed weak-positive significant correlation with variable A (r = 0.471), variable B (r = 0.484), variable C (r = 0.420), and variable D (r = 0.333), but a normal-positive significant correlation with variable E (r = 0.631) at level P < 0.01. The Environmental Quality Act 1974 proved a very weak-positive significant correlation with variable A (r = 0.254), variable B (r = 0.258), variable C (r = 0.186), variable D (r = 0.137), and variable E (r = 0.296) at level P < 0.01. Next, the Sewage and Industrial Effluent 1979 indicates that it has strong-positive significant correlation with variable A (r = 0.910), variable B (r = 0.726), variable C (r = 0.850), variable D (r = 0.791), and variable E (r = 0.748) at level P < 0.01. Fourthly, Sewage Service Act 1993 also showed a strong-positive significant correlation with variable A (r = 0.764), variable B (r = 0.822), variable C (r = 0.839), variable D (r = 0.759), and variable E (r = 0.822) at level of P < 0.01. Lastly, the River Act has a strong-positive significant correlation with variable A (r = 0.740), variable B (r = 0.749), variable C (r = 0.770), variable D (r = 0.799), and variable E (r = 0.740) at level P < 0.01).

Overall, all of the variables show significant with all the law and regulation. In other words, majority of respondents are agreed to apply the law in their daily life with the aims to protect the water resources in Malacca River. Any individuals throwing garbage and wastes, chemicals and toxin, and any object that exist in solid or liquid form which can directly cause the changes to the quality of water resources in the river will be subjected to be punishment (either in the form of money, imprisonment, lashes, and so on, where applicable) according to the law of Water Act 1920, Environmental Quality Act 1974, and River Act. Secondly, if any individuals place tar material or other insoluble liquid, flammable solvents or garbage, sawdust, human or animal waste or solid materials, and any public sewer or public treatment or even any industrial effluent directly into the water and cause river to polluted will be punished (either in the form of money, imprisonment, lashes, and so on, where applicable) according to the Sewage and Industrial Effluent 1979, and Sewage Service Act 1993. However, if there are any individuals that remove, release, or place waste material which may fall, flow down, blown off or even wash away to cause river water pollution will be punished according to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and River Act. In the opinion of respondents, they agreed to choose law as a guide for the individual that making mistake which affect the environment, aquatic animals, and community or society, the sentence should be carried out to those offenders. At the same time, punishment in the form of money or jail may not dramatically impact them, so minority of respondents suggested that an offender should be punished through whipping and cleaning the river so that they aware on their actions that can bring negative impact. Therefore, education level (which is not only based on emotional but through critical thinking when giving the answer to questionnaire) is important to evaluate the condition of water resources in the river and helps to determine the laws and regulations that should apply towards the water resources in Malacca River.


Conclusion

This research study has proven that law enforcement can help to protect the environment especially towards water resources in Malacca River. A majority of respondents agreed that human activities without control can cause Malacca River to become black, smelly, and polluted. Once the river is polluted, the water can bring disease and poison aquatic animals to death and affect the plant species through the loss of nutrients. At the same time, if the water quality conditions become worse, this will not only cause aquatic species to become extinct, but also become a dirty habitat for animals. So, respondents prefer to apply laws and regulations such as the Water Act 1920, Environmental Quality Act 1974, Sewage and Industrial Effluent 1979, Sewage Service Act 1993, and River Act [3] to the Malacca River. The main aim and reason to use laws and regulations is not to blame activities carried out daily (for example factory operators), but to create awareness that every action and attitude of individuals must be controlled to have a responsible attitude towards the environment. Hence, law enforcement should be used and applied in Malacca state especially for the river to protect water resources from continued pollution.


References

[1] Bernama Official Portal (November 22, 2008). Pengiktirafan Tapak Warisan Dunia UNESCOMampu Lonjak Ekonomi Negara. Retrieved from http://www.bernama.com/bernama/ v3/bm/news_lite.php?id=373739

[2] Department of Environment (2012). Malaysia Environmental Quality Report 2012.

[3] Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia Official Portal (2015). Malaysian Laws & Regulation. Retrieved from http://www.water.gov.my/resource-centre-mainmenu-255/malaysian-laws-a-policies-mainmenu-511/malaysian-laws-a-regulations-mainmenu-262?lang=en

[4] Food & Water Watch Official Portal (2015). Water Facts. Retrieved from http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/interesting-water-facts/

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[9] Jabar, B.H. (August 09, 2010). Melaka: Longkang tercemar. Berita Harian. Retrieved from http://www.bharian.com.my /bharian/articles/Melaka_Longkantercemar/Article/

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A Comprehensive Review in Applied GIS-Based Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) in Water Quality Modeling in the Malacca River

Abstract

A spatial decision support system is a solution for spatial issues and problems applying a computer system and providing results for decision making. This comprehensive review study has been carried out to determine GIS and RS in SDSS towards water quality modeling in Malacca River. Rapid development in land use for human activities include agricultural and livestock activities, industrial activities, residential activities, commercial activities, municipal activities, open space activities, and so on, leads to environmental issues, especially water quality in the river, which affecting the physical parameters, chemical parameters, biological parameters, and heavy metal parameters. In analysis, water quality data, land use data, map-based data, and satellite data will be grouped together to provide new information. As a result, modeling will be provided, such as water quality data overlap with RS data, water quality data overlap with land use data, map-based data overlap with water quality data and land use data, and map-based together with satellite data overlap with water quality data and land use data. In conclusion, applied GIS and RS in the SDSS model will solve the issues and problems of concentrated human activities in a particular area, as well as issues of uncontrolled land use, contamination of rivers, negative impact on human life quality and ecosystems, and destruction of the natural environment.

Keywords: SDSS, GIS, RS, Land Used, Water Quality

Citation of Article:
Hua, A. K. (2015). A Comprehensive Review in Applied GIS-Based Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) in Water Quality Modeling in the Malacca River. International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 1(4), 357-361.

Introduction

Spatial Decision Support System or SDSS is a decision making apparatus supported by computerized information based on geographical or spatial components to reach a decision [17]. In other words, computer support for spatial application is provided by systems based geographical information system (GIS) [18]. There are various definitions used in GIS based according to different fields and expertise. However, generally speaking, GIS can be described as a system to capture, store, check, interpret, manipulate, analyze and displaying spatial data to understandings, patterns, and trends that relating to the Earth surface [10]; or an information system related to geographical data that can be referred to. GIS is a computer-based information systems that enables the capture, modeling, storage, searching, sharing, manipulating, analysis and presenting the spatial-geographical data [27]. Due to the advantages of GIS, the benefits have contributed to decision making lies in the ability of these systems to store and manipulate data based on spatial location. According to the history of GIS, it is applied in industries such as forestry and mining; and the development is progressive in the transportation field which is involved in the design of transport infrastructure and the routing of vehicles that use such infrastructure. Until today, GIS is still used for location analysis and related problems, such as a variety of business and government applications like siting public facilities [21], accessibility by mobile telephone [20], and so on. Therefore, GIS and SDSS are tools widely used in almost all fields to solve spatial problems, especially in decision making.

In the 1970s, a decision support system (DSS) was developed by the information systems (IS) community at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology [12] [19]. DSS is continuing to develop, especially from an academic perspective, such as books and published papers [1] [25] [4], where DSS becomes one part of IS in the early 1980’s. Due to rapid development in DSS, it starts to evolve from traditional business data processing into financial and operating data associated with business use, and also towards GIS, for examples Geodata Analysis and Display System (GADS) [13] used for routing applications. However, application of GIS had limitation in graphics and lacking in data processing toward the full usage of spatial applications. So, a research done by Nagy and Wagle [24] stated that there is development concentrated particularly on GIS in geographic data processing applications by IS community. In the mid-1980’s, spatial decision support system (SDSS) evolved [2] and the model can be fully applied in the GIS field [8]. In 1990, US National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis launched research more advanced for SDSS [11]. Nevertheless, SDSS was accepted by the IS community in the early of 1990s [23], but was not accepted by other fields in GIS as a whole. This can be proven in GIS textbooks as no mentioned SDSS at all [3] [6]. There was less attention paid to SDSS until the mid-1990s, where some research work involve with SDSS [26] showing the effectiveness of SDSS technology [7] are appropriate for application, and the benefits of SDSS have been discussed by decision makers until today [20].

Decision support system or DSS can be described as any combination of database, interface and model components directed at a specific problem [25]. However, the definition is being critics by majority of academics and practitioners. Result from surveys have shown that DSS can only be applied in certain systems [9]. In an informal definition, Keen [15] stated that a trend use of any computer system to make any decision can be defined as DSS. Since GIS is a technology involve with a computer system, it is eligible for the definition, but limited in geography user and related fields for decision-making. Various academic approaches are needed to seek for GIS in DSS to meet the definition of DSS. Therefore, GIS contains an interface, a database, and some spatial modeling components which already meet the requirements of DSS. According to Alter [1], GIS can consider as an Analysis Information System rather than modeling component, which already have in GIS software. Meanwhile, Mennecke [22] described SDSS as a subset of GIS used for manipulating and analyzing spatial data. Nevertheless, SDSS should be an intersection of GIS and other techniques, where it becomes flexible as a form of DSS generator [25] and acts as model in specific DSS [16]. Therefore, this review paper has been conducted to assess SDSS in apply GIS towards water quality modeling in Malacca River.


Methods and Material

Since the water quality modeling is based on Malacca River, the sample area for this research will be concentrated in Malacca State. The tools involved in generating modeling are geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS), and the data required for analysis are map-based, satellite data, water quality data, and land use data as shown in figure 1.

Results and Discussions

According to figure 1, GIS data will require mapbased data that exists in vector data and raster data format. Basically, the vector data analysis can involve buffering, overlay, distance measurement, pattern analysis, and map manipulation; meanwhile, raster data analysis can include local operations, neighborhood operations, zonal operations, physical distance measure operations, and other operations [5]. Both data formats are important in helping to carry out the analysis and provides result in modeling. At the same time, RS can operate as a tool in modeling water quality and land use to generate SDSS. However, there are slightly weaknesses in RS due to the information that provided is only based on satellite image. In other words, the results from the satellite can only be proven accurate when there is other data analyzed together. For example, statistical analysis of water quality data will strongly prove together with RS data when there is river pollution exists. Nevertheless, RS still has various advantages and benefits, especially in land use design and protection towards water quality in the river. This is because satellite data have the ability to view Earth’s surface in overall and large scale, which mean the information provided can be evaluated and determine all issues and problems regarding to water perspective, plant’s perspective, Earth perspective, and land cover perspective. On the other hand, RS results can become input data for GIS in updating the map-based and other information. Therefore, GIS and RS are tools that can be applied to develop an SDSS model and help to protect the water quality from continue polluted in river. Water quality data and land use data can be classified into several categories, which can be shown in figure 2 and figure 3.

Information about water quality can be affected by various factors, and these factors can be determined through human and natural activities that contribute to point source or non-point source pollution. If contamination occurs due to natural activities, the pollution will not happen for long periods of time. For example, erosion of riverbanks may cause contamination such as turbidity, and the pollution will be stopped when water velocity is decreasing and there is no energy to transport the sediment. Nevertheless, conditions are different when human activities take part and listed as a factor to cause river pollution. When there is human intervention, then it will be large and huge changes happen in particular matter, for example, development of land use. Many areas are explored and developed to undergo for certain and appropriate activities. Since human population is increasing daily, the development of the area will be tripled just to fulfill societal demands. This can be shown through chemical factories, as population increase will cause demand for plastic materials (e.g. chair, water bottle, Tupperware) to increase, and also increase the wastewater which can cause pollution to occur. Increasing demand toward plastic material will also cause increasing in construction of factories. So, researchers should carry out laboratory analysis for water parameter (physical, chemical, biological, and heavy metal) to assess and evaluate the condition of water quality in river. On the other hand, water quality results can overlap with satellite image data to prove that water pollution occurs or is in good condition. Therefore, a research study as a comprehensive review is important, especially for SDSS concerning water quality modeling in Malacca River, so that there are other methods and solutions that can be applied to reduce water pollution and protect the river from destruction.

Land use development can be considered among the most effective in reducing river pollution to occurs, because the river can act as a source of water supply and also receive all the water flow from all direction of areas (including raining, surface and ground water). Referring to figure 3, there are several human activities that may cause water pollution in river, namely agricultural and livestock activities, industrial activities, residential activities, commercial activities, municipal activities, open space activities, and others. These activities will require water and at the same time, contribute wastewater that can cause pollution of river water. As a result, the water quality data that has previously undergone laboratory analysis can be used to cross over with land use data to determine the percentage of river pollution, which is based on statistical analysis but not yet involve with GIS and RS. Instead, a proper land use to carry out human activities should be designed and managed, which can apply GIS and RS tools in this condition. At this moment, the modeling for SDSS can be archived as third and fourth in the application platform.

In GIS, when water quality and land use data overlap, information will be provided to model the factors of water pollution in Malacca River. Once the model is complete, the proper land use can be determine, for example, if factories activities, agricultural and livestock activities, commercial activities, and residential activities are contribute the highest pollution in river at a particular area, then the best suggestion to reduce river pollution is to move out the factories activities from further than 100 km from the river, agricultural and livestock activities outside 50 km, and commercial and residential activities should outside 20 km from the river. This is because when human activities are nearer to the river, then water will be faster to get polluted in the river. Although the decision to move out the human activities from the sensitivity area of the river will not stop contamination drastically, but the pollution of the river can be progressively reduced and continuously improve the water quality back to the original. At the same time, RS analysis can also serve as a minor contribution in modeling the factors of contamination and help to place the human activity in particular and suitable area. Therefore, when the model is completed and suggestions are applied, the SDSS in GIS towards water quality modeling in Malacca River will be an important contribution not only for the environmental field, but also for urban and tourism planning, health management, business, sustainable education through research platforms, and so on.


Conclusion

Last but not least, SDSS refers to decision making supported by computerized based on geographical or spatial components of decisions. The ability of GIS as a computer system will contribute various benefits and advantages for solutions of spatial issues in decision-making. Meanwhile, RS is another computer tool to support the GIS especially in detection, solution, modeling, and so on. In general, the issue and problem that has begun to concern the population is water pollution in Malacca River. These problems have occurred due to the rapid development in land use for human activities without control. Therefore, this situation has created problems such as too concentrate of human activities at particular area, uncontrolled land use, contamination in the river, negative impact on human life quality and ecosystems, and destruction towards natural environment. Hence, applying GIS and RS to model SDSS is important to solve the issues and problems of land use, river pollution, and protect the environment. At the same time, research by Hua and Kusin [14] will become a starting point to further develop the field of environmentalism, built environment and architectural, health, educational, and etc. So, applied GIS-based Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) in water quality modeling in Malacca River as a comprehensive review will be evaluated as a platform for a research study in ‘Applied GIS in assessment water quality modeling in the Malacca River. Case study: Introduction to research study’.


References

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Applied GIS in Assessment Water Quality Modeling in the Malacca River. Case Study: Introduction to Research Study

Abstract

A research study documents the process of examination, using experimentation or investigation to discover and interpret on certain topic for the purpose of increasing the understanding of an issue. The main purposes of research study are to help people to understand and solve problems, communicate ideas and information to the public, help researchers to make decisions through data collection, and develop new knowledge for humankind. Research may be divided into the first stage (problem statement, research questions, hypothesis or objectives), second stage (literature review, research design, instrumentation, preliminary study), and third stage (data collection, data analysis or research findings, preparation of reports). The problem statement of this study involves river water pollution, while the objective of the study is to assess river water quality in the Malacca River, to determine major source and the factors contributing to river pollution, and to determine a spatial decision support system (SDSS) for minimizing water pollution in the Malacca River. The research design involves a quantitative approach (experimental methods), which collects primary data (water sample from Malacca River and GPS data information) and secondary data (water sample from government, GIS map-based data, and RS data). This data will be grouped together and undergo the analysis process of GIS and RS to develop SDSS. Information and results provided will become answers to the objective and determination of achievement of the research study. Therefore, this study provides new information for other researchers to perform more in depth research according to their field of study.

Keywords: Research study, water quality, GIS, RS, SDSS

Citation of Article:
Hua, A. K., & Kusin, F. M. (2015). Applied GIS in Assessment Water Quality Modeling in the Malacca River. Case Study: Introduction to Research Study. International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology, 1(3), 70-74.

Introduction

A research study may be defined as ‘gathering data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge’ [16]; ‘a process to collect and analyze information in systematic steps with purposely to increase the understanding of an issue or topic’ [4]. In more detail, a study is ‘hard work in examination especially towards experimentation or investigation with the aimed to discover and interpret the facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in accordance to new facts, or practically application of new or revised theories or laws’ [17]. The definition for a research study may be described by various definitions in accordance with the specific field of study, but the main purpose for carrying out a research study is to help people to understand and solve problems, communicate ideas and information to the public, help researchers to make decisions through data collection, and develop new knowledge for humankind. Conducting a research study should undergo in a systematic process, which may be divided into three stages namely first stage (problem statement, research questions, hypothesis or objectives), second stage (literature review, research design, instrumentation, preliminary study), and third stage (data collection, data analysis or research findings, preparation of reports). The probability of success for a research study can only be increased by following systematic methods such as the three phases stated previously.

According to the world statistics, a majority of developing countries (70 percent) are dumped the industrial wastes with untreated into water especially river and polluting the usable supply [14]. One of the factors that causes these issues to occur is about 99 million pounds or 45 million kilograms of fertilizers and chemicals, and 2 million tons or 1.8 billion kilograms of human waste disposed into the waterways around the world every day [14]. The world’s most polluted rivers are the Ganger River (India), Jian River (China), Jakarta River (Indonesia), Pasig River (Philippines), Tiete River (Brazil), and Yamuna River (India) [2]. River pollution is not exceptional to Malaysia. According to the report from Department of Environment in 2012, 41 percent or 195 rivers out of 278 are considered polluted, including the Malacca River in Malacca state. According to the report of Department of Environment [5], recorded 15,740 are water pollution that arises from variety of sources namely wastewater plants (63%), manufacturing industry (29%), animal farms (5%), and agricultural activities (3%). Hence, the problem of water pollution should be dealt as soon as possible by investigating the causes and contributing factors of pollution, and conducting a research study to find a solution for water pollution.

Malacca is a popular and well-known as World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in July 7, 2008 [6], leading the state become as a tourist destination based on historical tourism industry with the famous of A’ Famosa City, Portuguese village, Bukit St John, Christ Church, Cheng Hoon Teng temple, etc. [12]. Apart from the historical value, the tourism industry is also focused on recreational activities such as the Melaka River Cruise, Zoo Melaka, Taman Buaya Melaka, Taming Sari Tower, Taman Botanikal Melaka, and so on [13]. The development of Malacca state is at an advanced stage and has provided job opportunities, services, and a comfortable life to the local residents while attracting the attention of various communities to concentrate in Malacca. Centralization or concentrated at Malacca city has affected the quality of environment such as water pollution in the Malacca River [15] [11] [7]. These issues and problems have had a negative impact on the local residents. An observation research had done by Hua & Kusin [10] stated that there are various human activities that carried out along the Malacca River such as agriculture, livestock, factories, commercial activities, and settlements. This situation does not only affect the tourism industry of Malacca state, but also brings harm to human and animals. Therefore, a research study should be carried out to solve this problem from continuously disrupting human life (for example daily activities and health) and harming animals (for example extinction or poisoning).


Methods and Materials

The methodology used to carry out a research study involves the stages process, namely stage one, stage two, and stage three. These stages are further depicted in figure 1 and figure 2.

Results and Discussions

Since water quality in the Malacca River is affected by water pollution due to certain activities, a research study should carried out to prevent and seeking solution to the river pollution from being continuously polluted. The problem statement in this research study is the river water pollution, which becomes the first step to be involved in the first stage. Since the researcher needs to find the answer for river water pollution, the first questions will be ‘what is the current river water quality?’ ‘Is the water quality in river are slightly polluted or polluted?’ ‘What is the value used to determine water pollution?’ ‘Did the pollution value is based on physical parameters, chemical parameters, biological parameters, and heavy metal?’ Next, the second questions that come to mind are ‘what are the main factors to contribute river pollution?’ ‘Did river pollution happen naturally?’ or ‘Did the river pollution that happen has connection with human?’ Lastly, researcher will apply critical thinking by asking ‘How to solve the river water pollution?’ ‘Can humans stop the contributing factors of pollution?’ and ‘How much are the percentage of successful to implement the idea of reducing the river pollution?’ Therefore, the objective of this research study is to assess river water quality (which involve physical parameters, chemical parameters, biological parameters, and heavy metals) in the Malacca River, to determine major source (refer to point source and non-point source pollution) and the factors (human activities, animals activities, natural activities) that contribute to river pollution, and to develop a spatial decision support system (SDSS) in minimizing water pollution in the Malacca River.

After the first stage is defined, the second stage will be carried out for the literature review, research design, instrument, and field study. Literature review can be explained as making references with critically and systematically on documents containing information, ideas, data and methods of obtaining information, which is relevant to the topic of research study [3]. In this research study, researcher will do refer to references of methods to assess water quality, which involve physical parameters, chemical parameters, biological parameters, and heavy metals. Generally, these four parameters will have different methods to analyze the raw water from river. For example, there are some physical parameters and chemical parameters can be analysed onsite or in-situ, while others will need to be analyzed in the laboratory. Next, since the researcher will use tools and computer systems like GIS to help analyze large quantity of data, the researcher should know the concepts, functions, and advantages of GIS before starting the next process. It is important for the researcher to be familiar with GIS to prevent any mistakes, errors, or carelessness in collect and analyzing data, and presenting the results. At the same time, the researcher is needs to pay attention on RS, where it is a tool to help in analyzes the data that exist in image form from satellite. There are slight differences between GIS and RS, especially in collecting data, as GIS data can be in primary (researcher collect data by its own) and secondary (researcher collect data from institution) data, while RS data is only available in secondary (researcher collect data from institution) data. Also, researchers should know and understand the concept of SDSS before applying it together by using GIS and RS to seek solution and answer for minimize the river pollution. So overall, a researcher needs to study more in the literature review, especially the methods of water quality assessment, GIS and RS, and the concept of SDSS, so that the results and information provided can help achieve the objective of research study.

Typically, literature reviews are related to the research design, where the process of collecting and gathering data will be decided. This research study is involved with an experimental process, which means the data that collected and analyzed will be quantitative approach. In other words, the water sample will be collected from the site and analyzed in laboratory with a selected process (which refer as the repeating process of analysis) to provide raw data. In some cases, the raw data from the laboratory analysis for certain parameters are not considered as complete and will need to undergo calculations to provide a result before further analysis. So, the research design will use a quantitative method to collect and gather the data, which exist in primary and secondary data. Secondary data will only be collected from government, privates, or other sectors, while primary data will require researcher to collect sample from the site and analyze it to provide result data. This data will exist in large quantities and require a tool to help synchronize the data systematically. Instruments involved in this research study are GIS and RS. GIS has the ability to convert any information from hardcopy (include spatial data, water quality data, humanities data) into softcopy or digital data in the computer and represent it in the form of map-based information. If there are any changes such as land use, the GIS are able to discover and manage the data so that the information are updated for analyze and produce new information [8]. RS has the ability to observe information about ground surface and water surface by using satellite technology and interpret it into images or pictures using electromagnetic spectrum through electromagnetic radiation [9]. Therefore, RS can be used to help determine the current situation, factors, and impacts of water pollution that occurred in the Malacca River. Also, the researcher also needs to be concerned with the laboratory instrument that require analysis of river water quality. Basically, the standard procedure and instrument used to test the water quality is based on the American Public Health Association (APHA) – Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater [1].

Once the research design and instruments are decided, researcher has to conduct a field studies in order to collect raw data, for example the Malacca River. The selected sampling area to collect water samples from the Malacca River should be accessible and will not bring any harm and dangerous situation to researcher. Information for land use near to Malacca River will also be collect using GPS (geographical coordinates, land use profile) and information will be keyed-in GIS as soft copy. When everything is ready, the researcher can start to collect data. Secondary data can be divided into two types, which is GIS, RS, and water quality. GIS map-based data can be collected from the government sector, involving with Department of Town and Country Planning (JPBD), Department of Survey and Mapping (JUPEM), and Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS). Meanwhile, RS data can be collected from Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA), and water quality data for 10 years can be collected from Department of Environment (DoE). For primary data, researcher have to collect water sample from Malacca River and analyze the sample either onsite analysis or laboratory analysis. There is some information of land use that will be collected using GPS and transform into GIS for analysis. If the map-based that receive from government department are not up-to-date, then this will be a good opportunity to re-correct the information before undergo for analysis to provide new information. Basically, the application of GIS and RS in this research study is to determine the water quality status, the factors that contribute water pollution, impact of water pollution, and solution towards water pollution. So, the water quality data will be input into GIS and RS to assess and solve the river pollution problem. There are various analyses that can be used, for example GIS for buffering analysis, proximity analysis, overlay analysis, and reclassification analysis, and RS for spectral image analysis, decision tree image analysis, spatial image analysis, integrated image analysis, and so on. After the data are group together, the SDSS can be develop to form a new information and result, which become an answer to minimize the river pollution and achieve the research objective. The last step in third stage is to prepare the report, which can be a thesis report, grand reports, publications (in term of journals, books, and conference), and so. New information from this research study is important to other researchers to continue further research in advances for this particular field.


Conclusion

A research study may be considered successful when the objective of the study is achieved with the aim to solve the problem statement. In order to achieve the objective of the study, the research should undergoes a systematic methods and steps to reduce mistake, incorrect, confusing, and carelessly, involving several stages namely first stage, second stage, and third stage. Basically, the first stage involves the problem statement, research question, and objective study; while the second stage involves the literature review, research design, instrument, and pilot study or pilot test. The third stage will involve data collection, data analysis or research results, and report preparation. It is important to conduct a pilot test or pilot study because this method will determine whether the whole process will either be correct or incorrect way to carry out the study. If there is any mistake in the process of the pilot test, changes can be made to reduce the mistakes so that they will not affect the analysis and results of the research study. Therefore, the research study entitled ‘Applied GIS in Assessment Water Quality Modeling in the Malacca River’ may be successful when the researchers follow the stages and processes systematically and answer all the objectives suggested. So, this study will become a starting point of new information for other researchers to do more deep-further research according to field of study.


References

[1] APHA Official Portal (2015). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Retrieved from http://www.mwa.co.th/download/file_upload/SMWW_1000-3000.pdf

[2] Bittner, M. (2013). The World’s Most Polluted River. EHS Journal. Retrieved from http://ehsjournal.org/http:/ehsjournal.org/michael-bittner/the-worlds-most-polluted rivers/2013/

[3] Chua, Y.P. (2011). Kaedah dan statistic penyelidikan: kaedah penyelidikan. Mcgraw-Hill Education.

[4] Cresswell, J.W. (2002). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative. Prentice Hall.

[5] Department of Environment (2012). Malaysia Environmental Quality Report 2012.

[6] Department of Town and Country Planning (2015). World Heritage City. Retrieved from http://www.jpbdmelaka.gov.my/bandarwarisan.html

[7] Hua, A.K. (2014). Potensi instrumen moral dalam melestarikan sumber air di Malaysia-Kajian kes Sungai Melaka. Geografia Malaysian Journal of Society and Space. 10(5), 44-55

[8] Hua, A.K. (2015). Sistem Informasi Geografi (GIS): Pengenalan kepada perspektif komputer. Geografia Malaysian Journal of Society and Space. 11(1), 24-31.

[9] Hua, A.K. (2015). Perspektif asas penderiaan jauh. Geografia Malaysian Journal of Society and Space. 11(2), 77-86.

[10] Hua, A.K. & Kusin, F.M. (2015). Remote Sensing towards Water Quality Study in Malacca River. Case Study: A Review Perspective. International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology. 1(2), 9-25.

[11] Jabar, B.H. (August 09, 2010). Melaka: Longkang tercemar. Berita Harian. Retrieved from http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/Melaka_Longkantercemar/Article/.

[12] Melaka State Govenrment Official Portal (2015). Interesting Places: Value of History. Retrieved from http://www.melaka.gov.my/en/pelancongan/tempat-tempat-menarik/nilai-sejarah

[13] Melaka State Govenrment Official Portal (2015). Interesting Places: Recreation. Retrieved from http://www.melaka.gov.my/en/pelancongan/tempat-tempat-menarik/rekreasi

[14] National Geographic Official Portal (2015). Water Pollution. Retrieved from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/pollution/

[15] Nasbah, N. N. (January 23, 2010). Sungai Melaka tercemar. Utusan. Retrieved from
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0123&sec=Selatan&pg=ws_01tm.

[16] Shuttleworth, M. (2008). Definition of Research. Experiment Resource.

[17] Webster, M. (2006). Merriam-Webster online dictionary.

An Adaptation of Kota Bharu Community towards Monsoon Flood

Abstract

This study deals with how the community of Kota Bharu adapts to monsoon floods that strike in the Monsoon season. Malaysia is a developing country, but the flooding problem still cannot be prevented even with the application of science and technology. Monsoon flooding is a natural disaster. Therefore, this disaster is difficult to avoid using a variety of methods. So, the only way to react to a flood disaster is through understanding adaptation methods towards flooding. This research study is uses the quantitative methods, which is through a questionnaire study. A total of 400 respondents from the Kota Bharu community were willing to spend their time and managed to give the information by answering the questionnaire provided. The study area was set to involve the people living along and near the river in the district of Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The results indicated that continuous rains from upstream will provide big impact to the downstream. This happens when water flows from high to low areas, plus a large amount of water from elsewhere, such that the river cannot cope with the excessive water and overflows. These conditions cause monsoon floods to occur. So, the people of Kota Bharu have a variety of methods such as paying attention to the rain and flood warning system, preparing food before the food sources are cut off, keeping important items in a safe place, and using boats as a primary form of transport.

Keywords: Monsoon flood, adaptation, continuous rain, excessive water

Citation of Article:
Hua, A. K. (2015). An Adaptation of Kota Bharu Community towards Monsoon flood. International Journal of Academic Research in Environment and Geography, 2(1), 27-33.

Introduction

Malaysia is a rapidly developing country, soon achieving developed country status on par with other countries. The government has many plans for developing the country through a variety of projects. However, the development of the country has still not been able to prevent disasters like the monsoon floods experienced by people living in the east coast states, especially Kelantan and Terengganu (Suhaila et al, 2010). Monsoon floods are a natural disaster that occur as a result of the passage of the earth about its axis, which produce different winds (known as the Northeast Monsoon Winds) that contains a lot of water vapor moving from a high pressure areas to low pressures areas (Juneng et al, 2007).

Generally, the floods happen seasonally, especially during the monsoon season that occurred from November until March. Floods may occur due to certain factors, such as non-stop rain (Shaluf & Ahmadun, 2006). Rainwater moving over the earth‟s surface is known as surface water, which will flow from a higher to lower point (Flynn, 2011) (Poff et al, 1997). The surface water will flow into the river at the higher area and the water will start to move until it reached the flat land or at lower area. A large amount of water that flowing into the river can cause the size of the river to be unable to cope with large quantities of water and spill out of the river (Vivoni et al, 2006). This may result in the disaster known as monsoon floods. This situation has created a problem for the people living on the east coast and is also a major issue and obstacle to the development of the country. Per common knowledge, a flood is a natural disaster that occurs in the human environment. Natural floods can be attributed to river flooding, flooding estuaries, coastal flooding, muddy floods, and other effects. In Malaysia, most floods are caused by river flooding. Such floods can be divided into two types, fast and slow type (Billa et al, 2004). The floods considered slow or taking a longer time are caused by heavy rain or snowmelt continuously produce surface runoff which is very high and exceeds the capacity of a river channel. Among the factors that cause heavier rains are monsoons, hurricanes, and precipitation that affects the density of snow (Chan, 1995). Flooding that occurs quickly or takes a shorter time is due to low surface area and water retention resulting in flash floods. Among the factors that promote the occurrence of flash floods are convective precipitation (intense storms) or sudden release of water associated with dams (Chan, 1995). So, the natural flooding that occurs on the east coast is river flooding closely related to the monsoon floods.

Monsoon flooding that occurs as a result of air pressure differences exists in different areas. In November until March, sunlight falls on the Southern Hemisphere and creates an area of low pressure in Australia, while in the Northern Hemisphere forms a high area in Central Asia (Braesicke et al, 2012). Due to radiation and convection, cooling air creates a layer of very cold air which is stable near Siberia and in the North China block movement in the Southwest by the Tibetan Plateau. This increases strength “Baroklinik zone” between the cold continental air mass and war air mass into the Tropical South (Braesicke et al, 2012) (Samah et al, 2010). Thus, a gap in the middle latitudes of the increase “anticyclogenesis” near Central China and “cyclogenesis” occurs near the East China Sea (Samah et al, 2010). The bonding surface pressure gradient across the waters of the East China causes cold surges towards the South China Sea. Cool outdoor act with gap Equator (near-equatorial trough) to generate additional turbulence and associated with a period of heavy rainfall in peninsular Malaysia and its surroundings (Samah et al, 2010). This situation has resulted in flooding due to heavy rains brought by the northeast monsoon winds. Heavy rainfall in some states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang cause them to be more prone to flooding. However, the people in the flood plain can still adapt each time the floods hit. Therefore, a study of the monsoon floods conducted to understand how community residents of east coast, especially Kota Bharu, can adapt to natural floods when they occur.


Methodology

Survey Methodology
The method used to conduct this research study was a quantitative method, which involves the questionnaire or “survey method”. In producing questionnaires, the formation of questions is designed and used in the type of “close-ended approach” or approach a closed type questions. Closed-type questions ask questions to respondents without those respondents expressing an opinion, because the question posed is directly and they only have to mark the answer provided in the questionnaire. The questionnaire can be divided into two main parts. The first part is related to the social and demographic background of the respondents, where the information to be obtained includes gender, age, duration of stay, level of education, and occupation (table 1). The second part is related to respondent‟s perceptions of the monsoon floods. Ratings for the second part will be involve with in the expression of agree and disagree, which can be divided into 5 scale (1-strongly agree, 2-agree, 3-neutral, 4-disagree, 5-strongly disagree).

Sampling Method
The sampling is based on a stratified systematic sampling method. The sample size of 400 was obtained for the 400 houses that would provide information by filling out the questionnaire provided (Krejcie & Morgan, 1970). Most of the questionnaires were distributed to the community of Kota Bharu to the people living near the river which have experience before, during and after of monsoon floods which sweep through (figure 1).

Results and Discussions

The results obtained through the questionnaire were input into the computer software known as Statistical Package for Social Science or SPSS. A total of 400 questionnaires were analyzed to produce new information. In this analysis, the research study will involve the correlation method in between two fixed variables. This two fix variables will be correlate with other variables to see either that there was a significant correlation in the alpha (α) = 0.05. The two fixed variables mentioned above are precautions when raining continuously at upstream, and precautions when raining continuously at downstream (table 2).

Table 1 show the first part of analysis in the social and demographic background of respondents. Gender of respondents was 188 for men and 212 for women. Meanwhile, age of respondents was the highest at 156 peoples for those between the ages 25 to 35, and the lowest was 8 peoples under the age of 17. Next, the most respondents in duration for living in the area was 168 peoples between 1 to 10 years, and the lowest was 32 peoples with more than 30 years. Educational status of the respondents showed that the majority had SPM, with a total at 136 people, and minorities were the standard 6 and higher education degrees, which amounted to 60 peoples. The last analysis for the social and demographic background is the type of job, where the highest rating was 148 respondents that were jobless, and the lowest rating was 52 respondents working in the government sector.

According to the analysis of the social and demographic background of respondents, the main reason for male respondents being 24 fewer the female respondents is because the majority women of are not working and are fully housewives, while men will go out for work during office hours. This reason can proved that majority respondents are in jobless status, with 148 peoples for this type of job category. This situation also shows that the standard of education is not prioritized, especially among women, because most of them are full housewives. This also leads to the occurrence factor of „illiterate‟ because the standards of education are no longer paramount; this can be proved by only 60 respondents who had education up to university level, and only 80 respondents who had education up to GCE or STPM. Education is very important because without knowledge, people will not learn from the experience of floods, and also will not know that the flood will bring advantages and disadvantages to their own lives. With knowledge, society will be capable of changing flood disadvantages into advantages for daily life during the floods season.

In additional, the duration for habitation time in terms of years for each respondent is important because the longer the time for the community of Kota Bharu living near the river, the more experience they will be able to adapt with the monsoon flood disaster. For example, flooding occurs which will lead to the destruction of property, but most of the citizen consider that the monsoon floods can give a joyful condition, leading to water playing and bringing a few food sources like fish. This situation shows that there is a social life changing in accordance to the current situation. Finally, the age of the respondents is also very important, as young people between the ages of 25 to 35 were the most numerous at 156 people. So, this can prove that many people of Kota Bharu still able to adapt to the monsoon floods in the monsoon season and do not feel this to be a burden in their lives.

The second part of the analysis in this study will display the information about the respondent‟s perception of adaptation to the monsoon flood. This study show how the community of Kota Bharu will react when raining is continuous at the upstream or downstream areas, and this will provide very important information to the researcher to see which areas will be of more concern to them. Referring to the analysis in table 2, two variables used are fixed in comparison, which is 'precaution when raining continuously at upstream‟ and „precaution when raining continuously at downstream'.

'Precaution when raining continuously at upstream' and 'forecasting and warning of heavy rain and flooding become guiding to the public on precautionary measures' show that both variables have a strong significant relationship at α = 0.05 with p value of 0.000, which has a weak positive relationship in correlation of 0.359. Next, 'precaution when raining continuously at upstream' and 'food sources cut off' indicates that both variables have a strong significant relationship at α = 0.05 with a p value of 0.021, which has a weak positive relationship with correlation of 0.231. The third variables were the 'precaution when raining continuously at upstream' and 'rice and food preparation required' with a strong significant relationship at α = 0.05 with p value is 0.009, with a weak positive relationship in correlation of 0.259. 'Precaution when raining continuously at upstream' and 'important items place at higher area' has a strong significant relationship at α = 0.05 with p value is 0.005, with a weak positive relationship and a correlation of 0.273. Last but not least, 'precaution when raining continuously at upstream' and 'boat use as main transport' shows the two variables have a strong significant relationship at α = 0.05 with p value is 0.005, which has a weak positive relationship correlation of 0.273.

Variable for 'precaution when raining continuously at upstream' show a significant relationship with the five other variables. This indicates that the community of Kota Bharu is concerned if heavy rain occurs in the upper reaches during the monsoon season. If there are any warnings about potential of heavy rains hit the state of Kelantan, the Kota Bharu community will be prepare to place their important items at a higher area or safer place from the flood disaster. In addition, the community of Kota Bharu will also make preparation in terms of food source like buying some rice and preparing some canned food like sardines to face the monsoon flood. This is because when a flood hits Kota Bharu, most retailers of fish, vegetable retailers, or retailers who sell wet goods, are unable to open the shop due to the difficulty in obtaining transportation and raw resources. So, practically the food sources may be cut off for a period of time until the flood recedes (probably about one or two months). For Kota Bharu community living near the river, most of them will prepare a boat to serve as major transportation when the flood hits the state (figure 2). The main reason for this is because when the flood arrives, there will definitely be no ground transportation that can move freely, other than water transportation such as boat.

However, the situation is quite different for the other variables, namely 'precaution when raining continuously at downstream'. According to table 2, the variable of 'precaution when raining continuously at downstream' and 'forecasting and warning of heavy rain and flooding become guiding to the public on precautionary measures' have no significant relationship at α = 0.05 with p value more than α, which is 0.078 at correlation of 0.556. Next, 'precaution when raining continuously at downstream' and 'food sources cut off' also showed no significant relationship between the two variables at α = 0.05 with p value exceeding α, which is 0.067 at correlation of 0.663. The third variable would be between 'precaution when raining at downstream' and 'rice and food preparation required' also showing that the two variables have no significant relationship at α = 0.05 with p value more than α, which is 0.063 at correlation of 0.302. This situation is similar for the 'precaution when raining at downstream' and 'important items place at higher area' is having no significant relationship at α = 0.05 with p value exceeding α, which is 0.073 at correlation of 0.452. However, 'boat use as main transport' and 'precaution when raining at downstream' indicates that both variables have a strong significant relationship at α = 0.05 with p value is 0.006, with a weak positive relationship in correlation of 0.280.

Among the main reason that can cause 'precaution when raining at downstream' have no significant with other variables because the community of Kota Bharu is believe that the amount of rain that fell at downstream will not affect their daily activities. In the opinion if the people who live near the river, when it rained continuously and rainfall in a large number, this condition will not cause water to accumulate in the river for a longer time, to increase rapidly in the river due to the heavy raining. This is because downstream, the water flow in the river will directly flow to the mouth of the river and into the sea. Therefore, the people do not have to worry about important items to place at higher or safer place and compulsory to make any preparation in food supply like rice or in canned food like sardine. Moreover, the residents will not need to worry that the food source would be cut off due to heavy rain downstream due to catastrophic monsoon floods. However, there is the one thing of concern for the community of Kota Bharu, in that living near the river area causes higher percentages of minor monsoon floods due to the low flat land. So, they need to make preparations by having a boat, so that when a minor flood or short term flood occurs, they can still enjoy free movement by having a water transport, with no need to be too dependent on land transport, which stops for a period of time.


Conclusion

This research study shows how the community of Kota Bharu can adapt to the monsoon floods when they hit. Experience over the years has led to maturity of habits for the Kota Bharu community to face this monsoon flood. A major factor contributing to the monsoon flood disaster is significant and continuous rainfall. Rain water will typically be absorbed into the ground. But if the quantity of the water is too much, then the water cannot be absorbed into the ground and runs off into streams as surface runoff. So, the amount of water flowing into the river from different directions will cause the amount of water to increase rapidly, and this will encourage a monsoon flood disaster to occur.

If flooding occurs at the upstream and together with continuous rainfall , the Kota Bharu community living in the downstream areas still have time to prepare for the coming of monsoon flood. However, the floods that strikes upstream in the upper area will not take a longer time because the upper area is at a highland. Therefore, the highland area will produce a higher gradient. So, the water in the river will move down the slope at a relatively high velocity until it reaches the same gradient as the sea level, which is downstream. When the water arrives downstream, it will definitely accumulate in the area for a longer time. This situation will lead to water in large quantity in the river, and the water will flow out from the river and cause flooding to occur.

Although the monsoon floods arrive every year, but this situation will not bring sadness andfrustrating to the community of Kota Bharu among those who live with the flood. In their opinion,the flooding is no longer a major burden and problem that will affect their lives; the flooding isinstead thought to bring a great boon to people living near the river (figure 3). For example, whenthe floods hit this may lead to fishing activity, and when the floods recede, the land around thehouse will be fertile, encouraging small-scale cultivation to occur. Thus, this study indicates thatKota Bharu can adapt to the flood disaster in the east coast state of Kelantan.

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