Sypnosis

Between January and December 2020, this PERKESO-funded project sought to design and pilot the Commuting Accidents Management Programme (CAMP) to address the growing concern of work-related commuting accidents in Malaysia. Led by the Project Leader, the initiative aimed to integrate preventive strategies with active community involvement to enhance commuter safety.

The project involved data collection on commuting accident trends, consultations with employers, employees, and local authorities, and the development of tailored safety modules. Key components included awareness campaigns, riding simulator training, and practical guidelines for workplace commuting safety policies.

Findings revealed critical factors contributing to commuting accidents, such as limited safety training, risky riding practices, and insufficient workplace-based safety initiatives. The CAMP framework offered practical recommendations to employers and policymakers, highlighting the importance of continuous training, risk awareness, and community participation.

This project provided a scalable model that organisations and local authorities can adopt to reduce commuting accidents and to foster a culture of shared responsibility for road safety across industries.

Conducted between January and December 2019 with funding from PERKESO, this study aimed to design and establish the Commuting Accidents Management Programme (CAMP) as a proactive measure to reduce work-related commuting accidents.

The research began with an in-depth analysis of national and local accident statistics to identify key risk factors affecting daily commuters. Engagement sessions were held with stakeholders including employers, employees, local authorities, and road safety experts to gain insights into existing challenges and to co-create effective interventions.

Based on these findings, the team developed a comprehensive CAMP framework comprising awareness campaigns, safety training (including riding simulator sessions), and workplace policy recommendations. These interventions were designed to address behavioural risks, improve safety culture, and strengthen employer-driven accident prevention initiatives.

The project’s outcomes provided a strategic roadmap for PERKESO and related agencies to implement community-based road safety programmes. The 2019 phase served as a foundational study that informed subsequent expansions of CAMP and contributed to national efforts in reducing commuting-related injuries and fatalities.

From October 2019 to January 2020, this research project funded by LPPKN Penang and led by the Principal Investigator undertook a comprehensive survey to evaluate family wellbeing as part of the Family and Community Empowerment Programme.

The study focused on measuring various aspects of family life, including emotional bonding, parenting practices, economic security, work-life balance, and access to community support systems. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and focus group discussions with diverse households across Penang.

Analysis of the survey results highlighted key factors that influence family resilience and overall wellbeing, such as economic pressures, quality of communication, and availability of social support. The findings informed LPPKN’s strategies for designing targeted interventions and policies to enhance family cohesion and community empowerment.

The project’s recommendations provided actionable insights for government agencies and community organisations to foster stronger, healthier families and to strengthen the social fabric of Penang.

This international collaborative research, conducted in partnership with the Department of Commerce at Mount Allison University, Canada, and completed in April 2019, aimed to validate a Safety Leadership Model within Malaysian organisational contexts. As Co-Principal Investigator, the study focused on understanding how effective leadership behaviours contribute to building and sustaining a strong safety culture.

The research employed a mixed-methods design, including surveys, interviews, and organisational case studies across multiple industries. It evaluated key leadership dimensions—such as communication, trust-building, coaching, and role modelling and examined their impact on employees’ safety attitudes, compliance, and incident reduction.

Findings confirmed that proactive and participative leadership significantly improves safety performance and fosters employee engagement in safety initiatives. The study also identified contextual factors unique to Malaysian workplaces, offering insights for adapting international models to local organisational cultures.

Recommendations from this project support the development of leadership training programmes and policy frameworks that strengthen safety culture and reduce workplace accidents. The validated model serves as a practical guide for Malaysian organisations aiming to embed safety leadership into their management practices.

Between October and November 2018, this LPPKN Penang–funded research, led by the Principal Investigator, carried out a targeted survey to measure family wellbeing in support of the Family and Community Empowerment Programme.

The study examined multiple dimensions of family life, including emotional and social relationships, parenting practices, financial stability, and access to community resources. Data was collected through structured household questionnaires and focus group discussions representing diverse demographic groups across Penang.

Analysis revealed key challenges influencing family wellbeing, such as economic stressors, work-life balance issues, and gaps in community support. The findings provided actionable insights for policymakers and community organisations to design evidence-based interventions that enhance family resilience and promote social cohesion.

The project’s recommendations informed LPPKN’s strategies for strengthening family-centric policies and improving the effectiveness of community empowerment initiatives throughout Penang.

From January 2018 to September 2019, this research project funded by PERKESO and led by the Principal Investigator sought to address the growing incidence of commuting-related accidents among Malaysian workers. The aim was to design and implement the Commuting Accidents Management Programme (CAMP) as an evidence-based, community-driven framework to enhance commuter safety and reduce accident risks.

The study began with a comprehensive analysis of commuting accident data and identification of high-risk patterns. Stakeholder engagement sessions were held with employers, employees, local authorities, and road safety experts to capture diverse perspectives on accident causes and prevention strategies.

Based on these insights, the research team developed and tested a multi-component CAMP framework incorporating safety-awareness campaigns, riding simulator training, and workplace commuting safety policies. The programme also emphasised continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure long-term effectiveness.

Findings revealed that targeted safety training, employer involvement, and sustained community participation significantly reduced risky commuting behaviours and improved safety culture. The project provided PERKESO and related agencies with practical guidelines for scaling up CAMP nationwide and contributed to national efforts in reducing commuting-related injuries and fatalities.

From 1 June 2017 to 31 May 2018, this research conducted in collaboration with the Faculty of Business and Finance, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman explored the relationship between organisational safety climate and the compliance of medical professionals with safe work practices. Serving as Co-researcher, the project addressed a critical question: how do workplace culture and management commitment to safety affect both healthcare quality and patient safety outcomes?

Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combined surveys and focus group discussions with medical staff across multiple healthcare settings. It examined key elements of organisational safety climate such as leadership commitment, communication, and training, and evaluated how these factors influence daily adherence to safe work practices such as infection control, equipment handling, and patient care protocols.

The findings revealed that a strong organisational safety climate characterised by visible leadership support, open communication, and ongoing safety education significantly improved medical professionals’ compliance with safety practices. Enhanced compliance, in turn, contributed to higher standards of healthcare quality and patient safety.

Recommendations from the study emphasised the need for hospital administrators and healthcare policymakers to invest in building a robust safety culture, implementing continuous staff training, and strengthening leadership engagement to sustain high levels of patient care and workplace safety.

Between January and December 2017, this PERKESO-funded research project marked the first phase of the Commuting Accidents Management Programme (CAMP). Led by the Principal Investigator, the project sought to understand the causes of work-related commuting accidents and to lay the groundwork for a structured, community-driven safety management framework.

The research involved an extensive review of national accident statistics, stakeholder consultations with employers, employees, and local authorities, and field observations of commuting patterns. These efforts identified key risk factors such as unsafe riding practices, inadequate safety awareness, and gaps in workplace commuting policies.

Based on the findings, the project proposed a preliminary CAMP framework comprising safety-awareness campaigns, training programmes, and employer-focused policy recommendations. This initial phase provided critical insights and a strategic roadmap for PERKESO and related agencies, forming the foundation for the subsequent expansion and refinement of CAMP in later years.

The outcomes underscored the importance of early stakeholder engagement and continuous safety education, contributing to Malaysia’s broader efforts to reduce commuting-related injuries and fatalities.

From January to February 2014, this consultancy project conducted a comprehensive market survey to evaluate the potential for establishing an Islamic-based hospital in Pulau Pinang. As Principal Consultant, the study aimed to identify market viability, community needs, and strategic opportunities for a healthcare facility combining contemporary medical care with Islamic values.

The survey involved extensive data collection through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including local residents, healthcare professionals, religious authorities, and potential investors. Key factors assessed included healthcare demand, patient preferences, competitive landscape, and the level of awareness and acceptance of Islamic-based medical services.

Findings indicated strong community interest and a growing demand for healthcare services that align with Islamic values, such as halal-certified treatments, shariah-compliant operations, and family-friendly care practices. The study also identified critical success factors, including service quality, qualified medical professionals, and strategic partnerships with religious and healthcare bodies.

The project concluded with strategic recommendations outlining market positioning, service offerings, and operational guidelines to guide the planning and establishment of the Islamic-based hospital. These insights provided stakeholders with a solid foundation for decision-making and long-term investment in faith-based healthcare services in Pulau Pinang.

Between June 2013 and May 2015, this ERGS-funded project investigated the “Strategic Green Human Resource–Environmental Sustainability Nexus,” with the objective of developing a conceptual model that links green HR practices to environmental sustainability outcomes. Adopting the triple-bottom-line perspective which balances economic growth, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship the research sought to understand how human resource strategies can act as a catalyst for sustainable organisational performance.

The study employed an exploratory research design, combining literature reviews, surveys, and case studies of Malaysian organisations implementing green HR practices such as eco-friendly recruitment policies, sustainability training, and environmentally conscious performance management.

Findings revealed that organisations integrating green HR strategies achieved not only environmental benefits such as reduced waste and lower carbon footprints but also improved employee engagement and long-term cost efficiencies. Social dimensions, including enhanced corporate reputation and stakeholder trust, also strengthened.

The project proposed a model illustrating how strategic green HR practices contribute to the triple-bottom-line objectives, offering a practical framework for policymakers and organisations to embed sustainability principles into human capital management. These insights support the development of policies and practices that align human resource management with environmental and social goals.

From August 2012 to April 2015, this ERGS-funded project explored how Malaysia’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policies could be made more gender responsive. Led by the Principal Researcher, the study sought to identify gender-specific needs in workplace safety and to create gender-sensitive indicators that could guide the design and evaluation of inclusive OSH policies.

The research employed a mixed-methods approach: literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys across industries with diverse gender compositions. It investigated how workplace hazards, safety perceptions, and risk exposures differ for men and women, and how these differences affect policy effectiveness.

Findings revealed that women and men often face distinct occupational risks ranging from ergonomic and chemical exposures to psychosocial stressors that are not adequately addressed in standard OSH frameworks. The study identified key areas where policies must be adapted to reflect these differences, such as the provision of gender-sensitive training, facilities, and reporting mechanisms.

The project proposed a set of gender-sensitive OSH indicators and policy recommendations that enable organisations and regulators to integrate gender perspectives into safety management systems. These outcomes provide a roadmap for policymakers, employers, and labour organisations to foster safer, more equitable workplaces and to enhance the overall effectiveness of national OSH policies.