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Islamic finance and Halal product sectors are thriving successfully. This chapter is a general review of the perception of Asian consumers on Islamic finance and Halal sectors in the global Halal economy.

The first section will briefly describe the Halal concept in both Islamic finance and Halal industries, and the growth of both sectors in Asian countries. The second part highlights the review of Asian consumers’ perception towards Islamic finance products and Halal products.

The review found that the consumers’ perception towards the Islamic finance products and Halal products is distinctive. This is due to the diversity of Asian countries in terms of geography, religion, culture, ethnic, school of thoughts (madzahib), income per capita and government’s involvement.

The third part of the chapter concentrates on planning towards Halal marketing, which involves the move and future challenges in different layers of industries to gear up and strengthen the Halal economy.

Urban population growth has increased housing density, which has expanded the construction of low-cost low-rise residential in urban areas. Good building performance and effective low-cost low-rise residential quality lead to higher user satisfaction and improve building sustainability. This study aims to focus on the factors influencing the sustainability of low-cost low-rise residential in the West Malaysia urban area to assess resident satisfaction.

A mixed-mode approach with both qualitative and quantitative were used in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 stakeholders to identify the common factors influencing sustainability in low-cost low-rise residential. Subsequently, questionnaire surveys were formed and distributed among building users to determine the satisfaction level with low-cost low-rise residential building performance.

The finding demonstrates that accessibility is the key factor to achieving sustainability of low-cost low-rise residential. The finding also related to the factor that influences both stakeholders and building user satisfaction levels. This study also identifies key areas that require attention to improve user satisfaction with building sustainability and building performance of low-cost low-rise residential.

This study aims to determine stakeholder and building user satisfaction levels in relation to the sustainable building factor. A few indicators have been set up to identify the factors that most influence the sustainability and environment of low-cost low-rise residential buildings. Each subchapter has a few recommendations to improve the performance of low-cost low-rise residential. Each of the factors mentioned is related to social, economic and environmental sustainability. In addition, the study discovered a strong connection between low-cost low-rise residential performance and user satisfaction.

The rising awareness of the significance of protecting the environment and reducing the carbon footprints of buildings has led to the development of sustainable or green office buildings that are believed to be more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Despite this, not many have studied the extent of impacts between green classification and rental depreciation in Malaysia, besides the other traditional causes. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study is to identify the relationship of building characteristics and location factors, namely, green building classifications (BCLs), location and site (LOT), building engineering and services (BES) and building appearance and design (BAD) that contribute to rental depreciation in the Golden Triangle Area of Kuala Lumpur.

A survey using a questionnaire was used in the data collection targeting the selected Kuala Lumpur commercial purpose built office building property managers. To establish the significance and relevance of the model, this study employed the PLS algorithm and bootstrapping procedures.

This research suggests that there were significant impacts of LOT, BAD, and BES towards rental depreciation. On the contrary, sustainable classifications were found insignificant towards rental depreciation.

The novelty of this study is that it proposes the sustainable classifications as one of the components in analysing the commercial property depreciation.

The main value in a culture of tolerance is wasatiyyah. The fragility of relationships and misunderstanding between Muslim and non-Muslim communities occurs when attention to values of tolerance which need more attention on moderation was not practiced especially in the life of a new Muslim convert community. Thus, the practice of moderation is one mechanism proposed by the government to ensure a harmonious continuation of life in a religious community can be achieved. For that, a qualitative study design was used to describe the current status of a phenomenon that occurs among new Muslim converts. The purposive sampling method is used to determine the applications of wasatiyyah in new Muslims’ life tolerance at Kota Kinabalu (East Malaysia) and Kuala Terengganu (West Malaysia). Although the study was conducted at two different locations, there is a relationship between religious phenomena that occur in the new Muslims community in Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to see the practical concept of moderation in the life of new Muslims and their relation with Muslims and non-Muslims. The results showed that the value of moderation was applied in the aspect of tolerance. The application of Wasatiyyah in practice of tolerance had helped non-Muslims family members to change their attitudes and perception towards Islam. This study suggests the values of wasatiyyah in the life of religious tolerance, need to be nourished especially in multiethnic society when sharing a living places, education and employment for better social development as well as a well-being pluralistic society.

The study was conducted through descriptive data qualitative methods. Purposive sampling was used which refers to a group that has the characteristics of samples required by researchers (Mohd Najib Abdul Ghafar 2003). This study applies the method of in-depth interview with the selected new Muslims around Kota Kinabalu (representing East Malaysia) and around Kuala Terengganu (representing Peninsular Malaysia/West Malaysia). Thus, data accumulation involves new Muslims (new Converts) from various ethnics (Sabahan and Sarawakian) which comprise Kadazandusun, Murut, Rungus, Sino and Iban. Secondly, those are from the Peninsular Malaysia which includes Chinese and Indian. Whereas in Kuala Terengganu, data accumulation involves new Muslims from various ethnics (Chinese, Indian, Sarawakian and others). The result of the interview is shown through descriptive narratives which display the practice of tolerance in the form of supportive interaction from the non-Muslim families towards the new Muslims in Islamic lifestyle.

The concept of wasatiyyah has nurturing tolerance among Muslim, newly Muslim and non-Muslim as well as fostering harmony among the diverse ethnics in Malaysia. Based on the discussion, it was observed that the concept of wasatiyyah had a great influence on the relationship among Muslim, newly Muslim and non-Muslim, as it had a strong link with the value of akhlaq that have been embedded in the Muslim community. The wasatiyyah is the main element that shapes the relationship, and it is the results of interaction with social norms, for it has bred certain social values that include tolerance, compromise, modesty, respect and cooperation as transpired when they (Muslim and newly Muslim) interact among themselves or with other communities. Furthermore, the main goal for the concept is to maintain peace and built well-being in the society as well as bracing racial ties in Malaysia, especially among Muslim, newly Muslim and non-Muslim.

Tolerance is a culture that founded the co-existence of pluralistic society in Malaysia. The culture of tolerance can only be built if ethnic tolerance and religious tolerance is accepted as a common practice – Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The description of wasatiyyah in the practice of religious tolerance among the families of new Muslims is the platform towards the acculturation of tolerance in the societal life from different faith and ethnics. It can be said that the higher the tolerance of ethnic, the higher is the religious tolerance, which is manifested through the application of wasatiyyah between people from different religions. This situation is highlighted in the relations of Muslim, newly Muslim and non-Muslim in Sabah and Terengganu where the culture of tolerance is apparent in the life together. Extensive interaction through encounters, acquaintance and co-existence that shape the friendship, brotherhood and kinship is the best formula in nurturing the culture of tolerance in the pluralistic society of Malaysia. Perhaps, the concept of wasatiyyah may be implemented in the whole aspect of life in the context of Malaysia. It is because the term wasatiyyah has the main sources of Islamic epistemology as well as sustaining the well-being pluralistic society without destroying the differences.

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the significant factors that contribute to the development of the assessment framework for wheelchair accessibility to National Heritage Buildings.

A qualitative approach was conducted via semi-structured interviews and go-along interview (Accessible Audit) through selected multiple case studies to reveal the main factors that contribute to the development of the assessment framework for wheelchair users in National Heritage Buildings in Malaysia. There are four National Heritage Buildings (gazetted under National Heritage Act, 2005) selected for this research.

The findings revealed a few significant factors comprising the physical built environment, organizational behavior and structure, financial resources, and existing legislation.

This research is limited to wheelchair users and National Heritage Buildings, which was conducted through semi-structured interviews and go-along interview (Accessible Audit).

This research investigates the standpoints of both the National Heritage Building operators and the wheelchair users pertaining to accessibility in National Heritage Buildings with regard to their respective roles as management and users.

The research demonstrates the importance of social participation effects on the accessibility in National Heritage Buildings based on empirical evidence in highlighting operators’ and wheelchair users’ challenges toward enhancing their accessibility.

This research will be a great contribution to the development of the assessment framework for wheelchair accessibility in National Heritage Buildings in Malaysia, including accessibility for pushchair, elderly, and pregnant women.

There have been several recent cases reported in Malaysian newspapers of complaints about the impact of construction works on the physical conditions of the surrounding buildings. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a study conducted on a complaint received by the Local Authority in Selangor, Malaysia, about the impact of adjacent new construction works on the conditions of existing buildings in the neighbouring vicinity.

The sample case study consists of 28 units of two‐storey terrace houses, and the instrument used was the inspection form for building inspections. A building survey was carried out for all the buildings in the case study. Two teams conducted the survey. Each team was led by a professional building surveyor and assisted by two assistant building surveyors. Apart from basic surveying tools, a digital calliper was also used to measure cracks. Crack‐width data were collected and analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software.

The findings show that the adjacent new construction works have impacted the existing buildings nearby. A numbers of cracks of various magnitudes were identified in all the existing houses. One significant finding is that there appears to be no significant relationship between the cracks on the interior and the exterior, nor between the original and the renovated parts, of the existing buildings.

The significant number of cracks identified in the existing houses implies that the cracks were associated with the impacts from the new construction works. However, the primary cause of the building cracks was difficult to determine. It is therefore proposed that the Local Authority should establish guidelines at the local level for new construction works to prepare an inspection report on the condition of existing buildings in the surrounding area before the project commences. Building condition reports can then be used for reference in the event of claims received from the surrounding building owners alleging that the new construction works have adversely impacted the existing conditions of nearby buildings.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of small additions (0.1 and 0.3 wt%) of Fe on the bulk alloy microstructure and tensile properties of low Ag‐content Sn‐1Ag‐0.5Cu lead‐free solder alloy.

Sn‐1Ag‐0.5Cu, Sn‐3Ag‐0.5Cu and Sn‐1Ag‐0.5Cu containing 1 and 3 wt.% Fe solder specimens were prepared by melting pure ingots of Sn, Ag, Cu and Fe in an induction furnace and subsequently remelting and casting to form flat dog‐bone shaped specimens for tensile testing. The solder specimens were subjected to tensile testing using an INSTRON tester with a loading rate 10‐3 s‐1. To obtain the microstructure, the solder samples were prepared by dicing, molding, grinding and polishing processes. The microstructural analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscopy/Energy Dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis was used to identify the IMC phases.

In addition to large primary β‐Sn grains, the addition of Fe to the SAC105 alloy formed large circular shaped FeSn2 IMC particles located in the eutectic regions. This had a significant effect in reducing the elastic modulus and yield strength and maintaining the elongation at the SAC105 level. Moreover, the additions of Fe resulted in the inclusion of Fe in the Ag3Sn and Cu6Sn5 IMC particles. The additions of Fe did not have any significant effect on the melting behaviour.

The paper provides a starting‐point for studying the effect of minor additions of Fe on the drop impact and thermal cycling reliability of SAC105 alloy considering the bulk alloy microstructure and tensile properties. Further investigations should be undertaken in the future.

The effect of Fe addition on the bulk alloy microstructure and tensile properties of the SAC105 alloy has been studied for the first time. Fe‐containing SAC105 alloy may have the potential to increase the drop impact and thermal cycling reliability compared with the standard SAC105 alloy.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of Al addition on the bulk alloy microstructure and tensile properties of the low Ag‐content Sn‐1Ag‐0.5Cu (SAC105) solder alloy.

The Sn‐1Ag‐0.5Cu‐xAl (x=0, 1, 1.5 and 2 wt.%) bulk solder specimens with flat dog‐bone shape were used for tensile testing in this work. The specimens were prepared by melting purity ingots of Sn, Ag, Cu and Al in an induction furnace. Subsequently, the molten alloys were poured into pre‐heated stainless steel molds, and the molds were naturally air‐cooled to room temperature. Finally, the molds were disassembled, and the dog‐bone samples were removed. The solder specimens were subjected to tensile testing on an INSTRON tester with loading rate 10⁻³ s⁻¹. The microstructural analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscopy/Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) analysis was used to identify the IMC phases. To obtain the microstructure, the solder samples were prepared by dicing, molding, grinding and polishing processes.

The addition of Al to the SAC105 solder alloy suppresses the formation of Ag₃Sn and Cu₆Sn₅ IMC particles and leads to the formation of larger Al‐rich and Al‐Cu IMC particles and a large amount of fine Al‐Ag IMC particles. The addition of Al also leads to refining of the primary β‐Sn grains. The addition of Al results in a significant increase on the elastic modulus and yield strength. On the other hand, the addition of Al drastically deteriorates the total elongation.

The addition of Al to the low Ag‐content SAC105 solder alloy has been discussed for the first time. This work provides a starting‐point to study the effect of Al addition on the drop impact and thermal cycling reliability of the SAC105 alloy.