Geochemical characterization of clay minerals in surface sediments of three major rivers along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Spatial distribution of selected metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Co) in surface sediments in the EEZ of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia was investigated. The aim of this paper is to determine the distribution pattern and pollution status of heavy metals in tropical shelf sediments since limited information is available. Heavy metal concentrations ranged between 207.58 and 491.33 µg·g−1 for Mn, 36.13 and 125.93 µg·g−1 for Zn, 14.49 and 22.33 µg·g−1 for Cu, 2.00 and 11.12 µg·g−1 for Co, 6.20 and 8.95% for Fe, and 0.94 and 6.62% for Al. The mean concentrations of heavy metals are in decreasing order as follows: Fe > Al > Mn > Zn > Cu > Co. Most metals registered low concentrations at the nearshore areas. Pearson correlation indicates that most of the metals are derived from the miscellaneous sources. Based on the EFs and Igeo, it is implied that the surface sediment trace metal levels in the study area might be enriched by anthropogenic sources. However, the PLI suggests that this area is not contaminated from the measured heavy metals. This work is important to register the current levels of metals so that any change in concentration can be monitored and managed.

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Political Economy of China’s Investment in Malaysia (2009–2018)

Bandung Journal of the Global South ◽

10.1163/21983534-00601001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 5-49

Author(s):

Elsa Lafaye de Micheaux

Keyword(s):

Political Economy ◽

East Coast ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

South East Asia ◽

The West ◽

Modus Operandi ◽

Monographic Study ◽

East Malaysia ◽

Economic Strategies

The Chinese investments in South-East Asia can be considered as a vector of the People’s Republic of China’s assertion in the region. They are bound by political agreements and promote geopolitical as well as economic strategies. The present monographic study of the China’s contemporary investments in Malaysia under Najib Rakak’s prime ministership (2009–2018) underlines their particular character when compared to the previous investors: very concentrated and high amounts; located in the margins (East Coast of the Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia on Borneo). Breaking with the former logics of traditional investors (European, US then Japanese) who concentrated on the West Coast of the Peninsular Malaysia, the new sectors for Chinese investments in Malaysia are mainly in the metal industry, transport infrastructures and ports, as well as real estate. Clearly exhibiting a new pattern in terms of content, China’s investments in Malaysia could be considered as specific in motive and modus operandi. The focus on two case studies of industrial investments, namely the development of the Kuantan Industrial Park and Port (Pahang) and the exploitation of the Sokor Gold Mine (Kelantan) contribute modestly to the characterization of its original pattern and rationale from a political-economy perspective. It results in a re-contextualization of the industrial investments within in the diplomatic and political Malaysia-China bilateral relationship.

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