GROUP PROJECT REPORT

EIA REGULATIONS TOWARDS LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL

CODE COURSE BFC 32403

NAME COURSE ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENTAL

NAME OF STUDENT 1. Nur Adibah Hanim BT Mohd Nizam (AF200052)

2. Shankaravathanaa A/L Shanmuga Sekar (DF200065)
3. Nur Syamimi BT Syahron Nizam (AF200016)
4. Muhammad Fayzull Izanee Bin Mohd Farid (DF200006)
5. Nurul Izzuaniza BT Samsuri (AF200073)
6. Divagaran A/L Gunasekaran (DF200003)

SECTION 2

GROUP 6

SEMESTER/SESSION SEMESTER 1/ SESSION 2022/2023

LECTURE NAME Prof. Madya Ts. Dr. Rafidah Binti Hamdan

SUBMISSION DATE 3HB JANUARY 2023

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO CONTENT PAGE

* ABSTRACT 3

1.0 INTRODUCTION 4

2.0 OBJECTIVE 5

3.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT 5

4.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 6-10

5.0 METHODOLOGY 10-15

6.0 DISCUSSION 16-21

7.0 CONCLUSION 22

8.0 REFERENCES 23

9.0 APPENDIX 24

PROJECT ASSESSMENT RUBRIC

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 ABSTRACT

The purpose of this report is to make a study of Lojing highway in Malaysia. These studies

also will interfere with the subject of BFC 32403 Environmental Engineering of Faculty Civil

Engineering Department UTHM. As we know, logging jungle is one of the biggest impacts for the

environment and nature. We should obey the regulation act of EIA. EIA is a study of identification,

prediction, evaluation and interaction information on the impact of proposed projects on the

environment. EIA will issue the sequences of project and implementation on regulation act toward on

environmental. The main idea of these EIA implementations in a project is to identify and minimize

the impact on the environment. For this project, we will create a google form to obtain the public's

awareness about the impact of logging highland towards the environment. Not only that, we will do an

interview session with authorities who are involved in these issues. The outcome of this project will

ensure we achieve the objective that will be discussed earlier in the end of the sessions. Moreover, our

team also will come up with the best solution on how to overcome these issues and save the

environment.

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1.0 Introduction

In many tropical highlands, the expansion of smallholder agriculture frequently causes severe

environmental harm. The difficulty is in minimizing such harm and achieving better, more sustainable

lives. The Malaysia uplands in the Cameron highlands provide a chance to see how farmers adjust.

Since the 1970’s, the majority have increased output, some have increased their holdings, some have

decreased their environmental impacts, and some have embraced more sustainable methods.

Besides that, the largest and most beautiful flower in the world is rafflesia. According to

University of Kelantan, Malaysia, (UMK), several rafflesia populations were found in the

KFD-managed forest reserves, including those in Lojing, Mt. Chamah, Mt. Basor, and Mt. Stong. Due

to human activities like logging, turning forest into expansions of agriculture regions, urbanization,

and unsustainable ecotourism, several species are becoming endangered in Southeast Asia. The efforts

made by the Kelantan State Forestry Department (KFD) to ensure the survival and sustainability of

this enormous flower in its native environment have been especially addressed in this study.

Due to rising rates of biodiversity loss and the fact that those areas with the greatest level of

biodiversity loss are also the least protected, the conservation of unique and rare species, like the

rafflesia, is an essential endeavor. As stated in the National Forestry Policy of 1978, the Kelantan State

forestry Department (KFD) has always worked to guarantee that forests, particularly in the southern

portion of state, continue to contribute to the protection of biodiversity.

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2.0 Objective

● To understand the concept and implement of EIA on Highlands

● To makes sure the project planned adequately therefore environmental impacts are monized

● 5 stages of EIA to be implement to avoid the effect of the boundary project in future

● Guideline the project must be accurately by the Department Forestry of Malaysia and

Department of environmental

● Understand the conversion of forest area and limitation of boundary which implement in EIA

3.0 Problem Statement

● Affecting the biodiversity of Highlands

Farming highland could cause the changes and extinction of species in forest. Especially in

Lojing highland, Kelantan, Rafflesia are becoming extinct due to farming enlargement.

● Enlargement of perimeter without in too much

EIA have been mentioned about the at 300 meter of more than sea mean level use to covering

an area of 100 hectares only.

● Improper guideline during the early stage and toward the project

All the forestry is made in the first schedule of EIA. This forestry farming is more to

agriculture and forestry. This also stated in EIA about the limits and process of the of the

project towards in happening

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4.0 Literature View

What is EIA

Environment Impact Assessment(EIA) is a method used in most environmental-related organizations

to look into the impact of the environment. It assesses the environmental repercussions of certain

strategies or policies. This might be important because many urban planning and development

strategies are concerned with the environment. This development programs funds for those who

review and analyze environmental projects. EIA takes into action not just environmental but also the

social, cultural and health which causes danger to the environment. For example Climate change

might be set as an example of how EIA could be a tool which benefits for measuring the influence of

environment climate concerns. Experts normally employ EIA prior in order to reach the speaking goal

by providing people in charge with a full idea of EIA’s advantages and disadvantages. Prior to review

Strategic Environmental Assessment,governments and important corporations might look into

environmental evaluations (SEA)

Benefits of EIA

There are so many benefits of EIA which include cost saving and lesser time implementation of

project and complication of legal regulations. EIA is economically practical in order to take less time

compared to other environment assessments which cannot be exactly disadvantageous to organization.

Another benefit of EIA is to follow the method that is involved which can be used to conserve the

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forest,water,waste,agriculture,recreational and cleanliness of the city. In order to create positivity and

vibrant city planning these are the important benefits.

Increase in communal activity and knowledge regarding the resource that took placed in assessment of

EIA.There are important environmental concerned that largely involved in order to assess the methods

faced the challenges such as climate change, society and community .Such country like India where

water is very unclean and standards are not regulated with enough of water, EIA would be used as

important technique for application in measuring water and implementing techniques for example

harvesting rain water in Indian neighbourhoods.Since government are not standardized on

environmental issue, people in India are taking their own hand handling issue like water shortages

with the help from private firms .These involvement are very important for discussion and

implementation of EIA .Because of involvement of EIA ,many developing country failed to use it

according to its regulation and standard .To avoid that, private firm is paving way to improve the

implementation of EIA to create developed world. The private firm needs to challenge government

agencies to create the techniques of EIA.

Techniques and Methods

Methodologists might differ for EIA depending on how they are used. The dependent amount of data

required in investigation should range from simple to hard. An EIA analyzed by using a variety of

qualitative and quantitative methodologists including mixed methods. Collected data is the most

important asset to decide the impact of EIA .Manpower, community involvement, time and financial

situation should be considered when conducting an EIA. EIA is a researched- based strategy which

takes an organization an important level of time and effort to collect data which can allow a complete

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methodology. Methods like impact identification,measurement,assessment and communication. These

are the requirements that should be met.

Advantages and Disadvantages of EIA

Generally EIA is terms conducted by government and private companies before beginning their

biggest project. Based on examined studies ,environmental factors have short and long term effects on

projects which can affect nearby people and ecosystems. Governments should approve or take

preliminary action by banning projects ,to avoid companies making changes on their ideas.

Advantage

To increase efficiency of project

EIA makes improvements to the project’s overall efficiency. The more accurate detailed of EIA,the

more probably it is to recognize long term issues for the project, not only sustainability but also

waste.This allow them to adjust plan by saving business money to balance their plans rather than

finding out after project has begun that one component of plan created excessive pollution or

consumed more energy.

Versatile Application Ranging

EIA is applicable to all mega big projects. Although it is vastly applicable in entire construction

projects because of its technique which applied to any country and also most developing countries

that applied a kind of EIA. This process has a general aim (which can define and decide the

environmental impact accordingly) . Those are versatile.

Improves Public Relations

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Companies and governments are concerned about projects and their effect will have an impact on the

environment that is how EIA processes. A plan to be used properly in the EIA process should be better

for it.Construction project will be serious for those living nearby and customers will be respectful by

saving energy and mindful about the environment the company has shown, which EIA required in first

place.

Disadvantages

Relies On Technical Inputs

One of the disadvantages for EIA, this relies on heavily technical inputs on technical data and
experiment which was from tests of field to analysis program that actually compares data and events.
If technical data is not working properly or EIA is not accessible to the proper tool. If one of them is
not working properly then it is ineffective.

Expensively time delay

EIA always means delays, for both government and company projects. This can be annoying for those
planning the projects who have deadlines that must be filled. As a result, EIA projects are sometimes
hurried along more than they should be requires preparation and follow-up

Preparation and follow-up are both important keys to become a successful EIA. Preparation is needed
to fully study the environment and note characteristics of its uniqueness, while follow-up is needed to
make sure the EIA accurately noted any potential problems. Unfortunately, many countries skip one or
both of these key steps.

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5.0 Methodology

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 ● Google Form

A survey about knowledge of EIA among UTHM students was conducted.

● Research

A process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data, documentation of critical

information and analysis and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance with
suitable methodologies set by specific professional fields and academic disciplines. Research is
conducted to evaluate the validity of a hypothesis or an interpretive framework, assemble a
body of substantive knowledge and findings for sharing them in appropriate manners and help
generate questions for further inquiries. Research related to EIA was finded and used in the
discussion and conclusion.

5.1 Result from google form

This part of study is about the knowledge of EIA among UTHM students. As you can see from
the question of the survey, 63.2% of the responses have known the meaning of EIA before the
survey was conducted. Meanwhile, there is 36.8% of them are still clueless about EIA. This
shown that more student have known the meaning of EIA before the survey.

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 From the question, we can conclude that 73.7% of the students have chosen that EIA
evaluation must be done after the issuance of permits and clearance is true and 15.8% of them
choose not stated as the answer. Meanwhile the rest have chosen False and Varies as their
answer.

Enlargement of farming in Highland is uncontrolled in Malaysia. This is crucial as it will

impact the environment. Based on the question, 63.2% of the students have answered yes and
15.8% have answered no and the rest of them have answered maybe.

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 From the chart, we can conclude that 68.4% of the respondents agree with the statement that
reforest after massive of logging done and it will help in Environmental. Meanwhile, 31.6% of
the respondents disagree with the statement.

Governments play an important role in taking action on overuse of land for plantation to the
parties involved. From the chart, 94.7% of the respondents agree with the statement that
Governments should take action against overuse of land for plantation. Meanwhile the rest
disagree with the statement.

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 From the chart, we can conclude that 84.2% of the respondents have answered true that more
than 100 countries have EIA legislation and 15.8% have answered false.

From the survey question conducted, 89.5% of the respondents have agree that Department of
Environment has responsibility to approve EIA projects and 10.5%disagree that Department of
Environment has responsibility to approve EIA project.

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 From the question, 47.4% of respondents have answered Environmental Impact Assessment
Order (DOE, 1987) when EIA was implemented in MAlaysia as a legislative requirement in
April 1988. Meanwhile 26.3% of the respondents have chosen Environmental Impact
Assessment Ordinance Order 1999 as their answer and the rest of them have chosen between
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Environmental Quality Act (EQA) 1974.

From the question, 63.2% of the respondents have chosen true as their answer for the
statement. Meanwhile 21.1% of the respondents have chosen varies and the rest of respondents
have chosen between false and not stated as theri answer.

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 From the chart, 52.6% of the respondents have chosen sufficient land as the main cause of the
need for a massive land area to do plantation and 26.3% have chosen no authorities appointed
to take action as the main cause. Meanwhile, the rest of respondents have chosen need more
profitable and others as the main cause.

From the survey question, we can conclude that 36.8% of the respondents have chosen not so
well as the answer for the statement and 31.6% of the respondents have chosen extremely well
as their answer. Meanwhile the rest of respondents chose between somewhat well, very well
and not at all well as their answer.

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6.0 Discussion

The current issue related to the environment at Lojing Highlands is massive land clearing for
farming. When native flora and habitat are cleared, such as bushland, woodland, forest, and native
grassland, it is typically done to make room for cropland or grazing farm animals. Native people and
animals suffer terrible losses as a result of land clearing, which has also led to significant biodiversity
losses.

There are many impacts because of massive land clearing. Firstly, land clearing can influence
climate destabilization. The biggest threat to human health this century is climate change, which is
exacerbated by the clearing of forests since they contribute as an essential carbon sink. Land clearing
also disrupts the water cycle, which can affect water supply and quality. Run-off is increased by
excessive clearing, which pollutes rivers and the ocean. This can raise the possibility of pathogens
getting into water sources and creating epidemics of algal blooms, which can result in the generation
of toxic chemicals. These poisons might go into our food supply or disrupt the nutrients.

The cause of the problem is high costs. The high cost of EIAs may have a negative financial
impact on these farms. The EIA process can have a detrimental effect on farm-level development
because of the time restrictions and significant implementation costs involved.

Except for one farmer who claimed the production level losses were caused by the loss of
fertile soil because the farmer could not control erosion, they were not able to develop virgin areas due
to EIA laws. Crop yields have decreased as a result, and farmers were unable to expand their grazing
areas because of the production level restrictions.

Third is the farmers' lack of awareness. Through advising services, it is anticipated that
extension officers will be able to instruct beginning farmers about EIA requirements. Extension agents
are frequently the only sources of current knowledge for beginning farmers, who frequently lack
access to them. Farmers are not familiar with EIA regulations.It can also be because the farmers
anticipate getting other farming advice from the extension workers rather than help with EIA issues.
Some farmers lack access to email services because they live in distant places. Printing the newsletters
and translating them into the farmers' language is another approach to address this problem.

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 In Malaysia, the main law related to the issue is Environmental Quality Act (EQA) 1974 (ACT
127) and the Regulations thereunder. This act relates to the prevention, mitigation, control, and
improvement of pollution and for purposes related to it.

Under this act, the Director General of Environmental Quality needs to give approvals prior to
project implementation. For example, under section 34A of the EQA, 1974 needs Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) reports. Under section 19 of the EQA, 1974 needs written permission to
construct. It is for prescribed premises-scheduled waste treatment and disposal. Next is license to use
and occupy prescribed conveyances under Section 18 of the EQA, 1974.

The Director General of Environmental Quality is responsible to control the issuance of

permits the volume, kinds, composition, and effects of wastes, discharges, emissions, deposits, or other
sources of emission and substances that pose a threat to the environment or any particular area of the
environment.

In addition, the Director General of Environmental Quality is in charge of and oversees all
operations connected to the release of wastes into the environment, to prevent or control pollution, and
to safeguard and improve the quality of the environment.

In Malaysia, the main authorities responsible for addressing the issue is the Ministry of
Environment and Water (KASA). It involves biological, environmental, and socioeconomic effects,
such as the entanglement and swallowing of marine species, the fouling of beaches, and the
obstruction of navigation.

The role of the Department of Environment Malaysia (DOE) to coordinate and acquire the
logistical needs for enforcement. Receiving, coordinating, and seeing that concerns about
environmental pollution are addressed by the State DOE offices or other appropriate authorities. Other
than that, DOE is responsible for advancing clean production techniques across industries.

Humans use land resources for a variety of land-based activities and purposes, such as
recreation (parks), transportation (roads and railroads), agriculture (farms), housing and settlements,
and commercial enterprises. The primary hydropower sources for lowlands are found in the highland
regions, which also act as water catchments. Additionally, it provides downstream agricultural,
industrial, and domestic users with water resources.

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 Any forest land that is 1,000 meters above sea level is categorized as reserved forest or
catchment forest land, according to the Malaysia Islands and Highlands Development Guideline. The
Cameron Highlands' forest cover decreased by almost 3% in 2015, and more land was used for
agricultural purposes. Due to ineffective law enforcement, many illegal land clearings, trespassing into
forest reserves and riverbank areas, as well as unsustainable development methods, have occurred.

The Cameron Highlands' river water system's quality has been negatively impacted both
directly and indirectly by land use change, unplanned development, and unsustainable agricultural
practices. To manage the impact of intensive agriculture activity on the natural beauty of the highland
area and at the same time be able to secure the benefit and productivity of farmers, it is important to
improve the enforcement of existing laws and regulations. Natural areas in the Highlands offer
significant ecological services to the environment and to humans. Environmental protection is
essential to ensuring an area's sustainability and preventing the depletion of ecological resources.

Extensive strategies have been mounted by Malaysia and the NIEs to recognize and utilize
strategic technologies (Dodgson, 2000; Chang and Cheema, 2001). They have influenced resource
allocation, infrastructure development, firm size and cluster formation, skill development,
technological activity, and FDI attraction using trade and domestic credit policies to varying degrees
and in various combinations in order to increase local technological capabilities (Lall and Teubal,
1998). National technology development plans have also been developed to help countries
systematically catch up to the most technologically developed economies.

Environmental impact evaluations EIA has played a significant role in the field of
environmental science and management as a systematic process. It makes measuring environmental
damage easier for professionals, the government, and businesses. Environmental managers and
practitioners can foresee both the positive and negative effects on the environment through EIA.
Analyzing the environmental impact and protecting species, microorganisms, breeding grounds, and
their nonliving environment are two other major purposes of environmental impact assessments
(EIAs).

Here are some reasons why environmental impact assessments are important: they let project
managers know which projects require thorough review to minimize environmental harm.

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 Second, based on statutory requirements, it assists in assessing potential effects related to
environmental legislation. Additionally, it recognizes issues and aids in the mitigation process in
advance to prepare for disasters that are likely to occur. By recommending secure project designs and
procedures as alternatives, we protect the environment's biodiversity. Besides that, it forecasts the
impact rate for suggested projects, which may be positive or negative.

Several laws, specifically legislation, are related to land according to the EIA rules that have
been studied. According to the Agriculture Part of the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities)
(Environmental Impact Assessment) Order, 1987, land development schemes that cover an area of 500
hectares or more are used to convert forest land to agricultural use. Agricultural programs also demand
the relocation of 100 families or more. Secondly, the development of agricultural estates with a
minimum land area of 500 hectares that involve alterations to the agricultural uses.

There are a few principles that Malaysia’s system can follow based on land use planning by
using environmental engineering principles. The planning system can play a beneficial role in
directing development in the right places and preventing unsustainable development. At the 1992 Rio
Earth Summit, the importance of land planning in advancing sustainable development was once again
highlighted. Here are five central principles of the Rio Declaration that relate to land planning:

● Based on Principle 3: Right of development must equitably meet the needs of the present and
future generations. The goal and process of sustainable development must be considered in
land use planning.
● Based on Principle 4: Environmental protection to play as an integral part of the development
process. Sustainable and "environment-led" planning is required. Public involvement is a
crucial step in the planning process.
● Based on Principle 10: Participation of all concerned citizens at all levels. A powerful and
thorough planning law that can harmonize existing law with the entire environment
● Based on Principle 11: Effective environmental legislation. The current planning control
system should be combined with environmental assessments.
● Based on Principle 17: Environmental Impact Assessment. The goal and process of sustainable
development must be considered in land use planning.

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 Engineering issues in the forestry, horticulture, agricultural, food processing, and
environmental sectors are solved by land-based engineers. The engineer must have taken their
responsibilities and roles which include designing and testing agricultural machinery like ploughs and
sprayers. Creating agricultural vehicles like harvesters, tractors, and loaders is the next step. Engineers
must also advise on soil protection techniques. Additionally, they must do environmental impact
analyzes to establish how developments may affect the environment.
A more practical and workable approach to land management and planning has been developed
by FAO. It recognises both the relevance of institutional, legal, and socio-economic factors in the
execution of these solutions, as well as the role of technical solutions in maximizing land use. The new
approach emphasizes a deeper integration of these four aspects in land management and, in particular,
the necessity for a more active participation of the stakeholders in planning and decision-making,
while not discounting the successful results attained with prior approaches.It is obvious that land users
consider elements that are not taken into consideration in the technical approach to planning, thus it is
crucial that these factors be looked into and their impact integrated in the planning process from the
outset.
According to the FAO Framework for Land Evaluation, the suitability of a piece of land for a
particular use depends on its biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics. The evaluation of the
physical environment is followed by a socio-economic analysis, which takes into account the
institutional and legal aspects. This two-stage approach was made necessary by the difficulty of
assessing the effects of such diverse conditions at once, the former of which are relatively stable and
the latter of which are highly variable in space and time.

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Conclusion

Based on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is one of the most important activity must
be obey in all activities. This is because to the main focus is to avoid impact on nature and the
environment with society. Besides that, EIA always focus on biophysical event which lack of
references.There is always a lot of discrimination between laws and regulations which can’t be solve at
the end of day. Moreover, as e environmental authorities should take charge and make it strong
towards in implement it in sites. Not only that, we also have been achieve our 5 objective based on this
project. The problem statement that can solve it and overcome by all the objective that we aim it. We
also could understand the important, impact, advantages and disadvantage of EIA.

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 References

C. J. Barrow , N. W. Chan & T. Bin Masron (2010) Farming and Other Stakeholders

in a Tropical Highland: Towards Less Environmentally Damaging and More

Sustainable Practices, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture,

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10440041003680205

Land clearing & its impacts. (n.d.). Bush Heritage Australia. Retrieved January 15,

2023, from

https://www.bushheritage.org.au/what-we-do/our-challenge/land-clearing

Leach, L. (2009, May 19). Effects of land clearing. Sciencing; Leaf Group.

https://sciencing.com/effects-of-land-clearing-13406919.html

M Fauzan1, A M Muhammad-Hapiz1, R Azizul1, S Rosilan1, A H Hamidi1, I Zahari1, E

R Aweng2, M A Mohamad-Faiz2 , M A Abas2, H Kamarul-Ariffin2, H

Nur-Hizami2, A K Mohammad-Firdaus2, A Susatya3 and H Zulhazman2

Managing and protecting of endangered Rafflesia species in Kelantan,

Peninsular Malaysia

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/842/1/012069/pdf

(N.d.). Org.au. Retrieved January 15, 2023, from

https://www.dea.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Land-clearing-fact-shee

t-Final-01-19.pdf

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APPENDIX

Minute of meeting 1

No: 1 Date: 16/12/2022 Time: 8-9 pm

Methods of meeting: Face to face

1. Nur Adibah Hanim BT Mohd Nizam

2. Divagaran A/L Gunasekaran

Attendance:
3. Nurul Izzuaniza BT Samsuri

4. Shankaravathanaa A/L Shanmuga Sekar

5. Nur Syamimi BT Syahron Nizam

6. Muhammad Fayzull Izanee Bin Mohd Farid

Meeting Agenda

No. Details Person in charge

1. Briefing towards initiating the project report Nur Adibah Hanim BT

Mohd Nizam

2. discuss few point that can be added to this all

report

3. group leader gave task division and separation Divagaran A/L

to each of the group member and suggestion Gunasekaran
for improvement

Prepared by Verified by

Divagaran A/L Gunasekaran Nur Syamimi BT Syahron Nizam

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Minute of meeting 2

No: 1 Date: 23/12/2022 Time: 8-10.30 pm

Methods of meeting: Online

1. Nur Adibah Hanim BT Mohd Nizam

2. Divagaran A/L Gunasekaran

Attendance:
3. Nurul Izzuaniza BT Samsuri

4. Shankaravathanaa A/L Shanmuga Sekar

5. Nur Syamimi BT Syahron Nizam

6. Muhammad Fayzull Izanee Bin Mohd Farid

Meeting Agenda

No. Details Person in charge

1. Briefing towards initiating the project report Nur Adibah Hanim BT

Mohd Nizam

2. discuss few point that can be added to this all

report

3. group leader gave task division and separation Divagaran A/L

to each of the group member and suggestion Gunasekaran
for improvement

Prepared by Verified by

Divagaran A/L Gunasekaran Nur Syamimi BT Syahron Nizam

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