In the domain of energy consumption in restaurant-type commercial buildings, traditional energy audits tend to concentrate mainly on electrical loads, often neglecting the specifics of the restaurant sector, especially regarding liquified petroleum gas fuel consumption. This research employs a comprehensive energy audit framework specifically designed for the commercial building restaurant sector. Using energy data from 130 restaurants, we computed the building energy index that ranged in between 650 and 1000 kWh/m²/year. Using linear regression, we assessed the relationship between building energy index and restaurant area, uncovering a low R² value, suggesting the unsuitability of the building energy index as an exclusive measure for restaurants. Concurrently, our detailed comparative study showed that liquified petroleum gas-fueled equipment uses about 38% more energy than electric fueled equipment but is 0.5% cheaper and significantly less polluting. Investigating renewable energy potentials, we found solar PV application as a viable option for restaurants. The results showed that solar PV installation could produce approximately 11,064,898 kWh, translating to utility savings of RM 7,381,929 and reductions of 7,108,327 kgCO₂, 68,959 kgSO₂, and 31,823 kgCO emissions. Conclusively, our findings underline the need for a diversified energy assessment in restaurants and the tangible benefits of renewable energy integration.

Malaysia is Asia's largest net labour importer, suggesting that the construction sector is significantly reliant on foreign labour, primarily from Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. Foreign labourers are needed to fill labour shortages caused by locals' reluctance to seek jobs in the construction sector. The demand for green buildings escalates the demand for foreign labour. However, there are criticisms of the performance of green buildings on account of accidents on sites, poor workmanship, and project delays. Hence, this research investigates the nature of foreign labourers in the construction of green buildings. In 2021, a total of 100 surveys were administered during the construction of the green building in Selangor, yet only 80 were returned, resulting in an 80% response rate. Based on the results, it is found that the industry's reliance on foreign immigrants arose because of its labour-intensive and dirty, hazardous, and difficult nature, which discourages the locals. The results of the test of goodness of fit for the impact of foreign labourers on the construction of green buildings. The results revealed that all the constructs were statistically significant. Results also found that poor communication leads to accidents, language barriers, a lack of understanding, and poor workmanship badly impacting the projects. Furthermore, a lack of knowledge and education reduces the green building's productivity. Not all foreign labourers are very well experienced in green building construction due to the new concept that they never heard of before in their countries.

The Malaysian construction sector is heavily dependent on foreign labour, making effective labour management a critical factor for project success. Despite their essential contributions to construction delivery and industry growth, foreign labourers often face challenges related to inadequate governance, weak enforcement, and suboptimal on-site management, exposing them to poor housing, low wages, unsafe conditions, and limited labour rights. These issues not only undermine worker well-being but also negatively impact productivity and project performance. This study investigates foreign labour management practices in Malaysia through a survey of 282 construction labourers using a 46-item questionnaire. The results indicate strong performance in workplace safety, supportive supervision, and accommodation management, while mid-level ratings were observed for job clarity, fair compensation, and training opportunities. High scores reflect better-performing sampled sites and do not mean issues are absent Weaknesses were identified in worker participation in decision-making and awareness of policies and labour rights. The findings underscore the need to enhance communication, participatory management, and policy awareness to improve worker satisfaction, compliance, and overall project outcomes. Strengthening these labour management practices is essential not only for protecting foreign labourers’ well-being but also for optimizing productivity and ensuring the effective execution of construction projects in Malaysia.