Malaysia: Regulatory Framework
Key National Legislation
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Legislation Addressing the Environment |
- Environmental Quality Act 1974
- Protection of Wildlife Act 1972
- National Parks Act 1980
- Road Transport Act 1987
- Factories and Machinery Act 1967
- National Land Code 1965
- Land Conservation Act 1960
- Fisheries Act 1985
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- Town and Country Planning Act 1976
- Continental Act 1966
- Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1984
- Pesticide Act 1974
- Land Acquisition Act 1960
- Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952
- Road Transport Ordinance 1958 (motor vehicle of smoke and gas
emission rules) 1977
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A number of regulations for noise, water, and marine pollution
control have been developed under the Environmental Quality Act of
1974, Malaysia's principal environmental legislation.
Industries are required to comply with air emission standards as
stipulated by the Environmental Quality Act of 1974 in Appendix G of the
document Environmental Requirements: A Guide for Investors.
Appendix 1 of that document gives the recommended Malaysian air quality
guidelines (Ambient Standards). These standards are regarded as
acceptable conditions of emissions and discharge allowed in Malaysia.
(Source: Environmental Requirements: A Guide for Investors, DOE,
Malaysia)
Industries are required to comply with effluent discharge standards as
stipulated by the Environmental Quality Act of 1974 in Appendix H of
Environmental Requirements: A Guide for Investors.
Malaysia has developed a comprehensive set of legal provisions related to
the management of toxic and hazardous wastes. The regulation was based
on the "cradle-to-grave" principle.
A facility which generates, stores, transports, treats or disposes
scheduled waste is subject to the following regulations: Environmental
Quality (Scheduled Wastes), (Prescribed Premises), (Scheduled Wastes
Treatment and Disposal Facilities) Regulations of 1989.
The Environmental Quality Act (Environment Impact Assessment of 1987),
administered by the Department of Environment (DOE), specifies impact
assessment requirements for new projects.
For an industrial project, the environmental impact assessment (EIA)
generally would assist in determining site suitabiity as well as the
necessary environmental control and mitigation measures. A handbook of
EIA Procedure and Guidelines has been prepared to help project
proponents understand the objectives of EIA, procedures for carrying out EIA
studies and guidelines for the preparation of reports. The handbook can be
obtained from the Department of Environment.
Malaysia has a federal system of government. Responsibility for the
environment is divided between federal, state and local authorities. The
main federal authority is the Ministry of Science, Technology and
Environment and, within it, DOE.
State governments are responsible for waste disposal activities and land
use planning and building while local governments are responsible for local
pollution issues and drainage.
The Malaysian government has formed a National Council for the
Environment to coordinate all environmental policies on a national level.
The DOE has 10 regional offices responsible for enforcement and liaison
with State governments.
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment
(Kementerian Sains, Tecknologi dan Alam Sekitar, Malaysia)
Tingkat 14, Wisma Sime Darby
Jalan Raja Laut
50662 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 60 3-293-8955 Fax: 60 3-293-6006
Director General
Department of Environment
Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment
12th & 13th Floor, Wisma Sime Darby
Jalan Raja Laut,
50662 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 6 03-2947844 Fax: 6 03-2931480
website: www.jas.sains.my
Email: SEKITAR@jas.sains.my
Representative of the Department of Environment
Advisory Services Centre
Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA)
G-3-6 & 9th Floor, Wisma Damansara
Damansara Heights, PO Box 10618
50720 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-255-3633 / 259-5580 Fax: 03-255-7970 / 253-8471
Ministry of Tourism and Environment Sabah
Tel: 088-258-472
Email: mted@po.jaring.my |
