Chapter 1 Overview of Environmental Issues and Environmental Conservation Practices in Malaysia

Abstract

This chapter is divided into seven sections which encompass all the basic information required for Japanese companies to work out the most appropriate environmental measures for their particular operations in Malaysia. Section 1 gives an overview of Malaysia and its relationship with Japan and Japanese companies. Section 2 describes Malaysia's present environmental problems, while Section 3 outlines Malaysia's environmental legislation and administrative framework. Sections 4, 5, and 6 describe the regulatory regime and procedures for dealing with the three main environmental issues in Malaysia -water pollution, air pollution, and industrial waste. Section 7 concerns environmental impact assessment (EIA), which is required prior to plant construction and other projects, and explains the assessment process and the activities to which the EIA system applies. The complete text of the Environmental Quality Act (the most recent 1998 amended edition) is given in Appendix 1, and relevant portions of the regulations pertaining to the treatment of scheduled wastes, notified under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, are provided in Appendix 2.