MUCH coverage has been given to the sombre state of the Malaysian environment. Pollution, it seems, is related to institutional, administrative and legislative limitations. While it is true much still needs to be done to achieve environmental sustainability, not everything is doom and gloom.
The Department of Environment usually gets a lot of flak when it comes to environmental issues and degradation. What many don’t realise is that the agency itself has its own hurdles to face. For example, not all pollution sources are governed under the Environmental Quality Act (EQA), 1974, (the main act which the agency enforces to control pollution).
This is perhaps why the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) introduced the Selangor Water Management Authority Enactment 1999, Emission or Discharge of Pollutants (State of Selangor) Regulations 2012 as a measure to control pollution sources not “traditionally” governed in the EQA, 1974.
This is a good measure. Even the establishment of Luas is a feat in environmental conservation. It provides a platform for respective agencies (both state and federal) to coordinate various aspects of river basin management in the state. It is a move towards realising the philosophy of Integrated River Basin Management. This strategy is also now being emulated by other states.
The authorities have also done a tremendous job in advancing environmental management in the country. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure, for example, was introduced in 1987.
It is a tool to manage and minimise environmental impacts from emerging developments (or “prescribed activities”). During the EIA process, potential impacts towards the environment are ascertained so that adequate mitigation measures can be identified.
Some detractors argue that an EIA is just a “rubber stamp” with little bearing; “projects” get approved anyway. Here is where a bit of pragmatism is required.
EIA approval does not constitute environmental loss. Unless a project causes significant disturbance/impact towards the surrounding environment, it should be approved, shouldn’t it ?
Just because a project is approved does not mean the EIA process failed and the environment loses. We should all be for development. What’s important is the impact is adequately managed and minimised.
Unfortunately, there are still irresponsible parties that try to bulldoze a project without an EIA study (or any sort of environmental management plan). They are either ignorant of the requirement or just sheer arrogant.
Under such circumstances, stop-work orders are issued by the authorities until an EIA study is conducted and proper approval obtained. The stop-work order is irrespective of private or public sector proponents. The bottom line is that the law has been violated and action must be taken.
Now, imagine the environmental situation in the country if there were no legislation/regulations, no enforcing agency and no EIA required. A country where greed roams free and greedy parties can do whatever they want to the environment.
Certainly the environmental condition would be even worse than how it is today.
The authorities also conduct comprehensive environmental monitoring around the country. The Air Pollution Index (API) indicates air quality relative to health risks/hazards.
The tool is of particular importance during the haze phenomenon as it determines crucial decisions, such as the closure of schools or declaring a state of emergency, etc, based on the air quality.
To generate the data, continuous online monitoring is conducted at strategic locations nationwide.
Establishment of stations (and network) takes a lot of effort and rigorous quality control. It should be noted that these stations were established at a time where “online” systems were only an emerging concept.
Besides this, river water samples are also collected at over 800 stations (excluding the 10 online water quality stations). The data gives indication of the country’s environmental status and is presented in the annual “Environmental Quality Report”.
I salute environmental officers and enforcers who have given their best for environmental preservation. Sometimes, they even have to stand toe-to-toe with arrogant and dangerous parties; putting their own safety on the line!
There has also been advancement in environmental awareness. This is a direct result of education and development of expertise, particularly at universities.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Malaysian students went overseas to pursue studies on the environment and were able to apply what they had learned and contribute to the country’s environmental management upon their return.
Technology and knowledge transfer from foreign partners/specialists also transpired. Those in academia also imparted their knowledge in local universities.
Environmental courses are now part of many science and engineering programmes in local universities. Environmental research has also taken centre stage in many institutions of higher learning.
Thus, educators are also important advocates of environmental conservation. In this aspect, academia helps to structure a more environmentally conscious society.
These are just some examples of environmental progressions. So, while improvement is still needed, we should look at it as a glass half full rather than half empty.
The writer is an associate professor at the Department of Engineering, International Islamic University