A Case Study Of The Environmental Impact Assessment Legislations In Sarawak, Malaysia

Authors

  • Daniel Tang Kuok Ho Curtin University Sarawak

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18034/apjee.v7i1.273

Keywords:

Environmental impact assessment, legislations, NREB, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a planning tool used to identify, predict, evaluate and mitigate the environmental effects of development projects. In Sarawak, EIA is governed by the both the State and the Federal EIA Orders. This leads to ambivalence in determining the legislation under which a prescribed activity demanding an EIA falls. This case study aims to investigate the implications associated with the coexistence of both EIA Orders in the state of Sarawak from the viewpoints of practicing environmental consultants. The case study reviews the EIA legislations governing EIA practices in the State and includes a qualitative survey involving practicing EIA consultants to gather feedback on the implications associated with the EIA practices and recommendations to resolve the problems identified. The study shows that even though a prescribed activity is defined by the EIA legislations, different stages of the prescribed activity eventually become prescribed activities on their own, which demand fulfillment of different EIA legislation. Unclear demarcation of EIA jurisdiction and different requirements on the scope of an EIA particularly for earthworks also contribute to doubts among environmental consultants interviewed. Consultation, involvement and effective communication with environmental protection as priority are crucial to minimize any uncertainty resulted from co-implementation of both the EIA legislations. Future study can look into comparing perceptions on the effectiveness of the State and the Federal EIA legislations. The case study delves into a crucial issue related to EIA practices in Sarawak, Malaysia which has persisted without being formally addressed in any previous studies.

 

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Author Biography

  • Daniel Tang Kuok Ho, Curtin University Sarawak

    Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University Sarawak, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, MALAYSIA

    Mr. Daniel Tang Kuok Ho is a lecturer at Curtin University Malaysia. He has a master's degree in environmental engineering and is currently pursuing his PhD in the area of health and safety. He teaches environmental impact assessment, climate change and courses related to sustainability. His research interests are safety and environmental management, environmental monitoring, life cycle assessment, and fuzzy logic.

References

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Published

2020-05-25

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2020): January - June Issue

Section

Articles

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How to Cite

Ho, D. T. K. . (2020). A Case Study Of The Environmental Impact Assessment Legislations In Sarawak, Malaysia. Asia Pacific Journal of Energy and Environment, 7(1), 47-54. https://doi.org/10.18034/apjee.v7i1.273

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