A case study on an environmental impact assessment in Malaysia

Abstract

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure in Malaysia has been developed primarily as an aid to the environmental planning of new or existing development projects. The pollution control which have been promoted for quite some time in Malaysia is essentially a curative process where else the implementation of the mandatory EIA procedures is more of a preventive measure to avoid costly mistakes in planning and development. All activities listed under the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 1987 have to undergo an EIA before commencement of work. This paper describes the EIA process in Malaysia with a particular reference to a proposed new road which has undergone an EIA study. The EIA procedure as outlined in the Environmental Quality Act, Malaysia (1974) is discussed and several aspects of the EIA process is highlighted.