Mohamad Nuzul Azuar B.

Zulkifli 0831739 Development and Environment issues: The Role of Politicians in Malaysia and its implications. Introduction Malaysia is a developing country which has been experiencing massive economic growth over three decades. However, continuous massive growth would cause a detrimental effect on the natural environmental and its resources. In achieving the title of developed country and at the same time to protect,conserve and preserve the environment is not an easy task but it is not impossible to do so. At the meeting of the Malaysian Business Council on 28th February 1991, the honourable former Prime Minister Malaysia, Y.A.B. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad presented Malaysias vision 2020 in his working paper entitled Malaysia: The Way Forward. The paper focuses on economic development and economic social justice. However, the main proviso in the paper is the subject of natural resources and the environment. He quoted in his speech we must also ensure that our valuable natural resources are not wasted. Our land must remain productive and fertile, our atmosphere clear and clean, our water unpolluted,our forest resources capable of regeneration, able to yield the needs of national development. The beauty of our land could not desecrated: for its own sake and for our economic advancement. In other words, both, development and environment are important to our country. Thus, an effective planning and immediate concrete strategies are necessary in order to save our environment at early stage without compromising the needs of development. Politicians play an important role nowadays since they are a public figure and influenced person. Some of them has power to amend the laws and outspoken. Politicians cannot run from their responsibility to ease people and uphold their right. While, environment would lead to the right of people in their quality of life. Thus, environment and people cannot be separated. Any issue raises by public should be extensively analysed since it relates with the right of public and the responsibility of the politicians. In short, the roles of politicians are extensively and critically analysed in this

workpiece and some recommendation and suggestion for the betterment of the country are provided to reduce the lacuena in this issue. The right of people in enjoying this natural environment should be balanced with the needs and importance of development.

Statement of Problem This case study is conducted in order to identify the role of politicians in Malaysia and its effectiveness in balancing the need of development and environment. This study is based on the collection of data that has been gathered and analysed from the various sources which are articles, journals, some relevant cases, text books from these two areas, development and environment. Recently, many cases have been reported due to the inefficiency and dissatisfaction in regards to the role of politician in sustaining and preserving the environment but at the same time maintaining the needs of development. The politicians are in dillemma between the needs of the protection of the environment or the title of the developed state.

Objectives of Study 1) To identify the role of politicians towards environment and development 2) To find out the effectiveness strategies and initiatives taken by the politician in adapting these issues 3) To recommend and suggest some ideas in facing the development and environmental issues. 4) To highlight current issues relating to the environment and development. Research Question 1) What is the roles of politicians towards environment and development? 2) What are the strategies and initiatives taken by the politicians in adapting these issues? 3) What are possible recommendation and suggestion in improving our development and environmental issues? 4) What is the current issue relating toe the environment and development in our country recently? Definition of Terms Politician Environment Development

Literature Review i. Books Maizatun Mustafa, (2008), International Encyclopedia of Laws:

Environmental Law Malaysia, Belgium : Kluwer Law International Edward Christie, (2008), Finding Solutions for Environmental Conflicts: Power and Negotiation, Edward Elgar

ii.

Articles and Journal Maizatun Mustafa (2001). The Environmental Quality Act 1974: A Significant Legal instrument for Implementing Environmental Policy Directives of Malaysia. 19 IIUM Law Journal 1 Maizatun Mustafa [2009]. Environmental Quality ACT 1974: Development and Reform. 2 MLJA 55 Abu Bakar Jaafar. Malaysia: Policy, Laws and Responses to Environment Issues Malaysia, (1976). Third Malaysia Plan 1971-1975

iii.

Statute Environmental Quality Act 1974 Federal Constitution

iv.

Cases Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Alam Sekitar & Anor v Kajing Tubek & Ors and other appeals [1997] 3 MLJ 23

v.

Website

Methodology Finding and Discussion