Water Resource Management in Malaysia Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

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July 2009

Introduction

Water – a vital natural resource for every living organism on Earth, or in other words, a life sustaining source for us. We have no way to survive without this simple molecule of H2O which seems to be plentiful and easily accessible anywhere and anytime. However, the unknown truth is that, water is depleting and diminishing every day, not slowly but on a drastic scale. According to (Chan, 2005), water is expected to be the main issue in the 21st century as this vital resource becomes increasingly polluted and scarce. The importance of water can never make their way thoroughly into the public’s mind. No matter how many times we are reminded, water is still mismanaged, wasted and even polluted. Even with all these unfortunate truths, the demand of freshwater is still increasing. The World Water Council has pointed out that the demand for freshwater resources double every 20 years or so. It has been projected that by year 2050, 65 countries will be hit by water supply problems with a total of seven billions of people, or 60% of the world’s population will suffer from water shortages.

Volume (1000 km3)

Percent of Total Water

Percent of Fresh Water

Oceans, Seas, & Bays 1,338,000 96.5 -

Ice caps, Glaciers, & Permanent

Snow

24,064 1.74 68.7

Groundwater 23,400 1.7 -

Soil Moisture 16.5 0.001 0.05

Ground Ice & Permafrost 300 0.022 0.86

Lakes 176.4 0.013 -

Fresh (91.0) (0.007) .26

Saline (85.4) (0.006) -

Atmosphere 12.9 0.001 0.04

Swamp Water 11.47 0.0008 0.03

Rivers 2.12 0.0002 0.006

Biological Water 1.12 0.0001 0.003

Total 1,385,984 100.0 100.0

Source: Gleick, P. H., 1996: Water resources. In Encyclopedia of Climate and Weather, ed. by S. H. Schneider, Oxford University Press, New York, vol. 2, pp.817-823. Table 1: One estimate of global water distribution Source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Water/

From Table 1, of the world’s total water supply of about 1,386 million cubic kilometers, only 93,100 cubic kilometers constitute surface-water sources available for human use. This clearly shows that of the 1,386 million cubic kilometers, only 0.00672% constitute fresh water supply (rivers and lakes) for human consumption. Therefore, it is undeniable that water must be managed in a sustainable manner in line with socioeconomic development. Current State of Water Environment in Malaysia In the year 2002, the Malaysian government formulated and approved the Policy on the Environment which integrates the three elements of sustainable development: economic, social and cultural development and environmental. This policy serves as an important guideline to all stakeholders to ensure that the environment is clean, safe, healthy and productive (The National Policy on the Environment, 2002). Further to the implementation of the Policy, the Ministry of Natural Resources (NRE) was formed in 2004 to, among other objectives, coordinate natural resources management in Malaysia. The total available internal water resources for Malaysia is 630,000 mcm/year and it is estimated that by the year 2025, the total demand will be 14,505 mcm/year compared to 1622 mcm/year in 2005 (State of Water Resources Management in ASEAN, 2005). These findings prompted the Malaysian government to recognize that the demand of water is increasing and poor management will deplete the water resources. Issues and Challenges in Managing Water Environment Rizal’s report for WEPA (Rizal, 2007) states that the major water related problems are identified in relevance to marine pollution, river pollution and overexploitation of resources. Domestic sewage discharge in the form of treated sewage remains as a large contributor to organic pollution. Rizal also reported that pollution to the environment is caused mainly by a poor attitude of the public towards conservation efforts. Apart from that, the lack of enforcement and monitoring of the industries and

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Water Resource Management in Malaysia Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

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July 2009

public are other challenges faced in managing water resources. Malaysia, as a rainfall abundant country, should not have these complications. Due to the mismanagement of water sourcing and supply, many water crises have happened few years back in different states. This clearly shows that the government’s effort is insufficient to contain this problem in our country. Therefore, the involvement of the public and NGOs in this matter is inevitable to bring out a more efficient and sustainable management of water resources. Solution – Involvement of NGOs Reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Non-Revenue Water (NRW) or water that is lost through unaccountable ways once it leaves the treatment plant has always been one of the major problems in water resource management in Malaysia. The average NRW for year 2005 is about 37.7% for the whole country (Liew, 2008). However, the percentage of NRW did not drop after a few years, where it increase to an even higher percentage, which was around 40% of the country’s total water usage in 2008.

In the Eighth Malaysia Plan (2001-2005), almost RM 1 billion was allocated for NRW reduction program and rehabilitation of water supply systems (Y.M. Raja Datuk Zaharaton, 2004). Despite knowing the seriousness of the NRW issue, the government failed to reduce the 36% NRW in year 2000, instead, it increased even more to 37.7% after the five years plan, and now almost reaching 40%.

The government should realize that NGOs can play a very important role where they can help to effectively reduce NRW, thus reducing the losses bore by our country. NGOs nowadays are mostly organized with different experts from different fields, and since they are actually a group of

concerned individuals with a non-profitable goal, NGOs are more than willing to help the government, if they are welcomed to. NGOs are able to come out with better and feasible solutions to reduce NRW compared to older solutions implemented. Besides large scale solutions, NGOs can also push the government to replace as many broken pipes as possible that have contributed to NRW, or strongly publicize the hotline to report leakages and burst pipes.

By rough calculation, we find that the reduction of NRW can reduce a significant amount of water treatment operation cost and the excess money can be used for other purposes in the country. Based on the Malaysia Water Industry Guide 2007, our country’s total production of treated water for year 2005 is 12468 MLD (million litres per day) and the NRW of the same year is around 37.7% or 4700 MLD. If the annual loss in revenue is based on the current domestic price of water sold in Penang Island which is RM 0.31 per m3, then the estimated loss in revenue per day will be RM 1.45 million, or an annual loss of RM 531.8 million. If NGOs are able to help the government reduce NRW by 10%, then for the same set of parameters, the government is able to save at least RM 141 Million per year.

Based on the rough estimation, the involvement of NGOs seems to be a feasible solution for NRW problem in water management in Malaysia, because it can reduce our country’s losses, in terms of water as a natural resource and also monetary income. Thus, the government should allow NGOs to help them in water management problem, especially in the reduction of NRW in the country.

Convincing the Public on Water Tariff Hike Another way to reduce the usage of water is by increasing the water tariff. Low water tariff gives the public a wrong perception that water is cheap and abundant. People nowadays are not aware of the scarcity of water and continue to waste this precious natural resource. NGOs can cooperate with the government by helping to convince the public to understand and accept the tariff hikes. The current water tariff system in Malaysia implements higher rates for higher consumption and domestic water tariffs are subsidized by the industrial water tariffs. This system promotes wastage. We noticed that Penang has the lowest industrial water tariff starting from RM 0.52 (Water Rates, 2009) co-relating to Penang’s significantly higher water consumption, an average of 744 million litres per day in 2008 (Sook Fun, 2008). Therefore, Penang should readjust their

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Water Resource Management in Malaysia Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

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July 2009

water tariff in order to lessen the water consumption. Increasing water tariffs will have an impact on the society. One disadvantage is that lower-class citizens will feel the burden of the increase. Without proper education, anger will rise among the public prompting state governments to oppose the water tariff hikes. This will hamper the genuine intentions of placing the price hike. There has also been an incident where water concessionaire Syabas gave out free water for first 20 cubic meters for domestic supply from June 2008 (Air percuma, 2008); and this has decreased the public’s appreciation towards water. Therefore, NGOs can play an important role where they can disseminate knowledge and create awareness among the public about the scarcity of water and why a price hike is necessary. Conclusion

Current NGOs are made up of locals with different professional expertise in many areas, including water management. They can contribute greatly if the government allows them to, offering their services for free in return for nothing. Formed by concerned citizens, they assist the government in many areas, providing ways and solutions throughout the partnership. Only through this, and the effort of the citizens, can the water resources be preserved for our children and future generations. References

Air percuma. (2008, June 20). Retrieved July 1, 2009, from Malaysiakini: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/84821 Chan, N. W. (2005). Water Resources Management in Malaysia: NGO Perspectives. Universiti Sains Malaysia, Geography Section, School of Humanities.

Economic Planning Unit, P. M. (2008). Mid-term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, 2006-2010. 88.

Liew, R. (2008, May). Country: Malaysian Water & Waste Water . Retrieved June 18, 2009, from U.S. Commercial Service Official Website: http://www.buyusa.gov/asianow/malaysiawater08.pdf

Malaysian Water Partnership. (2009, May 11). Retrieved July 1, 2009, from http://www.mywp.org.my/cms/

Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water. (2008, February 04). Water Tariff. Retrieved June 21, 2009, from Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water Official

Website: http://www.kettha.gov.my/template01.asp?contentid=306

Mohd Desa, M. N., & Shafie, A. (n.d.). Water Management and Capacity Building in IWRM in Malaysia.

Rizal, A. (2007). Current State of Water Environment in Malaysia. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia, Conservation and Environment Management Division. Water Environment Partnership in Asia (WEPA).

Sook Fun, T. (2008). Anual Report 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2009, from Perbandaran Bekalan Air (PBA): http://www.pba.com.my/

(2005). State of Water Resources Management in ASEAN. ASEAN Australia Development Coorperation Programme. Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat.

Tan, K., & Mazlin, B. M. (n.d.). Implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management in Malaysia: Some Issues and Challenges.

The National Policy on the Environment. (2002). Retrieved 06 17, 2009, from Department of Environment Malaysia: http://www.doe.gov.my/en/content/national-policy-environment

Water Rates. (2009, June 1). Retrieved July 1, 2009, from Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA): http://www.mida.gov.my/en_v2/index.php?page=water-rates

Y.M. Raja Datuk Zaharaton, R. Z. (2004, March 30). Asiawater Conference - Water Resources Management in Malaysia. Retrieved June 20, 2009, from Official Website of Economic Planning Unit: http://www.epu.gov.my/html/themes/epu/images/common/pdf/speecothers/txtspeech.pdf

Yeoh, C. (2009, April 11). Ranhill Utilities kurangkan NRW. Retrieved June 26, 2009, from Utusan Malaysia Online : http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=0411&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Korporat&pg=ko_01.htm

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