SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS REPORT FOR MALAYSIA By FORUM 21

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS REPORT FOR MALAYSIA

By FORUM 21

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Since the concept of sustainable development arose, the Malaysian government
has sought to promote holistic development. It began to implement proactive policies and
strategies at different levels from the 7th Malaysia Plan onwards.
However, the rapid pace of development undertaken in Malaysia has also
resulted in severe environment degradation, depleting non-renewable resources and
social inequity whilst bringing improvements in economic growth.
After 22 years of the historic Rio Summit in Rio de Janeiro, how far has the
Malaysia been successful in achieving sustainable development? How sure are we on
the right path in achieving better quality of life for everyone now and for generations to
come?
Sustainable development indicators [SDIs] provide an empirical and numerical
basis for evaluating performance, for calculating the impact of our activities on the
environment and society, and for connecting past and present activities to attain future
goals. These indicators should be able to give a broader, clearer state of the
phenomenon. Hence, sustainable development should address not only economic
growth but also social progress and environmental protection, the three pillars of
sustainable development being interdependent. Without a proper measurement to track
all types of valuable assets, we will lose these assets without realizing it.
In the Malaysian context, assessments of sustainable development have been
attempted [more as quality of life indices] by government as well as international
institutions. This is the first attempt by a Malaysian group of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) to establish its own set of SDIs to assess Malaysia’s sustainable
development performance. This initiative has come from Forum 21 which aims to put in
place a system which can help the public and policy makers focus on the objectives, link
them to clearer goals and targets and assess the effectiveness of policies.
Forum members have sought to use publicly available data to draw up the SDIs.
There have been problems because of the paucity of data and the difficulty of tying such
data to sustainable development concepts. Hence this first attempt is limited in scope.
In this Report, the SDIs deal with health [Federation of Family Planning
Associations, Malaysia (FFPAM)], gender equity [National Council of Women’s
Organisations (NCWO)], energy and transportation [Centre for Environment,
Technology and Development, Malaysia (CETDEM)], water resource utilization [World
Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia)], and social equality [Socio Economic
& Environmental Research Institute (SERI)].
We hope that through this Report, policy makers as well as the public can fully
use these indicators to know what sustainability we have achieved and what irreversible
impacts we have had to the environment. Of course, learning from mistakes should help

steer us to the correct path.

World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia)
1.0 Introduction
Development is not possible without water1. Therefore, water resources must be
developed and managed in a sustainable manner to ensure the social, economic and
environmental development of the current and future generations are not jeopardized.
Because of the strong water-development linkage, and as water is a common
factor that cuts across all sectors of development, monitoring the sustainability of water
resources can effectively provide an indication of sustainable development in a country.
Hence, the Sustainable Development Indicators (SDI) for water as compared to other
SDIs is perhaps the most representative of sustainable development.
This paper presents the assessment of major issues pertaining to the
sustainability of water resources use and development in Malaysia, and recommends
appropriate SDIs for measuring the sustainability of water resources.
1.1 Water Resource Availability
Malaysia is considered a country “rich” in water resources. The country receives
an average of about 3,000mm rainfall annually which makes up a total volume of some 990
billion cubic metres (BCM) (1 BCM = 1 million Mega litres) of total annual water resources.
Of this amount, 360 BCM comprise unavailable water that is needed to maintain the
process of evapo-transpiration within the water cycle. The remaining 630 BCM (i.e.
groundwater of 64 BCM plus surface runoff of 566 BCM) constitute the country’s total
available water. This amount translates to approximately 20,000 cubic metres of water
available per person per year. However, due to the degradation of water resources and
water catchments, the amount of available and usable water may be much less than this
figure. Based on this premise, an estimate of 5,400 cubic metres per capita per year was
suggested by Salmah Zakaria & Rafidah Kassim (1999). Yet when compared with the
amounts of water resources available to people in many of the African countries where
the per capita renewable water is commonly less than 1,000 cubic metres per capita per
year, the corresponding amount available to Malaysians is truly enormous.
Table 1: Estimated Total Annual Water Resource in Malaysia
(Source: Hj. Keizrul bin Abdullah, 1998)
(Note: 1 BCM (Billion Cubic Metres) = 1 Million Mega litres)
Hydrological Parameter Total Volume per Annum (Billion m3)
1. Annual Rainfall (3,000 mm) 990
2. Evapo-transpiration 360
3. Effective Rainfall (1 – 2) 630
4. Surface Runoff 566
5. Groundwater Recharge 64
6. Total Water Demand 15.5 (2.7 % of Surface Runoff)

1 Water is taken to mean freshwater, unless specified otherwise.

Focus Area: Sustainability of Malaysia's Water Resources Utilisation

Water for now and in future
Malaysians continue to waste water - a precious and finite resource – despite the frequent episodes of water shortages that make headlines every so often. As a nation, we just don’t feel strongly enough about managing our water resources sustainably.

For planners and decision makers in government, it helps to have suitable indicators to measure the sustainability of our water resources. WWF-Malaysia, with the assistance from Water Watch Penang (WWP) studied the state of water resources management in Malaysia to identify:
major issues relating to sustainability of water resources in Malaysia;
suitable Sustainable Development Indicators (SDIs) to measure the sustainability of water resources.

The study identified 11 major issues that affect the sustainability of Malaysia's water resources. For the SDI, the study recommended the Water Sustainability Index (WSI) that measures the sustainability of water resources both in terms of availability and usage. Water availability directly affects the sustainability of water resources and therefore, the country’s overall sustainable development. Whereas, water use if uncontrolled, can deplete supply, rendering water resources unsustainable. Water use - linked to high water consumption and wastage, and high non-revenue water (NRW) rates - can undermine the sustainability of our water resources.

The WSI showed a decrease from 64% in 1992 to 33% in 2002 – a reflection that Malaysia’s water resources are rapidly depleting and have been managed unsustainably. Applying a more comprehensive and reliable WSI in future that incorporates additional aspects such as water resources availability, water supply adequacy, water catchment adequacy, water pollution, water consumption, NRW and water rates would be the way to go.

Besides providing a good resource tool, the study results also contributed inputs to a publication produced by Forum 21 entitled 'Malaysia's Development Progress Towards Sustainable Development' on six key sectors including water resources. This informal network of Malaysian environmental and social NGOs aims to share ideas, opinions and recommendations on sustainable development based on the Agenda 21.

Sustainable Water Use

All of us recognise that water is needed in all aspects of our life and adequate supply of good quality water is critical for our well-being. Without water, development would also not be possible - it’s a common factor that cuts across all sectors of development.

In Malaysia, we are blessed with an abundance of rainfall and water resources. It has been estimated that each of us enjoy a per capita renewable water of more than 5,000 m3 per person per year. When compared to water resources available to people in many other countries where the per capita renewable water of less than 1,000 m3 per capita per year are not uncommon, the amount available to Malaysians is enormous. Yet, we are faced by water shortages and crises in many parts of the country. Obviously, the shortages and crises are not caused by having too little water to satisfy our needs. Rather it’s caused by unsustainable management of water resources that causes many people and the environment to suffer.

We must re-think the way we use and manage water, and recognise the link between water and the natural environment. Sustainable water use is a possible solution and approaches such as Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) offers great potential as the way forward for ensuring the sustainability of our water resources.

The scope of IWRM is wide and it emphasises the integration of natural and human systems that include integration between the various components of water, and integration between water with the related land and environmental resources, and social and economic development. Sustainable water use through IWRM must happen at all levels and it needs to involve everyone from government agencies to private sector, NGOs, communities and individuals.

Our Water Sources

The Water Cycle
Highland forests are usually high-rainfall areas. Precipitation or rain is formed in the highlands resulting from the condensation of moisture in the atmosphere. Scientific evidence shows that forests at elevations above 1,500m also have the ability to strip moisture from the wind-blown dusts. This function is important especially during low rainfall periods.

Forests in the highlands have been likened to a giant sponge that absorbs and accumulates rainwater intercepted by vegetation and the forest floor. Highland forests release water continuously into streams and rivers that flow downstream to coastal areas where they merge with the sea. The sun’s energy causes water from the sea and other water bodies to evaporate into water vapour that forms clouds. This repeated process of water dispersal, absorption and evaporation is known as the ‘water cycle’.
Where the River Begins
The highland forests are often referred to as natural ‘water towers’. This is because most rivers originate from there and a significant amount of water from rainfall is captured and accumulated by these forests. In fact, a large proportion of the river volume originates in the highlands.

Among the eight prominent mountain ranges forming Peninsular Malaysia’s highland landscapes, the Main Range is the longest and most contiguous. It stretches some 500km across five states - Kelantan, Perak, Pahang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. The Main Range is the peninsula’s most important catchment area, since many of the major rivers supplying freshwater in these five states originate from its forest base.

In the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, there are at least 18 mountain ranges and isolated mountain areas, all of which perform important roles in providing sources of freshwater supply.
About Malaysian Rivers
Sungai Perak (390 km), Sungai Selangor (80km) and Sungai Muar (190 km), which drain into Straits of Malacca and Sungai Kelantan (250 km) and Sungai Pahang (500 km), which drain into the South China Sea, are among the major rivers in Peninsular Malaysia.

In East Malaysia, the two principal rivers are Sungai Rajang in Sarawak and Sungai Kinabatangan in Sabah. Sungai Rajang (760 km) is the longest river in Malaysia while Sungai Kinabatangan (560 km), draining much of the eastern region of Sabah, ranks as Malaysia’s second longest river.

The Importance of Rivers
1. Rivers and Agriculture
In Malaysia, rivers support agricultural development and productivity. The highest percentage of water demand in Malaysia is for irrigation in the agriculture sector. Irrigation is employed primarily to cater for the double cropping of paddy.

2. Rivers for Domestic and Industrial Water Supply
In Malaysia, more than 90% of our water supply comes from rivers and streams. The demands for residential and industrial water supply has grown rapidly following the country’s economic shift towards industrialization in the 1980s, coupled with an increase in population and urban growth.

3. Rivers as Sanctuary for Biodiversity
Malaysian rivers are endowed with rich plant and animal life. Our rivers support and sustain biodiversity within the river itself, along riverbanks and in the surrounding environment. As a river journeys from its highland origins on to its lower reaches, plants and animals, especially aquatic life, differ along its seaward course.

4. Rivers for Provision of Food Sources
Traditionally, the importance of freshwater fisheries relates more significantly to the livelihood of rural riverine populations. In recent years, however, recreational or sports fishing has expanded rapidly, adding a new economic dimension to the freshwater fisheries resource. Besides the popular edible fish species like Lampam Sungai (Puntius schwanenfeldii) and Jelawat (Leptobarbus hoeveni), freshwater prawns and certain aquatic plants are also major food sources derived from rivers.

5. Rivers for Transportation
Some of the remote and interior villages in Sarawak, Sabah, Perak and Pahang depend on rivers for transportation. This traditional role of rivers continues today but at a much smaller scale than before. Without alternative modes of transportation and limited access, rivers provide the sole means to get in touch with the outside world.

6. Rivers for Generating Hydropower
For the period from 1996 to 2000, hydroelectric power output constituted between 7% -12% of the total national energy generated annually. It was estimated that 85% of the total hydropower potential of the country is found in the states of Sabah and Sarawak.

7. Rivers for Recreation
Many Malaysian rivers have high recreation value, which provide many opportunities for outdoor activities. For the adventurous, the Pelagus rapids on Rajang River in Sarawak and the Padas, Tuaran and Papar Rivers in Sabah are popular for white-water rafting, while the Nenggiri River in Kelantan and Tembeling River in Pahang are favourite locations for kayaking and canoeing.

There are a number of relatively accessible scenic rivers in Malaysia for those who prefer nature and wilderness experiences. Among them are the Endau River in Johor, the Tembeling River in Pahang, the Skrang River in Sarawak and the Menanggol River in Sabah. Rivers such as the Tembeling and Nenggiri are also well-known historic routes, making them ideal for educational recreation. For those seeking relaxation and fun retreats, there are many beautiful waterfalls throughout the country that have become popular spots for such use. Recreational or sports fishing is also becoming popular with many anglers hiking to the upper reaches of rivers to fish.
Facts on Water
About 70% of all available freshwater is used for agriculture. Yet because of inefficient irrigation systems, particularly in developing countries, 60% of this water is lost to evaporation or is returned to rivers and groundwater aquifers.
Water withdrawals for irrigation have increased by over 60% since 1960.
Water use increased six-fold during the last century, more that twice the rate of population growth.
By the year 2025, it is predicted that water withdrawal will increase by 50% in developing countries and 18% in developed countries.
Water losses due to leakage, illegal water hook-ups and waste total up to about 50% of the amount of water used for drinking in developing countries.
About 40% of the world’s population currently lives in areas with moderate to high water stress. By 2025, it is estimated that about two thirds of the world’s population (about 5.5 billion people) will live in areas facing such water stress.

Source: International Year of Freshwater 2003 Fact Sheet
The World’s Water
Earth may be a water planet, but freshwater is scarce….

97% of water is salty or otherwise undrinkable, and almost 3% is locked away in ice caps, glaciers or deep underground……

It is estimated that only 0.003% is actually available for use.

If all the earth’s water is represented by a litre, only a teaspoon is available for us to use.
Pollution Doesn’t Pay…It Kills!
Asian rivers are the most polluted in the world, with 3 times as many bacteria from human waste as the global average and 20 times more lead than those from industrialised countries1.

Every year1
300-500 million tonnes of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge and other wastes accumulate in water resources from industries.
More than 2.2 million people die from diseases related to contaminated drinking water and poor sanitation.

Every day1
About 2 million tones of waste are dumped into rivers, lakes and streams.
6,000 people, mostly children under the age of 5, die from diarrhoeal disease.

Every litre1
1 litre of wastewater pollutes about 8 litres of freshwater. There is an estimated 12,000 km3 of polluted water worldwide, which is more than the total amount of water contained in the world’s largest river basins.

At any one time2
Half the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from water-borne disease.

Source 1: Executive Summary UN World Water Development Report (www.wateryear2003.org/en)
Source 2: International Year of Freshwater 2003 Factsheet (www.wateryear2003.org/en)

River Basins Water Quality Trend 1993 - 2003
Note:
The Department of Environment (DoE) started monitoring river water quality in Malaysia in 1978. As of 2003, there were 926 manual stations located in 120 river basins. In addition to the manual stations, 15 automatic water quality stations have been installed at major rivers to capture real time data on specific parameters to monitor river water quality changes continuously.
Appraisal of Malaysian River Water Quality
River water quality appraisal is based on the Water Quality Index (WQI) consisting of five parameters, namely, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3N), suspended solids (SS) and pH. Water quality data collected from monitored rivers are then compared with the Interim National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) to determine their status as clean, slightly polluted or polluted.