THE government has reaffirmed its focus on strengthening national resilience in the face of global disruptions affecting food, energy, water resources and the cost of living, placing renewed emphasis on safeguarding river water quality as a strategic priority for long-term economic stability and public wellbeing.
In line with the Malaysia MADANI framework and a broader push to enhance sustainable resource security, authorities are intensifying efforts to improve river management and environmental protection as part of what officials describe as a proactive national agenda.
These priorities were discussed at the National Special Committee on Addressing the Deterioration of River Water Quality (JKKAS) Meeting No. 1 of 2026, held today to strengthen coordination in managing and controlling river water quality in a more integrated and effective manner.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), underscoring the government’s view that water governance is now a central pillar of national resilience planning.
Fadillah said the meeting focused on tightening pollution control mechanisms, improving water resource governance and strengthening technical standards and guidelines related to the protection of Malaysia’s river systems.
Among the key measures discussed was a proposal to include a requirement for river sediment hydraulic studies in the revised Sand Extraction Guidelines (2020 amendment), aimed at ensuring that sand mining activities do not destabilise river systems, worsen erosion or degrade water quality.
The committee also agreed in principle to the development of new guidelines on the reuse of paddy field wastewater discharge, alongside the establishment of clearer effluent standards for agricultural activities, as part of efforts to address pollution from farming in a more structured and sustainable way.
In addition, the meeting was briefed on the development of an industrial livestock pollution index guideline by the Department of Veterinary Services, as well as findings from an Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) study conducted by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage.
The study identified key contributors to the deterioration of river water quality across major river basins in the country.
Authorities further stressed the need for stronger follow-up action, enhanced enforcement, closer federal-state coordination and a holistic river basin management approach to ensure long-term protection of national water resources.
The meeting brought together state executive councillors responsible for water management, senior government officials, technical agencies, state water regulators and representatives from relevant ministries.
PETRA reiterated its commitment to strengthening strategic collaboration with state governments and stakeholders, stating that sustainable water management remains essential to safeguarding both public welfare and environmental integrity amid growing global uncertainty. - May 14, 2026
