Centring Indigenous Wisdom in Malaysia’s Climate Leadership

March 29, 2025 Macaranga Leave a comment

The focus on ‘new green growth’ means Malaysia is missing the opportunity to draw on the ancient ecological knowledge of indigenous communities, writes human rights lawyer Loh Jing Rou.

FOR INDIGENOUS communities, the forests whisper stories older than the cities that now rise around them—stories of survival, stewardship, and sacred knowledge. In the rustling of leaves, the ebb and flow of rivers, and the dance of fireflies once guiding the harvest, a wisdom endures.

Yet, as Malaysia steps into the global climate arena—boasting green technologies and policy reforms—an ancient wisdom remains at the margins: Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).

[Feature image: The Semai hill paddy planting season sees dibbling (making small holes in the ground for seeds) occur in August—September | Photo by Fikri Husin (Gerimis Art Project)]

In-Depth

The Public Must Get Involved Before the EIA Review

April 8, 2025 Yao Hua Law Leave a comment

In this third and final part on how the public can participate in EIA reviews, we discuss the need and ways to get the public more involved in development planning. It must start long before the EIA process. Also read Part 1 and Part 2.

WHEN MARINE conservationist Alvin Chelliah chatted with experts for the Tioman airport EIA report, their replies were calm, technical, and dotted with data. For the local villagers, however, emotions ran high, for the stakes were higher.

“They were stunned and shocked to hear exactly what was happening,” recalled Chelliah of his at Kampung Paya and Kampung Genting. These villages sat on the shore by the proposed airport. Before Chelliah showed them the site map from the EIA report, the villagers did not know where the airport runway would be.

He and his team had been encouraging locals to share their views. But many of the details in the report – construction physics, soil dynamics, hydraulics – were gibberish to the untrained.

(Feature image: Marine conservationists Alvin Chelliah (standing, right) went to 7 villages on Tioman Island to present his team’s findings of the EIA report. | Photo: Reef Check Malaysia)

In-Depth

Producing Public Feedback that Works for EIA Reviews

April 10, 2025 Yao Hua Law Leave a comment

In this second part on how the public can participate in EIA reviews, we lay out suggestions by civil society and government efforts to improve the process. Part 2 of 3. Read Part 1 and Part 3.

IN 2023, marine conservationist Alvin Chelliah had a challenge the size of an encyclopaedia. Splayed across his computer screen was the environmental impact assessment report (EIA) of the Tioman airport project.

The main report was over 1,000 pages thick. Chapter 6, which described the environment on the project site alone, had 200 graphs and 125 tables. The appendix was twice the size of the main report.

Chelliah, the Chief Programme Officer at Reef Check Malaysia, was looking for gaps in the report. The federal Department of Environment (DOE) had put up the report for public review in June 2023. Chelliah had 30 days whereby the report would stay online, and another 15 days to submit comments.

He and his team had been encouraging locals to share their views. But many of the details in the report – construction physics, soil dynamics, hydraulics – were gibberish to the untrained.

(Feature image: A random selection of the hundreds of graphs, tables and images in the EIA report of the proposed Tioman airport project. | Compiled by Macaranga)

In-Depth

How Public Input Affects EIA Reports

April 17, 2025 Yao Hua Law 1 Comment

The government recently said that it “welcomes public comments on EIA reports”. Macaranga digs into what comments actually matter, and why. Part 1 of 3. Read Part 2 and Part 3.

WHEN RARE earth refinery Lynas Malaysia wanted to build a disposal facility for its radioactive waste in 2021, its environmental impact assessment (EIA) report got a record-breaking 4,000 comments from the public. Most opposed the facility. But the report got approved anyway.

Does public feedback even matter? It does, but only if it addresses technical issues in the report. The EIA review is not a voting process, say EIA consultants.

In this 3-part series, Macaranga speaks with the Department of Environment (DOE), EIA consultants, and civil society organisations to learn how we can make public participation more meaningful in shaping what projects are run and how.

(Feature image: KUASA, an environmental NGO, held mock environmental impact assessment sessions for Orang Asli communities to prepare them for future dialogues with developers and consultants. (Photo courtesy of KUASA))

Remarks

Slow Adoption of Biotech Crops Could Cost Malaysia

February 7, 2025 Macaranga 1 Comment

With droughts and heavy rainfall disrupting agriculture, Malaysia’s slow uptake of biotech crops as a solution is worrying, writes science communicator Saarani Vengadesen.

AS ONE OF Southeast Asia’s agricultural powerhouses, Malaysia faces a growing challenge: how to sustain its agricultural output while protecting the environment.

With climate change affecting rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and increasing pest resistance, traditional farming practices are struggling to meet the demands of both farmers and the planet.

(Feature image: Food security needs to be bolstered with all the means available | Photo by Lee Kwai Han)

Insight

Helping Sabah’s Sun Bears Return to the Wild

April 8, 2025 Vincent Tan Leave a comment

(Feature image: Sun bears Sunbearo and Loki being released into the forest in 2021. The two were among the 12 bears released by the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) between 2015–2022. (Tee Thye Lim/BSBCC))

Returning rescued sun bears to their wild homes is tough and too many die in the process. While conservationists labour to help these bears, they say it is better that the bears never left the forests.

INSIDE SABAH’S Tabin Wildlife reserve, just over an hour’s drive from the seaside town of Lahad Datu, 4 men trudge into a natural clearing in the forest, their footing sure despite the muddy terrain. They are carefully hauling the disassembled parts of a wild bear trap.

One man empties a packet of bait into a small cage made of wire mesh. He hoists and suspends the small cage into the air. His 2 other teammates rapidly assemble the bear trap.

In-Depth

Jury Out on Whether Petting Zoos Aid Conservation

March 10, 2025 Lee Kwai Han Leave a comment

Petting zoos are gaining in popularity and host local and exotic animals. In Part 2, we ask how petting zoos are sourcing their wildlife, especially animals that are legally protected.

PALM COCKATOOS (Probosciger aterrimus) are handsome birds. Smoky black feathers, tomato-red cheeks, and a high mohawk crest. This bird – one of the few known to make tools for music – originates from New Guinea and northern Australia.

But in Malaysia, you might find them in petting zoos and zoos. Some have even been trained to perch on human arms for photos.

Wild individuals cannot be imported into Malaysia for commercial purposes, but captive-bred ones may. However, conservationists point to the murkiness surrounding sourcing these rare parrots.

(Feature image: Insta-worthy, but how much does providing such interaction help conserve wild parrots? | Photo by Lee Kwai Han)

In-Depth

Petting Wildlife Sending Mixed Signals

March 7, 2025 Lee Kwai Han Leave a comment

Petting zoos with their wildlife and exotic species, are becoming increasingly popular. In Part 1 of 2, we look at the impact of these facilities on the welfare of both wildlife and humans.

AS SOON as they entered the petting zoo, schoolchildren excitedly rushed towards the pygmy horse behind a wooden fence. Quickly, they grabbed carrot sticks from their plastic tub feeding kits. The next instant, they were waving more than a dozen carrots at the horse.

Each child was hoping the horse would pick the one in his hand. But that was just a starter for the children at Farm in the City, one of the largest petting zoos in Malaysia.

(Feature image: The boom in petting zoos has pros and cons, as they feature wildlife, including exotic creatures such as the Aldabra giant tortoise, endemic to Seychelles | Photo by Lee Kwai Han)

Remarks

A Roadmap for Disaster Resilience in Malaysia

December 23, 2024 Macaranga Leave a comment

From infrastructure to community involvement and good governance, resilience in the face of disasters must be built, writes disaster management professional Dr Sheikh Kamran Abid.

THIS November-to-December monsoon has been vicious, racking up the largest victim displacement – at least 120,000 – since the large big flood of 2014.

But Malaysia is no stranger to natural disasters. The country faces various environmental risks, from devastating floods to landslides and droughts. In recent years, the impacts of climate change have intensified these natural hazards, making it more urgent than ever to build disaster resilience.

(Feature image: As landslides and other natural disasters increase due to the climate crisis, resilience at every level needs to be built. | Screenshot from JKR Daerah Kinta Facebook )

Insight

Banking on River Reserves to Protect Water Supply

February 7, 2025 Chen Yih Wen Leave a comment

Selangor wants to secure its water supply with more river reserves. But will the law have teeth? And what about protecting the forests that feed the rivers?

SELANGOR residents are no strangers to frequent water cuts. They have suffered water cuts due to river pollution every year in the last decade except for 2017 and 2018, according to news reports.

Pollution in the raw water intake, particularly from illegal dumping and industrial discharge into rivers, has forced Air Selangor to shut down key treatment plants. Such disruptions severely impact the water supply for residents across Klang Valley and surrounding regions.

(Feature image: Volunteers doing their best to keep a riverbank clean in Taman Melawati, Selangor. River pollution has caused major and costly water cuts in the state. | Photo by Chen Yih Wen)

(Feature image: Marine conservationists Alvin Chelliah (standing, right) went to 7 villages on Tioman Island to present his team’s findings of the EIA report. | Photo: Reef Check Malaysia)

(Feature image: A random selection of the hundreds of graphs, tables and images in the EIA report of the proposed Tioman airport project. | Compiled by Macaranga)

(Feature image: KUASA, an environmental NGO, held mock environmental impact assessment sessions for Orang Asli communities to prepare them for future dialogues with developers and consultants. (Photo courtesy of KUASA))

(Feature image: Sun bears Sunbearo and Loki being released into the forest in 2021. The two were among the 12 bears released by the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) between 2015–2022. (Tee Thye Lim/BSBCC))

(Feature image: Insta-worthy, but how much does providing such interaction help conserve wild parrots? | Photo by Lee Kwai Han)

(Feature image: The boom in petting zoos has pros and cons, as they feature wildlife, including exotic creatures such as the Aldabra giant tortoise, endemic to Seychelles | Photo by Lee Kwai Han)

(Feature image: Volunteers doing their best to keep a riverbank clean in Taman Melawati, Selangor. River pollution has caused major and costly water cuts in the state. | Photo by Chen Yih Wen)

A Malaysian Environmental Journalism Site