4th National Report to CBD - NRE

4 th National Report
Strategy 9 - Review legislation to reflect biological diversity needs
The government recognises the importance of a legal framework in biodiversity
conservation and management. The government is currently reviewing the Protection
of Wildlife Act 1972 to place more emphasis on biodiversity conservation and to
strengthen related penalties. The Biosafety Act 2007 which regulates the
transboundary movement of living modified organisms has recently been introduced.
The International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 was passed to specifically to
deal with the import, export and re-export of CITES listed species throughout
Malaysia. This Act empowers seven different federal and state agencies that are
authorised to enforce various jurisdictions of this legislation across the 13 states and
three federal territories of Malaysia.
Malaysia is also currently developing legislations to regulate the access to biological
resources and to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the
utilisation of these resources. Benefits sharing will encourage sustainable use of
biodiversity, which among others form a platform for new wealth creation for the
nation through, for instance the application of biotechnology. With this proposed
legislation, the protection of TK will be ensured together with the rights of the
communities who are custodians of this knowledge. It will allow supplementary and
alternative livelihood for these communities when the sharing of benefits of biological
resources and their associated TK is legally prospected.
In order to improve the implementation of the NPBD, the National Forestry Act, and
Fisheries Act are being reviewed.
Strategy 12 - Enhance Institutional and public awareness
Malaysia’s effort to promote cooperation and exchange programmes for biodiversity
education and awareness at the national, regional and international levels fulfil Article
13 of CBD. The NRE, MOA, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation
(MOSTI), Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and institutions of higher learning such as
the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, MARDI and FRIM to name
a few, are engaged in organising seminars and conferences including international
conferences to promote and exchange knowledge and expertise on biodiversity
research and management. Media coverage on biological diversity issues is also
enhanced. Subject of environmental and biodiversity management are part of daily
coverage by the national TV channels. News on the importance of biodiversity
receive regular coverage in major national newspapers.
Strategy 13 - Collaboration with other countries and international organisation
The government encourages collaboration with other countries and with international
organisations to enhance its capacity and capability in managing its biodiversity.
Malaysia has established collaboration and cooperation with several developed
countries in many aspects of biodiversity research and management such as the
Borneo Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation project (with the Japanese
government) and many biodiversity projects with the Danish government through its
Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA). Malaysia collaborates with
international organisations such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), ITTO and
the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to
further strengthen her capacity in biodiversity management and conservation.
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