The FAO-ESCAP pilot project on national water visions. From vision ...

Perspective Plan (2001-2010). <strong>The</strong> immediate issues that need to be addressed in both plans are
shown in Table 8.
Table 8. Water sector issues to be addressed in the Eighth Malaysian Plan (2001-2005)
and the Third Outline Perspective Plan (2001-2010)
Issue
Remark and action
1. National water vision <strong>The</strong> adoption of a national water vision to ensure continuous supply of water in terms of
quantity and quality to meet all needs, including those of the environment. This vision
shall be one of the main agenda in the sustainable national development plan. <strong>The</strong>
strategy guidelines and plan of action to realize the vision are formulated, adopted and
disseminated to all stakeholders, so that everybody is committed to conserve water
resources and their ecosystems. Water is everybody’s business.
2. Policy and law <strong>The</strong> national water policy shall be formulated by the federal government and adopted by
the state governments. <strong>The</strong> policy encompasses integrated management of land and
water resources based on river basins, and the protection of watersheds and aquifers.
<strong>The</strong> policy guides interstate water transfers, allocation of water to users, dam
monitoring and safety, and development activities in watersheds, including the vicinity
of dam reservoirs. Contemporary laws are enacted to facilitate the implementation of
the national water policy and shall be adopted by the state governments.
3. River basin
organizations
<strong>The</strong> state governments are recommended to set up water management institutions
similar to the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS). This will contribute to
the implementation of best practice in the management of water resources to ensure
sustained supply of good-quality water. Laws are enacted to support these institutions.
<strong>The</strong> human resources of the institutions comprise inter-discipline water professionals
able to overcome present and future challenges in the national water sector.
4. Pollution Activities which pollute water resources are monitored and corrected. <strong>The</strong> surveillance
of watersheds is assisted by remote-sensing techniques to detect illegal activities and
overcome water pollution problems. <strong>The</strong> polluted rivers are restored in stages, with the
participation of all stakeholders. Awareness campaigns are made among the riverine
population and the parties responsible for the water-polluting activities. <strong>The</strong> principle of
‘polluters pay’ will be enforced. <strong>The</strong> programme of restoration of water resources will
only be successful if it begins at source, that is, with the control of polluting sources.
5. Groundwater Groundwater exploration programmes are implemented, especially in the main river
basins, to identify potential aquifers, and protection zones are provided to safeguard this
important resource. Guidelines for the development of potential polluting activities and
the appropriate laws will be formulated and enforced.
6. Water-demand
management
7. Research and
development
Water-supply management shall be replaced by water-demand management in order to
minimize the exploitation of new water sources to meet the increasing water demand.
Water-demand management consists of all activities to increase efficiency in water
supply and water usage and promote water recycling. Incentives will be given to
industries that practice water reuse since they contribute directly to water-demand
management and to the reduction of effluents. New housing, commercial and industrial
estates shall be fitted with water-saving devices, including rainwater harvesting devices,
and the new drainage concept of zero peak flow contribution from developed areas shall
be implemented.
R&D activities in the water sector are enhanced and the water sector becomes a major
sector in the Intensified Research Priority Areas programme. A centre is established to
coordinate R&D activities, provide direction for research, allocate funding and act as
the National Database and Reference Centre. <strong>The</strong> centre is staffed with water
professionals from different disciplines and incentives are provided to attract the best
local and foreign water professionals.
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National water visions in Southeast Asia