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ater

ducation

and

nstitutional

evelopment

Reservoirs were finally developed, based on the analysis

and findings in the conceptual framework plan and six

component plans.

This strategic plan, which incorporates the Integrated

Lake BasinManagement (ILBM) principles, was completed

in 2009 and set the direction for future concerted action

by all stakeholders to sustainably manage the inland water

resources in the country. The national strategic plan was

tabled to the National Water Resources Council in 2012,

where the strategies were deliberated and endorsed for

implementation. Among the national strategies advocated

in the national strategic plan is the setting up of a steer-

ing committee at federal level and a lake management

committee at the state level, to oversee the implementa-

tion of lake management based on an integrated lake basin

approach throughout the country. As with other countries

that comprise federated nations, fragmented authority and

conflicting mandates are common challenges in Malaysia.

The national lake and reservoir management committee

will become a platform to improve coordination and coop-

eration between different ministries, federal agencies and

water-related institutions. The committee will also look

into the provision of legislation, sufficient financing and

political commitment through the development of poli-

cies on lakes. At the state level, local coordination is being

strengthened through a central state committee that will

address lake issues at the catchment scale by engaging

with stakeholders and communities on matters related to

land and water in its jurisdiction. A detailed plan of action

for managing lakes and reservoirs is also being prepared to

provide a road map for implementing ILBM for the health

of the country’s inland water resources.

pertaining to lakes and reservoirs in the country. This national collo-

quium was the first step towards dealing with the issues causing the

degradation of these important inland water resources, providing

a platform for meaningful discussion as well as knowledge-shar-

ing among the various participants. Subsequently, the colloquium

provided the initial inputs, and enabled further collaboration for

consequent action, towards the formulation of a national framework

and consolidated plan for sound lake management in Malaysia.

A Technical Committee on Lake Management was later jointly estab-

lished by ASM and NAHRIM to move the national agenda forward and

articulate strategies to support the sustainable management of lakes

and reservoirs in Malaysia. A framework for action was undertaken

in 2008 to establish a comprehensive plan using a multi-stakeholder

consultative planning approach, beginning with a preliminary concep-

tual framework plan. The first multi-sector workshop involving

stakeholders from government agencies, the public and private sectors

and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was held at NAHRIM

in January 2008 to institute the Conceptual Framework for Lakes and

Reservoirs Management. The ‘logical framework approach’ was used as

a planning instrument to guide stakeholders in the workshop in their

analysis of the prevailing situation and any proposed measures to be

undertaken. The final conceptual framework Plan provided the input

for the draft of the vision and mission statement of the Strategic Plan.

Preparation of more detailed component plans was synthesized

from thematic position papers which were subsequently consolidated

to further refine the conceptual framework Plan. A fresh round of

stakeholder consultations was held for each of the six themes: govern-

ance, management, research and development, capacity building,

information management and community stakeholder participation.

These consultations helped to refine the earlier findings and formu-

late plans of action for each component. The final National Strategic

Plan for the Sustainable Development and Management of Lakes and

Chini Lake, the second largest freshwater natural lake in Malaysia. The lake shores

are inhabited by the aborigine Jakun tribe

Image: NAHRIM

Perdana Lake in Perdana Botanical Gardens, the oldest and most

popular park in Kuala Lumpur

Image: NAHRIM