Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T23:05:52.104Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Achieving Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals and Environmental Lessons for Malaysia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2019

Sarah Tan
Sarah Tan*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Law, University of Malaya, Malaysia; sarahtan@um.edu.my
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

On September 2015, countries around the world pledged to end poverty, protect the planet, and hit specific developmental targets within fifteen years at the signing of th|e United Nations 2030 Agenda. Within the 2030 Agenda are seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Goal 16 of the SDG contains twelve targets; of these, Target 16.3 is aimed at ensuring equal access to justice for all and Target 16.10 at ensuring public access to information. Malaysia as a signatory has pledged its commitment to fulfilling these SDGs. This paper's primary focus is on the fulfilment of Targets 16.3 and 16.10 within Malaysia's legal environmental framework. At present, there are provisions that ensure equal access to justice and those that ensure public access to information; however, it is suggested that these are insufficient, uncommon, and limited. This paper proposes an amendment to the Federal Constitution to include the express right to a clean environment, and demonstrates, through comparative study, the success similar provisions have had on the environmental protection laws of other countries such as India, the Philippines, South Africa, Nepal, the Netherlands, and Nigeria. It then considers what possible lessons Malaysia could glean from these national experiences in fulfilling its goals for Targets 16.3 and 16.10 before concluding with the proposition that Malaysia should consider an express constitutional right to a clean environment if she intends to meet her SDG goals.

Keywords

Sustainable Development GoalsGoal 16Goal 16.3Goal 16.10Constitutional environmental protectionEnvironmental justice
Type
Article
Information
TRaNS: Trans-Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , November 2019 , pp. 233 - 269
Copyright
Copyright © Institute for East Asian Studies, Sogang University 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

AECEN. 2012. Malaysia: Environment Court Opens. 10 September. AECEN. Available at: http://www.aecen.org/stories/malaysia-environment-court-opens.Google Scholar
Amechi, Emeka P. 2010. “Litigating right to healthy environment in Nigeria: An examination of the impacts of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, in ensuring access to justice for victims of environmental degradation.” Law, Environment and Development Journal 6(3): 320–334Google Scholar
Ansari, Abdul Haseeb. 1998. “Right to healthful environment as a means to ensure environmental justice: An overview with special reference to India, the Philippines, and Malaysia.” Malayan Law Journal 4: xxv-xlii.Google Scholar
ASEAN. 2015. ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Available at: https://www.asean.org/storage/images/2015/November/27th-summit/ASCC_documents/ASEAN%20Region al%20Plan%20of%20Action%20on%20Elimintation%20of%20Violence%20Against%20WomenAdopted.pdf (last accessed on 11 April 2019)Google Scholar
Balan, Sujata. 2007. “The Public Authorities Protection Act 1948: A case for repeal.” Journal of Malaysian and Comparative Law 34: 127–158.Google Scholar
Benn, Tony. 1980. “The Case for a constitutional Premiership.” Parliamentary Affairs 33: 7–22Google Scholar
Boyd, David. 2012. “The constitutional right to a healthy environment.” Environment, Science, and Policy for Sustainable Development. Available at: http://www.speaktothewild.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Right_to_a_Healthy_Environment_David_Boyd_2013.pdf. (Last accessed on 11 April 2019)Google Scholar
Boyd, David. 2012. The Environmental Rights Revolution: A Global Study of Constitutions, Human Rights, and the Environment. Toronto: UBC Press.Google Scholar
Boyd, David. 2013. The Importance of Constitutional Recognition of the Right to a Healthy Environment. Posted by David Suzuki Foundation. Available at: https://davidsuzuki.org/science-learning-centre-article/importance-constitutional-recognition-right-healthy-environment/ (last accessed on 12 April 2019).Google Scholar
Brazier, Rodney. 1991. “Reducing the power of the Prime Minister.” Parliamentary Affairs 44: 453.Google Scholar
Bruch, Carl, et al. 2007. Constitutional Environmental Law: Giving Force to Fundamental Principles in Africa (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Environmental Law Institute, UNEP.Google Scholar
Bruckerhoff, Joshua J. 2008. “Giving nature constitutional protection: A less anthropocentric interpretation of environmental rights.” Texas Law Review 86: 615.Google Scholar
Bar Council. Chief Registrar Practice Direction No. 3 of 2012, “Setting up of Environmental Court.” Circular No. 189/2012. Bar Council. Available at: http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/practice_directions_2012/chief_registrar_practice_direction_no_3_of_2012_%7C_setting_up_of_environmental_court.html (last accessed on 11 April 2019).Google Scholar
Daily Express. 2014. Environmental Court on Right Track, 13 December. Available at: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=94996 (last accessed on 11 April 2019).Google Scholar
Daly, Erin. 2017. “An environmental dignity rights primer.” In New Frontiers in Environmental Constitutionalism, edited by Daly, Erin et al. , 104–113. Kenya: UNEP.Google Scholar
Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development and the Economic Planning Unit. 2001. “Environmental management and sustainable development in Malaysia.” Malaysian-Danish Country Programme for Cooperation in Environment and Sustainable Development (2002–2006). Available at: https://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2001/87-7944-557-8/pdf/87-7944-563-2.pdf (last accessed on 11 April 2019).Google Scholar
Dharmadhikari, Justice D.M. 2004 “Development and implementation of environmental law in India.” In Judges and the Rule of Law: Creating Links: Environment, Human Rights, and Poverty. Available at: https://www.scribd.com/document/269433290/Development-and-Implementation-of-Environmental-Law-in-India (last accessed on 11 April 2019).Google Scholar
Dixon, Martin. 2007. Textbook on International Law. 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Dworkin, Ronald. 1978. Taking Rights Seriously. London: Duckworth.Google Scholar
Faruqi, Shad Saleem. 2008. Document of Destiny: The Constitution of the Federation of Malaysia. Malaysia: Star Publications.Google Scholar
Greiber, Thomas, ed. 2006. IUCN Environmental Law Programme (ELP), published for the 3rd IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC), Bangkok, Thailand, 17–25 November 2004.Google Scholar
Hamilton, Alexander. 1996. The Federalist. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press.Google Scholar
Harding, Andrew (Ed.). 2007. Access to Environmental Justice: A Comparative Study. Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.Google Scholar
Hayward, Tim. 2005. Constitutional Environmental Rights. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
A Haze of Secrecy: Access to Environmental Information in Malaysia. Article 19 and Centre for Independent Journalism, 2007. Available at: https://www.article19.org/data/files/pdfs/publications/malaysia-a-haze-of-secrecy.pdf (last accessed on 12 April 2019).Google Scholar
Hickling, R H. 1978. The Constitution of Malaysia and its Development: 1957–1977. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Kidd, Michael. 2017. “Transformative constitutionalism and the interface between environmental justice, human rights and sustainable development.” In New Frontiers in Environmental Constitutionalism, edited by Daly, Erin et al. , 117–125. Kenya: UNEP.Google Scholar
Kiss, Alexandre, and Dina, Shelton. 2004. International Environmental Law. 3rd edition. New York: Transnational Publishers.Google Scholar
Knox, John H. 2017. “The United Nations mandate on human rights and the environment.” In New Frontiers in Environmental Constitutionalism, edited by Daly, Erin et al. , 14 Kenya: UNEP.Google Scholar
Leelakrishnan, P. 1999. Environmental Law in India. India: Butterworths.Google Scholar
Maidin, Ainul Jaria. 2013. “Challenges in implementing and enforcing environmental protection measures in Malaysia.” The Malaysian Bar. Available at: http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/environmental_law/challenges_in_implementing_and_enforcing_environmental_protection_measures_in_malaysia_by_ainul_jaria_bt_maidin.html (last accessed on 15 April 2019).Google Scholar
Looi, Janet. 2002. “Chapter 8: Malaysia.” In Environmental Law and Enforcement in the Asia-Pacific Rim, edited by Mottershed, Terri, 290–291. Sweet & Maxwell Asia: Hong Kong.Google Scholar
Malaysiakini, Gabriel C., and Singam, S.. 2016. “What Malaysians should know about freedom of information.” Malaysiakini, 13 May. Available at: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/341344 (last accessed on 12 April 2019).Google Scholar
Mandel, Toby. 2008. Freedom of Information: A Comparative Legal Survey, 2nd edition. Paris: UNESCO. Available at: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000158450 (last accessed on 15 April 2019).Google Scholar
Mendel, Toby. “Freedom of information as an internationally protected human right.” Available at: https://www.article19.org/data/files/pdfs/publications/foi-as-an-international-right.pdf (last accessed on 15 April 2019).Google Scholar
May, James R. 2017. “Sustainability and global environmental constitutionalism.” In New Frontiers in Environmental Constitutionalism, edited by Daly, Erin et al. , 308–318. Kenya: UNEP.Google Scholar
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. 2016. National Policy on Biological Diversity 2015–2025. Available at: https://www.mybis.gov.my/pb/590 (last accessed on 15 April 2019).Google Scholar
Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment. 2000. A Handbook for Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines. Kuala Lumpur: Department of the Environment, Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment.Google Scholar
Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment. 2002. National Policy on the Environment. Kuala Lumpur: Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment.Google Scholar
Mustafa, Maizatun. 2011. Environmental Law in Malaysia. The Netherlands: Wolters Kluwer, Law and Business.Google Scholar
Nijar, Gurdial Singh. Public Interest Litigation: A Matter of Justice an Asian Perspective, ASEAN Law Association. Available at: https://www.aseanlawassociation.org/9GAdocs/Malaysia.pdf (last accessed on 15 April 2019).Google Scholar
Nijar, Gurdial Singh. 2017. The Need for an Enlighted Judiciary, February 2017. Available at: http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/legal/general_news/need_for_an_enlightened_judiciary.html?date=2017-06-01 (last accessed on 15 April 2019).Google Scholar
Pring, George, and Catherine, Pring. 2015. “Environmental courts and tribunals.” In Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Law, edited by Faure, Michael, 452–464. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.Google Scholar
Pring, George, and Pring, Catherine. 2009. “Specialised environmental courts and tribunals at the confluence of human rights and the environment.” Oregon Review of International Law 11: 301–329. Available at: http://www.law.du.edu/documents/sutton-colloquium/materials/2012/Pring-Rock-Specialized-Environmental-Courts-and-Tribunals-at-the-Confluence-of-Human-Rights-and-the-Environment.pdf (last accessed on 15 April 2019).Google Scholar
Pring, George, and Catherine, Pring. 2009. Greening Justice: Creating and Improving Environmental Courts and Tribunals. Washington, DC: The Access Initiative, World Resources Institute.Google Scholar
Raghav, Sharma. 2008. “Green courts in India: Strengthening environmental governance?” Law, Environment and Development Journal 4(1): 50–71.Google Scholar
Razzaque, Jona. 2004. Public Interest Environmental Litigation in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. United Kingdom: Kluwer Law.Google Scholar
Rodrigues, Charmaine. 2016. “Goal 16: Advocacy toolkit.” Transparency, Accountability, and Participation for 2030 Agenda. New York: TAP Network.Google Scholar
Rottman, David B. 2000. “Does effective therapeutic jurisprudence require specialised courts (and do specialised courts imply specialist judges)?” Court Review 37: 22–27.Google Scholar
Sabaruddin, Johan S. 2006. “Constitutionalism – Concept and application in the federal and state governments of Malaysia.” Journal of Malaysian and Comparative Law 33(26): 27–69Google Scholar
Sharif, Raus. 2013. “The concept of environmental rule of law and its importance for sustainable development.” Paper presented at the 1st Asia and Pacific International Colloquium on Environmental Rule of Law: Defining a New Future for Environmental Justice, Governance, and Law, Putrajaya, Malaysia, 11–12 December.Google Scholar
Sharma, Raghav. 2008. “Green courts in India: Strengthening environmental governance?” Law, Environment, and Development Journal 4(1): 50–71.Google Scholar
Sharom, Azmi. 2002. “Malaysian environmental law: Ten years after Rio.” Singapore Journal of International and Comparative Law 6: 855–890.Google Scholar
Sri Ram, Gopal. 2017. “Lim Kit Siang, Order 53: The future of locus standi in public interest litigation.” University of Malaya Law Review 1: 1–23.Google Scholar
The United Nations General Assembly. 2012. “Statement by H.E. Ambassador Hussein Haniff, Permanent Representative of Malaysia, on Agenda Item 65: Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children at the Third Committee,” 18 October. Available at: https://www.un.int/malaysia/sites/www.un.int/files/Malaysia/67th_session/2012-10-18_rights_of_children.pdf (last accessed on 15 April 2019).Google Scholar
Tan Yen Ling, Sarah. 2013. “The Reid Constitutional Commission: The ‘lost’ environmental proposals for Malaysia.” Asia Pacific Journal of Environmental Law 16: 195–214.Google Scholar
Tan Yen Ling, Sarah. 2011. “The Malaysian environmental framework: Jurisdictional weaknesses and the effects of a constitutional provision.” Asia Pacific Journal of Environmental Law 14: 63–86.Google Scholar
Tariz, Qishin. 2014. “Federal court rules genuine interest is enough for locus standi.” The Star Online, 12 February. Available at: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/02/12/court-ruling-of-locus-standi/#Jof5kzwiC7xTkVOr.99 (last accessed on 12 April 2019).Google Scholar
Tumai, Murombo. 2010. “Strengthening locus standi in public interest environmental litigation: Has leadership moved from the United States to South Africa?” Law, Environment, and Development Journal (LEAD) 6(2): 163–178. Available at: http://www.lead-journal.org/content/10163.pdf (last accessed 12 April 2019).Google Scholar
Turpin, Colin. 1990. British Government and the Constitution: Text, Cases, and Materials. London: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
UNEP. 2010. Guidelines for the Development of National Legislation on Access to Information, Public Participation, and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. Available at: https://www.unenvironment.org/es/node/21173 (last accessed on 12 April 2019).Google Scholar
UNEP. 2017. The Status of Climate Change Litigation - A Global Review. Nairobi: UNEP. Available at: http://columbiaclimatelaw.com/files/2017/05/Burger-Gundlach-2017-05-UN-Envt-CC-Litigation.pdf (last accessed on 12 April 2019).Google Scholar
Varughese, George. 2017. Press release: An independent judiciary is indispensable to the rule of law, 8 May. Available at: http://hakam.org.my/wp/2017/05/08/an-independent-judiciary-is-indispensable-to-the-rule-of-law-the-malaysian-bar/#more-14127 (last accessed on 12 April 2019).Google Scholar
Velasco, Presbiero. 2010. “The Manila Bay Case – The Writ of Continuing Mandamus.” Remarks made at the Asian Judges Symposium on Environmental Decision-Making, the Rule of Law, and Environmental Justice. Manila, Philippines, 28–29 July.Google Scholar
Vile, M. 1967. Constitutionalism and the Separation of Powers. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar
Weintraub, Barry. 2013. “The application of limitation periods to environmental issues.” RSB Lawyers, 11 December.Google Scholar
Wormuth, Francis. 1949. The Origins of Modern Constitutionalism. New York: Harper & Brothers.Google Scholar
Yatim, Rais. 1995. Freedom Under Executive Power in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Endowment Publications.Google Scholar
Yusoff, Mohammad Agus. 2006. Malaysian Federalism: Conflict or Consensus. Malaysia: University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).Google Scholar
Zakaria, Tun Arifin. 2017. Chief Justice's Speech for the Opening of the Legal Year 2017, 13 January. Available at: http://www.kehakiman.gov.my/kl/en/node/355 (last accessed on 12 April 2019).Google Scholar