Policy on groundwater management urgently needed
He said this is necessary because water resources, which are essential for life and national development, are increasingly under threat due to pollution, climate change and rising demand.
'In this context, groundwater is a vital alternative — it is cleaner, less exposed to pollution and has huge potential, especially in rural areas,' he said when opening the Seminar on the Potential of Groundwater: An Alternative for Water Resource Management in Malaysia here today.
He said the seminar brought together policymakers, implementers and stakeholders to chart a clear direction for comprehensive water management, particularly groundwater, with Parliament acting as a bridge between the legislative and executive branches.
Also present was Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
'Malaysia isn't that big — we only have 32 million people. Surely we can solve our water issues; it's not like we're in Ethiopia or Africa. We're surrounded by sea; we're a maritime country with abundant rainfall. The issue lies in how we manage it for the benefit of the people,' he stressed.
Meanwhile, Akmal Nasrullah described the seminar as a catalyst for a new policy grounded in data and concrete action.
'Malaysia still depends on surface water sources like rivers and dams to meet domestic, industrial and agricultural needs. However, climate uncertainty, pollution and rising demand are increasingly threatening the country's water security.
'In this context, groundwater has the potential to serve as a strategic complement to the existing system,' he said.
He added that a study by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia found that the country has vast groundwater reserves, particularly in rural and interior areas that are often left out of conventional supply systems.
However, he said the development of this resource remains limited, with key constraints including a lack of hydrogeological data, limitations in mapping and monitoring technology, and low public awareness.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
6 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Chong to press federal ministers over Bintulu Port delay, airport upgrade, tax refunds in Parliament
Chong (standing) speaks at the previous sitting of the Dewan Rakyat. KUCHING (July 16): Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen will be seeking clarification from the Transport Minister on the delay in the Sarawak government's takeover of the Bintulu Port Authority in the upcoming Dewan Rakyat session. The delay and steps being taken to expedite the process are among the 10 questions Chong submitted for the question and answer session in Parliament. Among the other questions is for the Transport Minister whether the government plans to upgrade and expand the Kuching International Airport under the 13th Malaysia Plan. 'If so, what budget has been allocated and when the project will begin. 'Another question is to request for the Finance Minister to give a detailed explanation on the total amount owed by the government to taxpayers in overdue tax refunds, the reasons for the delays and the timeframe for repayment,' he said in a statement. Chong, who is Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman, will also seek a reply from the Prime Minister on whether Malaysia would consider adopting Singapore's e-invoicing model. Under that system, e-invoicing is mandatory only for business-to-government (B2G) transactions, while business-to-business (B2B) transactions are encouraged but not compulsory – a policy that could reduce the cost burden on small businesses in Malaysia. Medical insurance premium hikes were another concern to be raised by Chong, who will query the Finance Minister on what actions the government has taken to address the sharp increase in medical insurance premiums, and the effectiveness of those actions. He will also ask the Home Minister to explain the Royal Malaysia Police's actions in curbing the rapid spread of illegal online gambling outlets operating behind the façade of convenience stores and coffee shops, and whether these measures have proven effective. Bintulu Port Chong Chieng Jen parliament
Barnama
10 hours ago
- Barnama
Malaysia Says AIPA Will Drive ASEAN's Peace And Development Agenda
AIPA acknowledges that women are playing an active role in multi-sectors in ASEAN. (Photo Credit National Assembly of Cambodia) Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Ramli Mohd Nor says AIPA's role in ASEAN is indispensable. (Photo Credit National Assembly of Cambodia) By Vijian Paramasivam PHNOM PENH, July 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia said that the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus will be pivotal in driving the region's peace and stability, with lawmakers at the forefront. Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Ramli Mohd Nor, who attended the 16th AIPA Caucus in Phnom Penh, said the body will remain an integral part of the 10-member grouping that sets the regional agenda for trade, security, and community building. bootstrap slideshow 'In the framework of ASEAN, AIPA will remain an important mechanism because each country's parliament will decide on laws, policies and way forward and this will have an impact on ASEAN. "This caucus includes discussions, methods and resolutions that can be accepted by the entire ASEAN community. 'We recognise that dialogue is important to avoid conflicts with neighbours, within ASEAN or outside ASEAN,' Ramli told Bernama on the margins of the meeting that ended on Wednesday (July 16). The regional parliamentary body, established in 1977, held the meeting under the theme 'Peace Through Dialogue: The Parliamentary Path Forward.' AIPA leaders from the regional bloc were in attendance at the caucus that commenced on Monday in Cambodia's capital, except for Myanmar and Timor-Leste (which is set to be admitted as the 11th member at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October). 'Malaysia continues to show a strong political commitment in strengthening ASEAN connectivity as well as regional peace, in line with the active role played at the global level.
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
Bipartisan select committees reduce tension among MPs says Johari
PETALING JAYA: The formation of 10 Dewan Rakyat Special Select Committees (JKPK) two years ago has played a key role in easing political tensions among Members of Parliament, according to Speaker Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul. He noted that the inclusion of both government and opposition MPs in these committees promotes collective decision-making. Johari explained that the bipartisan structure ensures decisions are not one-sided. 'When you are a member of a select committee, whatever decision you make is not a decision of the opposition or the government. It's together,' he said. He likened the process to breaking down barriers, stating, 'If there is a wall dividing us, we break it down. And if we can't, we lower it so we can still reach across.' The Speaker made these remarks during a press conference after launching the World Public Relations Day (WPRD) 2025 programme at SEGi University. The 10 JKPKs cover various sectors, including Finance and Economy, Health, Domestic Trade, Infrastructure, and Human Rights. Johari added that his office has supported seminars organised by these committees, addressing topics like hybrid cattle breeding and groundwater management, with future discussions planned on public housing. - Bernama
