Legal Framework on the Conservation Issue of Pulau Kukup National Park in Johor, Malaysia

Abstract

The Ramsar Convention came into force on 21 December 1975, and Malaysia ratified the convention in 1994. As a party to the convention, Malaysia has shown its commitment by promoting seven Ramsar sites. Although the Ramsar sites have experienced human intervention and degradation over time, legislation in Malaysia has helped to promote the sustainable development of wetlands in Malaysia. In this paper, a critical analysis of the role of law in protecting and conserving Pulau Kukup Johor National Park as one of the Ramsar sites in Malaysia was conducted based on documents and newspaperreports analysis. In addition, the prohibition of environmental impact assessment (EIA) to be conducted on any Ramsar site in Malaysia is also discussed. Results reveal the importance of legislation to conserve and protect wetlands in Malaysia.