Sabah Water Resources Enactment 1998 Dilemma: Purposes, Implementation, and the Consequences

Abstract

Sabah Water Resources Enactment (SWRE) 1998 was launched in 1998, to ensure that Sabah's natural water resources are protected and managed in sustainable ways. Sabah accounts for approximately 22.37% of Malaysia's land mass area and has large portions of Malaysia's complex and unique ecological biodiversity. Some of the functions of SWRE 1998 include the provision of recommendations on how to improve and protect the quality and quantity of Sabah's water for domestic and aquatic flora and fauna and advising the Minister on the management and use of Sabah's water resources. Sabah faces water-related issues like nonrevenue water (NRW), water pollution, and water shortages. SWRE 1998 strategic effectiveness includes safeguarding against extensive water loss and damage to Sabah's natural water resources while its strategic weakness lies in the lack of stakeholder involvement and awareness. Strategic improvements needed concerning SWRE 1998 include regular review and revision to ensure it is implemented following consistent guidelines and increasing public awareness and education about this institutional framework.