The Natural Resources Ministry is finalising comprehensive updates to the Environmental Quality Act 1974, targeting parliamentary tabling in early 2027.
BANGI: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) is in the final phase of finalising comprehensive amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) to address increasingly complex environmental issues.
Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said NRES is targeting to table the amendments in Parliament in early 2027.
“These amendments will provide broader powers for you (Department of Environment enforcement officers) to act,” he said when officiating at the 51st Department of Environment (DOE) Enforcement Day celebration here today.
He said efforts to strengthen technology, including the use of drones and artificial intelligence (AI), are also being implemented to enhance enforcement.
“We must stay ahead of environmental criminals in terms of technology. The use of drones, IoT sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) in monitoring will be intensified.
“However, it must be remembered that no matter how advanced the technology we have, it is only a supporting tool. The real strength lies in the efficiency and instinct of the people who operate it,” he said.
Arthur also stressed that enforcement operations will be carried out in an integrated manner with other agencies, including the police, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency.
Speaking to reporters after the event, he said the ministry is reviewing amendments to Act 127 to expand enforcement jurisdiction, enabling DOE officers to carry out their duties more effectively.
“We are making several improvements under the DOE. One of them is amending the Environmental Quality Act to further expand and strengthen the powers under the DOE.
“This is to enable them to perform their duties more effectively, and we are continuously improving DOE operations,” he said.
