The government will table the Geology and Geoscience Investigation Bill in 2027 to improve the legal framework, says the natural resources minister.
PUTRAJAYA: The government will improve legal framework through the tabling of the Geology and Geoscience Investigation Bill in 2027, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (pic) said.
It would be followed by the formulation of a National Geoscience Policy, he said, describing the move as a major shift that will have a positive impact on the country’s future.
“The goal of NRES (Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry) is to ensure Malaysia continues to drive balanced development, is resilient to disasters, and remains safe to live in for future generations. We are committed to placing geoscience research at the forefront,” he said while speaking at the national-level Geologists’ Day (HAG) celebration here today.
Arthur said geologists were also encouraged to apply modern technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence in line with innovation advancements, noting that the use of such technologies can accelerate research and improve the accuracy of analysis.
“We are also seeing positive developments in the mineral sector’s value chain, where pilot projects such as rare earth elements (REE) mining using in-situ leaching in Perak demonstrate that environmentally friendly technology can go hand in hand with biodiversity conservation,” he said.
Arthur also said that under the 12th Malaysia Plan, NRES through its technical agencies has carried out comprehensive monitoring of slope instability.
“This study has been completed at eight high-risk locations and is now being expanded to 12 new areas. In addition, a total of 34 landslide early warning systems have been successfully installed on critical slopes as a proactive measure to protect lives,” he said.
The inaugural HAG 2026 celebration was organised through collaboration between the Board of Geologists Malaysia (BoG), the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG), the Institute of Geology Malaysia (IGM), and the Geological Society of Malaysia (GSM).
With the theme “Geology Driving the Economy, Protecting Communities, Foundation of Sustainable Development,” the celebration highlighted the strategic role of geology not only as a catalyst for resource-based economic growth, but also as a safeguard for public safety through more integrated, data- and science-based geohazard risk management.
