BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR WITH HONOURS

SEMESTER 1 MAY 2018

OUMH1103

LEARNING SKILLS FOR OPEN DISTANCE LEARNERS

MATRICULATION NO : 881202015562001
IDENTITY CARD NO. : 881202015562
TELEPHONE NO. : 014-3160187
E-MAIL : padmasha19881202@gmail.com
LEARNING CENTRE : JOHOR BAHRU LEARNING CENTRE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Malaysia has a long history in facing environmental pollution problems which is
becoming more serious since the last decade due to the increased of industrialization
activities and economic developments. It leads to the degradation of quality of life to
people living in the cities. Cases like natural disaster and health issues which is
increasing in cities of Malaysia has opened many eyes especially the authority and public
on environmental issues.
This essay will cover about main causes of increase in the environmental pollution
in the cities of Malaysia and suggestions of solution to reduce it.

2.0 POLLUTION ISSUES

2.1 Mobile emission
Pollutant from the combustion of fossil fuels emitted by vehicles is one of the main
caused for increased pollution in Malaysia cities. There are more and more vehicles on
the road as society get more affluent. As mention by DOE (2011) in the article by Afroz,
(2003), by the end of 2000, there were 10.6 million vehicles registered in Malaysia,
compared to 7.7 million in 1996, an increase of almost 2.9 million vehicles or 26%.
Therefore, air around us is getting more polluted by dangerous gaseous and chemicals.
This problem will be more critical as the number of motor vehicles keeps on increasing in
Malaysia cities.

2.2 Open burning

Open burning is also a source of increased environmental pollution in Malaysia. In
Malaysia, people still eliminates their wastes such as garbage, electronic items and others
by burning them outside of their house. As mentioned by DOE (2016) in the article of
Mariani (2017), since 2013, the recorded cases of open burning in the country are mainly
from activities such as burning of garbage in residential areas and by roadsides as a part
of religious rites. Smoke and odor from open burning containing chemicals will include
in the formation of haze which exposed nearby residents directly to health hazards to
these pollutant.

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2.3 Industrial activities
Based on the increase counts factories and manufacturing process, both large and
small scale, gaseous emissions have continues to compound. This makes industrial
pollution is one of the stationary sources to air pollution in Malaysia. According to the
article by Afroz (2003), most of the stationary sources in Malaysia, reside in Selangor,
followed by a significant number of sources in Sarawak, Johor, Sabah, Perak, and
Pahang. The air pollutant emitted from industrial sector comes from various sources such
as power plant, large scale industries such as iron and steel plants and cement industries.
Its release large amount of dangerous gaseous and chemicals into air thereby depleting
the quality of air.

3.0 SUGGESTION SOLUTIONS

3.1 Use public transportation and car pool/ride-share
To reduce all these pollution for affecting people’s life, use of public
transportation and car pool is the best solution. As individuals, we have to take small but
important steps to help decreased air pollution such as rethinking the way that include the
option of public transport and carpooling (The Star, 2018). Malaysia government can do
some advertisement to promote to use clean transportation such as railways, bicycle,
carpooling or ride-share and walking. This effort will discourage people from driving
their private vehicles and consequently reduce the number of vehicles on road. Not only
that, it’s also will reduce fuel consumption.

3.2 Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3RS)

Pollution also can be reducing by recycling. People can turn certain waste into
compost or fertilizers. They also can recycle or reused any possible old and used
materials such as tin, bottles and others. This 3Rs campaign already launch in Malaysia
long time ago but people still not aware. Public awareness campaign must conduct in all
cities. Dr Mohd Pauze Mohamad Taha, says SWCORP is now undertakings various
public awareness campaign at school and extracurricular clubs (The Star, 2017). By
doing this, the public will be exposed to the importance of safeguarding the environment
and also managing waste disposal to less pollutes the environment.

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3.3 Reinforcing the laws
Malaysia government also introduces a lot of laws under Environmental Quality
Act, 1974 to reduce environment pollution in big cities. Sewage and effluents from
industries should be treated and comply with limit prescribed under the relevant act and
regulation before released (Environment Quality Act, 1974). For those industrial that do
not follow regulations and pollute the environment, Malaysia government should take
action by reinforcing the laws. Industrial operators should be sued and industry licenses
must be canceled. In this way, all the industries will realize the importance of
environment and will follow the act perfectly.

4.0 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Malaysia is a fast developing country, has led to an increase in
population. With the massive industrial development of recent years, and an increased in
urbanization and vehicle use, environmental pollution are of growing concern in
Malaysia cities. Therefore, the problem of environmental pollution in Malaysia should be
addressed urgently and with the co-operation between government and society, Malaysia
environmental pollution can be reduced more in future.

(818 words)

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 ATTACHMENT

REFERENCES

1) Afroz,R., Hassan, M.N., & Ibrahim, N. A. (2003). Review of air pollution and health
impacts in Malaysia. Environmental Research, 92(2), 71. doi:10.1016/S0013-
9351(002)00059-2

2) Mariani,A., & Wan Nor Amalina Wan, Y. (2017). Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude
and Practice of Solid Waste Open Burning in Terengganu, Malaysia. Environmentasia,
Vol 10, Iss 2, Pp 25-32 (2017), (2), 25. doi:10.14456/ea.2017.18

3) Law Awareness on Recycling Among Malaysians. (2017, Aug 20). The Star.
Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com.my

4) Danger In The air You Breath. (2018, July 22). The Star.
Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com.my

5) Environmental Quality 1974 Act 127. (1974).

Retrieved from http://www.doe.gov.my/portalv1/wp-
content/uploads/2015/01/Environmental_Quality_Act_1974_-_ACT_127.pdf