Climate Change Impact on Water Resources in Malaysia – Role of Capacity Development

The Malaysian Capacity Development Network for Sustainable Water Management (MyCDNet) successfully organised and carried out its Biennial National Forum 2023 on 17 August at National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), Selangor, with the theme Climate Change Impact on Water Resources in Malaysia – Role of Capacity Development. The Forum commenced with the Welcoming Address by MyCDNet’s Network Manager, Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ir. Lim Chow Hock, who spoke about MyCDNet and its commitment to capacity building.

There were three paper presentations for Sub-theme 1 on Current CCA & Water Progress in Malaysia: Science, Policy and Implementation, chaired by Ir. Hj. Md Khairi Selamat, MyCDNet’s Deputy Network Manager.

Paper 1 – “Modelling to Better Understand the Past, Current and Future Climate in Malaysia” by Dr. Liew Ju Neng, Assoc. Prof., Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), highlighted the importance of modelling climate change projection as the way forward. He emphasized the need for understanding the uncertainties in the global climate models (GCMs). Hence, for future rainfall projections in Malaysia (Peninsular), it is crucial to consider the spatial and seasonal differences. Lastly, his study concluded that draught occurrence seemed linear to warmer temperature levels.

Paper 2 – “Adaptation in Malaysia: Mainstreaming for Water Resources” by Ms. Aznie Rahim, Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC), highlighted the need for managing risks for proactive adaptation to climate change, and stressed on the fact that ‘climate crisis is water crisis’ and there is less investment in the water sector unlike the energy sector. The two main action steps are mainstreaming (climate policy integration) and capacity development framework, and both need the people to be accountable and empathetic.

Paper 3 – “Climate Smart Water Supply Services from a Regulatory Perspective” by Ms. Loga Sunthri Veeraiah, National Water Services Commission (SPAN), talked about their adaptation and climate change mitigation plan for ensuring resilience in water along with the challenges faced and how they are being addressed. SPAN war room for making data available, tariff setting initiative, Welps scheme, central water reclamation point for industrial reuse, exploring alternative energy sources, introducing waste to wealth schemes are some of the notable undertakings by SPAN. Also the need for setting KPI specific to emissions, and proactive actions and a sense of shared responsibility among the team members, were highlighted.

The engaging panel Q & A session highlighted the need for advocacy, governance and step-wise adaptations in decision making process related to climate change action. Also, the relevance of communication of climate change data for public awareness was emphasized, as it’s crucial to get everyone engaged for a precautionary approach and to prepare for the worst. The Q & A session was followed by lunch break.

Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid kicked off the afternoon session with his motivating Keynote Address titled “Understanding the Past, Identifying Gaps and Addressing Future Challenges” that reviewed the impact and mechanisms of the Kyoto protocol as it was the most influential climate change action taken so far that inspired a global undertaking to reduces GHGs. The importance of Paris climate accords were highlighted as well, in encouraging global action, because climate change impact affects everyone and calls for global action. He further talked about the COP 27 takeaways, and highlighted the Malaysian climate position and the top Malaysian negotiators in history. The current Malaysian efforts and future expectations were pointed out as well, followed by an invitation to look out for the event ‘From WORLD WATER WEEK to COP 28’ on 24th August 2023.

Following the Keynote Address II, Moderator Prof. Emeritus Dato’ ChM Dr. Mazlin Mokhtar began the Expert Panel Session discussing climate change action (CCA) and water progress in Malaysia in terms of science, policy and implementation, water and climate nexus, climate change mitigation, adaptation & implementation in water resource management, and how can water participate in COP28. It was a dynamic session with the five panellists giving a 5-minute presentation each, followed by a lively discussion and Q & A session with the participants.

Ms Marina Yong from Air Selangor, added on the importance of governance and finance besides science in public welfare decisions. She advocated for the introduction of increasing water tariff to contribute to a more efficient water management system to help mitigate future situations of water cut-down. She emphasized the call for action to switch from current water taps to water saving taps as an investment to conserve water. Next, Ir. Azman bin Mat Jusoh from NAHRIM presented on their action steps of adaptation to mitigate climate change impacts and promoted their commercial potable rainwater.

Dr. Fatimah Ahamad from Sunway Centre of Planetary Health highlighted the need for including businesses in the climate change action journey. She shared her insights in the power of education and technology to create the future generation to better handle the climate change impacts. She also emphasized the need for connecting the dots by communicating the success stories to the community and building community trust with the governance, to proactively tackle climate change together. Then, Mr. Rahman Hussin of Imperium Consulting Asia raised the need for awareness of policy loopholes and the delay in action for passing a bill that could be very urgent to tackle climate change. Existing political interests and benefits can hinder the climate change action progression. Hence, balancing political reality to encourage swift progressive policies is a valuable key takeaway from his speech. Lastly, Mr Faizal Parish from Global Environment Centre (GEC) talked about the role of capacity development from an NGO’s perspective. He highlighted their initiatives for river care, forest and coastal protection, better water management suggestions for Malaysian peat lands, and community based outreach programs for disaster risk management.

After a quick summary of the Forum by the event Rapporteur, Ms. Amina Tahreen, the closing remarks were presented by Forum Chair Ir. Hj. Md Khairi Selamat.

MyCDNet thanks NAHRIM for the venue, the sponsors, speakers, rapporteur, participants and LUAS for their contribution, time, energy and support in making this Forum a success!

Note: The full collection of photos can be viewed at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1itkeLP_UtsHQNL46Qt6FMhlpYQPNjGJb?usp=drive_link

The Malaysian Capacity Development Network for Sustainable Water Management (MyCDNet) successfully organised the Climate-Resilient Water Management for the Future: Flood & Drought webinar on 29 July 2021. Hosted by Asian Sewerage Training, Research & Innovation Centre of Excellence (ASTRICE) and supported by Cap-Net UNDP, the event drew more than 100 participants.

It was a lively knowledge-sharing session focused on water management during flood and drought from the perspectives of the National Flood Forecast & Warning Centre (PRABN) and the National Water Balance Management System (NAWABS).

Network Manager of MyCDNet Dato’ Ir Lim Chow Hock opened the webinar with welcoming remarks and an introduction of MyCDNet and Cap-Net UNDP. The webinar was moderated by Ir. Hj. Md Khairi bin Selamat, Deputy Network Manager of MyCDNet, who was the Director of the River Basin Management Division of the Department of Irrigation & Drainage Malaysia.

(Photo caption: Moderator Ir. Hj. Md Khairi bin Selamat, Deputy Network Manager of MyCDNet)

The prominent speakers were Ir. Dr. Mohd Zaharifudin bin Muhamad Ali, Principal Assistant Director for PRABN, and Ir. Dr. Asnor Muizan Ishak, Chief of Section for Technical Advice for NAWABS. Both are water management system under the Department of Irrigation & Drainage Malaysia.

(Caption: Ir. Dr. Asnor Muizan Ishak, Chief of Section for Technical Advice for NAWABS)

Feedbacks and comments from participants were very positive with suggestions to carry out more webinars with similar scope. For the majority, the content was interesting and eye-opening.

Training slides are available under Resources – Training Slides – MyCDNet. 

Replay:

The Malaysian Capacity Development Network for Sustainable Water Management (MyCDNet) and Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK) successfully co-organised the webinar titled “Alternative Water Supply for Vulnerable Groups in Malaysia”. Held on 2 June 2021, the event was hosted by Asian Sewerage Training, Research & Innovation Centre of Excellence (ASTRICE), and in partnership with National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), Global Environment Centre (GEC) and EFINITY Social Enterprise. The webinar was supported by Cap-Net UNDP.

This webinar aimed to create awareness on challenges faced by Vulnerable Groups in Malaysia for potable water supply. The two-hour online seminar illustrated some current solutions for providing clean water to vulnerable groups in the event of water disruptions or unavailability of piped water from the treatment plants. The objective was to highlight alternatives for these groups to gain access to potable water for domestic use. We hoped that through this seminar, the participants will be able to better utilise their talents, skills and resources in advancing communal practice of water use, within and outside of their organisation.

Network Manager of MyCDNet Dato’ Ir Lim Chow Hock opened the webinar with welcoming remarks and an introduction of MyCDNet and Cap-Net UNDP. The webinar was moderated by Mr Sheldon Boyd Aman from ASTRICE.

Feedbacks and comments from participants were very positive with good suggestions and recommendations. For the majority, the course offered new perspectives and new contents.

The Malaysian Capacity Development Network for Sustainable Water Management (MyCDNet) organized and conducted the Training of Trainers on River Pollution Public Outreach Programme – Advance Level on 5 – 6 August 2020. As a way forward in the current pandemic situation, the TOT was MyCDNet’s first hybrid programme where the first day was a webinar on Zoom platform and the second day was a site visit in the Klang River Outdoor Classroom, which was limited to only 30 people.

This TOT was carried out in collaboration with Global Envitronment Centre (GEC) and Asia Pacific Environmental Consultants (ASPEC), with support from Cap-Net UNDP to capacity build water professionals, capacity builders, local authorities’ and others on public outreach programmes to monitor and prevent river pollution through effective stakeholder engagement, equipping them with knowledge on river monitoring, pollution mapping, river auditing, and pollution mitigation utilising current technologies.

On the first day, Dato Lim Chow Hock, the Network Manager of MyCDNet opened the webinar session, while GEC moderated and hosted the webinar. There were four paper presentations. Module 1 – Rivers and Its Current Status was presented by by Ir Noor Aishah Zaharin from the Department of Irrigation & Drainage Malaysia, highlighting the current water quality status and current pollution scenarios in Malaysia. Module 2 – River Pollution Management/Mitigation was presented by Mr Mazhazuan Bin Harun of LUAS who highlighted examples of pollution mitigation measures undertaken by LUAS in Selangor, and by Ms Pavitra from TechKem who provided an insight into advanced technologies available in Malaysia in ensuring that industries are able to treat their effluent to better qualities. Dr Kalithasan of GEC presented Module 3 – River Action and Stakeholder Engagement, describing the roles of stakeholders and how they can safeguard river quality through river auditing, pollution mapping and outreach efforts. On the second day, the participants experienced hands-on how to evaluate and monitor river water quality through a simple, non-hazardous and affordable method using the LaMotte Water Monitoring Kit. They learned river pollution mapping and mitigation, the source of river pollution, and the water quality parameters tested during the River Rangers Training, which were Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Nitrate, Phosphate, pH, Turbidity and Temperature. The participants enjoyed the outdoor classroom and River Rangers activity that allowed them to experience the polluted side of the Klang River at Taman Melawati – a commercial/residential area – as well as the pristine river at the River Resource Sungai Klang – Klang Gate in Taman Warisan.

All participants gave positive feedback and especially enjoyed the outdoor learning. They were able to understand why river pollution outreach was important in safeguarding river health, and were trained on ways to monitor and detect river pollution. It is hoped that the participants who were from the diverse target groups would be able to apply the knowledge gained from this training and share with their networks and friends to promote river care and river cleanliness.