Halimaton Saadiah Hashim, Ph.D
Senior Fellow
Institute for Environment & Development (LESTARI)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Presentation outline:
1. Why A21Sel?
2. About the A21Sel Project, 1998-2003
3. Overview of A21Sel
4. Is A21Sel still relevant?
5. The Way Forward for A21Sel
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Why A21Sel? 1. In 1998, ‘Selangor A Developed State by 2005’ was just
around the corner - 15 years earlier than Malaysia!
2. There were many unsustainable development indicators in Selangor in the 1990’s
3. There was (is) no specific Malaysian sustainable development strategy in the form of Agenda 21 as recommended by the UN Agenda 21, although its principles have been embedded in the five-year Malaysia Plans
4. Need for an operational definition, principles, strategies and action plan to form a policy framework for Local Agenda 21 by local authorities and stakeholders in Selangor
5. Need for an Action Plan for Implementation of Sustainable Development to guide Selangor to be a sustainable developed state by 2005 and beyond
Why A21Sel?...Unsustainable development indicators in Selangor in the 1990’s
Increasing geohazards
Land slides, flash floods, sedimentation, river banks
erosion, increasing sink holes
Worsening air pollution
Declining river water quality
Extreme weather conditions
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Why A21Sel?...Unsustainable development indicators in Selangor in the 1990’s
Declining ethnic integration
Need for national integration
Declining moral behaviour
Youths with low morals
White collar crimes
Money politics
Weaknesses in the marriage institutions
Materialistic values
Individualistic values
Religious fanatism
Environmental deterioration
Destruction and loss of
natural resources
Imbalance welfare
between ethnic groups and
urban-rural divide
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DEVELOPMENT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTALLY
SENSITIVE AREAS
Development has
encroached on to
environmentally
sensitive areas,
particularly in
Petaling, Klang and
Gombak districts
MAIN CHALLENGE
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT IN
SELANGOR
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DEVELOPMENT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
•All rivers are medium
polluted or polluted, except
Sg. Selangor
•Change of land use around
Sg.Buloh and Sg. Klang have
influenced the deterioration
of water quality
•Sg. Buloh and Sg. Klang
were categorised as
polluted in 2000.
River water quality
Development Goalsof Selangor as A Developed State HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
Community well-being (peaceful, healthy,
comfortable, wealthy)
Infrastructure and utility development
Healthy and sustainable economy
Adequate public facilities and services
Urban and rural cleanliness
Beautiful and tranquil landscapes
Healthy and sustainable environments
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The A21Sel project…
Initiated by the Selangor Town & Country Planning Department (JPBD Sel.) in 1998
Support by the Menteri Besar and State Secretary as well as approved and financed by the Selangor State Government in 1998
Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), UKM as TCPD Sel.’s research partner and project collaborator (1998 – 2003)
Participation of and consultation with government agencies, local authorities, NGOs and private sector representatives
The A21Sel Project 1998-2003
Goal: To realize Sel’s commitment towards SD through the formulation of an implementation approach and enhancement of the capacity of state implementing agencies, local authorities, the private sector and local communities to pursue SD objectives
Objectives:
1. Identify ESA status and devise guidelines
2. Prescribe strategies based on the UN Agenda 21, in accordance with local socio-economic conditions & resources
3. Formulate an action plan based on the Strategy for SD of Sel
4. Conduct pilot studies for the implementation of A21Sel
5. Devise guidelines for the implementation of A21Sel
6. Build the capacity of Sel state agencies, local authorities and local communities through networking and outreach activities
Selangor’s commitment towards sustainable development, 1999
1. Building knowledgeable communities
2. Protecting the ecosystem health
3. Strengthening the economic foundation
4. Ensuring that natural resources are efficiently and sustainably exploited
5. Enhancing high productivity agricultural activities
6. Ensuring liveable settlements
7. Providing adequate infrastructure
8. Developing human resources
9. Public participation in planning and management
10. Integration of susttainable development principles 11
A21Sel – The guiding documents
Important project components/documents of A21Sel:
1. Selangor’s Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in Kawasan Sensitif Alam Sekitar (KSAS) Selangor, 1999
2. Sustainable Development Commitment in Iltizam Pembangunan Mampan Selangor ,1999
3. Selangor’s Sustainable Development Strategy in Strategi Pembangunan Mampan Selangor, 2000
4. Selangor Agenda 21 in Agenda 21 Selangor, 2001
5. Guideline for the Implementation of A21Sel in Panduan Perlaksanaan Agenda 21 Selangor, 2002
6. A21Sel – Selangor’s Commitment Towards Sustainable Development in Agenda 21 Selangor – Iltizam Selangor Ke Arah Pembangunan Mampan, 2003
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Doc 1: Selangor’s ESAs (KSAS), 1999
Main objective: to identify Selangor’s ESAs; suggest development strategies; & suggest development guideline policies
Specific objectives:
1. To obtain an agreement on the concept and definition of ESAs
2. To inentorise the status of Sel’s ESAs
3. To assess the status of development of ESAs & predict impacts
4. To introduce the concept of Integrated ESAs
5. To introduce strategies for development in & arounds ESAs
6. To prepare guidelines for the development of ESAs in Selangor
1. The Sel ESA Policy was approved by SPC in April 1999 & by the State EXCO in June 1999
Doc 2: Sel Sust Devt Strategy, 2000 Sel accepts UNCED’s definition of SD
Operational definitions were introduced based on the philosophy, requirement and approach of development currently taking place:
“development that requires a reformation of the economy that takes into serious account the impact of development on the environment, natural resources and society.”
“development that is enduring, characterised by a philosophy of respecting the carrying capacity of natural resources, preserving the quality of the environment and ensuring the well-being of society”.
Basic principles of Sel SD strategies 1. Principle of Holistic Approach: The framework for
sustainable development is the foundation for decision-making processes in all sectors and at all levels of administration of development in Selangor
2. Principle of Integration: Planning for de velopment is effectuated in an integrated manner, taking into account the views of all stakeholders
3. Principle of Inter-relatedness: Development in one sector has a close relationship with development in others and this should always be taken into account in all development measures
4. Principle of Incremental Change: In planning, decision-making processes and implementation of development, all parties should make incremental changes according to carrying capacity and technology capability
Doc 3: A21Sel, 2001 Chap 1: Global, national and local sustainability scenario
Chap 2-4: Cross-sector strategic action plan (economy, communities and environmental sustainability)
Chap 5-7: Capaicty building strategic action pelan (governance, human resource development, public participation and accountability)
Chap 8-11: Sectoral strategic action plan (industry, agriculture and rural, infrastructure and urban sustainability)
Chap 12: Introduction to Sustainable Development Indicators (SDI) for implementation and monitoring
Chap 13: A21Sel Implementation Management System
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A21Sel: Strategic Action Plan for Sustainable Development
788 strategic actions for sustainable development of Selangor
Suggested Lead implementors – either Fed/State agency, state implementing agency, a local authority, private entity, NGO, community-based orgnization or the public.
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TOTAL STRATEGIES & ACTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SELANGOR
SECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY TOTAL STRATEGIES
TOTAL ACTIONS
Sustainable economies 30 109
Susatainable society 33 139
Sust environment & natural resources
21
51
Governance 11 37
Human Resource Devt 14 37
Public participation & accountability
8 43
Sustainable industrialization 14 60
Sustainable urbanization 14 60
Sustainable infrastructure 14 102
Sustainable agriculture & rural devt 33 167
Organizational Structure for Implementation of A21Sel
SE
L S
US
TA
INA
BL
E D
EV
T U
NIT
SEL. SUST DEVT COUNCIL Chairman: Menteri Besar
SEL. SUST DEVT STEERING COMMITTEE
Chairman: State Secretary
SUST. DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTING
COMMITTEE Chairman: Deputy State
Secretary
IMPLEMENTATION: Executing Agency at State Level,
Local Authorities, Private Sector, Community Groups
Cross boundaries Coordinating
Committee
Technical Groups
Sustainable Development in Selangor
Implementation of A21Sel
through Local Agenda 21 (LA21)
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IMPLEMENTATION OF A21Sel
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AGENDA 21 SELANGOR
(Sustainable Development Action Pelan)
AGENDA 21
(Fed & State
Implementing
Agencies)
AGENDA 21
(NGOs)
AGENDA 21
(Private Agencies)
LOCAL AGENDA 21
(Local Authorities
Sust Devt Action
Pelan)
“THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL” (LOCAL AGENDA 21)
A21Sel provides the global framework for Local Agenda 21 in Selangor
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Implementors of Agenda 21 Selangor
Implementation Level
Federal/
State Implementing
Agencies
Local Authorities
Swasta NGO CBO/
Public
Providing Public Needs
/ / /
Policy Makers & Implementors
/ /
Planning / / / / /
Implementors / / / / /
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Decision making in S21Sel towards Sustainable Development …
Society-oriented decision-making process
Actions towards poverty eradication and fringed groups in the society are priorities
Environmental thresholds are respected
Balance between cost-effectiveness and benefits are main considerations
The planning process takes into consideration the long-term perspectives
Stakeholders participation are in the main agenda
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Is A21Sel still relevant?...YES!
Q: Do the following
unsustainable development indicators of the 1990s still exist? Increasing geohazards
Land slides, flash floods,
sedimentation, river banks
erosion, increasing sink holes
Worsening air pollution
Declining river water quality
Extreme weather conditions
Weaknesses in the
marriage instituions
Materialistic values
Individualistic values
Religious fanatism
Environmental
deterioration
Destruction and loss of
natural resources
Imbalance welfare
between ethnic groups
Declining ethnic
integration
Need for national
integration
Declining moral behaviour
Youths with low morals
Whike collar crimes
Money politics
A1: The unsustainable
development indicators of the 1990s do not only exist but are intensifying
A2:The SD Global Agenda
is of more concern
A3: A21Sel is still relevant
The way forward for A21Sel 1. Implementing the organizational structure of A21Sel
2. Audit and monitor the implementation progress of 788-A21Sel strategic actions at the State level and review every 5 years
3. Audit and monitor the implementation of LA21 at the state level
4. Until there is the Selangor SD Council, institutionalise the A21Sel as a fixed dedicated agenda at the State Planning Committee Meetings
5. Implement the Sustainable Development and Sustainability Reporting System by all agencies, monitored by the Selangor SD Council or the State Planning Committee
6. Establish the Selangor SD Unit at the State Secretariat to coordinate the above
Terima Kasih