DOCSLIB.ORG

Breaking the Silence: the Efficacy of Whistleblowing in Improving Transparency

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Breaking the Silence: the Efficacy of Whistleblowing in Improving Transparency Scientific Research Journal (SCIRJ), Volume III, Issue IV, April 2015 35 ISSN 2201-2796 Breaking the Silence: The Efficacy of Whistleblowing in Improving Transparency Siti Noor Azmawaty Abd Razak Faculty of Accountancy Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kelantan Kelantan, Malaysia [email protected] Wan Nurul Basirah Wan Mohamad Noor Faculty of Accountancy Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kelantan Kelantan, Malaysia [email protected] Maheran Zakaria (Associate Professor, Dr.) Faculty of Accountancy Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kelantan Kelantan, Malaysia [email protected] Abstract - There has been a substantial increase in the Whistleblowers Protection Act (2010) has been introduced recognition of the importance of whistleblowing as a means of in Malaysia as part of the struggle to combat corruption and reducing corruption. It could enhance a country’s Corruption malpractices in the public and private sector through providing Perception Index (CPI) scor es and indirectly enhance her protection to whistleblowers. These include confidentiality of dignity. While recognizing that whistleblowing is a powerful tool information of the informer, protection against harmful actions to prevent and detect malpractices, very few decided to blow the whistle due to the fear of retaliation, legal liabilities and cultural and immunity from civil and criminal actions that may be oppositions. These barriers should be removed in order to faced by the informant after making a disclosure to the internalize whistleblowing as a positive means of improving Enforcement Agency. However, ever since the Act was transparency in the organizations, over and above the introduced, the ranking of Malaysia in Corruption Perception government as a whole. Index (CPI) has not significantly improved (The Bertelsmann Foundation (2014); Freedom House (2013)) which may Index Terms - corruption, transparency, whistleblowing, indicated stronger measures need to be enforced in Malaysia in barriers to whistleblowing fighting corruptions. I. INTRODUCTION The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to explain some Whistleblowing has been a major issue in the ethics cases in Malaysia that may lead to the increasing consciousness literature. Whistleblowing is defined as disclosure actions by members of an organization of illegal and immoral acts on whistleblowing and secondly, the paper aims to discuss the some deterrents of whistleblowing act by reviewing literatures perpetrated by the organization and organization members to relating to whistleblowing actions which has been publicly persons or organizations that may bring about a change debated over the recent years. (Boatright, 2003). Most of the time corruption episodes occur in secrecy, thus only individuals engaged in corrupt affairs or those working closely with them in an organization are in the II. MALAYSIA ACCORDING TO TRANSPARENCY best position to report (Dyrmishi et al., 2013). Pursuant to that, INTERNATIONAL whistleblowing is widely accredited as one of the most powerful method to prevent and detect corruption and Malaysia’s score on the Transparency International’s malpractices (Transparency International, 2009). Nevertheless, Corruption has slightly increased over the past 4 years. The while recognizing that whistleblowing is a powerful tool to slight improvements indicated that the government initiatives prevent and detect corruption and malpractices, very few may have shown a positive result, even though still decided to blow the whistle. The refusal to report wrongdoings maintaining position in the mid-range rank. Malaysia has that has been observed may be closely related with the fear of improved in CPI ranking beginning 2011 onwards. In 2011, retaliation by the employers or persons being alleged for despite various initiatives to address corruption, which includes malpractices (Paul & Townsend, 1996; Kaplan& Kleiner, Corporate Integrity Pledge for the business sectors, the CPI 2000; Qusqas & Kleiner, 2001; Gundlach et al., 2008; results indicated that the efforts are not good enough to combat Transparency International, 2009). corruption, especially ‘grand corruption’. The ‘grand corruption’ includes awarding mega projects without an open www.scirj.org © 2015, Scientific Research Journal Scientific Research Journal (SCIRJ), Volume III, Issue IV, April 2015 36 ISSN 2201-2796 tender or competitive bidding, limited access to information billion of Cayman funds (Malaysiakini, January 2015) by that contributes to a culture of secrecy and lack of questioning the whereabouts of the money. He raised the transparency, allegations of inflated pricing in military serious questions about the integrity of the fund’s investments purchases and the continued close nexus between business and and refused to let the matters drop. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad politics in Malaysia. Based on Transparency International (TI), also acknowledged that there is a major structural issue in the 40% of the public perceives that corruption levels have stayed way Malaysia’s public funds were managed, which is lack of the same over the past three years with the police and political transparency that allow little or no scrutiny of the 1MDB parties has been identified as the most corrupt institutions. funds. In 2012, Malaysia has climbed up to be ranked at the 54th Another case that has heightened the needs for transparency place. Even though the country’s position continues to be in the among Malaysians was the case of National Feedlot Centre mid- range, the results indicated a slight improvement. (NFC). The report of Auditor-General’s 2010 highlighted NFC According to Datuk Paul Low (2012), the president of failure to meet the annual demand of beef production target set Transparency International Malaysia (TIM), despite various by the Government. As reported by The Star Online (June government initiatives, the respondents did not experience a 2013), the centre was supposed to produce 38,600 heads of significant decrease in corruption. This was evidenced by one cattle in 2010 but it fell short as the implementation of of the question in survey relating to bribe, “During the last 12 Entrepreneur Development Programme (EDP) involving 130 months, do you think that your company has failed to win a satellite farms had yet to be implemented back in 2010. contract or gain new business because a competitor has paid a Concern also arose as RM250 millions of soft loans were bribe?” whereby 50% of the respondents answered “Yes”, approved in December 2007 to NFCorp, of which as at March which scored amongst the highest in comparison to other 2010 RM134.7 million was disbursed by the Ministry of countries within the same range of position ranking. During Finance (MOF) to NFCorp. The loan was to enable the 2012, one of the suggestions for improvement was to further corporation to start a national feedlot centre in Gemas, Negeri improve whistleblower legislation to provide wider protection Sembilan. The repayment tenure is from 2012 to 2028. to whistleblowers and encourage more whistleblowing. Furthermore, in the press release by the Auditor General dated Malaysia has improved its standing in the ranking in 2013 25 January 2012, some weaknesses in the implementation of (from 54th to 53th). The country’s position is still in the mid- NFC have been identified. Those weaknesses have been duly range and this situation call out for stronger measures and highlighted in the Auditor’s General report in 2010. The New enforcement to be in place to eliminate entrenched interests Straits Times online (November 2014) has reported that the and processes that support abuses. In the previous year of 2014, Government is taking legal action against NFCorp for its Malaysia has further improved its country ranking by climbing failure to repay 2014’s loan instalment. The Prime Minister, up to 50th position. Following this, TIM urged the government Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak who is also the finance minister to take up the recommendations to ensure greater has acknowledged that until September 2014, NFCorp had only improvements, including putting more emphasis on the misuse repaid RM34.98 million as part of its 2012 and 2013 of public funds as highlighted in Auditor-General Reports repayments. The company also failed to meet up 90-day (Astro Awani, 2014). extension given by the Government. Pursuant to that, government issued an Event of Default Declaration Notice on III. TRANSPARENCY ISSUES IN MALAYSIA to terminate the agreement and subsequently proceed with The discoveries from TI can be further enlightened by some legal action. In the meantime, the president of TIM, Dato’ controversies that evolved around Malaysia in relation to Akhbar Satar, in the press release dated November 2014 urged misuse of public funds, corruption, bribery and lack of the Government to seek damages for this serious breach by the transparency in the government management. Take for NFCorp and all related offenders. TIM urged the Government example the recent controversy surrounding 1Malaysia to publish a list of borrowers online on their status, amount Development Bhd (1MDB) in relation to the secrecy of trading borrowed, progress, loan repayment to boost transparency and and arrangements involving PetroSaudi Holdings (Cayman) accountability. TIM also proposed to the Government to be Limited (PSI Cayman), a wholly owned subsidiary of more transparent on the process of giving soft loans to cut PetroSaudi International Limited (PSI), a company down the possibility
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Download This Report in English
    Human Rights Watch July 2004 Vol. 16, No. 9 (B) Help Wanted: Abuses against Female Migrant Domestic Workers in Indonesia and Malaysia Map 1: Map of Southeast Asia...................................................................................................1 Map 2: Migration Flows between Indonesia and Malaysia.................................................... 2 I. Summary.................................................................................................................................... 3 Key Recommendations............................................................................................................7 II. Background............................................................................................................................... 8 Labor Migration in Asia........................................................................................................... 8 Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia............................................................................10 Domestic Work.......................................................................................................................12 Trafficking................................................................................................................................14 Repression of Civil Society in Malaysia: The Irene Fernandez Case ..............................16 The Status of Women and Girls in Indonesia....................................................................17 The Status of Women and Girls in
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution of One-Minute Rain Rate in Malaysia Derived from TRMM Satellite Data
    Ann. Geophys., 31, 2013–2022, 2013 Open Access www.ann-geophys.net/31/2013/2013/ Annales doi:10.5194/angeo-31-2013-2013 © Author(s) 2013. CC Attribution 3.0 License. Geophysicae Distribution of one-minute rain rate in Malaysia derived from TRMM satellite data T. V. Omotosho1,2,3, J. S Mandeep2,3, M. Abdullah2,3, and A. T. Adediji2,4 1Department of Physics, College of Science and Technology Covenant University PMB 1023 Ota, Ogun state, Nigeria 2Institute of Space Science, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Malaysia 3Department of Electrical, Electronic and System Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Malaysia 4Department of Physics Federal University of Technology, Akure Ondo State, Nigeria Correspondence to: T. V. Omotosho ([email protected]) Received: 31 January 2013 – Revised: 13 August 2013 – Accepted: 21 October 2013 – Published: 19 November 2013 Abstract. Total rainfall accumulation, as well as convective 1 Introduction and stratiform rainfall rate data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite sensors have been used to derive the thunderstorm ratio and one-minute rainfall rates, There is the need for reliable rainfall rate data for planning and designing of satellite communications systems, manage- R0.01, for 57 stations in Malaysia for exceedance probabili- ties of 0.001–1 % for an average year, for the period 1998– ment of water resources, agricultural purpose, and flooding, 2010. The results of the rain accumulations from the TRMM as well as to assess the impact of climate change. Rain gauge satellite were validated with the data collected from differ- measurement networks are not as dense or evenly spaced in ent ground data sources from the National Oceanic and At- Malaysia as in other countries, such as the USA, Europe, mospheric Administration (NOAA) global summary of the and Japan.
    [Show full text]
  • 13. Regional Maritime Trends
    13. REGIONAL MARITIME TRENDS 13.1 Singapore 13.1.1 Port Management Singapore Harbor Board had been responsible for the management of Port of Singapore until 1964. Port of Singapore Authority was established in April 1964 and it assumed complete responsibility for port construction and operation. In 1996, the former PSA was split into two, PSA corporation limited and MPA (Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore). The new PSA was established as a private entity responsible for port operation, although the government still holds its entire equity. On the other hand, MPA is in charge of the regulatory functions relative to the port including port planning, harbor master, ship registration, and port industry issues. Since May 1997, PSA comprises two main divisions, administrative division and strategic business division. The strategic business division is made up of three main groups, container terminal operation, storage and distribution, and overseas business. PSA established a subsidiary, PSA Marine, which takes care of tug and pilot services. Consequently, PSA now focuses on container terminal operation. PSA was privatized mainly because it would help streamline the government sector and facilitate PSA’s overseas business. Currently, PSA operates nine ports overseas including Dalien (China) and Aden (Yemen). PSA’s investment activity is now focused on overseas projects rather than domestic projects. PSA predicts that its overseas operation will become profitable in 2007. MPA and PSA are completely independent with no exchange of employees. Taking port development as an example, MPA prepares a development plan and PSA constructs and operates port facilities. The government continues to own the land and leases it out to the operator for a period of 20-30 years.
    [Show full text]
  • Democratic Breakthrough in Malaysia – Political Opportunities and the Role of Bersih, In: Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 37, 3, 109–137
    Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs Special Issue: The 2018 Malaysian General Elections Chan, Tsu Chong (2018), Democratic Breakthrough in Malaysia – Political Opportunities and the Role of Bersih, in: Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 37, 3, 109–137. URN: http://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:gbv:18-4-11502 ISSN: 1868-4882 (online), ISSN: 1868-1034 (print) The online version of this article can be found at: <www.CurrentSoutheastAsianAffairs.org> Published by GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Institute of Asian Studies and Hamburg University Press. The Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs is an Open Access publication. It may be read, copied and distributed free of charge according to the conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. To subscribe to the print edition: <[email protected]> For an e-mail alert please register at: <www.CurrentSoutheastAsianAffairs.org> The Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs is part of the GIGA Journal Family, which also includes Africa Spectrum, Journal of Current Chinese Affairs and Journal of Politics in Latin America: <www.giga-journal-family.org>. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs 3/2018: 109–137 'HPRFUDWLF%UHDNWKURXJKLQ0DOD\VLD± 3ROLWLFDO2SSRUWXQLWLHVDQGWKH5ROHRI %HUVLK &KDQ7VX&KRQJ Abstract: The 14th general election (GE14) in Malaysia saw a democratic breakthrough as the Barisan Nasional’s uninterrupted rule since independ- ence finally came to an end. This article seeks to analyse the role and im- pact of the Bersih movement in GE14 by examining the political context of GE14 via three key political opportunities: the 1MDB scandal; electoral fraud and manipulation; and the re-delineation of electoral boundaries.
    [Show full text]
  • ESCAP PPP Case Study #5
    Public-Private Partnerships Case Study #5 Regulation in PPP projects: the case of Port Klang by Mathieu Verougstraete, Ferdinand Marterer and Clovis Eng (March 2015) The Malaysian government has improved the capacity and efficiency of its port infrastructure by involving the private sector. This case study reviews the develop- ment of the largest port in the country, Port Klang, and considers the role of the public partner when ports are privately operated. PRIVATE PORT OPERATORS THE CASE OF PORT KLANG To improve port efficiency, many governments Malaysia was one of the first countries to around the globe have introduced private introduce private port operators by the end of participation in port operations. Different the 1980s. Improving port efficiency was a models have been tested. The most common rising priority in order to reduce dependency one is the Landlord Port Model in which the on Singapore for external trade. Involving private partner leases a port terminal and private stevedores was seen as the best way is responsible for both the operation and to compete in the Strait of Malacca – one of related investments (e.g. wharf expansion, the world’s most crucial trade waterways with cranes and office buildings). However, the an annual throughput of 70,000 ships, for public authority remains in charge of common transhipment operations.3 facilities such as breakwaters, entrance The introduction of private operators began channels, utilities and road and rail access to ESCAP supports govern- 1 in 1986 with Port Klang, which is located the port. ments in Asia-Pacific in on the Malaysian west coast, about 40 km implementing measures While private operators could boost from Kuala Lumpur, the capital city.
    [Show full text]
  • Political Communication in Malaysia: a Study on the Use of New Media in Politics
    JeDEM 7(1): 46-71, 2015 ISSN 2075-9517 http://www.jedem.org Political Communication in Malaysia: A Study on the Use of New Media in Politics Pauline Leong School of Arts and Social Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia [email protected] Abstract: To gain and retain political power, politicians use the media to persuade the masses to vote and support them, especially during elections. Barisan Nasional (BN) has successfully used the media to maintain its power for the past 57 years, making it the longest-serving elected government in the world still currently in office. However, the emergence of the Internet has challenged the status quo. The purpose of the research was to investigate how new media has influenced the political process and communication strategies in Malaysia and its impact on the political landscape. The researcher interviewed 19 respondents: politicians, bloggers and media consultants from both sides of the political divide. The findings showed that new media, especially Web 2.0, has expanded the public sphere and enabled more Malaysians to participate in the democratic process, through information dissemination, mobilisation or crowd-sourcing. However, the cyber-war between BN and the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has caused confusion and disinformation, affecting the quality of democratic decision-making. Nevertheless, new media has enabled more voices to emerge and challenge the political hegemony. Communication is increasingly two-way, with the public expecting greater engagement and interactivity with their political representatives. The Internet and social media have led to unprecedented complexity in the political communication process in Malaysia.
    [Show full text]
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
    565 Int. J Sup. Chain. Mgt Vol. 8, No. 3, June 2019 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and ArcGIS for Shipping Container Counting Afiq Abdullah1, Jasmee Jaafar2, Khairul Nizam Tahar3, Wan Mazlina Wan Mohamed4 1,4Malaysian Institute of Transport (MITRANS), UniversitiTeknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. 2,3Centre of Studies for Surveying Science & Geomatics, Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying UniversitiTeknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Abstract— The current approach in counting shipping 1. Introduction containers at port terminal in Malaysia is done manually. This process will incur cost, time and labour Container terminal or depot is the place where the intensive. Furthermore, this technical issue has led to shipping container is being kept for storage, damage delay in container operation. This has made the inspection and fixing. Currently, the existing operational efficiency factor to be questioned. approach of shipping container counting is done Therefore, promoting an automated approached manually and the process is time consuming as well seems appealing. Previous studies demonstrate the capability of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) images labor intensive. Validation process seems for automatic counting of cars and trees. In this study, impossible when the number of containers is large. combinations of aerial images captured using UAV Furthermore, during operation, manual counting and geo-processing software, ArcGIS, are promoted will involve human interventions and this will affect towards automated approach for counting shipping safety issues especially at busy terminals. containers. The overlapping UAV aerial images are It is reported that the efficiency of container post-processed using photogrammetric technique to terminal relates to technical efficiency [1].
    [Show full text]
  • An Overview and Examination of the Malaysian Service Sector
    No. ID-27 OFFICE OF INDUSTRIES WORKING PAPER U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION An Overview and Examination of the Malaysian Service Sector Lisa Alejandro Jennifer Baumert Powell Samantha Brady Isaac Wohl November 2010 Office of Industries working papers are the result of the ongoing professional research of USITC Staff and are solely meant to represent the opinions and professional research of individual authors. These papers are not meant to represent in any way the views of the U.S. International Trade Commission or any of its individual Commissioners. Working papers are circulated to promote the active exchange of ideas between USITC Staff and recognized experts outside the USITC, and to promote professional development of Office staff by encouraging outside professional critique of staff research. ADDRESS CORRESPONDENCE TO: OFFICE OF INDUSTRIES U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20436 USA An Overview and Examination of the Malaysian Service Sector Lisa Alejandro, Jennifer Baumert Powell, Samantha Brady, and Isaac Wohl1 U.S. International Trade Commission ABSTRACT The service sector is a rapidly growing component of Malaysia’s economy. In 2008, the last year for which data are available, it expanded 7.2 percent to $96.9 billion and employed over half of the country’s workforce. Growth in the Malaysian service sector is largely a product of government policies that promote service industries, including tax benefits and investment, as well as specialization in niche service industries that cater to Islamic consumers. In April 2009, the government eliminated or eased ethnic-Malay equity requirements in 27 service industries in an effort to further increase service industries’ contribution to the Malaysian economy.
    [Show full text]
  • Implementing Pictorial Health Warnings in Malaysia: Challenges and Lessons Learned
    Implementing Pictorial Health Warnings in Malaysia: Challenges and Lessons Learned Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance June 2010 Implementing Pictorial Health Warnings in Malaysia: Challenges and Lessons Learned Author Tan Yen Lian, M.A. Knowledge and Information Manager Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) Editor Foong Kin, Ph.D. National Poison Center, Universiti Sains Malaysia Published by Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) Thakolsuk Place, Room 2B, 115 Thoddamri Road, Nakornchaisri Dusit, Bangkok 10300, Thailand Tel: +66 2 668 3650 Fax: +66 2 241 0082 Website: www.seatca.org E-mail: [email protected] First Published June 2010 , 1,000 copies ISBN 978 - 616 - 90022 - 1 - 5 Printed by Manus Film Limited Partnership 104/18-20, Soi Krungthepnon 13, Krungthepnon Road, Bangkhen Muang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi, 11000 Thailand Tel: +66 2 968 3081 Fax: +66 2 968 5132 Supported by International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Copyright text © Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) and Tan Yen Lian Copyright photographs © as indicated separately Contents Acknowledgements 4 Introduction 5 Setting the Groundwork 6 Generating Supporting Evidence 7 Selecting Effective Health Messages and Pictures 9 Common Tobacco Industry Arguments Against Pictorial Health Warnings 9 Dealing with Manipulations of Tobacco Industry 1) Design Elements 10 2) Banning of Misleading Descriptors 11 Mass Media Anti-Smoking Campaign: A Powerful Tool for Health Promotion 14 Intrusion of Health Messages in the Printed Ads 16 Role
    [Show full text]
  • PKA Chief: No Regrets Opening Can of Worms Malaysiakini.Com January 15 2011
    PKA chief: No regrets opening can of worms Malaysiakini.com January 15 2011 Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairperson Lee Hwa Beng, whose term ends on Mar 31, has no regrets over his decision to initiate an investigation into the multi-billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal that has riled up powerful politicians and companies. "Now I have become a black sheep to certain people in my party (MCA). There are also cases where some friends don't want to go out with me anymore. "There were also cases where people didn't want me to sit in their cars because they were scared of collateral damage," said Lee in an interview recently. His role in the scandal has made him a persona non grata within the party and has shut his door to MCA politics, Lee (left) said. However the former Subang Jaya assemblyperson called the task his religious duty. "I take it as a religious calling to serve my god. Then you don't care what people say, you don't care how you suffer. You just carry on with what you think is the right way." Lee's report card Lee was appointed on Apr 1, 2008 as PKA chairperson by then-transport minister and MCA president Ong Tee Keat, who later extended Lee's term twice. It is expected that with Ong's ouster as president by Chua Soi Lek last year, Lee as a staunch Ong supporter will be replaced by Chua's men when his term ends. Under Lee's leadership and Ong's backing, PKA took several bold moves to probe the multi-billion ringgit scandal including commissioning an independent audit report and seeking professional advice from external bodies, followed by civil suits against several individuals and companies to claim the losses.
    [Show full text]
  • Port Development in Malaysia an Introduction to the Country’S Evolving Port Landscape
    PORT DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA AN INTRODUCTION TO THE COUNTRY’S EVOLVING PORT LANDSCAPE © PORT OF TANJUNG PELEPAS CONTENTS MARKET OPPORTUNITIES ............................................................................................ ii MARITIME GIANT MALAYSIA ........................................................................................ 2 GATEWAY TO SOUTHEAST ASIA ..................................................................................... 3 GLOBAL PORT ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................ 4 PORTS OF MALAYSIA .................................................................................................... 5 MMC CORPORATION BERHAD ......................................................................................... 7 PORT POLICY ............................................................................................................... 7 PORT KLANG ................................................................................................................ 8 WESTPORTS ................................................................................................................ 9 NORTHPORT .............................................................................................................. 10 JOHOR PORT .............................................................................................................. 11 PORT OF TANJUNG PELEPAS ........................................................................................ 12
    [Show full text]
  • Management of Environmental Issues Related to Capital Dredging Works at Port Klang, Malaysia
    MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES RELATED TO CAPITAL DREDGING WORKS AT PORT KLANG, MALAYSIA Rajoo Addakann1 ABSTRACT Port Klang is Malaysia’s leading port with two main navigational entrances / exits. The Northern Pulau Angsa Approach is via the dredged North Channel, 153 meters wide with maintained declared depth of 11.3 meters below Chart Datum (m CD). The Southern approach lies adjacent to the North bound lane of the Malacca Straits Traffic Separation. The South Channel has a width of 365 meters with a maintained declared depth of 15.5 m below CD. Capital dredging work is proposed in order to upgrade the North access channel to the same width and a declared depth of 365 meters & 15.5 m below CD respectively as that of the Southern approach. The capital dredging volume involved is approximately 39 million cubic meters. The mainland bordering the port is the most developed region in the country. Mangrove forests cover the undeveloped coastal zones within and at areas bordering the port. Inter tidal mud flats and natural islands off the port provide protection and environmental buffer zones. The gazetted port area and its surroundings also include numerous fishing villages, cage fish farms, cockle breeding farms and artificial reefs to promote natural fish breeding. The port area is a multi user environment with significant natural buffer zones. Hence implementation of this major capital dredging project requiring relocation of very large quantities of dredged materials will cause multi-user conflicts, socio-economic impacts as well as concerns for environmental protection. Adequate studies, investigations and planning have been carried out to identify and address all issues on environmental impacts, environmental monitoring and mitigation measures to be adopted for the successful implementation of the project with minimal impact.
    [Show full text]