BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY WITH HONOURS

MAY / 2018

OUMH 1103

LEARNING SKILLS FOR OPEN DISTANCE LEARNER

MATRICULATION NO: 890517075484001

IDENTITY CARD NO. : 890517075484
TELEPHONE NO. : 0129071201
E-MAIL : liya.nashita@gmail.com
LEARNING CENTRE : PETALING JAYA

1
 Introduction

Over the past decades, we have seen tremendous changes in Malaysia’s industrial
development. These changes brought an increase in job opportunities, and population
increases in major cities as well as development in rural areas. Industrial development in
major cities have not only brought in positive changes to the country. These development
projects may sometime causes negative side effects which may not seem obvious around
the developing areas. The 2018 Environmental Performance Index published by the Yale
Centre of Environmental Law & Policy, Yale University, has ranked Malaysia at 75 out of
180 countries. What causes environmental pollution in Malaysia and how we can address
the issue of increasing environmental pollution in future is something ought to be
discussed.

Pollution Issues

Air Pollution
The past decade have brought us a number of haze episodes. Air pollution (Air Pollution,
2018) is a result of introduction to harmful or excessive quantities of substances such as
biological molecules, particulates and gasses into the Earth’s atmosphere which may
cause harm to humans, and other living organisms including animals and food crops. Air
pollution can be caused by human activities and natural events. In Malaysia, especially in
major cities, we can see that the air quality is lower compared to rural areas. This is
because major cities carry more automobiles which results in higher exhaust emissions.
Hydrocarbon fuel such as petrol and diesel produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen
(N2) when burnt. These exhaust emissions are what causes the air pollution in Malaysia.
Not forgetting open fire burning of solid waste and exhaust emissions from factories and
chemical plants.

Water Pollution
In Malaysia, there are three main sources of water pollution. Investigations show that
residential, agricultural and industrial waste are the main sources which contributes to the

2
river pollution in Malaysia (Rafia Afroz, Muhammad Mehedi Masud, Rulia Akhtar &
Jarita Duasa, 2014). Poor residential waste management especially in rural areas is
something that most people take for granted. Residents in villages located near rivers and
streams dispose waste which includes food, solid and chemical waste into nearby rivers
without a second thought on how their action can be the root of larger consequences. The
more dangerous source of air pollution is actually derived from industrial waste. We have
seen news on chemical and toxic waste being dumped into the rivers and ocean which
causes the safety and cleanliness of our natural source for water being jeopardized.

Soil Contamination
Soil pollution or soil contamination is caused by the presence of human-made chemicals
or other alterations in the natural soil environment as part of the land degradation. (Soil
contamination, 2018). Soil pollution in Malaysia can be seen in waste disposal grounds
where studies showed that the land is contaminated by heavy metal. Humans are at risk of
exposure which may cause serious health issues. Excessive deposition of toxic metal into
the soil is caused by human activities in poor toxic and solid waste management.

Public Awareness
To address the issues on environmental pollution in Malaysia, the public awareness levels
need to be increased. Education on environmental health and safety should be made
available and introduced in early stages of education. Younger generations should be
aware of the current situation in their surrounding environment. Government agencies
should intorduce more awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of proper waste
management and the consequences of poor management.

Legal Actions
Authorities should take legal actions on industrial plants and factories which do not abide
to the regulations of waste management. Industrial areas should be monitored and proper
audits should be done to ensure these factories and plants do not violate any of the
mandated regulations.

3
Technology Advances
The Malaysian government should also look into new technologies in waste management
which could provide more efficient ways in recycling, reusing or treatmenty of chemical
waste that could reduce the harm they are causing to the environment.

Conclusion

The environmental pollution in Malaysia is particularly discussed in terms of air, water

and soil pollution. These contaminations are primarily caused by human activities which
produces exhaust emissions and also poor waste management. The government should
really look into new ways to improve our waste management especially industrial and
residential waste besides increasing the awareness levels of the public. This issue on
environmental pollution is something that should not be taken lightly by the public as it
affects the living quality of a nation.

Word count: 728 words

4
ATTACHMENT

References
Afroz, R., Masud, M. M., Akhtar, R., & Duasa, J. (2014). Water Pollution. Challenges
and Future Direction for Water Resource Management Policies in Malaysia, 63
-81.
Air Pollution. (5. August 2018). Von Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution abgerufen
Soil contamination. (5. August 2018). Von Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_contamination abgerufen
Yale Centre for Environmental Law & Policy, Yale University. (2018). 2018
Environmental Performance Index. Von
https://epi.envirocenter.yale.edu/downloads/epi2018policymakerssummaryv01.pd
f abgerufen