ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) SYSTEM IN SABAH

EIA is a study to identify, predict, evaluate and communicate information about the impacts on the environment of a proposed project and to detail out the mitigating measures prior to project implementation. In Malaysia, EIA is required for activities prescribed under the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 1987. In Sabah, the EIA system was further strengthened by the passing of the Conservation of Environment Enactment 1996 and the Conservation of Environment (Prescribed Activities) Order 1999. The overall objective of the Prescribed Activities Order is to regulate and mitigate activities associated with land development and the utilisation of natural resources. This paper hopes to highlight the features of the EIA procedure in Sabah under the Environmental Conservation Department (ECD), which are flexibility and transparency