The primary objective of this working group is to build upon the initiatives undertaken in relation to localizing Agenda 21 and people’s participation in urban governance towards promoting greater accountability and transparency.

Each MENGO member has been effectively bridging the gap in ensuring a sustainable and environmentally sound urban management and planning. Some of these activities are carried out individually as seen in EPSM ecological footprint campaign, CETDEM energy campaign, SUSDEN’s sustainable urban management initiative pilot project in urban community participation, SAM’s efforts in local plans etc. There was also collective effort under the MENGO platform through the National Physical Plan seminars and community awareness.

This working group has the potential to further build upon the collective local efforts towards policy advocacy in urban management. The local on the ground efforts of sustainable consumption and production can be further enhanced through various initiatives as suggested below.

The Focus Issues

1. Plastic carrier bag waste from food and grocery shopping to be reduced/prevented;

Plastic bags comprise a significant quantity of urban solid waste. Plastics alone comprise 24% of solid waste (9th Malaysia Plan). Because of their convenience and versatility of use they have become an almost indispensable aspect of modern urban living. Incidentally because of these qualities, plastic bags also contribute to increased consumption patterns; it is so convenient to purchase more with plastic bags.

However because plastic bags are non biodegradable and are known to clog drains and interfere with river flows etc they have become an urban environmental and health menace. Not withstanding this with Malaysian petroleum reserves declining it is going to be expensive to continue to depend on plastic carrier bags; plastics being a by product of petroleum. It is therefore imperative that we find alternatives and substitutes to plastic carrier bags. The 9th Malaysia Plan advocates the greater use of environmental friendly materials and bio-plastics.

This strategy can provide a means of reducing poverty levels among marginalised groups like poor single mothers and indigenous people who can produce the cloth bags and rattan baskets respectively. This supports Malaysia’s commitments towards the Millennium Development Goal No: 1.

2. Insufficient parks and nature reserves in urban areas

The population of Malaysia is currently concentrated in the urban areas. Due to the rapid pace of development in the last 45 years, our towns and cities appear to be mainly a built environment. The Malaysian urban public however, needs more outdoor nature recreational facilities for better health and well being. It is the least we should expect of a developed Malaysia. The good news is that the Malaysian Cabinet has just announced (NST; Nov 25th 2006) that it wants a large scale public park in the city of Kuala Lumpur to complement the existing parks. The objective is to promote healthy living. MENGO needs to leverage upon this announcement and upon the mandatory requirements of the Malaysian Town and Country Planning Act, the National Landscape Policy and the goals of the 9th Malaysia Plan, to urge the government to build more parks and zone nature reserves within the urban areas of Malaysia. These parks and nature reserves could serve as wildlife corridors and as islands of biodiversity.

3. Poor surface water quality of urban rivers/streams/monsoon drains

The population of Malaysia is concentrated largely in cities and towns. Facilities that serve the population include industries, food outlets and restaurants that are also largely located within the urban areas. These urban facilities and the population they serve have significantly polluted urban waterways. The pollution is due largely to chemical and oil spills/effluent discharges from industries and occasionally (it is uncertain how often really) of bulk liquid food discharges such as milk from dairy industries and waste curry and cooking oil from restaurants. These are the common and significant point sources of pollution within urban areas. The quality and frequency of effluent discharge into our urban water ways needs to be monitored by as many stakeholders as possible. Then only will there be a true partnership towards a common goal and for a common good – for cleaner waters and a healthy environment.

Why in particular should we be concerned with the surface water quality of our urban waterways? Ninety eight (98%) of our water supply incidentally is abstracted from our rivers and streams (STAR, 18 Feb.2003), that is in effect a very significant source of our water supply. Urban sources of water pollution therefore undermine the security of the quality of our fresh waters. Freshwaters are an ecosystem which provides a vital provisioning service for humankind. It must therefore receive the utmost attention and protection.