Description of Invention
Laws and policies providing the basis for passing laws and regulations to promote and manage environmental protection have been formulated ever since the environmental problems arose. However, the post-independence economic policies formulated by the government are often seen as the main reason for the present persisting environmental problems. Various legal and non–legal environmental protection measures and policies at the Federal and state level seem to fail in their operation and created further environmental degradation. Despite commitments to the objective of preserving and enhancing environmental quality and passing of laws and regulations to achieve the means, Malaysia is still faced with the problem of the competing demands of greater urban development and conserving the environment. The commitment to integrate environmental and economic policies is slightly hesitant owing to a misunderstood concept that the preservation of the environment means limited development. It is often pointed out that the actual problem lies in implementing and enforcing the law. The effectiveness of the legal mechanism adopted by the country is dampened by the constraints that exist within the legal and institutional framework. This research will examine and propose measures to improve the implementation and enforcement of environmental protection so as to achieve sustainable development through a centralized legislative approach. The focus of the research also on the relationship between the implementation of the existing laws and regulations, citizens' general views, and government responsibility and support to protect the environment.