Challenges in Managing the Coastal Zone in Malaysia

Abstract

Coastal zone normally defined from a geomorphological, biological and juridical point of view. A lot of challenges being faced by Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) as the sole technical agency in Malaysia that provides the engineering solution for the most common disasters related to coastal zone such as erosion, sedimentation of river mouth and coastal flooding. Coastal management not only requires scientifically based knowledge but also working hand in hand with various stakeholders underpinned by knowledge on the integrated behaviour of coastal system. There are guidelines and studies that available at this time to ensure the sustainable development in coastal zone as well as reduction of coastal erosion risk and the needs of expensive coastal protection scheme but there are also obstacles faced by DID that makes the implementation of these guidelines becomes more challenging. Typically DID implements strategy that consists two main approaches of which are have the own purpose to tackle each of every coastal related issues.