ENVIRONMENTAL-POLLUTION IN MALAYSIA - TRENDS AND PROSPECTS

With the adoption of effective treatment systems, pollution from the M alaysian agro-based industries, particularly natural rubber and oil pa lm, has decreased in recent years. At present, domestic sewage and ani mal wastes are the major sources of organic pollution load in the aqua tic environment. The widespread and often indiscriminate use of pestic ides has also resulted in detrimental effects on aquatic resources. Fu rthermore, rapid industrial development and urbanisation during the pa st two decades have given rise to the increased quantity and diversity of toxic and hazardous wastes. The aim of maintaining the detrimental effects of rapid industrialisation on the environment to a minimum wi ll necessitate the evolution of current sustainable management practic es to include environmental auditing, the incorporation of waste minim isation strategies into manufacturing processes, as well as regular as sessments of the effectiveness of mitigating measures.