It is a well-known fact that there is interaction between various components of the environment. The atmosphere, the lithosphere and the biosphere are inter-dependent of each other in a symbiotic manner. One component cannot function without the others. The inter-relationship between the various components is vital in the achievement of a dynamic equilibrium condition in the environment. The absence or extended disturbance of one component may render dynamic equilibrium unattainable and leads to environmental degradation. The exploitation of natural resources and other improperly planned and inadequately controlled development activities often lead to environmental degradation. In this country, there is a sure sign of environmental degradation even before the achievement of independence in 1957 which is manifested in various problems of pollution either in air, water or on land. Deforestation, mining, land and infrastructure development has not only led to soil erosion, sedimentation of drainage system, but also more frequent and intensified flood and flash flood occurrences. Agriculture, especially livestock rearing, and industrial activities have been contributing to water pollution that affect not only aquatic life and recreational activities, but also water treatment plants for domestic water supply. Motor vehicles and industrial activities also pollute the atmosphere, especially in urban-industrial areas. The recurrent occurrence of haze episodes since early 1980’s is another manifestation of environmental degradation that requires effective environmental management plans and strategies. Experience has shown that environmental management through legislative measures alone is not enough to manage the environment. It is suggested that the environment should be managed holistically and in an integrated manner taking into consideration of non-legislative measures

Issues and challengers in environmental management in Malaysia

The embracing of sustainability and liveability of an extended urban region depends on several underlying factors related
to the three pillars of sustainable development. We have identified some of these factors: the soundness of collaboration
between stake holders to create functioning institutions; effective governance to ensure feasible implementation and
monitoring of plans and policies, the consideration related to the physical environment, creation of favourable social
sphere, and balanced economic drivers such as industrial and retail diversity. In ensuring Malaysia’s rapid development,
the industrial sector was promoted, thus encouraging domestic and foreign investments and diversified industrial activities.
Industrial growth is important to boost up the economic growth. However, the growth of industrial areas in cities makes
it a very vulnerable environment for people to live in, for their pollution threats. Retailing is the main component that
contributes to the liveability of a city centre because this will encourage residents to visit the central business district.
However, for traffic congestions there is a need for regional redistribution of marketing such as regional shopping complex.
Retail planning is compulsory in order to sustain from either the arrangement or distribution of the shops. Seremban
Town Centre showed that the retail outlet has moved to sell “high end” products. Education is one of an essential tool
for achieving sustainability. An education for sustainable development is based on an integrated approach to economic,
environmental and societal development as well as encompasses a broad range of related issues. Governance in sustainable
development institutions can refer to the procedures and processes as a bridge that will link to sustainable development.
The process of effective governance in achieving sustainable development requires the proactive involvement of all parties.

Moving towards embracing sustainability: learning from doing in the extended mega urban region, Kuala Lumpur

Retail sector is one of important components in urban economic activity for urban livability. Currently, the retail sector
contributes 60% of Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Since retail sector provide more than half of the country’s
GDP, an in-depth study to understand the framework of this sector should be emphasized. This paper will discuss the
participation of Bumiputera in the retail sector with a focus on the Seremban City Center (SCC) as the designated study
area. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the New Economic Policy (NEP) is successful in bringing about
even economic equity by ensuring 30% Bumiputera participation in retail sectors. Preliminary results obtained through
primary and secondary data indicates that Bumiputera involvement is only 7% (Malays), while 93% of it is participated by
non Bumiputera (Indian 13% and Chinese 80%). Bumiputera only involved in specific business such as restaurant, beauty
care, travel and insurance agency, tuition center, boutique and also private clinics. In addition, data trend for the past
three decades showed a mere 6% increased in Bumiputera participation in retail sector in SCC. This paper discusses the
important of the retail activities for urban dwelling. The preliminary result shows that participation of the Bumiputera in
retail sector are still questionable and urban planner should play more roles for the Bumiputera livability and sustainability.

J. J. Lajuni

Papers

Moving towards embracing sustainability: learning from doing in the extended mega urban region, Kuala Lumpur

Economic equity among ethnic in retail sector: case study in Seremban City Center, Negeri Sembilan