Considered counsel for Malaysia's environmental and sustainability landscape

The Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (EIA) Order 2015 lists the categories of project that require a Detailed or Preliminary EIA before approval. These include land development above certain thresholds, manufacturing plants, infrastructure projects, and extractive activities. The assessment is submitted to Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) before relevant approvals can proceed. We can map your project against the prescribed list and advise on the applicable process.

Main Market listed issuers are required to publish an annual sustainability statement under the Bursa Listing Requirements. The Sustainability Reporting Guide (3rd Edition) sets out the recommended disclosures across governance, social, and environmental matters. The National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) introduces further alignment with ISSB standards on a phased basis. Non-listed companies with supply chain relationships to listed entities increasingly face disclosure expectations from their counterparts.

JAS enforcement actions under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 carry significant consequences, including facility shutdowns, compounds, and in serious cases, prosecution. The first step is to understand the factual basis of the allegation and the applicable regulatory standard. Written responses prepared with legal input tend to produce better outcomes than informal engagement. We can assist from the initial response stage through to any formal proceedings.

Timeline varies by project type, complexity, and JAS workload. A Preliminary EIA may resolve within a few months; a Detailed EIA — which includes mandatory public display — commonly runs six to eighteen months from submission. Early legal input on the prescribed activity classification, scope of study, and terms of reference can help avoid unnecessary iteration during the approval process.

We work alongside your technical consultants. Our role is to advise on the legal obligations, structure permit applications, and review EIA inputs for regulatory alignment — not to duplicate the technical assessment work. Coordinating legal and technical inputs early typically reduces the risk of having to revise submissions at a later stage.