National Parks Act 1980 (Malaysia)
Encyclopedia
The National Parks Act 1980 is a Malaysian federal law
that governs the creation and the maintenance national park
s in Malaysia. It was created in 1980 during the controversy surrounding the protection of Endau Rompin forest complex
. The act provides for the states
to establish national parks to be administered by Department of Wildlife and National Parks
under the federal government.
During its passing, the debate on state and federal power was common. The states and in particular Johor
within the context of that time did not agree to the act as it was seen as surrendering states' right to the federal government. This objection prevented the Endau Rompin from being gazetted as a national park prior to the 1990s.
Federal law
Federal law is the body of law created by the federal government of a country. A federal government is formed when a group of political units, such as states or provinces join together in a federation, surrendering their individual sovereignty and many powers to the central government while...
that governs the creation and the maintenance national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
s in Malaysia. It was created in 1980 during the controversy surrounding the protection of Endau Rompin forest complex
Endau Rompin National Park
Endau Rompin National Park is a protected tropical rainforest in Malaysia. It is an area south of the state of Pahang and to the northeast of Johor covering an approximate area of 870 km², effectively making it is the second largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia after Taman Negara, with...
. The act provides for the states
States of Malaysia
Malaysia is a federation which consists of thirteen states and three federal territories . Eleven states and two federal territories are located on the Malay Peninsula while the remaining two states and one federal territory are on the island of Borneo.-The states and federal territories:Malaysia...
to establish national parks to be administered by Department of Wildlife and National Parks
Department of Wildlife and National Parks
In Malaysia, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, commonly known as PERHILITAN is a governmental organization that is responsible for the protection, management and preservation of wildlife and national parks in Peninsular Malaysia.The department was established under the Wildlife Protection...
under the federal government.
During its passing, the debate on state and federal power was common. The states and in particular Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
within the context of that time did not agree to the act as it was seen as surrendering states' right to the federal government. This objection prevented the Endau Rompin from being gazetted as a national park prior to the 1990s.