Legal frameworks and mechanisms for resolving transboundary water disputes in Malaysia: insights from the Kedah-Penang Muda River dispute

Muhammad Nazrul Abd Rani and Rasyikah Md Khalid

International Journal of Water Resources Development, 2025, vol. 41, issue 3, 625-646

Abstract: The ongoing water dispute between Kedah and Penang over the shared use of the Muda River highlights critical inadequacies within Malaysia’s legal framework for managing inter-state water disputes. This paper employs a doctrinal legal research approach to analyse relevant statutes, international water law principles and Malaysia’s integrated water resources management (IWRM) and integrated river basin management (IRBM) policies. The objective of this study is to identify legal gaps and challenges within the current framework and to propose actionable solutions for effective dispute resolution. The findings reveal significant legal gaps, particularly in compensation mechanisms and inter-state coordination, that hinder effective dispute resolution within a federated governance structure. To address these issues, the study recommends legal reforms and an establishment of a federal mediation entity. These measures are designed to foster equitable and sustainable water management practices, contributing to Malaysia’s alignment with SDG 6 on clean water access and sustainability.

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/07900627.2024.2443766 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:cijwxx:v:41:y:2025:i:3:p:625-646

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/cijw20

DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2024.2443766

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Water Resources Development is currently edited by Cecilia Tortajada

More articles in International Journal of Water Resources Development from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().