KUALA LUMPUR: Having seven wetland areas recognised as Ramsar Sites reflects local communities’ and stakeholders’ strong commitment to conserving Malaysia’s wetland ecosystem, says Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (pic).
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said wetland ecosystems hold high conservation value, providing economic benefits through natural resources and tourism.
At the same time, it provides critical ecosystem services such as flood mitigation, water catchment, coastal protection and carbon storage.
“Malaysia is fortunate to possess a rich and diverse wetland ecosystem covering more than 5.19 million hectares,” he said in conjunction with World Wetlands Day, which is observed on Feb 2 every year.
The recognised sites include Tasek Bera in Pahang, designated in 1994; Tanjung Piai, Pulau Kukup, and Sungai Pulai in Johor, in 2003; and Kuching Wetlands National Park in Sarawak, in 2005.
Arthur said Sabah is also home to two Ramsar Sites, namely the Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands and Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, which were designated in 2008 and 2016, respectively.
As a testament to the country’s commitment to the conservation of wetlands, the minister said Malaysia acceded to the Convention on Wetlands, commonly known as the Ramsar Convention, in 1994.
He added that the Ramsar Convention is the world’s oldest modern multilateral environmental agreement, established in 1971, with 172 contracting parties to date.
Arthur said the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage” was chosen to highlight the close relationship between wetlands and the cultural practices, traditions and knowledge systems of communities around the world.
“My ministry, as Malaysia’s national focal point for the Ramsar Convention, remains fully committed to supporting the efforts of state governments to conserve wetland ecosystems, in line with the goals and targets of the National Biodiversity Policy 2022-2030,” he said.
As of 2025, worldwide authorities have designated a total of 2,546 wetlands of international importance, known as Ramsar Sites.
