| Summary: | The current development plan system in Malaysia provides minimal protection for protected areas. Shortcomings can be seen in policies, decision making processes, and implementation and enforcement. In addition, existing legislation, development plan procedures, policies, and guidelines do not support integrated planning and management for protected areas. This raises concern for those involved with all aspects of protected area planning and management. Within this thesis international best practices have been critically reviewed and an in depth case study of the Klang Gates Ridge National Monument conducted. This research has confirmed that there is a lack of emphasis on the planning and management of protected areas in the Malaysian development plan system and what protection exists is ineffective, poorly managed and not fully implemented. This situation was further exacerbated by the lack of development plan documents and guidelines related to protected areas that promote an integrated approach to development control, decision making and enforcement. The research also identified that there was a lack of personal to advise on and take good decisions in relation to environmental matters. Poor consultation with stakeholder and the public also contribute to the situation in Malaysia. These shortfalls need immediate remedy. There is already a development plan system in place to attend to environmental matters but at present it has not been developed comprehensively. By including planning and management of protected areas in the development pan it could become a comprehensive and important tool to ensure protection and conservation of natural resources. Proposals to amend the legislation, develop a comprehensive environmental management plan, set up a lead agency to enforce planning and management of protected areas, enhance public consultation and recruit qualified staff to advise and take good environmental focused decisions are presented.
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