Institutional challenges for integrated river basin management in Langat River Basin, Malaysia

This paper reports on a study of the institutional challenges and factors affecting policy processes and outcomes of integrated river basin management (IRBM) in the Langat River Basin (LRB), Malaysia. A case study approach using institutional analysis and development (IAD) framework was used, and field observations and interviews with local stakeholders of LRB were carried out. The study revealed that polycentric institutional arrangements under the Federal administration are likely capable of coordinating and integrating river basin management by extending the scope of an iterative learning through participation of individual stakeholder at the lowest appropriate level. There should also be an iterative learning mechanism within the interorganizational network for IRBM in LRB. This learning approach is conceptualized as social learning and accordingly a framework is recommended for LRB. The findings of this study would be useful to those who are concerned with successful IRBM implementation in LRB and elsewhere.