Malaysia's Department of Environment (DoE) announced on May 15, 2026, that full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports will not be available for public download to protect copyright, information security, and national security interests [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The DoE said EIA reports contain detailed technical data, including strategic site locations, critical infrastructure, development plans, and site coordinates, which require controlled access to prevent misuse or compromise [1, 2, 3, 4].
The move aligns with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and related regulations governing the DoE's operations [1, 2, 3, 4]. While full reports cannot be downloaded, they remain accessible for public inspection online or at designated physical locations during review periods, allowing public scrutiny and feedback in the assessment process [1, 2, 3, 4]. Executive summaries are also available upon application through specified platforms [1, 2, 3, 4].
The DoE defended the policy, stating, "This approach balances public access to information with the protection of technical documents, while ensuring compliance with legal requirements and national security interests," according to an official statement [2].
Opposition MP Chen Jiaxing criticized the restrictions as "a step backwards." He argued there is no valid reason for limiting access since EIA reports do not cover 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) topics and stressed that "environmental sustainability and public health are also part of national security interests," making the curbs unjustified [5].
Some non-governmental organizations have expressed concerns about transparency, noting persistent issues such as an inaccessible EIA database and removal of key classification details from reports [1, 2, 3, 4]. Since September 2023, the government had allowed public downloads of EIA report copies submitted to the DoE, a policy shift now partially reversed by the new restrictions [5].
The dispute centers on whether restricting full report downloads protects sensitive information or undermines transparency and public oversight, with government agencies and opposition lawmakers holding opposing views [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The DoE said public inspection of full reports during designated periods will continue, maintaining some level of access while safeguarding sensitive data [1, 2, 3, 4].
