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Abstract

Malaysia has not escaped the effects of climate change, with the country facing increasingly high precipitation resulting in massive floods occurring almost annually. The floods wreak havoc in terms of destruction of lives and property. Overlooked in this tragedy are those who are internally displaced through the loss of homes, property, livelihood and way of life. Using a qualitative research method, this article seeks to explore the legal rights of Malaysians who are internally displaced due to extreme weather, with a particular focus on floods. In doing so, flood management measures implemented in England and Japan will also be briefly considered. The research found that at the moment, it would be difficult to hold the government accountable for failing to put in place realistic and holistic mitigation and adaptation strategies as pledged internationally, as there does not appear to be sufficient legal recourse for citizens who are internally displaced.

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Bahasa Abstract

Malaysia semakin terkesan oleh perubahan iklim, dengan peningkatan hujan lebat menyebabkan banjir besar hampir setiap tahun. Selain mengancam nyawa dan harta benda, banjir juga memaksa ramai rakyat berpindah dalam negara akibat kehilangan tempat tinggal, mata pencarian, dan cara hidup. Namun, isu ini sering diabaikan dalam perbincangan berkaitan bencana alam. Artikel ini menggunakan kaedah penyelidikan kualitatif untuk meneroka hak perundangan rakyat Malaysia yang terpaksa berpindah akibat cuaca ekstrem, khususnya banjir. Selain itu, langkah pengurusan banjir di England dan Jepun turut dikaji secara ringkas bagi menilai keberkesanannya dalam mengurangkan impak bencana. Penyelidikan ini mendapati bahawa rakyat Malaysia menghadapi kesukaran dalam menuntut pertanggungjawaban kerajaan atas kegagalan melaksanakan strategi mitigasi dan adaptasi yang realistik dan holistik seperti yang dijanjikan di peringkat antarabangsa. Ini disebabkan ketiadaan mekanisme perundangan yang mencukupi untuk melindungi hak mereka yang kehilangan tempat tinggal akibat bencana alam.

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