European Journal of Scientific Research ISSN 1450-216X Vol.27 No.4(2009), pp.536-547 © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2009 http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm An Appropriate Institutional Framework Towards Integrated Water Resources Management in Pahang River Basin, Malaysia Tan Kok Weng Institute for Environment and Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 43600 UKM BANGI Selangor, Malaysia E-mail: weng106@yahoo.com Tel: +603-8921 4161; Fax: 603- 8925 5104 Mazlin Bin Mokhtar Institute for Environment and Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 43600 UKM BANGI Selangor, Malaysia E-mail: mazlin@ukm.my Tel: +603-8921 4161; Fax: 603- 8925 5104 Abstract Over the past five decades, rapid development and conversion of forest land into urban land in Pahang River Basin have led to water related problems such as solid wastes problem and degradation of water quality and quantity. This paper discussed the current institutional framework for planning and development in Pahang River Basin, Malaysia. This case study applied the literature background study and field survey. There is lack of provision to give a clear mandate for public participation in the local planning level and public representative could not be guaranteed in the local planning committee. Based on this Pahang River Basin case study, this paper further argues that the participation of local community needs to be strengthened from consultation level to the involvement level. This could be approached through joint management concept. Integrated approach on water resources management of river basin requires a full commitment from all levels of stakeholders. However, the understanding of the characteristics of the river basin both from the natural and human system aspects could not be neglected in planning and development process. Keywords: Integrated water resources management, institutional framework, public participation 1. Introduction The management of water resources poses numerous challenges to decision makers in developing countries and it requires a holistic approach to manage the water resources. However, the public sector in decision making in water resources management system is very often in dispute. An effective management of water resources requires full participation from the various stakeholders. It does require a reform in the existing system and collaborate in unity, regardless of jurisdiction and