National Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) 2021-2025.

This National Action Plan on Invasive Alian Species is the second nationwide sectoral document on this topic aiming at enhancing the efforts and strategies to conserve and manage the biodiversity from IAS threats already implemented by the previous NAP for the 2014-2018 period focused on (i) strengthening the legal framework in prevention, detection, eradication, containment, and control of IAS; (ii) intensifying the capacity building for implementation of the action plan; (iii) enhancing research and development of IAS among agencies in Malaysia. This NAP IAS 2021-2025 contains 11 targets, 27 activities, and 69 sub-activities under the three following goals (1) improve the understanding and public awareness of IAS and intensify capacity building for the implementation of the action plan, as well as enhance research and development of IAS; (2) establish a formal and transparent mechanism for risk assessment of alien species and initiate response plans to contain and eradicate potential IAS before their release into Malaysia; (3) strengthen quarantine enforcement and inspection at Malaysia’s entry points and international borders in controlling and preventing the entry and spread of IAS into Malaysia.
The goal 1 can be achieved through the following (i) increase research in all aspects of IAS management; (ii) educate the public on the threats of IAS and the problems posed by the smuggling of wild animals and plants, accidental imports, escape from legitimate enterprises, and the pet trade; (iii) strengthen information sharing among relevant stakeholders; (iv) intensify extension services to stakeholders so that prevention, control, eradication and mitigation efforts on IAS can be effectively implemented; (v) control and manage the risk of IAS from ship ballast water and sediments.
Goal 2 requires that (i) all alien species are subject to a rigorous risk assessment; (ii) potential invasive species are contained and eradicated.
Under goal 3 the following actions shall be undertaken (i) enhance the enforcement of legislation on importing, trading, and keeping wild animals, fishes, and plants; (ii) implement provisions of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Ballast Water Management Convention to safeguard against marine invasive species; (iii) enhance quarantine facilities and improve the skills and capabilities of quarantine, customs, and other border officials; (iv) strengthen and monitor the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Prevention, Eradication, Containment, and Control of IAS.