Irrigation Areas Act, 1953. Country/Territory Malaysia Document type Legislation Date 1953 (1989) Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source Official Gazette, 14 September 1989, pp. 1-20. Long titleAn Act relating to the establishment and regulation of irrigation areas in Malaysia. Subject Water Keyword Irrigation Water conservation zone Water charges Institution Waterworks Effluent waste water/discharge Freshwater pollution Pollution control Surface water Geographical area Asia, Asia and the Pacific, East Asian Seas, South-Eastern Asia Abstract The Act regulates the establishment of irrigation areas and applies only to the States of West Malaysia. The irrigation areas shall be declared by the appropriate authority by notification in the Official Gazette; no land within an irrigation area destined to the cultivation of padi shall be used for other purposes, unless expressely authorized by the competent officer (sect. 5). The appropriate authority may also approve a classification of the irrigation areas, and consequently impose water rates. The Drainage and Irrigation Engineer may provide for the construction or maintenance of waterworks, provided a reasonable compensation be paid to the owner or occupier for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising therefrom. Specific provisions are made to avoid the waste and obstruction of water and penalties are established (a) for the construction of unauthorized waterways, (b) for the unauthorized use of vehicles and boats, and (c) for the pollution of water. Full text English