The prospect of using moral instruments in sustaining water resources in Malaysia - A case study of the Melaka River

In many countries water treatment technologies, water policies, and water acts are adopted to ensure sustainable management of water resources, but in Malaysia the Melaka River is still polluted. This study was conducted to assess the potential of using moral instruments in promoting sustainable management of the Melaka river waterresources. Primary data were collected through questionnaire surveys of 400 adult members of the local public who lived within the vicinity of the river. The respondent perspectives of four key variables (the role of individuals in fostering environmental care and respect, the role of parents in fostering love for the natural environment, the role ofsociety and local community in promoting environmental protection, and the educational role of environmentfriendly religious and moral values) were measured by means of five Likert scales (highly disagreeable, not agreeable, indifferent, agreeable, highly agreeable). Statistical analyses revealed that the majority of respondents agreed to the role of individuals in fostering environmental care and respect (88.5%), the role of parents in fostering love for the natural environment (84.8%), the role of society and local community in promoting environmental protection (82.8%), and the educational role of environment-friendly religious and moral values (60.3%). These findings indicate that moral values can be made instrumental to the sustainable management of the Melaka river water resources.