On February 28, 2026, six Malaysian youths aged between 18 and 30 filed a judicial review application before the Kuala Lumpur High Court against the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and the Government of Malaysia. The applicants challenge the government’s alleged failure to maintain at least 50 percent forest cover across Malaysia, a commitment first articulated by Malaysia at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and subsequently reaffirmed in national policy statements.  

The application relies on expert analysis indicating that between 4.27 and 4.51 million hectares of natural forest have been earmarked for conversion to timber plantations and other commercial uses. According to the applicants, if these conversions proceed, Malaysia’s forest cover could decline to between 47.4 and 49.6 percent of total land area.  

The applicants argue that the government’s alleged failure to prevent large-scale deforestation violates:

* Article 5(1) of the Federal Constitution, concerning the right to life;
* Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution, concerning equality;
* the doctrine of legitimate expectation; and
* the public trust doctrine.  

The applicants seek declaratory relief and mandatory orders requiring the government to take measures to ensure Malaysia achieves and maintains at least 50 percent forest cover, including through action by the National Land Council and periodic progress reporting. The youth case also references international climate obligations and developments in comparative climate jurisprudence.  

Abe Lim & Others v Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and Government of Malaysia

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Abe Lim & Others v Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and Government of Malaysia - press release

Filed

Malaysia

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Justice is the ethical and political framework that addresses fairness, including issues of responsibility, rights, and structural inequity.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

Either money or something of monetary value is transferred between two or more organisations, people or countries.

Hot temperature extremes are daily maximum temperatures  that were exceeded on average once in a decade or once in 50 years, and includes heatwaves.

Extreme weather refers to events where a weather variable exceeds (or falls below) a threshold. Meaning it is significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern.

Terrestrial means "of the earth" and relates to the risks to ecological system that includes all living organisms and their interactions within land-based environments, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts.

People with different national or cultural traditions from the dominant population

Social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live, occupy or from which they have been displaced

Activities of government agencies and institutions that provide public services, enforce laws and manage public resources.

This sector includes firms and individuals offering specialised expertise in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, science and engineering.

Activities that relate to the production of goods and services from forests.

Climate change impacts our society by disrupting the natural, economic and social systems we depend on. Physical hazards and underlying vulnerabilities can lead to increased resource competition for food and water, which can heighten the risk of conflict.

Slow onset events evolve gradually from incremental changes over many years or from increased frequency or intensity of recurring events. As defined in the Cancun Adaptation Framework (2010), slow onset events include risks and impacts from rising temperatures, desertification, biodiversity loss, land and forest degradation, glacial retreat, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and salinization.

Abe Lim & Others v Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and Government of Malaysia - press release

Risk

Impacted group

Economic sector

Finance