The Sustainable Water Management Through Waqf: An Islamic Perspective in Malaysia and ASEAN

Throughout history, human societies have emerged and flourished around river valleys, which were essential for their survival. However, contemporary challenges like global climate change, conflicts, water pollution, poverty, and difficult geographical conditions have impacted both the availability and quality of water resources. In Malaysia, water-related challenges have become particularly pressing in several states, especially rural ones. The combination of low population density in these areas and the high costs of building sanitized water supply systems has caused delays in water infrastructure projects. Since 2020, water waqf has emerged as a promising initiative in Malaysia, spearheaded by Yayasan Wakaf Malaysia (YWM) in partnership with the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA). This approach is also gaining traction in ASEAN countries, such as Indonesia, Cambodia, and Brunei. Although the concept of water waqf is not new, there remains limited research, both theoretical and empirical, on this topic. This study seeks to offer an alternative approach to water management and sanitation improvement using the water waqf instrument for sustainable living. Using a qualitative, library-based methodology, the study conducts a document analysis of primary source materials from YWM. This analysis includes reviewing annual reports, project documentation, and financial distribution records related to water waqf projects by state, up until December 2023. The findings emphasize the significant potential of water waqf development in addressing water resource challenges, ultimately benefiting society by broadening access to clean water as the concept of water waqf becomes more widely understood.