FACULTY OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCE AND POLICY STUDIES

DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

PAD350 : FUNDAMENTALS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
TITLE : MALAYSIA’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY:
CHALLENGES, STRATEGIES, INITIATIVES, AND INTERNATIONAL
ENGAGEMENT

PREPARED BY:
NAME STUDENT ID GROUP
RADIN MOHAMAD NOOR BUDIMAN 2022966467 AM1105A
BOLKIAH BIN RADIN NARAWIE
MOHD DZA’IM DZULHELMI BIN ROSLI 2022168545 AM1105A
KAMARUL BAKRI BIN KAMRI 2022770267 AM1105A
NUR SYAZWANI BINTI HAMZI 2022791905 AM1105A
SYAZARIN BINTI SAFIAN 2021814474 AM1105A

SEMESTER: MARCH 2024 – AUGUST 2024

PREPARED FOR:
MADAM NUR AFISHA BINTI YUSUF
DATE OF SUBMISSION:
WEEK 10

1
No. Content Pages

1. Introduction 3

2. Challenges 4-7

3. Strategies 8-10

4. Initiatives 11-15

5. International Engagement 16-18

6. Conclusion 19

7. References 20-21

2
1 . Introduction

Concept definition the phrase and idea of "sustainable development" entered the mainstream
global discourse in 1987, following the publication of a report by the World Commission on
Environment and Development. Known as 'The Brundtland study' after its chairman, the
essence of the study is a coordinated effort by all nations to find a balance between
development and the preservation of world resources. It is said that the attractiveness of
sustainable development stems from its ability to fix the flaws of the existing corporate
paradigm, which disregards morals and. Malaysia prioritizes balancing people's demands with
the ability to offer services and products in an environmentally friendly manner. Sustainable
development also refers to the implementation of any development that ensures that natural
resources are available for future generations. The most important thing is to guarantee that
development is carried out without jeopardising the quality of life for all living beings on the
planet now and in the future. Sustainable development also ensures that the intended
development has a low or zero environmental impact and does not deplete any natural
resources. Environment describes LA's contribution in the formulation and implementation of
LA21. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government allocated 1.8 million during the Eighth
Malaysia Plan (2001-2005) and RM23.1 million during the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010)
to implement the LA 21 programme. As a result, the main purpose of this article is to highlight
LA's principal duties, as well as the hurdles to and drivers of SD project implementation. The
global investment paradigm has shifted dramatically over the last two decades, with
sustainability issues such as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations
taking centre stage. The world community recognises the need of tackling social concerns,
climate change, and corporate governance. Investors today expect governments and
enterprises to have a solid track record in ESG in order to be deemed attractive investment
opportunities. Recognising the importance of sustainability, Malaysia aligned its sustainability
programme with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

3
2 . Challenges

Malaysia may achieve more consistent progress in social development, environmental

preservation, and governance. But credit should be given where it is due. The country's higher
score on the SDG Sustainable Development Report implies that it has consistently worked
towards sustainability. Malaysia's score grew from 64.02 to 70.38 between 2000 and 2022,
ranking second among ASEAN countries. Malaysia explicitly achieved one of the 17 SDGs,
which was to eliminate poverty in all of its forms worldwide.

Despite this adoration, issues like as deforestation, socioeconomic disparity, and the slow
adoption of renewable energy continue to persist. This raises the question of what else has to
be done in order for Malaysia to make significant progress. One of the examples is the
pollution of Tasik Chini in Pahang. It is said that the indigenous people living on the banks of
Tasik Chini had complaint that the lake has become polluted due to logging and ore mining
activities which caused problems to the local residents living nearby the lake and it might lose
its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status if this issues when unsolved.

The government must take decisive action, and management must retain its focus on the cost
of living, which is dictated by inflation and long-term problems such as climate change and
food security. Stakeholder cooperation, sustainable technology investment, and
comprehensive policies are critical for Malaysia's sustainability progress. The 12th Malaysia
Plan (2021-2025) makes positive strides by emphasising social inclusion, renewable energy,
green growth, and conservation. The New Investment Policy, which strives to improve
Malaysia's investment climate, is the cornerstone of the country's economic growth strategy.
This approach is based on the National Investment Aspiration, which focuses on expanding
high-value sectors, supporting fair growth, and improving environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) standards.

4
2.1 Uneven balance between economic and social growth.

The Malaysian has put extra effort in addressing their poverty and balancing their lifestyle bot
tremendous continuation of current development strategies by Government will not suffice to
achieve sustainable development Economic and social progress remains uneven leads to
financial crisis has revealed the fragility of development. While we were busy on development
of less needed infrastructure, Malaysian themselves struggle to make ends meet.

For instance the regional disparities between the urban areas and rural areas in some part of
Malaysia. The economic development is very concentrated in urban areas like Kuala Lumpur,
Klang Valley and etc. Many examples can be considered whereas in Kuala Lumpur there are
a lot of commercial areas that provide shopping places to ensure demands of goods or
necessities from the publics are able to be achieved such as the Pavilion and the TRX
Exchange. Other than that, we can see that they have better infrastructure and facilities
compared to facilities and infrastructures in the rural areas such as in Sarawak, Sabah, and
Kelantan which these three states are the highest in number of low-income groups in
Malaysia. For example, despite the state of Sabah motto mentioned “Sabah Maju Jaya”, they
in fact doesn’t develop in a good way rather it’s backward where many roads in Sabah even
in the city like Kota Kinabalu are not properly maintained.

2.2 Income Inequality

Malaysia is also well known for its income inequality whereby the rich or the T20 groups
controlled most of Malaysia’s economic varies from its demand and supplies while on the other
hand the low-income groups such as M40 and B40 are still struggling to earn a good income
to provide necessities to their families. For your information, more than half of Malaysian
household income belongs to the B40 groups and in this B40 groups there are more groups
of people who earn less than the basic salary which is RM1500.

The problem that is going to be highlighted is the wage or the amount of salary set by the
government. Of course there is an increment in the amount of wage given but looking at the
context of the world’s economic growth and inflation, will it be able to ease the burden of
working Malaysian. One of the examples that I have taken into this situation is through the
calculation of Malaysia CPI Inflation from Department of Statistics Malaysia website. The
comparison between salary that was paid in 1980s and the salary that should be paid in 2024
are 4 to 5 times bigger than what it supposedly to be given to the people. Basket of goods and
services or wages in 1980s would be within the range of RM1200-1500 however in 2024
wages should be paid in between RM4700-4900 which shows how bad is the income
inequality that was given to the public and not to mentioned a lot of jobs that required a lot of
skills like doctors, engineers, scientists and etc are paid below than what they should get while

5
on the other hand professions such as politician are able to earn 10-11 times more than the
other professions that had been mentioned above.

2.3 Social Inequalities

In addition to environmental concerns, Malaysia faces pressing societal challenges that must
be addressed. It was called social Inequalities. Every inequity, no matter how little, deserves
attention. Political corruption is a significant socioeconomic inequity in this country.
Corruption is commonly defined as the private pursuit of riches by those in positions of
authority. Misuse of public commodities by authorities for private gain. Corruption is defined
as bribery or the use of public authority for private gain, which violates the law and social
values.

One of the major political corruption cases that are well-known in the world was the 1MDB
scandal. This case had caught the attention of world, and it was described as one of the
world’s greatest financial scandals whereby the former Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri
Najib Razak had been accused of channelling over RM 2.67 billion approximately US$700
million from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a government-run strategic
development company which was masterminded by Jho Low, into his personal bank accounts.
Dismissal of charges over this triggered widespread outrage among Malaysians, with many
calling for Najib Razak's resignation – including Mahathir Mohamad, one of Najib's
predecessors, who later defeated Najib in the 2018 general election and returned to power.

2.4 Environmental Degradation

The other challenges of Malaysia sustainable development journey is the environment
degradation. In Malaysia the environment degradation cause from deforestation, biodiversity
loss and pollution. For example, the rapid growth of development has led to widespread
deforestation, threatening wildlife habitats such as loss of habitat and contributing to
greenhouse gas emissions such as open burning. We can also relate this point to the climate
change issues in Malaysia. Malaysia as a nation located on the equator, is particularly
vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures such as hot weather
that cause drought, rising sea levels can cause flooding in certain areas and extreme weather
event such as typhoons. These changes pose a risk to agriculture and fisheries to earn a living
expense.

One of the examples we can consider is the 2021-2022 Malaysia floods where it was caused
by the after-effects of the landfall of tropical depression or in simpler terms tropical cyclones.
This had caused a lot of casualties and lots of people were displaced due to the extreme
floods which we had seen most cases Pahang, Selangor, Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan. One

6
of the reasons why this issue somehow escalated was due to the increase of carbon emissions
from the factories and transportations issues as well as non-stop deforestation. This can also
be supported with few controversial government projects like the Bakun Dam where it caused
deforestation as well as relocation of more than 9,000 native residents who lived in the area.

2.5 Pollution

Other than that, Malaysia faces significant pollution challenges that impact its sustainable
development journey. As the country strives to balance economic growth with environmental
protection, various forms of pollution pose serious threats to its natural resources, public
health, and overall quality of life. First of all is the air pollution. Malaysia's air pollution is caused
mostly by industrial pollutants, automobile exhaust, and transboundary haze. Rapid
development and urbanisation have resulted in higher levels of pollutants such as sulphur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particle matter. Furthermore, the ongoing haze problem, which
is frequently produced by forest fires in neighbouring nations, exacerbates air quality
difficulties, leading to respiratory problems and other health concerns among the population.

Water pollution is another major concern that comes from both point and non-point sources.
Industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and inappropriate waste disposal all contribute to the
pollution of rivers, lakes, and coastal regions. Pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides,
and untreated sewage damage water quality, threatening aquatic ecosystems and restricting
populations' access to clean water. Pollution has had a particularly negative impact on the
Klang River and other significant bodies of water, emphasising the importance of strict water
management methods. In Malaysia, certain regions suffer from water shortages which are
exacerbated by pollution. For example, in Kelantan which in that area doesn’t have a clean
water so they need to get the water from water tank in specific day to get clean water. So we
need to ensure sustainable water management is essential for long term to use in
development.

7
3 . Strategies

1. Sustainable Agriculture

In Malaysia, sustainable agriculture encompasses a wide range of methods and approaches

meant to lessen farming’s negative environmental effects while preserving output and financial
gain. In order to improve soil fertility and pest control, this involves promoting agro-ecological
techniques including crop rotation, intercropping, and agroforestry. It also entails encouraging
conservation tillage techniques to reduce soil disturbance and erosion. Water resources
should be preserved by using efficient water management practices including mulching, drip
irrigation, and rainwater collection, especially given Malaysia’s tropical environment. By
adopting natural approaches to control pests, integrated pest management (IPM) lessens the
demand for chemical pesticides. Organic farming methods are becoming more popular due to
their beneficial effects on soil health, biodiversity, and food quality production. They forbid the
use of synthetic chemicals and encourage the use of natural fertilisers and insect control
techniques.

Furthermore, in order to maximise efficiency, sustainable agriculture encourages the use of

cutting-edge technologies like precision agriculture and biotechnology. It also places a strong
emphasis on the appropriate management of agricultural waste through composting and
recycling. In addition to initiatives to provide market access for agricultural products produced
sustainably through certification systems, farmers are given education and training
programmes to increase their capacity in sustainable agriculture techniques.

In general, Malaysian sustainable agriculture seeks to advance ecologically sound farming

methods that strengthen the resilience and sustainability of agricultural systems while
advancing more general environmental and social objectives.

2. Education and Awareness

Educating and increasing public awareness are key components in promoting sustainable
agriculture. Farmers need to have access to knowledge and training on sustainable
agricultural practices in order to make decisions that are good for the environment and their
own jobs. Extension programmes, farmer field schools, and demonstration plots are common
ways to provide farmers with useful knowledge and skills.

Educational efforts also try to educate the general public in order to raise consumer and public
understanding of the benefits of buying sustainably produced food and the importance of

8
sustainable agriculture. This might lead to an increase in the market for green products, which
would motivate farmers to employ greener farming practices.

Moreover, education and awareness efforts usually aim to influence legislators and
stakeholders to support legislation and investments that promote sustainable agriculture. By
creating a more informed and engaged population, education and awareness initiatives can
promote positive change towards a more sustainable food system.

3. Waste Management

Considering how quickly the nation is industrialising and urbanising, waste management is
essential to Malaysia’s quest for sustainable development. In order to solve waste
management issues and advance sustainable practices, Malaysia has put in place a number
of policies and programmes.

One important tactic is to create a thorough waste management system that handles garbage
disposal, recycling, and segregation. Malaysia has made investments in landfills and waste
treatment facilities as well as other trash collection and disposal infrastructure. In order to
discourage waste generation and encourage appropriate waste management techniques, the
government has also put laws and policies into place.

In Malaysia, recycling is yet another crucial component of waste management. Initiatives and
programmes for recycling have been put in place by the government to encourage the
recycling of items like paper, plastics, glass, and metals. The purpose of these programmes
is to encourage the reuse of valuable resources and lessen the quantity of garbage that ends
up in landfills.

Malaysia is investigating waste-to-energy technology as an additional means of managing

garbage and producing renewable energy, in addition to recycling. Malaysia has established
a number of waste-to-energy facilities to turn garbage into electricity, lowering the nation’s
dependency on fossil fuels and advancing its objectives for renewable energy.

Public awareness and community involvement are two more essential elements of Malaysia’s
waste management plan. In order to encourage recycling, efficient garbage disposal
techniques, and waste reduction, the government works closely with local communities.
Campaigns for public awareness are held to inform people about the value of waste
management and to promote environmentally friendly behaviour.

In general, Malaysia’s waste management policies seek to advance a circular economy that
reduces waste, conserves resources, and has fewer negative effects on the environment. By

9
putting these principles into practice, Malaysia is striving for a more sustainable future in which
resources are protected for future generations and waste is managed properly.

4. Water Resources Management

Malaysia’s path to sustainable development must include effective management of its

water resources, considering the nation’s reliance on water for domestic, industrial, and
agricultural purposes. In order to secure water security for its people and manage its water
resources responsibly, Malaysia has put a number of initiatives into practice.

The construction of water supply and distribution infrastructure, including as dams, reservoirs,
and water treatment facilities, is a crucial tactic. These infrastructure initiatives support the
storage and control of water flow, guaranteeing a steady supply of water for a range of
applications. The promotion of water conservation techniques is a crucial facet of Malaysia’s
water resources management strategy. To encourage effective water usage in households,
businesses, and agriculture, the government has put in place water conservation policies and
programmes. This covers public awareness initiatives to promote water conservation as well
as the usage of water-saving technologies like drip irrigation and low-flow taps.

Furthermore, the Malaysian government has taken action to prevent contamination and
deterioration of its water sources, which include lakes, rivers, and aquifers. To control actions
that could affect the quality of water, like deforestation and industrial discharge, the
government has passed rules and regulations.

Integrated water resources management, or IWRM, is another important tactic in Malaysia’s

path towards sustainable development. In order to maximise economic and social wellbeing
without sacrificing the sustainability of ecosystems, integrated water resource management
(IWRM) entails the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related
resources.

Overall, preserving water supplies for future generations, encouraging effective water use,
and ensuring water security are the goals of Malaysia’s water resources management plans.
Malaysia aims to manage water resources wisely and fairly in the future by putting these plans
into practice.

10
4 . Initiatives
Malaysia, like many other countries, has been actively pursuing initiatives related to the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are the general initiatives aim to
address various social, economic, and environmental challenges to achieve sustainable
development by 2030. Here are some examples of initiatives related to the SDGs in Malaysia:

1. No poverty

The primary objective of SDG 1 is to end extreme poverty, defined as living on less than RM9
a day, everywhere. This includes not only improving income levels but also addressing
multidimensional aspects of poverty, such as lack of access to education, healthcare, clean
water, and sanitation. Malaysia has various poverty alleviation programs aimed at improving
the living standards of its citizens, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. These
programs include cash assistance, skills training, and microfinance initiatives to empower
individuals and households economically.

2. Quality education

SDG 4 emphasizes the importance of ensuring universal access to quality education for all,
regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, disability, or location. This includes
increasing enrolment rates at all levels of education, from early childhood to tertiary education,
and eliminating barriers to education such as poverty, discrimination, and conflict. Malaysia is
committed to providing quality education for all. Initiatives focus on improving access to
education, enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, and promoting lifelong learning
opportunities. Efforts also target reducing disparities in education access and outcomes
among different socio-economic groups.

3. Good health and well-being

SDG 3 calls for achieving universal health coverage, which means ensuring that everyone has
access to essential health services without facing financial hardship. This involves providing
access to quality healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, curative, and
rehabilitative services, as well as essential medicines and vaccines. Malaysia has made
significant progress in providing healthcare access to its citizens. Initiatives aim to strengthen
healthcare infrastructure, expand health services, and promote preventive healthcare
measures. The government also works towards achieving universal health coverage to ensure
that everyone has access to essential health services without financial hardship.

11
4 . 1 Government Initiatives towards the sustainable development journey.

1 . MyHijau

The government's MyHijau project, featured in Malaysia's economic planning programme,

includes green buying as a key component. Previous studies have identified a lack of
knowledge in the Malaysian construction industry regarding green procurement. However, if
MyHijau is implemented as planned, green procurement can be a valuable tool for achieving
sustainability.

For your information, MyHijau is Malaysia's official green recognition system, supported by the
government to encourage the use of ecologically friendly products and services. The project
is overseen by the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (Green Tech Malaysia), which
reports to the Ministry of Environment and Water.

MyHijau seeks to raise awareness among Malaysian consumers and companies about the
value of sustainable consumption and production. The plan certifies products and services
that satisfy certain environmental standards, such as energy efficiency, water conservation,
and waste reduction. By encouraging the usage of these certified products and services,
MyHijau hopes to lessen the environmental effect of consumption while also contributing to
Malaysia's sustainable development goals. MyHijau accreditation may give businesses with
various benefits, including increased marketability, access to green marketplaces, and
acknowledgment for their environmental efforts. For customers, the MyHijau label is a credible
indicator of a product or service's environmental credentials, allowing them to make better
educated purchase decisions.

For instance, the MyHijau had collaborated with Green Tech Malaysia where they launched
an initiative called Jom Beli Produk Hijau pavilion where it will feature certified green
products and services under the MyHijau green product recognition scheme. The pavilion
displayed the most recent green technology-based goods and services, as well as the
government's initiatives to promote the widespread use of green technology.

2 . Malaysia’s National Vision Policy

This policy was introduced by our former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in 1991
and it was improvised in 2001. This Malaysia's National Vision Policy (NVP) provides a
framework for the country's long-term development goals, which include a wide variety of
economic, social, and environmental objectives. Sustainable development is key to this
paradigm, demonstrating Malaysia's commitment to balancing economic growth,
environmental conservation, and social equality. Environmental conservation is a
fundamental component of the NVP's sustainable development strategy. Malaysia is noted for

12
its abundant biodiversity and natural resources, and the NVP contains plans to safeguard and
maintain these assets. Initiatives addressing deforestation, pollution, and habitat damage are
crucial to this endeavour, ensuring that Malaysia's natural legacy is preserved for future
generations.

The NVP emphasises both environmental conservation and long-term economic prosperity.
This includes encouraging businesses and techniques that reduce environmental impact while
increasing economic rewards. Green businesses, such as renewable energy and sustainable
agriculture, are being prioritised, which will help Malaysia minimise its carbon footprint and
reliance on non-renewable resources. The NVP emphasises social equality and inclusion
as important components of sustainable development. Malaysia seeks to alleviate poverty,
enhance access to education and healthcare, and promote gender equality and social justice.
By solving these social challenges, Malaysia hopes to establish a fairer society in which all
residents may contribute to and benefit from the country's progress.

Furthermore, the NVP emphasises the role of green technology and innovation in
accomplishing sustainable development objectives. Malaysia recognises the importance of
technology in promoting environmental sustainability and economic progress, and the NVP
includes measures to encourage the development and deployment of green technologies
capable of addressing critical environmental concerns. Finally, the NVP recognises the need
of international collaboration in attaining sustainable development. Many environmental
and sustainability concerns are global in scope, necessitating international collaboration to
properly solve them. Malaysia is dedicated to collaborating with international partners on
climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development.

3 . Malaysia’s National Development Policy

The National Development Policy (NDP) of Malaysia was introduced by the former Prime
Minister in 1993 which also consisted of its previous policy which is the New Economic Policy
in 1971 till 1990. It is a strategic framework that outlines the country's development goals and
strategies over specific periods. The NDP reflects Malaysia's commitment to sustainable
development, balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social progress.
The specific details and objectives of each NDP may vary depending on the government in
power and the prevailing economic and social conditions.

The Malaysian government's initiatives towards sustainable development include the

Malaysian National Development Policy, which began with a poverty eradication
programme in 1993. This national development policy will allow for the development of some
areas of the environment while remaining consistent with the sustainable development
strategy. Malaysia's National Development Policy aims to eradicate poverty and promote

13
economic, social, and cultural progress through sustainable development. The policy
prioritises economic development while also incorporating environmental and social
considerations aligned with the philosophy of sustainable development.

4 . Malaysia’s New Economic Policy

This policy was introduced by our former Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak after the 13th May
incident in Malaysia which was formulated in 1971 to address economic and social disparities
among the country's ethnic groups, particularly between the bumiputera (indigenous Malays
and other indigenous groups) and non-bumiputera communities.

The first objective is the poverty eradication was a crucial cornerstone of the New Economic
Policy. The strategy intended to benefit all Malaysians, regardless of race, by increasing
access to education, healthcare, and basic necessities. The bumiputera group received
special attention, with focused programmes and efforts aimed at improving their
socioeconomic standing and lowering poverty rates. Another key component of the NEP was
the reformation of Malaysian society. The programme aimed to decrease, and finally
abolish, the association of race with economic function. This entails strengthening bumiputera
participation in the economy, notably in trade and manufacturing. To encourage bumiputera
ownership and involvement in critical industries, the NEP implemented a variety of affirmative
action programmes, including quotas in government contracts, housing discounts, and
scholarships.

The NEP was designed as a two-pronged approach for alleviating poverty for all Malaysians
while also diminishing and eventually removing the identification of race based on economic
function and geographical location. The policy aimed to achieve its goals by rapidly expanding
the economy over time, with the goal of significantly lowering the prevalence of absolute
poverty by 1990. To achieve this, the Policy advocated for aggressive improvements in the
economic position and quality of life for all Malaysians. They prioritised regional development
and infrastructure upgrading to lessen gaps between urban and rural communities. By
developing rural regions and improving infrastructure, the strategy sought to establish more
fair economic possibilities throughout the country. The NEP placed a strong emphasis on
education and skills development. The policy supported education and training programmes
to improve bumiputera skills and employability, allowing them to fully participate in the
country's economic growth. Concurrently, the policy advocated for a more equitable
distribution of chances to engage in the expanding spectrum of economic activities. According
to the Policy, the major issue impeding national unity was the compartmentalization of racial
divisions based on economic function, notably the link of Malay and other indigenous races
with subsistence agriculture. To decouple Malay and other indigenous races from traditional

14
agriculture, the Policy called on the Malaysian government to offer aid to all Malaysians in the
hiring of workers, safeguarding their ownership in various economic sectors, and equitable
participation in economic activities.

15
5 . International Engagement
As in Voluntary National review, Malaysia is fast in realising its vision of being a developed
country by 2020. Moreover, the journey that started when Malaysia was formed has been
unique. While Malaysia has gained benefit from technical assistance as well as grants and
loans from multilateral agencies and from development assistance from numerous bilateral
partners, it has also shared its development experience with other developing countries,
despite still being a developing country itself. Malaysia had been cooperating with
development partners such as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Islamic
Development Bank (IDB), Colombo Plan and The German International Cooperation Agency
(GIZ). This South-South Cooperation has been in place since the early 1978, through the
Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). There are 31000 participants from 142
countries who have participated in MTCP as of 2016.

South-South Cooperation has a long history and has been important in creating innovative
approaches to partnership and international development around the world. Malaysia has
been active in South-South Cooperation and has participated in all major South-South
mechanisms, including the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77, the South Commission
and the Group of Fifteen (a summit-level consultative group of South countries). Malaysia’s
contributions to South-South Cooperation also have been strengthened through Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) efforts. With even greater focus and togetherness,
South-South Cooperation now can strongly contribute to areas of importance under the SDGs
such as economics, inclusivity, and sustainability.

In a further example of strengthened partnerships, ASEAN has completed its first phase of
regional integration and is in the second phase of forming the ASEAN Economic Community
(AEC), with Malaysia’s support. During Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2015, the AEC
Blueprint 2025 was developed to further deepen economic integration of the region. The AEC
Blueprint will transform ASEAN into a single market and production base, which in turn will
form a highly competitive region fully integrated into the global economy.

In terms of trade, Malaysia is a founding member of the World Trade Organisation. The country
has signed and implemented seven bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Turkey in
2015, Australia in 2012, India in 2011, New Zealand in 2010, Pakistan in 2008, and Japan and
Chile both in 2006 and six regional FTAs as an ASEAN member. Currently, Malaysia is
negotiating three more FTAs such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP), Malaysia-European Free Trade Area Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA)
and ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA). Meanwhile, almost 90% of
products requested by Least Developed Countries are already duty free in Malaysia’s current

16
tariff structure. In addition, 75% of agricultural products and 64.1% of non-agricultural products
have zero-tariff rates. During Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2015, the ASEAN Leaders
signed the ‘2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Community
and Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together.’ The AEC Blueprint 2025 has
made ASEAN one of the most attractive locations for foreign direct investment.

Malaysia continues to implement the Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016–2025
and be involved in trade facilitation initiatives that will need to be fully operationalised. These
initiatives include the ASEAN-Wide Self-Certification Scheme, the ASEAN Trade Repository,
the full implementation of the ASEAN Single Window (ASW), the ASEAN Solutions for
Investments, Services and Trade (ASSIST), the ASEAN Tariff Finder; the ASEAN Customs
Transit System (ACTS) and the harmonisation of standards and technical regulations in
ASEAN.

The key success factor to these achievements is first, Malaysia develops a South-South
strategy that aims to create economic opportunities. Secondly, Sharing development
experience with other countries through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme and
tripartite cooperation. Next, engaging in partnerships with other countries at all levels on issues
of common interest. Lastly, practising a “prosper thy neighbour” approach for mutual benefits.
Although much has been achieved, Sustainable Development Goals is a continuous effort.
Therefore, there are still goals that Malaysia aims to achieve which is achieving inclusive
development at regional and international levels through partnerships. As well as, pursuing
closer trade networks and continuing to promote and maintain global peace and security.

In retrospect, Malaysia has risen from the ranks of a low-income economy in the 1970s to a
high-middle-income economy today by emphasising the fundamentals for the economy and
social development. From actively eradicating poverty to investing in education and supplying
basic health facilities, water, electricity, improved sanitation and transportation, while also
creating job opportunities, Malaysia has boosted development outcomes for all segments of
society. Against the backdrop of political stability, Malaysia attracted foreign direct investment
to accelerate economic development. Maintaining friendly foreign policies, Malaysia became
a neutral voice of reason in the global community and inspired other developing nations to
pursue better development outcomes in a peaceful manner. Rich natural resources further
enabled the nation to develop through wise macroeconomic policies. Most importantly, having
the foresight to identify and act on emerging trends enabled the nation to transform the
economy from agriculture-based to manufacturing and services-based rapidly, in just 50
years. Thus, Malaysia has been pragmatic while also having a clear vision of its development

17
ambitions. While achievements have been real and substantial, it is important to always move
forward to achieve more goals as to be achieve SDGs.

18
6 . Conclusion
In Malaysia, local authorities consider waste management and physical planning to be their
main responsibilities. Specifically, as indicated by Acts 133, 171, and 172, their primary tasks
include physical planning, trash management, community services, and crime prevention.
These results also align with the goals established by the Ministry of Municipal Welfare,
Housing and Local Government, which calls on LAs to develop public cleaning and solid waste
management systems that are sustainable and efficient, as well as to build physical, social,
economic, and environmental planning and to foster a peaceful living environment for the
community. According to Vandegaer, Peninsular Malaysian local governments do not prioritise
the environment as strongly as their counterparts in other countries, such as northern Belgium.
Vandegaer found that local sustainability initiatives in northern Belgium mostly focus on
ecology. He emphasised the need of affordable housing, water management, energy/climate
protection, and active participation of immigrants in guaranteeing sustainable development,
while receiving less attention.

Although affordable housing, water management, energy or climate preservation, and

immigrant participation are ranked as priority SD activities by the Malaysian Quality of Life
Index and Urban Quality, the Malaysian government prioritises other areas. The Malaysian
government should prioritise setting clear objectives and performance requirements.
Construction significantly impacts the environment. The process has the potential to harm the
ecology if not properly managed. Malaysia's government prioritises sustainability in building,
highlighting the importance of developing innovative technologies to minimise environmental
effect. The Malaysian government and other agencies have implemented various initiatives
and techniques, as stated. This project and strategy were planned many years ago. This
demonstrates that governments prioritise sustainable development. Resolve the
environmental concerns. We think that incorporating sustainability into our culture may benefit
everyone, not just industry professionals, by promoting sustainable practices in their daily
lives. Ensure that Malaysia's government is dedicated and confident in accomplishing the
2030 Agenda.

The country has proved the ability to establish and attain "more ambitious" goals via
consistent, methodical, and focused efforts. Malaysia has already matched its SDGs with
the 11MP and current sectoral strategies, to facilitate a seamless implementation. The six
pillars will be focused on changing government and boosting public service delivery. Our goals
include promoting inclusive development and welfare, achieving balanced regional
development, and empowering individuals to ensure sustainable economic progress. Efforts
to tighten environmental policies and conduct high-impact development initiatives will
continue.

19
7 . References

1 . Aziz, O., and Pereira, J.J. (2005) ‘Sustainable development indicators-providing

environmental statistics for national reporting’, in Reedman, A. and Pereira, J.J. (Eds.): 14th
Conference of Sustainable Development of Geo-Resources and Geo-Environment

2 . Myhijau movement. MyHIJAU. (2019, November 13). https://www.myhijau.my/join-the-

movement/

3 . M, Noranida., and O. S. Khairulmaini. (2014) ‘Malaysia’s efforts toward achieving a

sustainable development : Issues, Challenges and Prospects’

4 . Jinghu Zhao, H.L. a. R.D. (2008) Sustainable urban development: Policy framework for
sustainable consumption and production, International Journal of Sustainable Development &
World Ecology, 15, 318-325.

5 . Gimino, G., Rahim, R., Vethasalam, R., & Yusof, T. A. (2023, June 13). Floods in 2021,
2022 caused rm138.6mil to agriculture, fisheries, livestock sectors. The Star.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/13/floods-in-2021-2022-caused-
rm1386mil-to-agriculture-fisheries-livestock-sectors

6 . United Nations. (n.d.). South-South Cooperation Day. United Nations.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/south-south-cooperation-day

7 . Malaysia’s Klang River shedding murky past. The Straits Times. (2023, September 1).
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-s-klang-river-shedding-murky-past

8 . Rongen, G., Ahmad, Z.A., Lanjouw, P. et al. Regional and ethnic inequalities in Malaysian
poverty dynamics. J Econ Inequal 22, 101–130 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10888-023-
09582-w

9 . Khalid, M.: Climbing the Ladder: Socioeconomic Mobility in Malaysia. Asian Econ. Pap. 17,
3 (2018)

10 . Economic Planning Unit: Malaysia success story in poverty eradication. Prime Minister’s
Department, Malaysia (2017)

11 . Lee, H.-A.: Majority afrmative action in Malaysia: imperatives, compromises, and

challenges. Accounting for change in diverse societies case series. Global Centre for
Pluralism, Ottawa (2017). https://www. pluralism.ca/wp-
content/uploads/2017/12/Malaysia_EN.pdf

20
12 . Zainuddin, T.D.: A new economic policy for a new Malaysia. Featured in Forum, The Edge
Malaysia Weekly (2019). Accessed through https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/mysay-
new-economicpolicy-new-malaysia

21