Is development in Malaysia sustainable?

Is development in Malaysia sustainable? That is the common question that will be asked on anything pertaining to the SD subject matter. In general, the answer will vary from one stakeholder to another. For example, when the government decides to build a new airport in the country, majority of the local residents that will be affected with potential "noise pollution" will be the first to object the idea. On the other hand, different groups will see this as an opportunity like creating new jobs and further expansion to boost the tourism industry.

Sustainability practitioners will tell you that there will never be a direct YES or NO answer to this question. A simple explanation to this is that we will never be able to satisfy all stakeholders. In fact, it is impossible to predict accurately if our development will satisfy the need of our future generations.

Do not feel despair to know that there will be no straight answer to this. Those who wish to embrace sustainability principles must be prepared with the right knowledge, tools, awareness and most importantly PASSION to strive in making any development as sustainable as possible. This is the main problem that Malaysia will face in trying to grasp the essence of sustainable development in the country. We have so many people talking about the subject without really knowing the content. We are still focusing on the form rather than the substance. This blog will try to take one issue at a time to discuss and find a better solution which will be more sustainable.

I will end this posting on a positive note by sharing with you Malaysia current status to achieve UN Millennium Goal, which is one of the established sustainable development indicators around.

source: http://www.mdgmonitor.org/country_progress.cfm?c=MYS&cd=

In comparison to other countries, the results indicate that we are certainly in the right direction.

Malaysia boleh!