Strengthening Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 9 Concerning Flooding in Malaysia

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), commonly known as the Global Goals, were approved by the United Nations in 2015 as an international call to eradicate poverty, safeguard the environment, and guarantee that by 2030, everyone may live in peace and prosperity. The 17 SDGs are interconnected; they acknowledge that actions in one area will impact others and that sustainable development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability. SDG 9 aims to develop resilient infrastructure, advance sustainable industry, and support innovation. This is because economies with a diverse industrial sector and resilient infrastructure suffered less harm and recovered faster. Malaysia experiences flood disasters more frequently than any other ASEAN nation, coming in second after Indonesia. According to a special report on flood impact in Malaysia by the Department of Statistics, overall losses for public assets and infrastructure recorded Rm 2 billion in 2021 and Rm 232.7 million in 2022. Hence, this data reveals that public assets and infrastructure record the highest losses due to flood occurrences in Malaysia. The paper identifies the resilient infrastructure currently existing in Malaysia in response to flooding. The research implements a qualitative approach by examining secondary sources such as studies, print, and online sources. In addition, open-ended questionnaires were used to interview key stakeholders to better understand the situation. This study summarizes that flood-resilient infrastructures require further implementation to safeguard people and the environment. Given the frequency and severity of flooding in Malaysia, it is necessary to concentrate more on SDG 9. Further research is recommended to explore the issues in the implementation of SDG 9 in Malaysia.