Localizing SDGs among B40 neighbourhoods in Klang Valley, Malaysia: Challenges, possibilities, and lessons drawn from the urban grassroots

The Malaysian government has made a firm commitment for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the five-year development plans. Civil Society Organisations have been included as a partner via membership in the National Steering Committee and there is a firm commitment for localizing SDGs although there is a delay in the release of the National SDG Roadmap. An action research project was undertaken by the KITA- UKM team along with twelve urban B40 neighbourhoods in the Klang Valley through a community participatory process of engagement, joint identification of local issues and the drawing of intervention strategies. The study reveals the multi-dimensional nature of ground issues and that the SDGs provide a comprehensive set of goals, targets and indicators which can assist inter-agency and collaborative intervention to overcome grassroots issues and improve the quality of life of urban high-rise flat dwellers. There is a direct correlation between SDG 10:3 on inequalities and discrimination with solutions driven intervention as per SDGs pertaining to urbanisation and participation (SDG11:1), people’s direct participation in urban planning and management (SDG11.3.2) and inclusion in decision making (SDG16.7) and multi-stakeholder partnerships (SDG17.16).