Kuala Lumpur:Malaysia is being encouraged to enhance the capabilities of its local authorities, improve governance, and maintain policy continuity to effectively address climate and sustainability challenges, as stated by former Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Maimunah emphasized that while Malaysia possesses the necessary laws, policies, and research to tackle issues like flash floods, haze, and heatwaves, the success of these measures largely hinges on their on-ground implementation.
Maimunah, who also served as the executive director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), stressed the need for robust leadership across all levels, adequate technical expertise, funding, and transparent governance for effective policy execution. She highlighted the importance of leadership at global, national, state, community, and individual levels, alongside behavioral change and commitment to action.
She also noted that individual actions should support institutional efforts, such as keeping drains clear to prevent flooding. However, she cautioned that behavioral change is insufficient without political will and sustained commitment from leaders, who must empower local authorities with resources and authority to act.
Strengthening local authority capacity is crucial, Maimunah pointed out, as they are responsible for implementing national and global policies at the community level. She questioned whether there are enough planners, engineers, and economists to realize the plans set at higher levels.
Maimunah advocated for a more sustainable, long-term approach to urban development, emphasizing that investment in infrastructure must be paired with building the capacity of those managing it. She remarked that while investments in urban infrastructure are significant, similar investments must be made in enhancing city management capabilities.
She also noted that funding is inadequate if local authorities lack the capacity to manage resources effectively. Good governance is vital for sustainability efforts, as well-designed policies can fail without transparent implementation.
Drawing from her extensive experience across 79 countries and 1,600 cities, Maimunah acknowledged Malaysia's progress but recommended that the country continue to benchmark its urban development against nations like Japan, South Korea, and China.