The indicators of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for Malaysia in 2021 showed a significant increase to 71 per cent (175 indicators) as compared to 59 per cent (146 indicators) in the previous year.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), in its report entitled: ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Indicators, Malaysia, 2021’ found that the SDG achievement in Malaysia has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO). The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted society and the country in terms of health, economy and social.
In the matter of health, indicator under UN Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being showed the death rate due to road accidents for each 100,000 population decreased from 14.3 (2020) to 13.9 (2021). Among the reasons that contributed to the decrease in road accidents was cross-border travel restrictions implemented during the MCO.
From the economy aspect, indicator under UN Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth showed the annual growth rate of real GDP per capita in Malaysia grew by 2.7 per cent in 2021 as compared to contraction of 5.3 per cent in the previous year due to the gradual opening of the economic sector in 2021. GDP is expected to expand as it posted a growth of 9.3 per cent (3Q 2021: 2.9%) for the first three quarters of 2022.
In the matter of safety aspect, indicator under Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, number of murder crimes reported by Royal Malaysia Police decreased 1.3 per cent to 4,063 cases in 2021 as compared to the previous year. Besides, stricter enforcement activities by the authorities and community awareness are the factors which contributed to the decrease in this crime.
In terms of internet usage, indicator under Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals, percentage of individuals using the Internet in Malaysia increased from 89.6 per cent (2020) to 96.8 per cent in 2021. The Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) and work from home policy (WFH) were factors contributing to this increase.
Meanwhile, with regard to the environment, indicator under UN Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production recorded the quantity of clinical waste handled for destruction in the incinerator showed an increase from 39.9 thousand metric tons (2020) to 57.4 thousand metric tons (2021).
For transportation sector, indicator under Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure recorded the number of passengers handled at the airport decreased from 26.8 million (2020) to 11.0 million (2021).
The United Nations (UN) has launched the 2030 Agenda in 2015 focusing on the sustainable development. Malaysia along with other 192 UN Member States has expressed its commitment to support and implement the SDGs, thus achieving set goals and targets. There are 248 indicators (231 unique indicators) in the global indicator framework in 2022 based on the refinement agreed during the 53rd Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) in March 2022.
As the focal point in SDG Indicators development at national level, for the first time this year DOSM is producing reports based on five focus areas; namely People; Prosperity; Planet; Peace and Partnership.
The breakdown of these indicators are as follows:
People Focus Area covers five goals which are Goal 1: No Poverty, Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 5: Gender Equality;
Prosperity Focus Area covers five goals namely Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities;
Planet Focus Area covers five goals namely Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal 13: Climate Action, Goal 14: Life Below Water and Goal 15: Life on Land; and
Peace and Partnership Focus Areas cover two goals namely Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
