DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has praised the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia for Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM-SDG) for turning community engagement into national policy, describing it as “not just a technocratic programme, but a national movement”.
Speaking at the launch of the APPGM-SDG 2024 Annual Report in Parliament on Thursday, Fadillah, who also serves as Minister for Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), said the initiative demonstrated how cross-party and cross-sector collaboration could deliver meaningful change at the grassroots.
“APPGM-SDG has proven that bipartisan and cross-sectoral cooperation can bring about real change. This is not merely a technocratic exercise, but a movement that amplifies the voices of the grassroots in national policymaking,” he said.
Highlighting his responsibility for Sabah and Sarawak, Fadillah emphasised the importance of inclusive development in rural and remote areas. He said APPGM-SDG’s community-based, bottom-up model aligns with the principles of Malaysia MADANI, particularly justice, wellbeing and inclusivity.
“I fully recognise the value of community-led approaches to equitable and sustainable development. This report shows how inclusive planning—by Parliament, civil society, local authorities and communities—has translated into tangible outcomes,” he added.
According to the 2024 report, 115 parliamentary constituencies have so far taken part in issue mapping, action plan drafting and implementation of SDG-linked community projects across the country.
Fadillah also welcomed plans to establish zonal SDG Community Centres, calling the move a “crucial innovation” that will enable cross-constituency collaboration, resource-sharing and local resilience.
“This regional approach supports the government’s aim of empowering local capabilities and accelerating policy implementation at district and state levels,” he said.
He stressed that as Malaysia moves towards the 2030 SDG deadline, the partnership between government, Parliament and civil society must be further strengthened. “APPGM-SDG has proven this model works and delivers real results for the people. It is a model that deserves to be expanded.”
“Parliament must not only be a place where laws are made, but also where implementation is monitored and the people’s rights championed,” he said.
Fadillah concluded by calling for a whole-of-society effort—from federal and state governments to academia, NGOs, the private sector and local communities—to collectively push the sustainable development agenda forward.
“The 2024 APPGM-SDG Annual Report is not just a document. It is a roadmap and reflection of our shared ambition to build a just, inclusive and sustainable Malaysia by 2030 and beyond,” he said. - July 24, 2025
