17.2 – Relationships to support the goals

17.2.1 – Relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has played an active and strategic role in shaping Malaysia’s national policies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through strong collaborations with ministries, government agencies, and regional partners, which involved identifying problems, challenges, and formulating corresponding policies and strategies. UKM’s multidisciplinary expertise has contributed significantly to the development of a few national frameworks.

Summary of UKM’s Involvement in SDG Policy Development with Government Agencies and NGO’s

No	List of the policies	Government Agencies	NGO’s
1	The National Health Literacy Policy (DLKK)	Ministry of Health	–
2	The Dementia Action Plan 2023-2030	Ministry of Health	Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM)
3	National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030	Prime Minister Department	–
4	CEPA Action Plan 2024-2034	Ministry of Natural Resourcesand Environmental Sustainability	Copenhagen Zoo, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
5	Data Integration and Governance Policy	Selangor State Government	–
6	Salt Reduction Policy for Out-of-Home Sectors (Malaysia)	Ministry of Health	–
7	MARA Community Women’s Empowerment Action Plan 2025-2030	Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA)	–
8	Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) for the National Registries Enhancement Project (MyGDX 2.0)	National Digital Department, Ministry of Digital	–
9	Digitalisation Strategic Plan 2021-2025	Department of Statistics Malaysia, Ministry of Economy	–
10	Malaysia’s Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremist Ideologies (MyPCVE)	The Ministry of Home Affairs	–

1. The National Health Literacy Policy (DLKK)

UKM, through the Centre for C4D UKMxUNICEF Health Communication (HEALTHCOMM) at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, collaborated with the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in developing The National Health Literacy Policy (DLKK). DLKK is an initiative aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of Malaysians in healthcare. DLKK was officially launched on 8 September 2024 by the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

HEALTHCOMM played a vital role in the development of this policy through several key steps, including assessing existing health literacy policies and programs in Malaysia, developing a suitable policy framework tailored to the Malaysian context, and proposing a strategic plan for the implementation of DLKK. The plan involved more than 100 stakeholders from various sectors, including government agencies, the private sector, and NGOs, to ensure the effective execution of the national health literacy policy.

With research funding from WHO, HEALTHCOMM contributed significantly to strengthening policy advocacy, governance, and the implementation of health literacy initiatives in Malaysia.

UKM’s involvement through HEALTHCOMM has been instrumental in shaping this national policy, providing research-based evidence and communication strategies that support behavioral change and community empowerment. This collaboration enhances Malaysia’s capacity for preventive healthcare, promotes equitable access to health information, and reduces the national health burden — contributing directly to the achievement of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Source : www.ukm.my/batamerahfssk/?page_id=2594

2. The Dementia Action Plan 2023-2030

The Dementia Action Plan 2023–2030 is Malaysia’s comprehensive national framework to address the rising public health burden of dementia, in alignment with the WHO Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017–2025. Several medical experts from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) were involved directly in the development of this plan, which was published in 2024. The plan is a strategic response to Malaysia’s ageing population and growing dementia prevalence, aiming to improve prevention, care and support services for people living with dementia (PWDs) and their caregivers. 

The objective of this action plan is to ensure accessible, affordable, effective, and sustainable dementia care, enhance rehabilitation and supportive services to uphold the dignity and quality of life of PWDs and their caregivers and promote an inclusive and dementia-friendly environment at all levels of society. Four Strategic Thrusts under this plan are (i) Empowering Healthy and Active Communities, (ii) Strengthening a Sustainable Healthcare and Social Support System, (iii) Research, Innovation, and Information Sharing and (iv) Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Programs.

3. National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030

UKM, through the Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI-UKM), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI-UKM), provides strong technical support in the implementation of National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030, which is led by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

With increasing exposure to natural and man-made hazards due to climate change, urbanization, and environmental degradation, Malaysia recognizes the urgent need for an integrated national approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR). The National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030 aims to build a disaster-resilient nation by reducing disaster risks through comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable strategies.

A total of six experts from SEADPRI-UKM were directly involved in the development of this policy, contributing to research, stakeholder consultations, and policy formulation. The policy was developed through extensive nationwide stakeholder engagement, including public surveys and workshops conducted across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. Its execution involves collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, as well as academia, NGOs, and the private sector.

UKM has played a pivotal role in the development of this policy, particularly through SEADPRI-UKM’s leadership in providing scientific evidence, risk assessment frameworks, and climate adaptation insights that shaped the policy’s direction. This collaboration not only strengthened Malaysia’s institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction but also positioned UKM as a national reference centre for resilience research and sustainable disaster governance, contributing significantly to SDG.

4. CEPA Action Plan 2024-2034

CEPA stands for Communication, Education, and Public Awareness. This strategic 10-year blueprint, developed by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (PERHILITAN), aims to cultivate a knowledgeable, environmentally responsible, and biodiversity-conscious society.

Since 2023, Dr. Juliana binti Senawi, Head of the The Natural and Physical Laboratory Management Center of UKM, has been appointed by PERHILITAN as the Project Leader for the Development of the CEPA Action Plan (Blueprint). The objectives of this action plan are to enhance public awareness and understanding of biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices, to promote active community participation in conservation initiatives, to strengthen environmental education through both formal and informal channels, and to foster strategic partnerships between government agencies, NGOs, academia, private sectors, and local communities.

UKM’s involvement and the expertise of Dr. Juliana, a specialist in Zoology, Mammalogy, and Conservation Biology, have played a pivotal role in shaping the development of this national blueprint. Through her leadership, scientific insight, and experience in wildlife research and conservation, UKM has contributed significantly to strengthening Malaysia’s biodiversity management framework and advancing environmental education and awareness nationwide—supporting the achievement of SDG 15 (Life on Land).

5. Data Integration and Governance Policy

The “Data Integration and Governance Policy” 2024 was developed by a group of experts from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), led by Prof. Dato’ Norman bin Mohd Salleh through UKM Pakarunding Sdn. Bhd. The purpose of this policy is to establish a structured, secure, and transparent framework for managing and integrating government data across agencies to support evidence-based policymaking and efficient public service delivery.

The main objectives of this policy are to improve data integration among ministries, departments, and public agencies; to ensure strong data governance through clear policies, defined roles, and responsibilities; to enable informed decision-making using reliable, accurate, and timely data; to enhance public sector efficiency and inter-agency collaboration; and to strengthen data security, ethics, and accountability.

UKM’s involvement through UKM Pakarunding Sdn. Bhd. has played a pivotal role in the formulation of this policy by providing expert consultation, technical frameworks, and strategic guidance on data management and governance.

6. Salt Reduction Policy for Out-of-Home Sectors (Malaysia)

The Salt Reduction Policy of Malaysia for Out-of-Home Sectors (MySaltOH) is a supplementary document to the national Salt Reduction Strategy to Prevent and Control Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) 2021–2025. Developed by the Ministry of Health Malaysia and research institutions including UKM, the policy aims to address the high salt intake among Malaysians, particularly from foods consumed outside the home such as street food, fast food, and processed meals. The development of this policy was led by Prof. Dr. Suzana binti Shahar from the Faculty of Health Sciences, UKM. 

This policy sets forth actions to monitor salt consumption trends, raise public and industry awareness, and promote reformulation of food products to contain less salt. It highlights the urgency of tackling hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, noting that 79% of Malaysians consume more than the recommended salt intake of 5g/day.MySaltOH outlines targeted interventions across sectors, proposes maximum sodium limits for 14 food categories, and promotes mandatory salt labelling. It also emphasizes inter-agency collaboration and incentives to support food vendors and industries in providing healthier options. The ultimate goal is to reduce Malaysia’s average salt intake to 6g/day by 2025, contributing to the WHO global target of 30% reduction by 2030.

7. “MARA Community Women’s Empowerment Action Plan 2025-2030”

The MARA Community Women’s Empowerment Action Plan 2025–2030 is a strategic framework developed to uplift and empower women within the MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) communities across Malaysia. It aims to enhance the socio-economic status, leadership, and resilience of women, especially in rural and underserved areas, by promoting active participation in entrepreneurship, education, leadership, and digital transformation.

This plan was officially launched during the BizNetwork Fiesta Borneo Zone in Kuching, Sarawak, on 30 November 2024, marking a significant milestone in MARA’s ongoing commitment to gender inclusivity and community development.

The action plan outlines specific programs and initiatives over a five-year period, focusing on:

• Entrepreneurial empowerment and economic independence
• Skills training and lifelong learning
• Digital literacy and innovation participation
• Leadership development and representation
• Community engagement and support networks

The plan aligns with national policies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5 and SDG 17) by promoting gender equality and fostering strategic partnerships for inclusive development.

8. Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) for the National Registries Enhancement Project (MyGDX 2.0)

The DRP for MyGDX 2.0 was developed by Dr. Hasimi bin Sallehudin from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), who led the project under the Ministry of Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) from June 14, 2023, to April 30, 2024. This Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) document outlines a systematic approach to minimize the potential impact of disasters on MyGDX service operations and to ensure recovery is carried out within a defined timeframe. It details the strategies and procedures to be followed for restoring critical application systems, reducing disruptions, and resuming service operations effectively after a disaster.

UKM’s involvement through Dr. Hasimi underscores the university’s strong commitment to national digital resilience and public sector innovation. By contributing technical expertise to the development of this critical framework, UKM plays a key role in strengthening Malaysia’s digital infrastructure, ensuring business continuity, and supporting the government’s broader digital transformation agenda.

Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TkBRwxKIJsMb_LELaJN1G6xL29oUbZkD/view?usp=sharing

9. Digitalisation Strategic Plan 2021-2025

Digitalisation Strategic Plan 2021–2025 is a comprehensive blueprint by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) to guide ICT development and digital transformation efforts from 2021 to 2025. It aligns with the Public Sector Digitalisation Strategic Plan (PSPSA) 2021–2025 and supports SDG 17 by fostering partnerships, data integration, and advanced digital infrastructure. The plan was developed by Ts. Dr. Fazlina Mohd Ali and team from Faculty of Information Science and Technology UKM. 

It covers:

• Vision & Objectives – Strengthening ICT governance, applications, data, capacity, infrastructure, and security to support DOSM’s role as the national statistics leader.
• Scope – Five main ICT domains and the integration of Enterprise Architecture (EA).
• Strategic Framework – Five strategic thrusts, 14 strategies, and 40 programmes.
• Implementation Plan – Detailed phases from mobilisation to documentation, with stakeholder engagement and governance structures.
• Alignment – Fully aligned with Pelan Strategik Pendigitalan Sektor Awam (PSPSA) 2021–2025 and the National Statistics System Enhancement (PSSN) initiative.
• SDG 17 Link – Promotes partnerships, data integration, and digital infrastructure to enhance national and international statistical cooperation.

Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WhmksgltRbqjAX_qD-ZM6c6nKCfNJBH_/view?usp=sharing

10. Malaysia’s Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremist Ideologies (MyPCVE)

The Malaysia Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (MyPCVE) is a comprehensive national framework designed to address and mitigate the threat of violent extremist ideologies across political, religious, social, and external dimensions. Rooted in the Malaysia MADANI concept, it promotes values such as sustainability, compassion, and mutual respect.

MyPCVE is structured around four key pillars:

• Prevention – Raising public awareness, promoting early intervention, and fostering collaboration between communities and authorities.
• Enforcement – Strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing public understanding of laws related to extremism, and improving enforcement.
• Rehabilitation – Providing holistic support to radicalized individuals, including ideological reform, reintegration into society, and lifelong learning.
• Strengthening – Reinforcing national identity, civic values, and religious tolerance through education, family development, strategic communications, and international cooperation.

Developed by Prof. Dr. Mohd Kamarulnizam Bin Abdullah (Institute of Malaysian and International Studies UKM) and Assoc. Prof.  Dr Mohd Hizam Hanafiah (Faculty of Economic and Management UKM), the plan emphasizes a balanced approach—combining “soft” strategies (education, engagement, values) with “hard” strategies (legal enforcement and security measures). Developed with input from various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society, academics, and international partners, MyPCVE aims to maintain national peace and resilience by addressing root causes and preventing the spread of violent extremism in Malaysia.

Through its extensive engagement in national policy formulation, UKM continues to strengthen Malaysia’s institutional capacity, research-driven governance, and cross-sectoral partnerships for sustainable development. The involvement of UKM experts across various ministries and national initiatives demonstrates the university’s pivotal role as a trusted knowledge partner in policy innovation and implementation. These contributions have directly supported the country’s progress toward achieving multiple SDGs—particularly in good health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), climate action (SDG 13), life on land (SDG 15), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17)—further establishing UKM as a leading academic institution driving Malaysia’s sustainable and inclusive future.