MALAYSIA RANKS 80TH IN HAPPINESS
Based on UN report on Sustainable Development factor
MALAYSIA is the 80th happiest country in the world, based on the 2019 World Happiness Report (WHR 2019).
This, however, constituted a massive drop from 35th place the previous year.
The ranking, based on surveys conducted last year, saw Thailand and the Philippines overtake Malaysia.
In WHR 2018, Malaysia was the second highest ranked Southeast Asian country after Singapore. Singapore, which came in 34th in WHR 2019, retained its top billing in Southeast Asia, while Thailand and the Philippines moved up to 52nd and 69th, respectively.
Myanmar was the lowest ranked Southeast Asian country, coming in 131st of the 156 United Nations countries in the report, an annual publication of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Earlier, Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad had quoted WHR 2018, saying the report would encourage more foreign investors to invest in Malaysia.
“(It) will also inspire the various communities to become more tolerant and live in harmony,” he said after the ministry’s monthly assembly and 2019 International Day of Happiness celebration.
Present was Town and Country Planning Department directorgeneral Datuk Rokibah Abdul Latif.
Khalid said for the 2018 National Happiness Index Study, 10 local authorities were identified as the happiest areas, exceeding 90 per cent.
“They are Petaling Jaya in Selangor, Manjung and Batu Gajah in Perak, Bentong in Pahang, Jasin in Melaka, Jeli in Kelantan, Segamat in Johor and Padang Terap and Bandar Baharu in Kedah.”
He said the data was based on the Malaysia Urban Rural Indicators Network programme, derived from a number of factors.
“These include a clean environment and effective communication to resolve issues of security and disturbances.
“Another factor is close cooperation between neighbours, communities and efficient management of garbage and solid waste,” he said.