PSSM Calls For Greater Focus On Sustainable Development, Institutional Resilience

KUCHING, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia should prioritise sustainable development, institutional resilience and regional cooperation during its ASEAN chairmanship, said Malaysian Social Science Association (PSSM) president Prof Dr Sity Daud.

Speaking at the opening of the 14th International Malaysian Studies Conference (MSC14) here today, she said sustainable development was crucial to secure long-term economic growth while protecting the environment and promoting social equity, in line with Malaysia’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She added that institutional resilience would help governments and organisations remain stable and effective during crises while adapting to new challenges.

“The theme of MSC14 - Sustainable Development, Vulnerabilities and Resilience: Malaysia and ASEAN - is timely as it reflects our concern for sustainable development and the resilient institutions and actors that have paved the way forward amidst unprecedented challenges,” she said.

She said regional cooperation was essential in addressing shared ASEAN challenges, including economic recovery, climate adaptation and digital transformation.

Prof Sity said the two-day conference features 146 research papers, along with keynote addresses by Prof Dr Syed Farid Alatas of the National University of Singapore and Prof Dr Junaenah Sulehan of the Institute of Borneo Studies and University College Sabah Foundation.

MSC14 also includes two roundtable sessions: “Localising the SDGs in Malaysia: Lessons from Sarawak and National Reflections after Five Years” and “Reflections on Malaysia’s Development and Democracy: The 13th Malaysia Plan and Beyond.”

The event brought together about 130 participants from Indonesia, Japan, China, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Singapore, the United States and Malaysia. It is organised by PSSM in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and BESarawak.

In her welcoming remarks, UNIMAS deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Siti Noor Linda Taib expressed the university’s appreciation for being chosen as host, noting that the conference provides a platform for researchers from diverse fields to share insights on critical issues facing Malaysia.

“Perhaps most importantly, MSC14 provides a timely space to evaluate the current state of Malaysian studies to examine where the field stands today and how it can evolve in response to new realities,” she added.

-- BERNAMA