Kuala lumpur: Urban development in Malaysia must be inclusive and involve all stakeholders to ensure sustainability and community well-being, said Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu. She emphasized that this approach is crucial to achieving balanced urbanisation, considering environmental preservation, climate change challenges, and the needs of vulnerable groups, including women and youth.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Aiman Athirah stated, “We want urbanisation to progress in a balanced manner that safeguards environmental sustainability, even in the face of climate change.” She stressed the importance of addressing the needs of every individual in the city, not solely based on top-down visions, but on what is genuinely required by all segments of society. Her comments came during a press briefing after the Joint Stakeholders Assembly held in conjunction with the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF) 2025.

In her earlier speech, Aiman Athirah highlighted the critical role of women, particularly at the grassroots level, as agents of resilience and innovation in tackling climate change challenges. She also underscored the pioneering role of youth in driving digital transformation and the business community’s role as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth through investment and sustainable city innovations.

Aiman Athirah described programmes like ASUF 2025 as essential for stakeholders to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and support the implementation of the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals at the local level. She affirmed that as ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia will continue to prioritize a people-centred urban agenda, aligning with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which positions cities as main arenas for achieving the vision.