Sustainability is a broad concept often associated with environmental conservation and managing the natural resources effectively using a holistic approach. The concept of sustainability extends to all areas of governance, social, economic, cultural, and environmental.

By applying an integrated approach to sustainability issues, cities and municipalities not only can become more livable, they can also become more progressive and prosperous. Here lies most of the problems in Malaysia when planning and implementing projects.

The public and local community are often not consulted enough or only on a superficial or ad hoc basis. To achieve sustainability, we need to apply Agenda 21, which is much wanting in Malaysia. Agenda 21 action plans were agreed to at the United Nations (UNCED) ‘Earth Summit' and the planet's first summit to discuss global warming related issues.

It is a comprehensive blueprint of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organisations of the UN, governments, and major groups in every area in which humans directly affect the environment.

Hence consultation and collaboration of the stakeholders and communities are imperative in planning and implementing projects.

Local authorities in Malaysia need to understand this blueprint for action to ensure sustainability.

The management of our resources needs a ‘bottoms-up consultation' approach too and evidence of such measures especially involving specific stakeholders and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) in developed nations has proved that it is viable, pragmatic and sure way to holistic development which leads to ownership and accountability by all.

It can also minimise graft and encourage empowerment of public amenities. We hope the ministries put this high on their agenda for the yearly Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as currently, it is rarely practiced effectively even between inter-agencies or involving the NGOs.

Studies indicate non-compliance of Agenda 21 is either due to one or all of these factors namely incompetency, inefficiency or inertia. The department heads must be more accountable and should empower the agencies and NGOs right from the planning stage.

This requires political will at the highest level. Gone are the days of top-down decisions which do not benefit the citizens. Sustainable (social, ecological and equity) outcomes are absolutely important factors in the decision-making process and lead to empowerment and greater responsibility on the citizen's part. This is my ideal Merdeka wish.