Social inclusion of Bottom 40% communities living in high rise low cost flats in urban centres in Malaysia

Malaysia has experienced rapid urbanisation with the shift from agriculture to manufacturing and more recently in the service industry. With is shift also rose the migration of people from rural villages and plantations to the urban centres for work in the factories and better quality of life. On arrive in the cities and towns families found themselves in urban squatters but in due time and with public policy intervention people were shifted into high rise, low cost flats ranging from 4 story walk up flats to 21 stories.

The new urban environment pose new challenges to social cohesion as well as impacted their ability for social mobility. At the community level there was a breakdown of social support and social control mechanism. Many areas are dominated with major social problems like drugs, alcohol, crime, violence and gangs. In addition the people faced major infrastructure issues such as maintenance of lifts and the public space including garbage and waste clearance. Grassroots democratic participation is also limited.

A study undertaken by the Institute of Ethnic Studies, National University of Malaysia (UKM) documented these issues faced by urban poor and Bottom 40 communities. The analysis also provided community based solutions which was adopted by the Department of National Unity and Integration of the Prime Minister's Department. The 'love your community program' was introduced with the support of local neighborhood leaders in the identification of local needs and the collaborative and partnership efforts with all the stakeholders especially relevant government agencies in solving them.

A SDG framework based on SDG 10, 11 and 16 was adopted to ensure the partnership among stakeholders in resolving local multi-dimensional issues and finding solutions. We note that with people's direct partnership and ownership it is possible to improve the quality of life as well as ensure 'no one is left behind.'