KUALA LUMPUR: The government's efforts in enhancing social support, per-capita income and freedom of choice are the basis for Malaysia to be ranked third in Asean in the "World Happiness Report 2017".
The Prime Minister's Department told the Dewan Rakyat today that the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) initiative was also among the reasons that had helped the country improve its happiness ranking in the world.
"The government also emphasises on human capital and social development to help ease the people’s burden from the rising cost of living.
"This includes the BR1M initiative to seven million low-income households, 334 Klinik 1Malaysia facilities which offer services at RM1 fee and 1,061 clinics, including 242 with expert services, nationwide.”
The department said this in response to a question from Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah (BN-Tambun) who asked the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to state Malaysia's rank in the happiness report and the government's efforts in improving the country's rank.
The World Happiness Report is a happiness measurement published yearly by Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations.
Malaysia ranked 42nd out of 155 countries in the report, a leap of five places from last year.
This was the second consecutive year the country has improved its ranking since 2015.
The department said Malaysia was behind Singapore (26th place) and Thailand (32nd) in Asean.
“It has outperformed other Asean members such as the Philippines (72nd) and Indonesia (81st).
"Moreover, our ranking is higher than that of developed countries, such as Italy (48th), Japan (51st) and South Korea (56th) and Hong Kong (71st).
"Such performance is backed by the improvement from the aspect of social support, the level of income per capita and the freedom of choice."
The department said that the performance proved that the government had always ensured the prosperity of the people, in line with the 11th Malaysian Plan.
"The three main thrusts of the plan will strengthen the inclusiveness towards a more equitable society, enhance the people’s well-being and human capital development."
Reports by: ARFA YUNUS, FERNANDO FONG, BEATRICE NITA JAY