Better days ahead: Nga launching the World Happiness Day celebration in Putrajaya. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s 2025 Happiness Index has soared to 88.84%, an increase of 5.5 points from 83.34% in 2020, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
He said the happiest districts were Lipis and Cameron Highlands in Pahang, followed by Kuala Krai in Kelantan.
These were followed by Bandar Baharu (Kedah), Kuala Pilah (Negri Sembilan), Jerantut (Pahang), Jelebu (Negri Sembilan) and Telupid (Sabah).
When it came to towns and cities, Nga said the happiest were Bintulu (Sarawak), Temerloh (Pahang), Johor Baru (Johor), Port Dickson (Negri Sembilan), Jasin (Melaka), Pontian (Johor), Ampang Jaya (Selangor) and Batu Pahat (Johor).
These were then followed by Bandaraya Melaka, Petaling Jaya (Selangor) and Putrajaya.
Nga said 153 districts, towns and cities participated in the national happiness index and 75% of them achieved a “happy” level while 25% achieved a moderately happy level.
“This shows a positive improvement in our efforts to create communities that are more harmonious and inclusive,” said Nga when launching the World Happiness Day celebration at his ministry yesterday.
The town happiness index was implemented in 2015 through the Malaysian Urban-Rural National Indicators Network for Sustainable Development (MURNInets).
“The criteria are in line with the international happiness index which focuses on aspects such as stress, health, family relationships and satisfaction with community services,” said Nga.
The latest findings showed that a big portion of towns in Malaysia have shown an increase in the levels of happiness of their residents due to continuous efforts by their respective local authorities to nurture conducive environments, he added.
World Happiness Day has been officially celebrated at the national-level since 2015.
Nga said his ministry will continue to intensify initiatives such as building affordable homes, shutting down illegal waste disposal sites and building 100 Madani public recreational parks nationwide.
Through PLANMalaysia, the ministry is committed to balanced, inclusive and comprehensive urban and rural planning.
“Today, we are not just celebrating happiness.
“We are strengthening our resolve to build a more inclusive, harmonious and prosperous nation,” he added.
