Main image via Malacca + Malay Mail
If you live in Melaka or Taiping, you’ll be proud to know that these cities have been recognized as one of Malaysia’s 10 happiest cities in 2019!
In conjuction with the International Day of Happiness 2020, the Urban and Rural Planning Department have revealed the happiest cities according to the 2019 National Happiness Index Study.
via GIPHY
The study involved “two cities within the city-level local authority administration area, six cities in the municipal-level local authority area and two other cities in the district council-level local authority area,” The Star writes.
The National Happiness Index has recognized the top 10 happiest cities for Malaysia in 2019 and they include:
- Melaka
- Kuala Terengganu
- Seremban
- Kulai
- Taiping
- Kuantan
- Bentong
- Jasin
- Yan
- Jeli
Image via Malacca
According to director-general Datuk Mohd Anuar Maidin, the 2019 Malaysian Happiness Index study recoded an overall happiness level of the nation at 80.4%,
The measurement of the Happiness Index in Malaysia was conducted through the Malaysian Urban Rural National Indicators Network for Sustainable Development, known as Murninets, the director-general noted.
Murninets is a tool that measures and evaluates the sustainability level of a local authority’s area under the supervision by the department.
The happiness index is a general measure of the welfare level of the population, including mental and physical health and well-being.
“It is one of the indicators in Murninets under the ‘Dimensions in Community Well-Being’ that has been used to identify the level of happiness and well-being of Malaysians since 2013,” the director-general told Bernama.
14 key aspects were assessed and covered through a population-based questionnaire for the Happiness Index and these aspects include life and health; residential area security and public facilities; basic infrastructure provided; happiness with family and relatives; and pleasure in working.
“Other aspects taken into account are financial management; relationships with neighbours; community activities; services of local authorities; and local leaders and environmental quality,” he said.
As many as 106 local authorities participated in the survey, including local authorities in peninsular Malaysia, the Federal Territories (of Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan), Sabah (Kota Kinabalu City Hall and Kudat Town Board) and Sarawak (Sibu Municipal Council and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council).
“A total of 36,000 questionnaires were distributed in all the local authorities involved,” the director-general noted. “Of these, as many as 69 cities or 65% achieved 80% happiness of more while 37 cities or 35% recorded moderate happiness (between 50% to 79.7%).”
He also added that the level and quality of services provided by local authorities such as environmental hygiene, solid waste management and effective and regular garbage collection; are some key factors that have contributed to the level of happiness.
Image via Malay Mail
If your city’s been listed on the Happiness Index, then you’ve definitely got something to brag about!
Share this your fellow happy-citiers!
Info via The Star