Local authorities nationwide urged to adopt Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting to ensure budgets meet community needs and promote inclusion.
KEPALA BATAS: The Ministry of Housing and Local Government has urged local authorities nationwide to boldly adopt Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting according to their local contexts as a new governance standard.
Minister Nga Kor Ming said the ministry is committed to strengthening policies and providing support to expand GRPB implementation nationwide.
“KPKT has always maintained that local authorities are the frontline of national governance,” he said in his speech during the 2025 Neksus GRPB National Conference and Applied Workshop.
“This is where the pulse of the people is felt, and where the government is judged on its ability to understand and meet the real needs of our multi-ethnic society.”
He said the ministry is strengthening the combined approach of Gender Responsive budgeting and Participatory Budgeting as a national policy tool.
This ensures budgets truly meet the people’s needs so that no one is left behind or marginalised.
His opening address was delivered via video conference with State Committee for Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs chairperson Lim Siew Kim and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr. Mainumah Mohd Sharif present.
The conference promotes a combined approach integrating two complementary budgeting methods to promote more democratic and inclusive budget planning.
Jointly organised by Penang Island City Council, Seberang Perai City Council and Penang Women’s Development Corporation, it was attended by all local authorities nationwide.
Nga added that GRPB embodies the values of Malaysia MADANI—sustainability, care and compassion, respect, and trust.
It also supports Sustainable Development Goals 5, 10, 11 and 16.
Meanwhile, Lim Siew Kim emphasised that GRPB is not solely about women but about justice, participation, balance and sustainable development.
She explained that its principle is simple: to recognise that different groups have different needs.
She said the 2025 Nexus GRPB Conference represents a unifying point for national resolve.
It will provide fresh inspiration to strengthen inclusive budgeting within each local authority to ensure no voice is marginalised.
“May the 2025 GRPB Nexus act as a catalyst for a new wave of fairer, more responsive, and more sustainable governance,” she concluded.
“This is for a truly inclusive MADANI Malaysia, where what began as a small idea has now grown into a state-level policy practice.” – Bernama
