WEEK 5

Class Reflection: Sejahtera as a Local Concept of Sustainable Development



In Week 5, we explored the concept of Sejahtera, a unique local value deeply rooted in the Malaysian context and closely aligned with both the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Islamic teachings. Sejahtera transcends material well-being; it emphasizes holistic harmony across physical, emotional, spiritual, and societal domains. According to Kamus Dewan, it means "peaceful, prosperous, and safe," and it aligns well with the SDG’s overarching goals of ending poverty, ensuring well-being, promoting peace, and protecting the environment.



One of the key takeaways was how Sejahtera encourages balance in all aspects of life—intellectual, spiritual, emotional, cultural, societal, and ecological. This is echoed in the Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan (FPK), which aims to produce balanced and harmonious individuals who contribute to the betterment of family, society, and nation. Such an approach strongly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).


From the Islamic perspective, Sejahtera is deeply connected with the concepts of Tawheed (Oneness of God), Amanah (trust), and Ihsan (excellence in character). As explained by Prof. Kamal Hassan, achieving true well-being (al-falah) requires good moral character, strong spiritual values, and a deep connection to God. This holistic model closely ties to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), emphasizing ethical leadership and justice.

Additionally, the idea of “localising sustainability” that we discussed helps bridge global goals with local realities. This ensures that communities not only meet global standards but do so in a way that respects their cultural and spiritual values. It highlights the importance of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).


The Sejahtera model also responds to modern issues such as extremism, egoism, and imbalance in current development models. Islam teaches moderation (wasatiyyah) and responsibility toward the environment (khalifah fil ard), which are essential in addressing the root causes of these problems.


In summary, this week's session was a reminder that sustainable development is not merely a technical or economic agenda—it is also fundamentally ethical and spiritual. The Sejahtera concept bridges the global and local, the physical and spiritual, and demonstrates how Islamic values can guide us toward a truly sustainable and balanced way of life.




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