Abstract:
This lunch seminar provides an overview of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) implementation in Malaysia, with the aim of sharing experiences and lessons with the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research. The session begins by outlining Malaysia’s spatial planning framework and the role of SIA within the development approval process, followed by a review of its evolution and policy reforms. Attention is given to the transition from the 2018 to the 2023 SIA Guidelines and the introduction of Guidance for the Implementation of Social Impact Assessment for Development Projects (Panduan Pelaksanaan Penilaian Impak Sosial) (PPSIA) as guidance for systematic implementation. The seminar also discusses categories of development projects requiring SIA, as well as institutional, methodological, monitoring, and capacity-building challenges. Case studies, including the West Coast Expressway and Penang South Reclamation, illustrate practical applications and highlight gaps in practice. Comparative perspectives from other countries are introduced to identify best practices and future directions. The seminar concludes by emphasising the need to strengthen SIA as a tool for equity, sustainability, and inclusive decision-making in the development trajectory.