The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has gained national recognition for its sustainability efforts after three of its community-driven initiatives were named among the Top 29 finalists of the 2026 JCI Malaysia Sustainable Development Awards (JCIM SDA).
These three MBKS initiatives are the Kuching Natural Farmers Market, MBKS Smart Pole Initiative, and Ausome Park, with each project recognised under a different United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
The Kuching Natural Farmers Market: Growing Livelihoods, Cultivating Sustainable Communities was shortlisted under SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth.
The initiative provides local farmers and small-scale producers with a platform to market their products directly to consumers. According to MBKS and media reports, the market supports local livelihoods, sustainable agriculture and the local economy.
The MBKS Smart Pole Initiative: Transforming Public Parks into Smart, Safe and Low-Carbon Communities was recognised under SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The smart poles use technology in public parks, including environmental monitoring and features intended to improve safety and park management.
MBKS began its ESG Smart Pole pilot project in January 2026, with installations at Kuching Park and Palmairum Park.
The third project, Ausome Park: From Inclusive Play to Inclusive Cities – Leaving No One Behind, was shortlisted under SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities.
The initiative promotes accessible recreational spaces where children of different abilities can play and interact together.
The latest achievement also follows MBKS’ success at the 2025 JCI Malaysia Sustainable Development Awards.
In September 2025, MBKS won the award under SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production for its Bank Sampah project.
The project uses a reward-based recycling system to encourage households to collect and recycle materials, turning recyclable waste into resources.
MBKS had also been recognised in previous years for initiatives including the I-People/Qmunity App, Let’s Recycle Together, the upgrading of the Traffic Garden and Kenyalang Park open spaces, and the iBuyBack App.
About the 2026 JCIM Sustainable Development Awards
The 2026 JCI Malaysia Sustainable Development Awards (JCIM SDA) recognise organisations and initiatives that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through practical, impactful projects.
Launched on 9 February 2026 at the Miri City Council Chamber, the national awards invited organisations to showcase initiatives that create positive social, economic and environmental impact.
The awards highlight how sustainability goals can be translated into practical initiatives at the community and local-government level, covering areas such as livelihoods, smart-city development, environmental monitoring and social inclusion.
Recommended sources
- DayakDaily – MBKS gains national recognition for sustainability efforts
- The Borneo Post – Three MBKS initiatives named among Top 29 finalists
- JCI Malaysia – 2026 JCIM SDA Grand Launch
- MBKS – Bank Sampah project wins JCI Malaysia Sustainable Development Award 2025
- DayakDaily – MBKS recognised as early adopter of Malaysia’s Smart and Sustainable City Framework
- DayakDaily – Real-time air quality monitoring debuts in Kuching parks
- DayakDaily – MBKS wins JCI Malaysia Sustainable Development Award for Bank Sampah
- DayakDaily – MyPLACE Awards 2025: MBKS honoured for excellence in urban placemaking
