Prime Minister Najib Razak, in a written reply, said that based on the World Happiness Report, Malaysia is the 42nd happiest country out of 155 countries, a jump of five spots from last year and ahead of many other developed countries like Italy (48th), Japan (51), South Korea (56) and Hong Kong (71).

He attributed the country’s achievement to an increase in the aspects of social support, per capita income and freedom of choice.

“The overall achievement shows that the government always ensures the betterment of the people’s prosperity, in line with the country’s national physical development.

“The social development aspect is also given focus, in efforts to help the people tackle the rising cost of living. This includes the disbursement of BR1M to seven million low-income households who really need it,” he said in the written reply to former second finance minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah (BN-Tambun).

Husni had asked Najib (BN-Pekan) to state Malaysia’s happiness ranking as per the World Happiness Report 2017, as well as efforts being undertaken to boost the country’s ranking.

Aside from BR1M, Najib pointed out that out of a total of 334 Klinik 1Malaysia, as well as 1,061 government clinics (klinik kesihatan) nationwide, 242 are equipped with specialist equipment.

“Efforts are also ongoing to improve public transport, to make it more accessible for people to expand job seeking activities, recreational activities, acquiring daily necessities and to forge closer relationships,” the PM said.