Public participation is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This empowers individuals and

communities to participate actively in decision-making and to contribute to the development and implementation

of sustainable policies and initiatives. The integration of diverse viewpoints, local expertise, and community

feedback improves both the decision-making process and the implementation of sustainable development. Public

participation fosters varied perspectives and a sense of collective responsibility. Individuals are more likely to

Sarawak. The Eight Rungs Ladder of Citizen Engagement, developed by Arnstein, and the Spectrum of

Participation, established by the International Association of Public Participation, will support the discussion on

the evaluation of public participation in diverse sustainable development initiatives at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.

The most significant instance of participatory governance within Pustaka’s portfolio is the People Accessible

empowerment in Arnstein’s Ladder and empower in the IAP2 Spectrum. This study is significant as it may

enhance our understanding of public participation in sustainable development programs in Pustaka Negeri

Sarawak and contribute to the wider recognition of public participation in sustainable development practices in

the region.

sustainable development policies and initiatives. The inclusion of varied viewpoints, particularly from indigenous

and rural communities, enhances the policy-making process and fortifies the effectiveness of sustainability

initiatives. The integration of indigenous knowledge, local experiences, and culturally informed values enables

development planners to devise interventions that are more comprehensive, adaptable, and rooted in the

community context. Public participation transcends mere symbolism; it is an essential component to guarantee

that sustainable solutions resonate with the genuine needs and aspirations of the community. When communities

actively participate in the formulation of policies and practices that influence their environment, livelihoods, and

overall well-being, they are more inclined to assume responsibility for these initiatives, consequently enhancing

their sustainability and efficacy.

While its significance is widely recognised, academic inquiry into public participation in Malaysia has

Malaysia have mostly focused on Local Agenda 21 (LA21) practices. One example is a study conducted by Siti

Mazwin, Puziah, and Norsyamira (2016) which examines the level of community awareness on LA 21. In

contrast, another study by Md. Zan and Kamaruddin (2012) aims to determine the impact of LA 21 programs on

the community.

This paper is significant as it seeks to fill a research void by exploring the dynamics of public participation in

relation to sustainable development initiatives in East Malaysia. Since the establishment of Malaysia in 1963,

with the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak into the Federation, the country has unwaveringly affirmed its dedication

to sustainable development. Nonetheless, each state encounters distinct developmental hurdles, including

environmental degradation, the marginalisation of indigenous communities, and infrastructural inequalities, all

of which demand a more inclusive strategy in development planning.

Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, with its varied programming and community outreach efforts, exemplifies a focal point

for analysing the mechanisms of public participation in the realm of sustainable development advocacy. Its

collaborative framework brings together civil society organisations, educators, students, local leaders, and general

citizens to collectively advance sustainability objectives. This institution serves as a rich environment for

exploring the possibilities and limitations of participatory governance within the larger context of Malaysia’s

sustainable development agenda.

The concept of sustainable development gained significant attention in recent years, particularly following the

introduction of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), commonly referred to as the Global Goals, by the

United Nations in 2015. The Sustainable Development Goals, comprising 17 distinct objectives, represent a

tangible outcomes. The Brundtland Commission Report of 1987 articulated sustainable development as

"development that fulfils the demands of the present without jeopardising future generations' ability to satisfy

their own needs." Sustainable development represents a systematic approach to structuring society in a way that

ensures its enduring existence over time. This involves considering both present and prospective necessities,

including the safeguarding of environmental and natural resources, alongside the pursuit of social and economic

equity.

Subsequent to this report, a United Nations Conference on the Environment convened five years later in Rio de

Janeiro from June 3rd to 14th, 1992. The conference serves as a forum for member states to collaborate in tackling

matters pertaining to sustainability. The summit effectively garnered the commitment of numerous countries to

advance economic development alongside the imperative of safeguarding the environment and non-renewable

resources. This summit also observed the endorsement of three significant action plans aimed at sustainable

development namely Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the Statement of

participation in the decision-making process. Arnstein's Ladder, first introduced in 1969, delineates a hierarchical

framework consisting of eight levels, extending from manipulation to citizen control (Retnaningsih, Muttaqin,

Kurniashi, Budianto, Ghozali, Mutohar, Susanto, Widodo & Loka, 2013). The lower levels signify a lack of

engagement, where the aim is to inform or "remedy" participants instead of authentically seeking their

contributions. Advancing within the hierarchy, the processes of informing and consultation often reflect a

superficial participation, wherein individuals are presented with information or invited to share their views, yet

their insights may not be genuinely integrated into the ultimate decision-making outcomes. The upper levels,

including partnership, delegated authority, and citizen governance, signify escalating degrees of citizen impact

and independence. Arnstein's Ladder functions as an essential framework for analysing the genuineness and

profundity of citizen participation initiatives, allowing stakeholders to rigorously evaluate whether engagement

efforts truly empower citizens or are merely superficial gestures.

empower (IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum, 2023). Each level signifies a distinct commitment to the public

degree of influence that the public will exert (IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum, 2023). In contrast to Arnstein's

hierarchical structure.

attention to cases where participation is superficial or strategically deceptive. The IAP2 Spectrum seeks to

establish a framework for practitioners to effectively design and execute public participation processes,

emphasising the degree of influence that the public will exert (IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum, 2023).

In summary, both Arnstein's Ladder and the IAP2 Spectrum provide insightful frameworks for comprehending

the nuances of public participation. Arnstein's Ladder serves as a vital tool for analysing power dynamics and the

genuineness of citizen engagement efforts, whereas the IAP2 Spectrum presents a pragmatic framework for

crafting and executing participatory processes that encompass diverse degrees of public influence. Both

frameworks enhance the inclusivity and efficacy of decision-making processes by fostering a profound

comprehension of the significance and influence of public participation.

This study utilised focus group talks with members of the sustainable committee of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak to

institution. The utilisation of focus group discussions facilitates a comprehensive grasp of the intricacies and

complications associated with the implementation of sustainable practices in an organisational context. Focus

The information collected from these discussions can subsequently be analysed to assess the degree of

involvement and the overall efficacy of the library's sustainable development initiatives. The study acquires useful

insights into the internal dynamics, problems, and triumphs of promoting sustainability inside the institution by

cultural preservation, and community inclusivity. The incorporation of public participation into these efforts is a

crucial element that enhances their legitimacy, efficacy, and enduring influence.

Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation and the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)

non-participation (manipulation and treatment) to varying levels of tokenism (informing, consultation, placation),

culminating in degrees of citizen power (partnership, delegated power, and citizen control). The IAP2 Spectrum

classifies public involvement into five hierarchical levels of influence: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, and

Empower. These frameworks provide organised viewpoints for the systematic evaluation of the participation

quality of each program.

Table 1 Summary of Sustainable Development Programs by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak with Public Participation

Analysis

enhance understanding of critical societal issues related to SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 11

(Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Public participation is

encouraged via structured conversations, interactive panels, and question-and-answer sessions, offering citizens

a forum to express their thoughts, albeit without the power to affect choices. Consequently, these activities are

positioned within the consultation tier of Arnstein’s Ladder and the consult category of the IAP2 Spectrum.

2024, Hydroponics for Sustainability, the Tree Planting Project, and the Reading Seeds Programme. These

projects correspond with the involve category of the IAP2 Spectrum and the involvement level on Arnstein's

Ladder. The STYLE Challenge combines sustainable fashion with youthful creativity, allowing participants to

collaboratively produce ideas and engage in evaluation processes. While decision-making authority resides with

the organising institution, the program's collaborative nature fosters active participation and accountability for

results.

The Hydroponics for Sustainability program provides practical expertise on sustainable urban agriculture through

hands-on training. Participants are active learners rather than passive recipients, fostering a sense of responsibility

for environmental stewardship. The Tree Planting Project involves communities in environmental protection,

promoting ecological awareness and intergenerational responsibility. The Reading Seeds Programme integrates

completely relinquishing authority to the community.

marginalised populations by imparting digital literacy skills and facilitating access to self-paced learning

platforms, hence placing control in the users' hands. This user-driven methodology enhances capacity building,

fosters equity, and maintains engagement, establishing it as a model of civic empowerment via digital

transformation.

The incorporation of several participation models signifies an adaptive governance strategy from a policy and

institutional design viewpoint. It recognises that many forms of participation are suitable based on the program's

complexity, target audience, and intended results. Consultation effectively facilitates agenda-setting and

awareness-raising; involvement promotes behavioural change; collaboration enhances ownership; and

empowerment ensures long-term community resilience. This levelled participation structure not only facilitates

SDG implementation but also bolsters democratic legitimacy and program sustainability.