PUTRAJAYA – The six core values of the Malaysia Madani concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim need to be translated into comprehensive national policies instead of being another populist slogan, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said the six core values namely sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion should also be emphasised in the construction of human capital to address people’s problems.
“The implementation of populist programmes will only cause dependency and ultimately it will cause frustration in a very short period of time,” he said when appearing as one of the panelists at the Developing Malaysia Madani Discourse at Putrajaya International Convention Centre here today.
Amirudin described the Madani concept as a way to boost the physical development of the country’s economy and create a fair, prosperous and equitable environment, as seen in plans introduced in Selangor.
“For example, in Selangor, the Bitara Yayasan Selangor programme gathers smart students to be sent to the world’s 50 best universities. At the same time we have a public tuition programme to help students at risk of failing the Malaysian Certificate of Education to succeed in the public examination,” he said.
Meanwhile, Institut Darul Ehsan (IDE) executive chairman Prof Datuk Mohammad Redzuan Othman expressed confidence that the Madani concept which will become the national vision can make Malaysia a developed and excellent country.
He said the concept inspired by Anwar did not come suddenly but was based on his long experience of being a leader.
Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Institute for Social Science Studies director Prof Haslinda Abdullah, when discussing the aspects of trust and compassion, said the people demand a fair policy that is clearly manifested, holistic and high-impact.
In order to build confidence in the community, she said the existing leadership (in the government) should always go to the ground to understand the pulse of the people and explain the concept.
“The policy that is drafted must be sensitive to the local community and the environment,” she added.
The discourse that was held in conjunction with the prime minister’s mandate was to explore the core values of Madani in an effort to provide a more thorough understanding of the thought, philosophy, ethics and actions in developing a Madani Malaysia.
At the event, Anwar also launched a book entitled Membangun Negara Madani: Visi dan Kerangka Dasar Reformasi (Developing a Madani Malaysia: Vision and Framework for Reformation Policy) published by IDE.
The Madani framework not only focuses on the problem-solving process and meeting the nation’s current needs, but also on the creation of a peaceful and prosperous future that fulfilled the potential of the people and the country.
Madani is targeted to be the basis for each core value that will be explored to strengthen the eight requirements namely economy and finance, legislation, institutions, education, community, culture, urban and rural. – Bernama, January 19, 2023
