Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's 'Madani Way' takes shape
The prime minister’s new approach for a “civilised Malaysia” is rooted in Islam. It addresses the country's inequalities in terms of ethnicity, religion, regions and other ills. It promises justice for all and fairness in foreign policy. Doubts remain about its effective implementation.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) – Malaysia’s Pakatan Harapan coalition government under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has unveiled a new policy direction for the country called the “Madani Way”.
In Malaysia, it has become a tradition for incoming prime ministers to use a slogan that encompasses the general policies of their new administrations.
For Anwar it is “Madani Malaysia”, centred on six core values: sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion. In Arabic the word Madani refers to modern and civilised.
In a recent op-ed published in the New Straits Times, former ambassador Azhari-Karim praised the initiative as "a 'leveller' in all pursuits of society and the government."
The Madani Way is rooted in a 1989 book titled The Madinan Society at the Time of the Prophet, by Islamic scholar AkramDi'ya Al Umari. For Azhari-Karim, “a new consciousness” is observable among Malaysians of all ethnic backgrounds.
Anwar has long advocated this approach, ever since he wrote The Asian Renaissance in 1996, which includes a chapter on the Madani concept. In it, the prime minister talks about “a humanistic economy that will push back against the unbridled capitalism practised by us.”
According to local media, MP Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong asked Anwar about the implications of the Madani Way. The prime minister said that it means that citizens of all races, religions, regions and income levels will be treated justly, especially the poor.
On foreign policy, the Anwar administration will steer a course between the United States and China, keeping close to human rights while avoiding conflicts with other countries.
It will bring renewed focus on people in relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN), especially Indonesia and Vietnam, and raise Malaysia's credibility in the Islamic world.
The Madani Way, however, will be applicable first and foremost to domestic reform, against corruption and related social ills that have plagued previous governments.
As with any government at its start, it remains to be seen whether Anwar and his ministers will really implement the new policy with meaningful actions.
Such an approach seems to offer hope to a country that has suffered from long-term problems, like graft, racial mistrust, exclusion of minorities and other ills.
It is a bold experiment in finding if ancient precepts can produce real results in a modernising country.
.png)
04/03/2023 11:36
22/03/2024 16:27
11/07/2023 19:33
