MalayMail-Feb 1
Several political analysts have weighed in on the “Malaysia Madani” concept launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim earlier last month, and whether it can be a useful guide for a new national narrative. Amid concerns that it may fall by the wayside as so many previous government slogans, International Islamic University Malaysia’s (IIUM) political analyst Syaza Syukri said “Malaysia Madani” is a well-thought-out phrase that will influence the policy-making of the Anwar-led government.
“It is definitely not something off the cuff but truly represents Anwar’s idea of administration,” the assistant professor of political science told Malay Mail. Syaza also said the concept has the potential to be sustainable but it is the government’s responsibility to explain the concept to the public. The word itself has its roots in Arabic and means “being developed in terms of thinking, spirituality and mentality.” “Going forward, I believe it is time to inculcate those values clearly among Malaysians through campaigns and education. Then the values would become more than a slogan but perhaps may become part of the elusive ‘Malaysian identity’,” she added. Echoing Syaza, Singapore Institute of International Affairs Senior Fellow Oh Ei Sun said “madani” is not an everyday word used by Malaysians and so had to be properly explained. He gave the example of “Islam Hadhari” which was first introduced by former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. “Of course, Abdullah Badawi had to explain to a wider audience what was meant by ‘hadhari’ as it was not part of the everyday vocabulary,” he said. Awang Azman Awang Pawi of University of Malaya said that “Malaysia Madani” can become the foundation of a civilised and progressive society. The associate professor of the Department of Socioculture said that the concept should not just be translated into the government’s policy-making but embedded in every level of society. Read more at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/02/01/can-anwars-malaysia-madani-concept-succeed-where-previous-slogans-have-failed/52205
