Two-year Madani: Reflection and Contemplation
Without scandals of 1MDB preportion, it will boil down to the deliverable and not stage performances any more.
Thick as a Brick
Asked to comment, an elderly Chinese lady whose excited over the 60% saving for her traffic fines at the Two Years of Madani Government programme at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, gave an A+ grade for Matani.
Its a total opposite to the failed grade given by former lecturer, Dr Samsuri. Perhaps, the grading criteria of the Terengganu Menteri Besar is flawed.
His state generated the least GDP, dependent on compassionate fund from the Federal government, and need contribution from Federal to give bonus to state employees, but yet reward himself with the highest salary among Menteri Besar/Ketua Menteri.
Anwar Ibrahim was uninterested to prolong the polemics to willingly accept D grade from BERSIH.
Institutional reform is foremost in their mind but it had to take a backseat to secure the political stronghold and more pressing current economic challenges. It can be an explosive political minefield at the current juncture.
Its is still better than the F grade given to opposition. In the Star today, Anwar was reported saying, “We still have long way to go to truly realise the Madani vision.”
pMalaysia Madani is a policy framework by Anwar Ibrahim to focus on good governance, sustainable development and racial harmony in the areas of economy and finance, legislation, institution, education, community, culture, urban, and rural.
Madani takes its roots from the Medinah Constitution (Piagam Madinah) that was introduced by Prophet Muhammad upon his arrival in Yathrib (Medina) in 622 to establish a new community. The document was considered an example of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural constitution.
When Madani concept was first introduced by Anwar in 1995, it took the form of civil society. The current reintroduction takes the form of Maqasid As Shariah (higher form of syariah). Critics of Malaysia Madani associate it to post-Islamism or tendency to resecularise political poser: How is 2.0 different from 1.0?.
Bernama, in their column, marked the milestone as “Two-year Madani govt: Turning challenges into accomplishments“.
Madani was given tribute in championing “tatakelola” principle, fiscal reform, keeping inflation under control, tackling bureaucrasy, FDI, digital transformation, halal market, reviving economic growth, and resilent ringgit,
After two years, it has reached a pivotal turning point towards a more equitable future for inclusivity in the pursuit for growth and continued stability and progress.
Political challenges
The Sarawak oil issue can be a major setback for major setback for Madani since Petronas is a major contributor to the Federal government source of funding. It limits the transition towards sustainable development and funding for social programs.
The Malaysian Agreement have been percolating throughout Najib’s administration after the neglect of Hussein Onn and Mahathir administrations and kept underlid by shrewd political manovre.
It will be a test of Anwar’s leadership to correct the past wrongs and bridging over the seemingly troubled waters to turn it into a win-win situation. Read “Petronas vs Petros: Resolve it once and for all“.
In addition to the economic challenges, Bridget Welsh in her November 23rd Malaysiakini commentary observed the modest Madani electoral swing, tethered alliances, a Madani political cartel taking shape, and personalised power centred on Anwar.
