KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 16): The 'Madani' framework, which is based on six holistic and interconnected components, is an important set of values to live by and used as a guideline in the formation of a nation-state, said Institut Darul Ehsan (IDE) executive director Datuk Ismail Yusop.

He said the six values — sustainability, well-being, creativity and innovation, respect, confidence and courtesy, were highlighted in the book 'Developing a Madani Nation: Vision and Framework for Reform Policy' authored by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"Each prime minister has his own theme that he brings, and for me, what Datuk Seri Anwar has adopted is part of the chain and process to build a nation-state.

"For example, in the Prime Minister's New Year's address, he emphasised the importance of governance that involves all levels of society, including the people.

"... and because of that, to move forward, we need a philosophy that provides a framework for all parties, from the leadership to the people, to make changes together," he said during the ‘Ruang Bicara’ programme produced by Bernama TV, on Monday night.

Touching on the value of ‘ihsan’ or courtesy, Ismail said that social life in Malaysia with its diversity of religions, races and cultures required each individual to show mutual respect through unifying values, thus avoiding prejudice and misunderstanding.

"Among other things touched on in this book is corruption, it is the biggest problem, and is not easy to solve. If we talk about corruption, it happens ‘systemically’, that's the word that Datuk Seri (Anwar) used, meaning it's as if people no longer feel guilty about it and consider it normal.

"It requires self-reflection, an aggressive and comprehensive approach in building a team at the leadership level of civil servants and the people who should receive services from the government," he said.

Ismail said the book published by IDE, which will be launched by the Prime Minister on Thursday (Jan 19) features Anwar's ideas from his political experience and vast knowledge gathered from reading, spanning over four decades.