KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 19): Malaysians must not neglect moral values, ethics and humanism in the nation’s journey to strengthen its economy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar emphasised the three core components in his speech mandating the “Malaysia Madani” framework on Thursday, in addition to good governance, as being critical to ensure sustainable, holistic development of the nation.
“In the realisation of Madani, we emphasise on the strengthening of economy and culture, but the core is moral values, ethics and humanism,” said Anwar.
“There needs to be a collective awareness among us to revive the strength of the nation — there are good values that need to be revived and nurtured."
The prime minister said a country, steered solely towards advancement, risks collapse when tainted by wrongdoings and corruption.
“While we struggle with matters of economy, technology and digital, and as we drive growth, we do not leave behind values and humanism.
“Leaving it behind means we accept certain ideas and become permissive, making us compromise with corruption, wrongdoings and oppression,” Anwar said in his speech, during discourse on ‘Developing a Madani Nation’ at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
The Madani framework emphasises six values, namely sustainability, well-being, creativity and innovation, respect, confidence and courtesy.
Restructuring to a 'humane' economy
Anwar, in the speech, described the concept of a “humane economy”, which in the context of Madani is the “philosophy of development that is holistic and steered by empathy, ethics and anchored on the principle of justice and welfare”.
Pointing to Malaysia’s 136,000 households in hardcore poor category and another 308,000 still in poverty, Anwar pointed out that a “humane economy will certainly reject unbridled capitalism which was partly practiced by us previously”.
“A small group of the richest control almost all aspects in the country — as if our entire machinery does not have the capability to identify new companies or new groups that can be trained and uplifted to expand the opportunities [for growth].
“Without social justice, what happens is that an unfair system, be it privatisation or others, sees continuous robbery — if not controlled by political strength that is transparent, and good governance.”
Anwar also touched on the unity government’s role, on how it will continue to utilise the strengths of the partners regardless of political blocs or ideologies.
“However, all weaknesses must be stopped. The biggest weakness, for me, is the administration methods which take advantage to enrich a small group of people,” he said.
The government, he said, could save around RM5 billion to RM6 billion by fixing the weaknesses related to procurement pointed out by the National Audit Department in the past, and billions more by improving the strength of enforcement bodies in terms of transparency and execution.
This is “impossible” to be achieved by the ministers alone, but “must begin with the upper management”, Anwar said.
In the restructuring of the nation’s economy, the “focus must change from just looking at mega projects, to projects that could benefit the most people”, he said.
“There needs to be a clearer approach for SMEs to be given the chance to uplift themselves,” he added, pointing to how SMEs make up 70% of employment, and 38% of Malaysia’s GDP.
“The steps to be announced in Budget 2023 will bring us back to basics,” he said, including expediting approvals and putting an end to processes that offer commissions to parties who do not deserve them.
“I am confident, looking at the abilities of political leaders, the civil service and the private sector, that Malaysia’s name can be lifted again,’ he added.
In looking forward, it does not mean that past wrongdoings will be swept under the carpet, he added.
“We put our trust in the enforcement agencies and the judiciary. However, riches gained illegally, in my opinion, must be returned to the country and the rakyat,” he said.