KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 — The Malaysia MADANI framework launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in January this year has drawn international attention.
This was attested to by Dr Nor Aini Abdul Rahman, senior consultant at Haffin Media and Consultancy, and Assoc Prof Ts Dr Samsul Ariffin Abdul Karim, an associate professor with Software Engineering Programme and deputy dean, Research and Innovation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), in an article on the framework.
The policy framework and government slogan introduced by Anwar on Jan 19 covers sustainability, care and compassion, respect, innovation, prosperity and trust, and is aptly termed SCRIPT based on the initial letters of the six values.
The article, carried in the THOUGHTS column of the Bernama.com portal, points out that the framework was well received by South Korea and countries in the Middle East as well as Islamic scholars around the globe.
It elaborates that the MADANI framework is in line with the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI) launched by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol which aims to foster a comprehensive partnership between ASEAN member states and South Korea.
“South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin states that the initiative (KASI) launched in late 2022 under the purview of the Korean Indo-Pacific strategy, could further strengthen the relationship with Malaysia as both sides commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Look East Policy (LEP) this year.
“The Foreign Minister further states that what South Korea tries to achieve through KASI matches the core values of Malaysia MADANI,” said the article entitled ‘The Malaysia MADANI Framework: How Other Countries View the Framework’.
It said the two frameworks are based on mutual care, compassion, respect and trust, and that both countries will pursue a sustainable and prosperous future by tackling common challenges through innovation.
The article also said that countries in the Middle East have also shown support for the MADANI framework by participating in Islamic forums which saw the participation of prominent Islamic scholars.
Among these scholars are the former grand mufti of Egypt Dr Ali Gomaa; founder and dean of the Dar al-Mustafa seminary in Tarim, Yemen, Habib Umar Hafiz, and the imam of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Dr Ekrima Sabri.
The article also said that distinguished Islamic scholars from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Gambia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Australia and Indonesia have also shown their support for the MADANI framework.
“If PM Anwar continues to invite Islamic scholars to the country, Malaysia could be seen as a country which supports various Islamic ideas and (this) will eventually contribute to the economic and cultural benefits for the country and, possibly, lead the Muslim world one day,” it said.
The article said the Malaysia MADANI framework looks promising as it focuses on the key elements of a successful economy that considers factors such as competitiveness, ease of doing business, and combating corruption.
The article can be accessed at https://www.bernama.com/en/thoughts.
