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. In the Star today, Anwar was reported saying, "We still have long way to go to truly realise the Madani vision."
Institutional reform is foremost in their mind but it had to take a backseat to secure a political stronghold and more pressing is the current economic challenges. It can be an explosive political minefield to venture at the current juncture.
But it is still better than the F grade given to opposition.
pMalaysia Madani is a policy framework by Anwar 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 Islam. ISEAS's Mohd Faizal Musa wrote a poser: How is 2.0 different from 1.0?.
Challenges
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.
On the same note, the Sarawak oil issue can be a major setback for Madani since Petronas is a major source of Federal government funding. It limits the transition towards sustainable development and funding for social programs.
The Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63) have been percolating throughout Najib's administration after the neglect of Hussein Onn and Mahathir administrations and kept underlid through shrewd political manouvre.
It will be a test on Anwar's leadership ability to correct the past wrongs and bridging the seemingly troubled waters 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.
Through the early part of last week, the Star too highlighted three areas of political challenges to the Madani Government; namely Malay voters, non-Malay voters, and youth.
Malay voters
In last Tuesday November 19th, it highlighted that the rank and file reception to the Barisan-Pakatan partnership is still lukewarm. On paper by virtue of GE15 results, the partnership appear formidable and dominant.
According to academic analysis, the "unity government can capture the hearts and minds of Malay voters by showing that it is able to defend their interest and Islam as the religion of the federations".
Dr Oh Ei Sun is of the opinion that socio-economic issues would play a key role in determining which side will get the Malay votes.
It is not just the claim of Lokman Noor Adam, but USM's Dr Azmil Muhammad Tayeb too saw the trend of UMNO voters casting for Perikatan to return to vote back UMNO.
The rate of "vote transferability" remain a challenge for Pakatan to secure Barisan supporters' votes. Madani government still need to convince the Malay voters.
Non-Malay voters
The non-Malay votes seemed in the bag for Pakatan. However a no show can turn things around as happened at the Sungai Bakap by-election where a double effect to UMNO voters giving votes to Perikatan.
The non-Malay voters comes with a different level of expectations. They are less dependent on government handouts but what is said and done matters.
Mind the words and actions. They need to be treated equally and not be taken for granted.
PN too needs non-Malay support. They have reached the limit with Malay votes.
To capture constituencies like Sungai Petani, they need at least a 20% non-Malay vote swing. In areas with slight Malay majority, they need 30% to 40% non-Malay swing to win.
Currently, Prof Wong Chin Huat is of the view Perikatan could hardly swing 10% non-Malay votes with their ethno-religious attack on minorities which currently takes the form of proxy attack on China and to a limited extent, India.
The youth is the most critical but yet the trickiest segment of voters. Its unpredictable.
The Millenial generation grew in the age of advent in the Internet, petsonal computers and personal communication. They have their own unique traits and liberated psychological profile.
However in the more rural areas, product of PAS's Pasti kindergarten turning out the opposite with blind loyalty or wala towards non-authority political clergies.
Young Malaysians generally are seeking upon the leadership to address the prevailing problems relevant with their age group relating to employment, rising cost of living, stagnating wages, affording home ownership, and bureaucrasy.
They need more engagements and personal touch from the elected MPs and state assemblymen.
On another aspect of youth, Anwar need to get his young fledglings from PKR to buck up and stop with the defensive excuses. The usefulness of fiery campaign speeches, formulaes and deceptive propaganda ends upon attaining their place in government.
Past words in audio and videos will be rewinded and reminded to haunt them. Without scandals of 1MDB preportion, it will boil down to the deliverable and not stage performances any more.
When the novelty wears off, youth votes gravitate away from young leaders to older one in favour of Perikatan. Geostrategist Azmi Hasan rated the older BN Ministers with A grade. Zahid, Mohamed Hasan and Azalina comes out effective.
For the opposition, they have been in government and their past deliverables too will be held to account.
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