Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Two-year Madani: Reflection and Contemplation


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 could not be bothered with the polemics and willingly accepted D grade from BERSIH as better than F. By the way, opposition were graded F by BERSIH. 

In the Star today, Anwar was reported saying, "We still have long way to go to truly realise the Madani vision."  

Madani

Malaysia Madani is a policy framework by Anwar Ibrahim to focus on good governance, sustainable develoment 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 the Madani concept was first introduced by Anwar in 1995, it takes the form as civil society. Anwar reintroduced the concept in the form of Maqasid As Shariah (higher form of syariah). 

Critics described Malaysia Madani as post-Islamism or tendency to resecularise political Islam. In a ISEAS publication, Mohd Faizal Musa poser: How is 2.0 different from 1.0?

Bernama, in their column to mark the milestone, "Two-year Madani govt: Turning challenges into accomplishments", accounted successes in championing "tatakelola" principle, fiscal reform, keeping inflation from going out of control, tackling bureaucrasy, FDI, digital transformation, halal market, achieving economic growth, and resilent ringgit, 

After two years, it has reached a pivotal turning point for a more equitable future for Malaysia with inclusive growth in the pursuit for continued stability and progress. 

Political challenges  

Bridget Welsh commentary on November 23rd commentary in Malaysiakini highlighted the modest Madani electoral swing, tethered alliances, a Madani political cartel taking shape, and personalised power centred on Anwar Ibrahim himself. 

Through the early part of last week, the Star too highlighted the political aspect of Madani; the need to continue to convince the Malay voters, non-Malay voters, and the critical but unpredictable youth.    

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. 



However, there is reluctance by BN supporters to vote Pakatan. The unity government stand to lose between 13 to 26 seats in the Peninsular from this distrust.
  

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.   



The non-Malay votes seemed in the bag for Pakatan. However a no show can turn things around as happened at the Penang by-election when UMNO voters gave their votes to Perikatan. 

To the non-Malay voters, what is said and done matters. Mind your 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 ceiling for Malay votes and require at least a  20% non-Malay vote swing before they can have any significant presence in any Parliamentary seats such as Sungai Petani. 

Prof Wong Chin Huat argue Perikatan win a 10% swing with the ethno-religious attack on minorities.  


The youth is the most critical but yet the trickiest segment of voters.



The young Malaysians generally wants leaders to address the problems of jobs, cost of living, stagnating wages, home ownership, bureaucrasy and more engagements by the MPs and state assemblymen.   

Seriously, Anwar need to get his young fledglings from PKR to buck up. The usefulness of fiery campaign speeches and deceptive propaganda ends upon attaining their place in government. After a while, past words will gets rewinded and reminded. 

Its all about deliverable and not stage performances any more. For the opposition, they have been in government and their deliverable too will be held in comparison. 

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