PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has taken direct aim at the “Malaysia Madani” framework introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, dismissing it as nothing more than a political gimmick designed to mislead the public.
Delivering his keynote at PAS’ 71st annual congress in Kedah, Hadi set the tone with the theme “Returning to Islamic Solutions,” while casting doubt on the principles underpinning Madani. He argued that the concept mirrors Western-style reformist movements, using labels such as liberal Islam, secular Islam, and progressivism, which he described as distractions that could lead Muslims astray.
According to Hadi, the true meaning of madani is rooted in Islam taking full authority over human governance, with Prophet Muhammad as the supreme guide for the modern world. He contended that Anwar’s version has been stripped of substance, reduced to little more than a nationalistic catchphrase lacking depth, knowledge, and universality.
“Malaysia Madani,” he claimed, has been limited to a narrow geographical scope and fails to provide meaningful direction. He likened it to other global systems that he argued have collapsed or are in decline, such as socialism, communism, and liberal capitalism, which he said run against human nature.
The congress, attended by more than 4,400 delegates, also saw key Perikatan Nasional figures including Bersatu’s Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau, and MIPP president P Punithan. Their presence underscored the broader opposition bloc’s alignment around PAS’ narrative.
Hadi further linked his critique to Malaysia’s current economic challenges. He pointed to the country’s rising debt burden and reliance on financial systems he associated with usury, arguing that both the World Bank and IMF reflect a model hostile to Islamic values. He urged restructuring of the economy so that wealth does not remain concentrated in elite circles, insisting that true justice comes through broader public participation and moral governance.
He added that development should be balanced across urban and rural areas, ensuring no community is sidelined. He framed corruption and misuse of resources as products of weak moral foundations, which he argued can only be corrected through faith and Islamic principles.
By positioning PAS as the bearer of Islamic governance and dismissing Madani as a deceptive front, Hadi sought to rally supporters around the party’s claim of offering genuine solutions to Malaysia’s political and economic crises.
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