This is the second article on how Malaysia can leapfrog in its holistic development and advancement. The focus is on practicality.
Madani is the most comprehensive and enduring policy framework and government slogan introduced by Anwar Ibrahim, the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Madani is an acronym for a policy that embraces six core values – keMampanan (Sustainability), KesejAhteraan (Prosperity), Daya Cipta (Innovation), hormAt (Respect), keyakiNan (Trust) and Ihsan (Compassion).
It is a concept whose time has come. It could be applied to overcome the challenges inherited from the previous administrations. The global realities of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) should also taken into consideration.
The key challenge is “How to introduce this framework to gain acceptance by the rakyat?”
The Answer
The best time to introduce Madani is during our Malaysia Day celebrations. It is too late now for the coming celebrations. We could plan it for Malaysia Day 2024 celebration if we start now.
Most countries celebrate their National Day by spectacular parades and a national holiday. The people go on a shopping spree, take holidays , and basically have fun.
Perhaps, it is time that we take it to a higher and more meaningful level to provide a platform for ordinary rakyat to show patriotism and the government could implement desired projects with the involvement and participation of the people.
Madani for Malaysia Day
Malaysia Day should provide an opportunity for Malaysians to demonstrate their loyalty by contributing to their country by following the six core values of Madani. Participation is strictly voluntary.
This could start off at a housing estate or kampung level, then a town or district level, followed by state level and ultimately to the national level.
At the 1st level or housing estate or kampung level, the community will think of a small project that will benefit their community. Here, the Residents Association will hold a town hall style meeting to identify problems within the community. A single solvable problem will then be chosen.
They are usually small projects like a children’s playground, a community centre, water supply or street lighting.
The Resident Association will then specify their contributions to their selected project, either in kind or in money. The balance of the budget will then be sourced through corporate sponsorship, government contribution or any other means.
A competition will be held after a one-year period during the next Malaysia Day celebrations. A commemorative plaque and possibly prize money will be presented to the winning entry.
This competition can be upscaled to the higher levels by elevating the scale and the time-frame. For example, a national project could take up three years or more.
Why Madani?
- Sustainability – This social project could be held during Malaysia Day celebrations. So long as the people, the sponsors and the government are interested, it is sustainable.
- Prosperity - Every project brings new improvement to the community. Thus, prosperity in its broadest sense will prevail. It will also foster goodwill and festive spirit.
- Innovation - The project will inspire creativity and inspiration as the community has to think hard on how they could benefit from it.
- Respect - The government and its people earn respect from each other through jointly working on the project to completion
- Trust - Trust among the people in the project community and between the people and the government is meticulously cultivated.
- Compassion - Projects to help the less fortunate and to eradicate poverty. Those working on the project will understand what poverty means. Is project will nurture compassion to their fellow human beings and bring about a more equitable society.
On top of the above, this concept also fulfils the principles of Rukun Negara.
Implementation
This proposal for a Madani Malaysia Day celebrations concept may be simple but it has to be carefully studied and planned.
It is suggested that this project be announced during the Malaysia Day celebrations. Ideas and feedback are to be solicited from the rakyat. The government should set up a portal for this purpose.
NGOs, Resident Associations, professional bodies, commercial organisations as well as the business sectors are to be invited to be involved.
Conclusions
This proposal not only satisfy the aspirations of the Madani concept but also instil patriotism, the muhibah spirit, gotong royong and bring each community closer together.
The writer Dr.YKK will be writing a series on this “Leapfrog” and welcomes feedback contributions from the readers. He can be reached at mindwrite@outlook.com
Below is a link to my interview on National Day Celebrations:
Celebrating Your National Day More Meaningfully to bring Benefits to Your People : https://youtu.be/CSyEcyGA8R8
Video Credit: DrYkk Yew
Freelance Writer Yew Kam Keong (Dr.YKK) is a former government official with over 24 years of service. He is a professional writer and speaker. Besides this, his passion is on creativity and innovation. He has been acknowledged as a Distinguished Talent on Creativity and Innovation by the Australian Government and a former international creativity adviser to Lego. Dr.YKK is a member of AWAI (American Writers and Artists Inc.) and currently practising as a copywriter. He is also a bestselling author and his book: “You Are Creative-Let Your Creativity Bloom” is now in its 7th Edition and published in 7 languages. You may contact him at mindwrite@outlook.com
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