KUALA LUMPUR - The unity government’s commitment to wiping out poverty is evident in the Malaysia Madani framework which sets out poverty eradication as one of its three main strategies.
Over 60 years have passed since the nation attained independence but poverty still prevails with 136,000 households in the hardcore poor category and 308,000 households in the poor category as of July 2022.
The two other strategies of the Malaysia Madani framework, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 19, are restructuring and restoring the economy, and generating the economy.
The Malaysia Madani framework, which lays out Anwar’s vision of a civilised, skilled and inclusive society, is firmly anchored in six core values, namely keMampanan (sustainability), kesejAhteraan (prosperity), Daya cipta (innovation), hormAt (respect), keyakiNan (trust) and Ihsan (compassion).
The framework has what it takes to restore Malaysia’s dignity and glory but its successful implementation will require the cooperation of all segments of society.
In terms of its approach to tackling poverty, what are the strategies the government can implement to help ease the burden of the poor in line with the principles outlined in the Malaysia Madani concept?
ADDRESSING HARDCORE POVERTY
Commenting on this, Dr Muhammad Iqmal Hisham Kamaruddin, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, said the government can think of new short-term or long-term approaches to eradicate poverty.
He said currently the government, through the Department of Social Welfare, extends various types of short-term aid to needy groups such as persons with disabilities and senior citizens but, in line with the Malaysia Madani framework, new aid programmes that are appropriate to their needs and the current situation as well as the nation’s finances must be devised.
He also urged the government to work out long-term initiatives that would include human capital development.
"Human capital development must be implemented so that the poor and hardcore poor communities are not only physically ready but also mentally prepared for the change in their standard of living. This will include providing them with skills-based training and educating them on financial management... they can use the knowledge they gain to improve their standard of living,” he told Bernama.
He said this vision conforms to the views of Economy Minister Mohd Rafizi Ramli who was recently quoted as saying that efforts to turn Malaysia into a high-income nation must focus on its sustainable development goals, knowledge-based economy and national technology development.
"When vulnerable groups are given the necessary training and help to start their own businesses or join the workforce, the local communities must help by supporting them. This includes buying their products or using their services or offering them jobs that suit their skills,” said Muhammad Iqmal Hisham.
He said the government must also come up with strategies to harness the strength of all stakeholders so that they can do their part to prop up the domestic economy and help to free the poor from the clutches of poverty.
To enhance the resilience of the domestic economy so that it is not swayed by external economic uncertainties, the government must give more incentives to encourage the growth of local industries notably those involved in producing food-related goods and services for the domestic market.
"This can reduce our nation’s dependence on food imports,” he pointed out.
TIMELY
Institut Darul Ehsan executive director Datuk Ismail Yusop, meanwhile, views the Malaysia Madani framework as something that is timely and significant for the unity government to mobilise considering that Anwar has vast experience and the maturity to manage the nation.
"It has been four decades since Anwar embarked on his political career as a youth leader and he has held various important posts in the government including as deputy prime minister. So I’m confident he and the government he leads will be able to realise this framework. He is assertive enough to take advantage of our nation’s strengths, namely our plural society which is bound by the Constitution.
"What’s more, in these post-normal times, we can no longer address current issues using conventional methods. This is because the current situation is rather different and more chaotic,” he said.
Ismail also said the Malaysia Madani framework is deemed important enough to be implemented as the nation is in need of a new and fresh approach to help the people escape the quagmire of socioeconomic and political problems.
"Why is it important for us to inject a breath of fresh air into the nation-building approach? We have to do this because the problems we have today are different from those we faced before. Today, most people’s perceptions are easily influenced by the negative elements that go viral on social media and our world has also become more open and liberal now, thus allowing outside influences to enter easily.
"So if the government led by Anwar wishes to implement the Malaysia Madani framework, we must all give them the space to do it during their term in office so that we can see the results. Therefore, political stability must be maintained and only from there can we build a harmonious and prosperous nation whilst celebrating the diversity found in Malaysia,” he added.
BE AGENTS OF CHANGE
Ismail also opined that in their efforts to develop a nation-state, Malaysians must dare to be agents of change and should not allow the nation to drift away with the currents of modernisation at the expense of human values.
"For example, in the issue of corruption, must we just keep quiet without making an effort to change the situation? Corruption has become systemic with the perpetrators themselves having no feelings of guilt.
"As such, we must not just point the finger but look into what kind of measures can be implemented to arrest graft particularly at the executive level and among civil servants and the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani, a lecturer at the School of International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia, said the essence of social justice, which is one of the main objectives of the Malaysia Madani framework, should be defending the poor and wiping out poverty.
One of the causes of poverty, he added, is the existence of rampant corruption which usually occurs top-down, that is, from the top management to the lower ranks.
"If the leakages caused by corrupt activities are controlled proactively, the government can save a lot of public funds which can be utilised to help the poor.
"Anwar himself has made it clear that he will not tolerate any form of misappropriation (of funds) and corruption. Whatever belongs to the public must be returned to the public,” he said.
Mohd Azizuddin also hoped that Malaysia Madani is not misunderstood as a concept that is only applicable to Muslims. As he pointed out, the term Madani is, in fact, linked to the concept of civilisation which is also suitable for application in a multiracial society.
He said in espousing the Malaysia Madani concept, Anwar’s government hopes to eradicate various issues plaguing the people, such as poverty, social injustice and corruption.
"PM Anwar is confident that the Malaysia Madani concept will help restore Malaysia’s dignity because its nationalistic goals place emphasis on the prosperity of the people which will bring about happiness and is for the common good,” he added. - BERNAMA