DATUK Seri Ibrahim’s government, now recognised as the Malaysian Madani Government, is one that takes a moderate approach – the middle line which is neither left nor right; not extreme and not exclusive.
Moderate politics or the middle way, is the best way to create a just society and forge a united progressive democratic country.
Muslim Malays who want an extreme and exclusive approach such as that advocated by Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, Menteri Besar of Kedah, are critical of and deride outright the policies of Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani Government which demonstrates moderation.
The narrow, extreme and exclusive policies of Perikatan Nasional (PN) supported by PAS and Bersatu may gain the support of some Muslim Malays in the states on the East Coast and the North of the Peninsula. However, most Malaysians in most states and that includes Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis – be they Malay or non-Malay, Muslim or non-Muslim, find the moderate policies upheld by the Madani Government more acceptable and are at ease with them.
The extreme and exclusive policies of PAS and Bersatu under PN cannot truly uphold the spirit of cooperation and fair sharing of power among Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. This is a major drawback of PN.
Conversely, the firmness of the Federal government led by Anwar Ibrahim in implementing the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 is among the key reasons why this Federal government will stay. This is one of the core strengths of the Madani Government.
Granted Anwar embraces the essence of the Federal government, or federalism based on justice, fairness, responsibility and democracy, and balances the interests of the states and regions using the power of the Central government, then support for this government will only increase and will be well- received by the general public even in the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah as well as Sabah and Sarawak. This will reinforce support for the Madani Government.
Muslim and non-Muslim communities begin to open their eyes and try to understand the Madani concept and its philosophy which has its roots in tradition, history, culture and universal teachings of Islam.
It prizes human dignity and humanness, it upholds human rights and the principles of integrity and accountability in the fields of economy, politics and administration. It is a powerful response to counter the extreme and exclusive political ideology based on race and religion, propagated by PAS and Bersatu PN.
Since PN takes an extreme right-wing political line, it is difficult for it to get the support of the majority of people throughout Malaysia, whether in Peninsular Malaysia or Sabah and Sarawak.
Granted the Madani Government commits steadfastly to:
(i) fight corruption both in word and in deed;
(ii) restore the economy of the people and the country;
(iii) improve the governance of the administration; as well as
(iv) effectuate changes in the material life of the people, address the issues of cost of living and increase income; and
(v) at the same time, provide direction for social, political and ethical development. This will ensure that the multi-racial, multi-religious peoples live as one nation.
Thus, there is hope that the Madani Government led by Anwar Ibrahim will remain. – July 31, 2023
The author is the PKR Member of Parliament for Pasir Gudang