New project alert: Anwar with his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the groundbreaking of Residensi Wilayah and Residensi Prihatin Madani as well as Pusat Penjaja Madani in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur. – FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
More efforts are needed so that the people can understand the framework
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Madani concept needs to be better explained to the people by the government and its leaders, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the public might also need time to understand Malaysia Madani as it is a comprehensive framework.
“But, it is the responsibility of our machinery and leadership to work harder in order to realise and translate this concept to the public,” he said after attending a groundbreaking ceremony for a public mixed development project called Residensi Wilayah, Residensi Prihatin Madani and the Madani hawker centre at Bandar Tasik Selatan here yesterday.
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).
Anwar was responding to queries over the recently concluded polls for six states, which saw Perikatan Nasional making a near clean sweep in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, while making significant inroads into Selangor.
On this, Anwar said the Malays should not be blamed for voting for Perikatan at the polls.
“I disagree with some blaming the Malays, claiming that they are easily influenced by racial and religious sentiments.
“Instead, it is our challenge to reach out to them,” said Anwar, who added that the youth should also not be punished for being influenced by racial and religious sentiments.
According to him, the rise in fascist ideologies isn’t surprising because it is a global phenomenon, where right-wing ideologies are gaining traction.
“It is not something out of the ordinary. In Europe, despite advancements in technology and education, they still saw a rise in fascism and neo-Nazi beliefs.
“It is also increasing in the United States, where there is a belief called the Christian right,” said Anwar, who added it was crucial for leaders of the unity government to address the matter with better public outreach.
“I stressed this in the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that we should carry out our duties with sincerity as it is impossible to be rejected due to sincerity and for being against corruption,” said Anwar.
“Sometimes, people are also unaware that the leaders they support are multimillionaires. I don’t want to blame them.”
He also appeared unfazed over calls for him to resign by Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over the unity government’s performance in the state polls on Aug 12.
“We maintained our victory and we still have two-thirds (majority) in Parliament. I advise him to focus on his court cases,” said Anwar.
Last Sunday, the former prime minister asked Anwar and deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to resign from their respective government positions due to the outcome of the recent polls, where Perikatan won all the 32 seats in Terengganu, 43 of 45 seats in Kelantan and 33 of 36 seats in Kedah.
Pakatan and Barisan Nasional managed to win 29 of 40 seats in Penang, 34 of 56 seats in Selangor, and 31 of 36 seats in Negri Sembilan.
