[COLUMNIST]: Global MADANI Awards - Propelling Malaysia onto the World Stage

Who would have thought that one day Malaysia would confer its own honours on individuals who contribute to the advancement of humankind? In the Western world, such accolades come in the form of the Nobel Prize. Envisioned by the Swede, Alfred Nobel, the prize acknowledges those who bring the greatest benefits to humanity each year in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. Not only do the recipients get a significant cash reward, they also receive the highest recognition that the world could offer.

It is interesting that the West has chosen to acknowledge and reward the work of the world’s best thinkers and peacemakers in this manner. It is akin to them saying, ‘Look at how much emphasis we are placing on knowledge and the intellect’. It is therefore only right that Asia, and especially Malaysia, which is regarded as an advanced Islamic nation, has its own prize that represents the finest in Asian and Islamic values.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s book entitled Gelombang Kebangkitan Asia and his ideals and philosophies put together in the form of Malaysia MADANI have served just cause for the fact that Asia and the Islamic World need its own version of the Nobel Prize. The Malaysia MADANI concept that stresses nation-building via the highest values and principles, of which good governance and the fight against corruption are its vanguard, ought to be championed not just within Malaysia but beyond its shores.

Evidently, this would be an arduous task as corruption has become a systemic disease in the country and a scourge that is hard to fight. Equally difficult is the task to improve on administrative practices and policies, both at the government level and in the private sector, which requires the efforts of everyone involved. When met with clear resolve and steadfastness, such uphill challenges will eventually succeed, God willing.

In the 15 months since Anwar Ibrahim has taken office as Prime Minister, much has been done to uplift the status of Malaysia as a progressive country. Often met with criticism, such efforts require an extraordinary amount of political will and coordination as an astounding 19 parties make up the Unity Government! This mishmash of principles and ideology, as well as a host of different demands, make this unique style of governance difficult to navigate and require fairness and careful consideration each time when moving forward.

A few long-term plans have been announced to pilot Malaysia towards its goal of becoming Asia’s success story. The Malaysia MADANI concept, the MADANI Economy concept, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Energy Transition Roadmap have all laid the foundation for the Prime Minister’s nation-building ambitions. In truth, the Malaysia MADANI concept is not new, having existed since the 1990s via the notion of a ‘MADANI Citizenry’. Then, in October 2022, the prime minister redeveloped the concept when he penned the book, Membangun Negara MADANI: Visi dan Kerangka Dasar Reformasi.

It is in this same spirit that the Global MADANI Awards was birthed. Organised by The Policy and Economic Affairs Centre Malaysia (PEACE Foundation) and launched by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof on January 24, the awards aim to honour, celebrate, and support international transformative contributions to society that embody the six pillars of Malaysia MADANI, namely Sustainability, Care and Compassion, Respect, Innovation, Prosperity, and Trust. Malaysia MADANI, therefore, isn’t an empty rhetoric but a paradigm that becomes the base of governing the country. It serves to create a prosperous nation that upholds fairness and equality. This idea is unique as it is universally understood and embraced by all races, faiths and nationalities.

In my view, such a moderate school of thought is greatly needed in Malaysia, considering the recent politicking that has resulted in growing racial tensions. Our society has become fragmented due to both extreme liberal and closed-minded views. Our government needs to fix this, else we are just a catastrophe waiting to happen. Malaysia MADANI is thus the panacea to the far left and far right views of many in the country, the antidote that will bring everyone back to the negotiating table. Malaysia MADANI is also a political thought that is conservative but one that is able to defend the ideals of the country’s constitution, which has served to maintain peace in the country and, at the same time, drive it forward.

It is, therefore, not so unusual to propose that the MADANI concept should be introduced to the world. After all, Malaysia will be the chair of ASEAN in 2025. Through the Global MADANI Awards, the best thinkers around the globe can be invited to hold talks on topics like Artificial Intelligence and Ethics, Energy Transition Sustainability and Resilient Economies.

The PEACE Foundation has been entrusted by the government to design a set of criteria for the Global MADANI Awards that are comparable to those of the Nobel Prize. I am confident that with these awards, we would give recognition to those who are truly deserving of their respective fields of study, create new intellectual figures, and turn Malaysia into a mecca of knowledge and advancement in Asia. It is no longer enough to be a follower. Malaysia needs to rise and become a leader for countries in the East.

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Mohd Hassanal Bolqiah Mohd Yusoff is the Chief Executive Officer to the Policy and Economic Affairs Centre Malaysia (PEACE Foundation)

** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.