Displaying items by tag: diversity

Malaysia is regarded by many as a quintessential state in which "prosperity thrives in diversity". Evidently, being one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse societies in the world does not stop Malaysia from being an essential regional economic player, and one of the most peaceful countries on earth.

In a famous quote, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Badawi proclaimed that "we do not want a situation in Malaysia where we have first-class facilities or infrastructure, but a third-class mentality".

Undoubtedly, the economic and infrastructural feats that Malaysia has achieved since the early 1990s would amount to nothing without an equally capable human capital to steer them. This central idea is reflected in Tun Abdullah's eight thrusts of human capital development policies:

a) To implement added improvement in the delivery system of education and training in order to remain qualitative and relevant with the need of time;

b) To strengthen the National School as the first choice school for the various races in Malaysia in order to promote national unity;

c) To narrow the gap in performance between schools in the urban and rural areas, that would include the upgrading of teaching quality infrastructure, facilities and the posting of experienced teachers to rural schools;

d) To develop higher learning institutions with an international level status, and to ensure that education and training at the tertiary level meet market needs;

e) To make available more opportunities and access to education and training and lifelong quality education at all levels;

f) Develop an innovative and creative society which has strong knowledge and ability in science and technology and the capability to acquire and utilise knowledge;

g) To strengthen national unity and develop a society with a progressive perspective, high-performance culture, noble value system and appreciation of tradition and heritage; and

h) To extend and orderly arrange forums, discussions and consultations between the government, private sector, parents and society in the development of human capital

In general, Malaysia has experimented with several nation-wide campaigns related to human capital-building. Among these are the Wawasan 2020 (1991-2020) campaign launched by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad which envisioned Malaysia as a self-sufficient industrialised nation by the year 2020, empowered by a balanced, modern, and competent society, but deeply rooted in local values; and the Islam Hadhari (2004) campaign spearheaded by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 10 points, emphasising the role of Islamic thought in deriving theories of good governance and integrity across all levels of society.

The then Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, himself had introduced two programmes under his belt. First, was the 1Malaysia (2010-2018) programme that promoted working together beyond identity markers towards a shared vision of harmony, unity, and government efficiency. The second project was the TN50 (Transformasi Nasional 2050) initiative, which picked up from Wawasan 2020's deadline, and looked 30 years further with a special aim to sharpen Malaysia's global competitive edge in the spheres of economic development, citizen well-being and innovation.

More recently, the short-lived PH government (2018-2020) had introduced a policy campaign centred around socio-economic equality called the Wawasan Kemakmuran Bersama 2030 (Shared Prosperity Vision) in 2019. As the PN government took over in Feb 2020, this campaign was carried forward and its policies kept intact, citing the larger benefit for all Malaysians, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.

Collectively, these campaigns have directly or indirectly captured the various essential elements that define the Malaysian reality. These include, as many researchers have shown, a strong sense of socio-cultural identity, the indispensable role of religion, and the natural proclivity towards economic prosperity. Any model of human capital development that fails to appeal to these local dimensions or neglect them would risk a model that is incompatible, or worse, destructive to Malaysians.

This was aptly pointed out by Prof Rahman Embong, Malaysian sociologist, in his inaugural speech (July 20, 2017) as the principal fellow of the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (INTEGRITI). He emphasised the pressing need for any national model of integrity to be locally-tailored, organic and home-grown based on Malaysian ideals and realities. Merely transplanting foreign models that may have different values and moral references may unlikely be as effective as it was in their original socio-cultural terrains.

Prof Rahman reviewed several comparative models. The Greek temple model by Jeremy Pope, for instance, visualises the western ideals of integrity by having pillars representing societal institutions, which in turn support the roof represented by "the rule of law", sustainable development and quality of life. This model, however, does not offer much flexibility and turned a blind eye to the role of religion and its values – clearly grounded in western renaissance experience and history of organised religious institutions.

Another example is the Bird's Nest model which is built upon 'materials' or 'twigs' gathered from its near surroundings. The Bird's Nest model provides an illustrative metaphor on the importance of local resources as well as the need to organise institutions in an integrative manner. This updated model proposed by Charles Sampford provides flexibility and adaptability for societies to build their own model of human capital.

Prof Rahman eventually, came out with his own model for Malaysia, named as the sea turtle model. The sea turtle is an excellent metaphor due to several reasons: sea turtles are native to the Nusantara of which Malaysia is a part; they have a strong sense of direction throughout their inter-continental journeys; they are often associated with virtues such as perseverance, modesty, and longevity; and their struggle against the increasing threat of human avarice and destructive practices perfectly sums up the goals of integrity.

In this model, the shell represents the core values that need protection: the civil society, the family institution, and the community. The executive powers are the head; politics and economy are the front driving flaps, and religion and socio-culture are the guiding rear flaps.

In short, while models of human capital are bound to evolve and improve, what should remain as a constant principle is the recognition of local values and realities. This will ensure not only the feasibility of the model but also its effectiveness.

Dr Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil is Deputy CEO, International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia;

Ahmad Badri Abdullah is Research Fellow at International Institute for Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia

Wan Naim Wan Mansor is an Analyst at IAIS Malaysia

This article is dedicated to Tun Abdullah Badawi, the 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia, in conjunction with his 81st birthday on Nov 26, and updated from a version published in 2017

Published in: New Straits Times on Tuesday, 01 December 2020

Source NST: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2020/12/645885/human-capital-and-legacy-tun-abdullah-ahmad-badawi

Wednesday, 14 September 2011 10:57

Peace & Security: Islamic Perspectives

IAIS Malaysia & Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) will convene a One-Day Forum highlighting Islamic teachings on Peace & Security from Islamic perspectives. Seven speakers offer presentations addressing theoretical and pragmatic issues on how Islam conceives of peaceful relations within society, and harmonious relations between nations.

 

Venue: IDFR, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jalan Wisma Putra, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

Date: 4rth October 2011 (Tuesday)

 

Time: 09:00am - 04:30pm

 

Read more from the event link here >> Peace & Security Forum,  Tuesday 4th October 2011

 

Wednesday, 18 May 2011 14:07

Palestine's Hidden History of Nonviolence

Last weekend, as tens of thousands of unarmed refugees marched toward Israel from all sides in a symbolic effort to reclaim their right of return, the world suddenly discovered the power of Palestinian nonviolence. Much like the "Freedom Flotilla," when nine activists were killed during an act of nonviolent international disobedience almost a year ago, the deaths of unarmed protesters at the hands of Israeli soldiers drew the world's attention to Palestine and the refugee issue............ Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Wednesday, 03 August 2011 10:58

Islam has no Room for Terrorism

There are two groups promoting the concept that Islam is tolerant of terrorism. The first is those wishing to hijack Islam for their political purposes and who have distorted and misquoted religious text to justify their abhorrent actions. The second are those who wish to spread fear and hatred of Muslims to suit their political or economic agendas, and similarly distort and misquote religious text to claim that Islam condones such abhorrent actions. However, mainstream traditional Muslims are and always have been very vocal in condemning both such extremist groups.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

 

by Katherine Marshall, Executive Director, The World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD), Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs (Georgetown University – Washington D.C.)

 

Read more from the event link here >> IAIS Seminar,  Monday 9th August 2010

 

The energy required for transforming Muslim thinking and action must arise from within Islam itself. Jihad is one of Islam’s most potent concepts having a complex history and tradition. The challenging task of re-conceptualizing Jihad is a matter of great urgency. Islamic Peaceful-Action is offered in humility and with an awareness of its possible perceived inadequacy among many Muslims. This is a sketch demanding more refined comprehensive treatment, and testing in different Muslim societies. Yet there is utility in this example of re-conceptualization if it helps to provoke other attempts at re-appropriating critical concepts. And God knows best......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

 

Friday, 01 July 2011 13:35

JIHAD–A Bird’s Eye View

In Islamic experience Jihad joined two primary meanings:  Peaceful Striving inviting to revealed truth as an individual inner spiritual discipline through self-sacrifice and suffering; and Combative Struggle as the external social and political manifestation of this primary interior attitude. This basic distinction between individual and communal levels of activity provides the ideal goal for Muslim religious striving in all its forms. This essay offers a concise overview of Jihad and its continuing existential significance for the Muslim community today.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

 

Thursday, 16 June 2011 13:32

The Concept and Value of Peace.Security (Salm)

What was the original context and significance of ‘peace’ in Islam? The concept of salm ‘peace-security’ in early Muslim experience is re-examined from linguistic and historical aspects, and aligned with the contemporary understanding of Human Security......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

 

Sunday, 16 October 2011 13:21

Is Peace Normative in Islam?

The centrality of peace in Islam is manifested by its nomenclature: Islām signifies peace, and then also in the daily greeting of Muslims: “as-salām alaykum / peace be upon you.” As-Salām is also one of God’s Most Excellent Names (al-asmā’ al-ḥusnā); while God praises those who act with humility and peace: “the servants of The All-Merciful are those who walk the earth with humility, and when the ignorant address them, they reply: peace! (al-Furqān 25:63). On the other hand, instigators of violence and war are condemned: “Whenever they kindle the fire of war, God extinguishes it. They strive to create disorder on earth and God loves not those who create disorder” (al-Mā’idah 5:64)........ Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

 

pen

The terms ‘unity’, ‘integration’ and ‘diversity’ have multiple layers of meaning in the religious context. While religions emphasize unity and integrity, they also address the issues of diversity.

 

When understood properly, unity does not mean uniformity and thus does not invite oppression and closure. By the same token, diversity does not mean chaos and lack of order. Both unity and diversity have a function within the larger context of things. But this context is not confined to the socio-political dimension alone. A broader understanding of these terms will help us understand the religious discourses of unity, diversity and integration. It will also lead to a more critical assessment of the Enlightenment and western modernity.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)


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