Ekonomi Madani should be supported by all

We in G25 express our support and admiration for Ekonomi Madani as announced by the Prime Minister on July 27. In launching his visionary approach to the country’s economic development, he strongly emphasized that he wants to make Malaysia a leading country in South East Asia, not only in terms of achieving sustainable GDP growth, but also in ensuring the equitable distribution of the expanding economic cake to all levels of Malaysian society. G25 finds this focus on equitability very appropriate and timely. This is linked to at least two of the six core values of the Masyarakat Madani concept - sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust, and compassion.

Ensuring equitability directly contributes to prosperity and compassion. This is so that the lower income groups and the less fortunate families and individuals will get their fair share of the economic opportunities arising from the fast-expanding economy. We believe that this economic vision is consistent with YAB Anwar’s long-standing belief that growth by itself does not create the fairness and justice for the rakyat. The PM believes that the government itself must act decisively to bring about the distributive objective. We agree with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on his vision that in strengthening the growth process, the poor must also benefit from the expansion of job and income opportunities.