Remarks by Anwar Ibrahim at the SAGIA Noor 2008 Forum, Madinah, 23rd June, 2008
Ladies and Gentleman.
While it would be superfluous to harp on the importance of research and development in knowledge based industries (KBIs), the issues of focus cannot be overstated. We know that the market is indeed hungry for the entire spectrum of knowledge based products ranging from aerospace and ICT products to precision and scientific tools. The more intensive the use of high technology, the greater reliance will be placed on R&D advances. We would imagine that from the vantage point of strategic policy the state’s focus will be on sustainable development.
As they say, in a knowledge economy, the trajectory of R&D cuts across every spectrum and becomes not only a key driver but the main fulcrum for economic advancement. We know that the development of KBIs is now springing up as a catch all phrase sometimes employed without serious consideration of its implications. From another vantage point we are really referring to enhancing market competition, which is not just a question of breaking down protective barriers and opening tenders for contracts to the best bidders. That is of course absolutely necessary for transparency and accountability. But the principle also entails the fostering of entrepreneurship and creativity so as to remove crutches and enable indigenous enterprises to grow into significant entities able to hold their own.
This is all subsumed under the rubric of a humane economy where corporate governance, transparency and accountability are active indices of responsible government. And these will remain elusive sound bites without an advanced information infrastructure. From the material standpoint, we need this infrastructure to keep abreast with the speed of industrial and economic development on a global scale. But perhaps even of more profound significance, open and responsible governments cannot actualize their ideals without this fundamental platform. That is why we see a correlation between the levels of knowledge, information infrastructure and the state of the economy. Intra economy correlations can also be noted where the disparities are reflective in the GINI coefficient. Where these disparities are not checked, the risk of a digital divide increases manifold, quite apart from the obvious growing chasm between the rich and the poor.
The competitive advantage of nations may be attributed to a host of R&D factors. For one, the need to attain critical mass and maintain a gene pool of expertise may be a prerequisite for staying ahead of the curve. Traditionally, the United States and Japan as pioneers and innovators in this regard, enjoyed first mover. This is where nations like Saudi Arabia and those in the region with substantive capital cushions can blaze the trail in carving a niche in strategic R&D investments. China and India for example have already embarked on this road trying to strike the right balance between the private and public sector driven initiatives.
It has been said that R&D will count for nothing if it does not enable the establishment of responsive knowledge-creating institutions so that firms may tap into and enhance their innovation capabilities. Cutting-edge IT universities for instance would indeed be one of the most salient indicators of R&D investment. This advanced infrastructure must be supported and nurtured by the strength of the human capital behind it. This is just to amplify what I said earlier about the need to shore up a critical mass of talent and this would include scientific, technological, entrepreneurial and managerial expertise.
A more comprehensive framework must be considered encompassing core economic policy imperatives. The key to advancing the economy will be the streamlining of the bureaucracy to make it more conducive to foreign entry and to strengthen investment protection laws. Building a symbiotic relationship between the respective stakeholders is crucial. Once we get past the gates of these imperatives, we need to consider the political, ethical and cultural factors that can enhance the Kingdom’s role as an innovator in the region.
We also need a holistic concept of development which aims at balanced growth and an improved quality of life. Economic objectives, environmental protection, gender equality and social goals must be welded into a seamless whole. We cannot overemphasize the primacy of growth which promotes distributive justice instead of wealth accumulation by the few.
There is no question that companies ought to be more accountable to their stakeholders but history tells us that gargantuan corporations are fundamentally averse to doing business in uncharted waters. The lure of maximizing profits remains ever so appealing. We are told that the classic Prisoner’s Dilemma phenomenon means that market forces tend to dissuade individuals from taking steps towards a greater good unless there is reassurance that the rest of the market will follow suit. Are we to fold our arms and luxuriate in the hope that the invisible hand will always appear at the right time to correct all these externalities?
In the wake of the IT explosion in the late 90s, an intense search for the answer that would benefit society as a whole was answered by a system of “e-governance†which streamlines and reduces costs in the delivery of public services and, more significantly, provides the maximum level of transparency and disclosure. This is quite apart from what I have alluded earlier, that a sound IT infrastructure is essential for global corporations to conduct their business operations seamlessly.
Again, we cannot overstress the importance of the issues of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and ethical business practices. Similarly, a culture of transparency in the KBIs is an imperative but this transparency cannot be expected without transparency in political governance. There is also the overriding issue of accountability and corruption. But if we agree that corruption is the greatest impediment to development in the Muslim world, then key areas such as judicial reform, the media and civil liberties must also be addressed.
Thank you.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
can u give a bit comment on monetary policy?? Will the gov. increase the OPR because of inflation?? When OPR increase will it strengten our Ringgit? as our domestic production decrease due to the increase in interest rate what will happen to standard of living??
Salam buat DSAI,
Tahniah kerana memberi ucapan yang bernas dan berisi didalam SAGIA Nor 2008
Forum diMadinah.
Ayat ‘ precision and scientific tools ‘ yang DSAI sebutkan didalam furum tersebut
jua haruslah di gunakan dalam proses memikat 30 MP BN untuk lompat kedalam PR.
DSAI haruslah mengunakan strategi yang precision untuk memberi sudden death kepada
kuasa BN yang angkuh yang tidak memperdulikan sengsara rakyat. Rakyat dah beri amaran awal didalam PRU 12, tetapi menteri menterinya masih bersikap bongkak.
Rakyat tak sanggup menunggu 4 tahun lagi untuk merobohkan BN.
Ada formula ajaib yang boleh digunakan untuk membantu rakyat, negara kita ni
kaya raya, ada minyak, ada sawit, ada bijih timah, besi, emas, ada balak. Hanya
pemipin yang bijaksana dapat memberi kesenangan kepada rakyat.
Diharap DSAI akan dapat mencari pakar memikat untuk memikat 30 MP BN ni, 2 MP
mana cukup…..Jangan tunggu lama lama, politik tak kenal belas kasihan seperti
mana yang DSAI pernah alami.
Salam.
DSAI,
great one..
SALAM DSAI.
SAYA RASA TAKTIK BARISAN RAKYAT SEKARANG NI, SEBENARNYA ADALAH YANG DIINGINI OLEH BN, BN MEMULAKAN SATU ISU DAN MENARIK BARISAN RAKYAT BERDEBAT MENGENAINYA.
APA KATA TUKAR TAKTIK…BIARKAN KERAJAAN DENGAN ISU MEREKA, DAN BARISAN RAKYAT MULAKAN ISU YANG LEBIH RASIONAL IAITU MENUNJUKAN TERUS KESAN AKIBAT DARIPADA DASR YANG KERAJAAN BUAT.
CONTOHNYA, MASALH KENAIKAN HARGA MINYAK,,,,BARISAN RAKYAT BOLEH PERGI KE KAWASAN PEDALAMAN DAN MENUNJUKAN KESUSAHAN MEREKA AKIBAT SUATU DASAR YANG DIBUAT OLEH KERAJAAN. CARI KETIRISAN DASAR TERSEBUT.
KEMUDIAN PUBLISHKAN DAN TUNJUKAN KEPADA RAKYAT, APA YANG KERAJAAN BUAT TIDAK TEPAT.
SAYA RASA INI LAGI BAGU DARI BERDEBAT TTG ISU-ISU YANG DIMULAKAN OLEH KERAJAAN, ITU SEMUA TAKTIK UNTUK MENGALIH TUMPUAN RAKYAT, LEBIH SENSASI SEKIRANYA MENDAPAT SOKONGAN BARISAN PEMBANGKANG.(mASUK DALAM PERANGKAP KERAJAAN)
Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor mendakwa ahli keluarga Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim baru dilantik sebagai penasihat Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB), sebuah syarikat milik kerajaan Selangor.
Apa salahnya, jika yang dilantek itu memenuhi kratiria untuk memacu dan meningkatkan lagi KDEB. Apa yang kita tak mahu ialah ahli keluarga yang tidak berkelayakan mengetuai sesuatu badan.
Ezam mencari modal untuk MT Umno yang akan bersidang untuk sama ada meluluskan kemasukannya semula kedalam Umno.
Dulu diluar Umno, ibarat anjing menyalak bukit, membawa kotak2 nak mendakwa kes2 rasuah mereka yang berprofail tinggi yang kebanyakannya berada didalam Umno. Mana kotak2 tu. Apa dah jadi.
Mana janji2nya. Sekarang nak bersekongkol dengan mereka yang dah terpalit dengan najis rasuah.
Inilah dasar manusia MUNAFIK, DESPRADO YANG BERSIFAT PHD. Nak tahu baca buku 50 TANDA-TANDA MUNAFIK
Assalamualaikum Ayah Anwar…..
Memang diakui idea dan personaliti Ayah Anwar diakui oleh rakyat di seluruh dunia, cuma yang tidak pandai menghargai INTAN MELAYU yang ada di MALAYSIA adalah UMNO dan pencacai-pencacainya sahaja……
Saya harap Ayah Anwar terus memperkukuhkan PAKATAN RAKYAT agar tidak dikatakan Rapuh, Rosak dan sebagainya….. Semoga Perjuangan Ayah Anwar diberkati ALLAH hendaknya.
sekian, terima kasih.
P/S: Kalau Ezam tidak berjaya menjadi ahli UMNO, adakah Ayah Anwar menerima Ezam ke dalam KEADILAN?
Sekian, terima kasih.
-Anakmu, Anak Reformasi.
Datuk seri,
This is a good strategy to attract the muslim businessmen into investing in the Pakatan Rakyat states. Therefore, if we remember ourselves as muslims, then muslims must also help each other. For me, applying the Islamic principles is best transparency in every form of dealings. Wallahu a’lam
Dato Seri,
I am really concern regarding the situation in this country especially the political and the economy situation in this country. Our currency (Ringgit Malaysia) at the moment are down against other countries argentina currency at the moment. The current goverment even fail to hightlight the situation at the moment. Will the situation be worst then 1997 crisis? iam really concern and hoping pakatan rakyat would be able to take over this current goverment as soon as possible. Please strengthen the pakatan party members to form a good foundation. At the moment the current goverment has lost their direction to bring the country foward. It looks more like at the moment they are try to clean up or covering up their mistake. What MB of selangor Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is a very bold and courageous step. I salute him . I hope that his ex-aide understand the step that he has to made its not easy for the sake of the party and the selangor goverment image. I hope that this will change for the better when Pakatan Rakyat take over Putrajaya
A very concern rakyat
Bismillah hir rahman nir rahim
Saudara DSAI
Seorang badut yang baru lahir dari keturunan UMNO dah mula nak menunjuk kewibaan di malaysia.Baru-baru ni bukan saudara aku iaitu Mohamad Ezam telah memberi komen atau mendakwa ahli keluarga DSAI menjadi penasihat KDEB di selangor.Bagi pendapat saya “why not let it be” dari kaca mata saya ahli keluarga DSAI boleh dikatakan ber Karisma untuk menjadi penasihat sesuatu BADAN takkan nak lantik katak yang suka melompat kerjanya dan membuat bising dikala hujan tiba , apa punya manusia macam ni.
Dan Mohamad Ezam “JANGAN NAMPAK KUMAN DISEBERANG JE , GAJAH DI DEPAN MATA WALAUPUN PAKAI KACA PUN DA TAK NAMPAK ” tolong Mohamad Ezam betulkan keluarga PM,TPM,AHLI PALIMENT.MENTERI BESAR,Menteri & ADUN BN dahulu ( Da 50 Tahun da buat hal ) Muhamad Ezam tolong jangan buat kerja yang tak balance ingat pesan Hadis Qudsi ni ” Ada setengah hambaku yang memakai pakaian bulu kambing di depan orang ramai, akan tetapi hati mereka lebih pahit dari jadam, dan lidah mereka pula lebih manis dari madu , mereka mengelirukan orang ramai dengan agama mereka . Apakah dengan AKU (allah) mereka cuba bermegah diri? Demi diriku (allah) , Aku bersumpah akan AKU (allah) turunkan suatu bencana keatas mereka yang akan menyebabkan orang yang bijaksana terpinga-pinga.” Riwayat Ibnu Asakir dari SITI AISYAH r.a.
Saudara DSAI banyak-banyaklah bersabar dengan badut seorang ni, insyakallah badut ni akan insaf sebelum malaikat maut datang menemuinya.
Datuk Seri, im proud of Datuk Seri because you know the importance of R&D but the point is some people at Putrajaya dont know!
All they know is to allow a 1970s technology from Japan to be use by Malaysian. Im talking abount Proton. The 2007 Saga, We all know saga is the old Mitsubishi in the 70s but yet Proton sell it on today.
The world is talking about Hydrogen car (using water to move a power train) but yet nothing is done by the gov. The worst is they dont even think of hybrid engine. So therefore they had fully give up on R&D. They only know what is transfer of technology (the easy way out). Korean for example is moving forward, we see how a korean car from heavy fuel consumption had been improved to fuel economy car using VVT engine. That is what technology is all about. When Volkswagon want to takeover Proton they say no. Now Volkswagon is investing RM2.6 billion in Thailand. We had once again miss a big investment because of our incompetent policy. It has to be scrap but it takes Datuk Seri to do when you reach Putrajaya. Please capture Putrajaya.
Anwar pun kadang-kadang tu ada juga ‘candik’nya. Keras, dan mau orang ikut dia je.
Kesian TS Khalid. Sabar la Tan Sri.
Itu sebab bagi orang beragama, bila dah berumur camni dah malas nak berpolitik lagi. Dia pilih untuk mengasingkan diri buat amal ibadat je. Pergi memondok pun baik. Duit dah banyak. Lain la TGNA atau TGHA.
Sebab bila dah berkait dengan ‘ramai’ ni tu la jadinya, Tan Sri.
Transparency and accountability is never an easy policy to be implemented in government. History had showed how difficult for the head of the government (The Ruler) to adhere this policy as it require sacrifying thier close people or supporter who violates the rule.
Say is always easy than done because in reality it is human nature that easily succumb to the temptation of bribe. Corruption is never able to be 100% eradicated. The best we can do is to have check and balance, hence it is important for a country to have independant judiciary department, ACA and police forces. On top of it, a country also need strong opposition party to be the mirror to the present government whereby the administrator of the 3 indepandant agency are elected by people rather than appointed by Government.
Assalamualaikum DSAI,
Datuk Seri,
Another area that Datuk need to look into is the Palm Oil Industry. As published few weeks ago, it was estimated that about RM50 billion revenue will be be generated out of this industry. Out of which, only 13 big companies (IOI, KLK, SIMEDARBY etc) will benefit most from this. For your info the actual cost to produce palm oil from the plantation and mill is only RM900-1000 but today the oil is sold at a price of RM3500/mt, These companies are making RM 2500 every single mt they produce. Total production of the year is estimated 16mill mt.
For Felda - Everybody knows where the money goes-Rusia, leaving the peneroka struggling for their life.
Having involved in this industry for >15 years, I’m very sad to see all these because it benefited few people or companies in the country. Pekebun kecil and peneroka masih lagi di takuk lama.
Indonesia even smarter than us. At least they imposed export tax to all palm oil products so that they can give back to the rakyat…Kerajaan kita samada tutup mata sebelah or sleeping…
ternyata DS punyai material seorang PM!
Salam Dato Seri,
Congrats on another good speech in Madinah. I echo the sentiment stated by Pengikut Setia on the need to focus our R&D. Recent writings by prominent economists have stressed on the need to develop cluster economies in the region, and we must look into focusing our hard earned ringgit into research areas that makes sense. Investing in the automobile industry, when we do not actually have the competitive advantage, either in terms of market size, or technology, is a futile effort. Malaysia is rich in natural resources and blessed with fertile soil. We should spend more R&D in these areas to harness its potential to the max. Lets look into ways of enhancing and diversifying our agriculture, aqua culture, and similar industries, tapping into new areas and increasing production in existing ones. Is it not an irony that despite the abundance of rain and plenty of agricultural land, that we are still a huge importer of food? We should also intensify our efforts to look into alternative energy - solar power, ethanol from vegetation, etc. Our country is also not short of capable knowledge workers, and proper incentives and a conducive environment must be given to ensure that these people do not leave the country for greener pastures elsewhere. How else are we able to do effective R&D without the proper brains in place? If good governance and accountability is present in our government, I will place my bet that many of the brains that are now working overseas will be more than willing to come back into the country even with a lesser paycheck. I know this, because I am one of them. We look forward to Dato Seri putting our country back on the right track.
Dear Dato Seri,
Please advise the PAS govt of Kedah not to proceed with their logging plan for Ulu Muda, because that is the last primary lowland forest in Peninsular Malaysia that is remaining, and it is clear for all to see just how opportunistic the PAS is to start their logging. They will leave Kedah environment totally CORRUPTED, just like they did with Kelantan.
Kedahans will regret voting for PAS just like in Terengganu, but for the environment of our country it will be too late….
This logging does not leave a good impression on everyone who is aware or will be aware of the importance of the environment for future Malaysians, and just makes me very angry with all these PAS LOGGERS who by logging shows they care only about SHORT TERM PROFIT.
Dato Seri, I believe you have the intelligence to lead Malaysia, but NOT one of these PAS jokers. Logging Ulu Muda so soon after the election shows the true color of PAS and their GREED for MONEY.
From someone who is intelligent enough to know right from wrong.
Anak Malaysia