Hadi Awang Criticizes Anwar’s “Madani” Vision, Outlines PAS’ Foreign policy Stance
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – In a pointed critique, PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang has dismissed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim‘s “Malaysia Madani” (Civil Malaysia) slogan as “empty rhetoric” lacking genuine substance.the remarks, delivered Monday, signal a clear divergence in ideological approaches and highlight PAS’s ambitions for greater federal influence.
Anwar introduced the “Madani” concept in 2023, framing it as a reset for Malaysia, balancing the nation’s Malay majority and Islamic principles with inclusivity for its multi-racial population. He emphasized that development should leave no one behind.
However,Hadi countered that a truly “civil” society is one where Islam holds the authority to govern. He accused the current administration of reducing “Madani” to a superficial slogan intended to mislead the public with a ”shallow understanding” and “devoid of true knowledge.”
PAS Weighs In on Global Conflicts & South China Sea
Beyond domestic policy, Hadi’s address also outlined PAS’s outlook on key geopolitical issues, further demonstrating the party’s readiness for a larger role in national governance.
regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, Hadi attributed the conflict to “Western provocations” against states challenging Western dominance. He also condemned what he described as “brutality” in the Gaza conflict, suggesting it was contributing to Israel’s growing international isolation.
However, the PAS President reserved his strongest foreign policy commentary for the contentious South China Sea. He urged for “serious attention” to the situation,advocating for a resolution through “diplomacy and strengthened ties among regional states.” Malaysia, along with several other Southeast Asian nations, has overlapping territorial claims with China in the resource-rich waters.
hadi warned against repeating the historical pattern of Southeast Asia becoming a battleground for larger powers, drawing parallels to the devastating consequences experienced during the World Wars. He called on the government to adopt a “prudent and firm” neutral stance to prevent the region from becoming a proxy for superpower rivalry.
This articulation of PAS’s foreign policy positions underscores the party’s growing confidence and its intent to present a distinct vision for Malaysia’s future on the international stage.
Keywords: Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, hadi Awang, PAS, Madani, South China Sea, Ukraine, Gaza, Geopolitics, Islam, Foreign Policy.