Latest news with #i-RISE
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Anwar: Reforms must be gradual amid political realities
by AUFA MARDHIAH PRIME Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended the government's gradual pace of reforms, citing the political realities of leading a coalition without a parliamentary majority. Speaking at the launch of the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance University's (Inceif) International Centre for Research and Innovation in Islamic Economics (i-RISE Centre) today, Anwar said Malaysia's current political structure demands wisdom and consensus-building, rather than abrupt changes that risk destabilising the administration. 'We have 82 seats under Pakatan Harapan (PH) — not even a simple majority. So yes, it has to be done with 'hikmah' (wisdom),' he said. He also stressed the importance of cross-party consensus, especially among coalition partners such as UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN), to ensure sustained reform momentum. 'We must get consensus between the key parties…that's how we embark on support for alternative programmes like INCEIF or i-RISE,' he added. Responding to criticism from those demanding faster reforms, Anwar cautioned that rushed moves could backfire under current political constraints. He also pointed to the broader failures in Muslim-majority countries, stating that the problem lies not in the absence of Islamic principles, but in endemic corruption and abuse of power. 'The flaw is not that we lack Islamic instruments — it's that they are blatantly corrupted,' he said. Despite the challenges, Anwar reaffirmed his administration's commitment to consistent progress. 'Every month and every year, there must be some progression. There is no turning back,' he said.
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Anwar: Islamic economics must prioritise governance, real-world impact
by AUFA MARDHIAH PRIME Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is urging scholars and practitioners to re-centre Islamic economics around good governance, clear policy frameworks and tangible impact, instead of relying solely on halal compliance or anti-'riba' rhetoric. He further emphasised that said Islamic economics must address structural flaws in Muslim countries, particularly those related to wealth leakage and systemic inefficiencies. 'Our countries are not poor. Poverty exists because of the abuse of power and endemic corruption. 'If we ignore governance, Islamic economics risks becoming hollow,' he said at the launch of the International Centre for Research and Innovation in Islamic Economics (i-RISE) in Kuala Lumpur today. He stressed that governance and macroeconomic policy should be treated as core pillars of Islamic economic thinking — not afterthoughts — and urged i-RISE to lead in this area. 'You can talk about trillion-dollar halal industries, but if we cannot even break into new markets or support Malaysian business interests, the numbers are meaningless,' he added. Anwar also noted that the halal sector must evolve beyond product certification to include active participation in global value chains and joint ventures. True sustainability in Islamic economics must reflect values of justice and compassion, rather than adopt surface-level environmental goals. He called on scholars to integrate issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), energy transition and digital transformation into the Islamic economic discourse, stating that these are no longer optional fields of study. 'This is not just about Islamic versus conventional finance. We need to build an inclusive, humane and future-ready economic system rooted in our moral and spiritual principles,' he said. He also urged the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (Inceif) and i-RISE to position themselves as drivers of both national strategy and global Islamic economic leadership. i-RISE is the latest Centre of Excellence under the ISRA Institute, complementing two existing entities — the Centre of Excellence for Islamic Social Finance (CoEISF) and the Centre of Excellence for Applied Shariah in Economics and Finance (CASHiEF). It is designed to go beyond conventional academic research by positioning itself as a national and global platform for innovation, policy engagement and multisectoral collaboration in Islamic economics. The initiative is supported by the Islamic Economics Research and Innovation Fund (IERIF), a strategic fund introduced under the national budgets for 2024 and 2025. Administered by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the fund has so far channelled over RM12 million into high-impact research and academic programmes, including projects on micro-takaful for underserved communities and ethical labour market reforms.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Reforms take time, require consensus of all Madani govt partners, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Carrying out major reforms is a gradual process that requires consensus from all parties within the Madani government, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister acknowledged some quarters have questioned the pace of reforms under his administration, saying that there had been progress, albeit not as fast as hoped for. "For those who are impatient and want it fast – they are blinded by the facts and reality," he said, adding that Pakatan Harapan has 81 MPs, including 31 from PKR. "It is not even a simple majority," he said in his speech when launching the i-RISE Centre of Excellence here on Tuesday (June 10). He said that it was necessary to get support for reforms, including from the ruling elite and professionals. "Where do you begin? Can you undertake massive reforms in a year, or two or three? "I don't know – but what I know is that there's no turning back. "I am certain every month and every year, there must be some progression," he said. Anwar, who is also Pakatan chairman, said that the coalition must work together to implement the necessary reforms. "We are fortunate because Umno and Barisan Nasional have turned out to be one of the core pillars committed to reforms," he said. He added that the process of carrying out reforms should not be taken for granted, as it still requires crucial negotiations, discussions, and engagement. "If we do not get the consensus with key parties, including GPS and GRS, how would we get support for programmes like this?" he said. In a social media post on June 8, Subang MP Wong Chen said he was taking a two-week break to ponder his future in politics. The three-term PKR backbencher expressed concern that Pakatan had spent 15 years forming the ruling administration but had shown little progress in terms of reforms. Wong said more could be achieved if backbenchers in Dewan Rakyat pushed the Madani government harder on reforms.
