Malaysia Madani scholars forum cultivates a culture of healthy discourse

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Madani Scholars Forum (FIM), held for the first time yesterday by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) in collaboration with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), is expected to foster a culture of healthy discourse.

According to the Wilayahku portal, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the forum serves as an agenda and platform aimed at exploring, questioning, and challenging various policies being implemented by the government.

“This involves open and constructive arguments and criticisms.

“In addition to being a space for collaboration among and between the government, heads of government-linked companies (GLCs) and government investment companies (GLICs), scholars and academics, industry players, higher education institutions, field experts, and entrepreneurs,” he said on Facebook.

Anwar mentioned that the forum will be held regularly, on a monthly basis, with the collaboration of five other GLCs as a starting point: PETRONAS, Digicelcom, Maybank, Khazanah Nasional, and Perodua.

He noted that these five GLCs will each address topics related to the economy, Artificial Intelligence, fintech, poverty, and sustainable transportation.

“I actively participated in this debate and almost answered all the questions raised, including those regarding the situation and issues related to low wages and the government’s efforts to address them.

“For example, we have many young individuals among the hufaz, but this should not be limited to memorization alone,” he said.

He added that the government should encourage them to strive to master other critical and urgent fields.

He emphasized that this aligns with the government’s broader framework regarding the integration of students from tahfiz schools into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

“Here, the government will be able to enhance the future prospects of tahfiz students and, to some extent, currently help them secure better wages.

“A round of applause to TNB as the first GLC to successfully host the Malaysia Madani Scholars Forum last night,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar expressed hope that the collaboration among all parties present at the forum could be strengthened for the benefit of the people.

TNB is a well-known entity that has been serving the public for the past 75 years.

Anwar revealed that he conceived the idea for the forum when he first took office as Deputy Prime Minister.

The forum has chosen the theme “Energy Transition for the Future Well-being of the Nation.”