Abdullah receiving a guidebook on courtesy and noble values from children after launching the campaign.

KUALA LUMPUR, January 12 (IslamOnline.net) - The Malaysian prime minister has launched a five-year campaign to instil good values among Malaysians, making it a national agenda and warning that becoming materially rich with eroding values had led to the collapse of various civilizations.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Tuesday, January 11, the Budi Bahasa dan Nilai-Nilai Murni (Courtesy and Noble Values) campaign was to ensure that the people would not only be highly skilled and educated but also possess the right values, The Star Online reported Wednesday, 12 January.

“The country’s aim to become a developed nation hinges greatly on the cultivation of correct values and culture among the people, which include transparency, trustworthiness, integrity, fairness, honesty and accountability,” he added.

History, he said, had shown that empires had collapsed when there was decadence in society.

“A country will become greater if its citizens practise a noble culture. It’s no use for the Malaysian society to be rich materially but a pauper in terms of character,” he said at the launch of the campaign at Istana Budaya.

Mentality

Abdullah said the expression “First Class Infrastructure, Third Class Mentality” aptly reflected the concerns many Malaysians had about today’s society.

He explained that the country's economy, infrastructure, development and use of technology had advanced.

“However, our mentality and attitude have not progressed in tandem but have declined instead,” he added.

The erosion of values, he said, had resulted in “negative syndromes” such as inconsiderate driving and disrespect for public property being accepted as norms. 

“We have placed courtesy as a fundamental and a thrust in our national development policies and philosophies, from the Rukun Negara to Wawasan 2020.

“However, it is clear that our aspirations in the area of mental and spiritual development are not reflected in the present realities,” he said.

Strong Identity

The prime minister said Malaysians should guard against being influenced by the coarse and aggressive behaviour portrayed in the media.

“If we want to become a competitive country with a strong identity, we must build up our inner strength and learn how to face life with a more critical and wiser mind,” he said.

He hoped that counter staff in the public services and enforcement officers would serve with greater friendliness, courtesy and willingness to assist.

Malaysian Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the campaign would target all levels of society.

He said it would involve various ministries and departments, adding that his ministry would be monitoring the progress and weaknesses.

Badawi was recently chosen along with his Turkish counterpart by the Newsweek Magazine as “shining examples of Muslim leaders”.

On December 22, Badawi received a doctorate from an Indian university in recognition of his relentless efforts in developing Malaysia and promoting international peace and understanding.

Malaysia offers the image of a very successful Muslim country, 60% of the population are Muslims, heading towards the status of developed nation with huge buildings, beautiful cities and a fast track economy that is doing well despite recent shattering events.

The prime minister campaign comes as the country is still healing from the aftermath of the quake-triggered-tsunami disaster that killed tens of thousands of people in eight Asian countries.

But Malaysia was spared the worst of the waves because it was sheltered by Sumatra island which bore the brunt, experts say.

Expressing his country’s readiness to offer relief aid and work to other Asian countries to come up with warning systems, Badawi declared Wednesday, 29 December that prayers for the thousands of Asian victims will, this year, replace celebrations, to usher in the new year.