The economic slogans of Malaysia that fascinated the world

Malaysia is one of the Islamic countries that has stressed its economic power in the world through its unique experiment that turned it into an Asian tiger, included development in all fields starting from economy, passing by education, and  ending up with health and culture. Today, the process of economic development, which Malaysia has achieved, is one of the most prominent successful stories that International Monetary Fund and the economic super powers are presenting as example. So, what is the secret behind this success?

The first slogan that Malaysia raised and worked hard to achieve through Malaysian open minds was: "Quality and export is the core of economic development." That was the slogan which Mahatir Muhammad raised in Malaysia, when the people realized that Islam is the religion of moderation. Therefore, they worked to achieve two main principles which are:

1- Achieving equality in terms of income: namely, making most of the citizens belong to one class to have equal percentages of developmental revenue.

2 - Decreasing poverty: where achieving equality in terms of income increased the poor's possession to the land and promoted the levels of skills. Poverty was fought within development plans through economic strategies adopted by government at that time. As a direct result to this strategy, levels of poverty went down from 3.9 % in 1990 to 1.5 % in 1999.

Hence, we observe the importance of the experiment led by Mahatir Muhammad when he interpreted these theoretic goals to reality lived by the Malaysian people. It has become the focus of universal admiration where these policies turned Malaysia from agricultural country lives on planting and exporting rubber to an economic tiger lives on exporting developed technology and get about 4800 dollars as a result of export revenue, exceeding the American individual's share which was 3100 dollars.

`Abdullah Badawy succeeded Mahatir Muhammad and established the second slogan which is the Cultural Islam which had ten principles as follows:

1- Having faith in Allah and achieving piety: because he believed that fearing Allah leads to successful acts and the most just relationships among people.

2- Just and trustworthy government: judged by a just ruler, and Shura council; and both are entitled to deliver rights to its people, safeguarding the interests of individuals, and others.

3- Freedom and independence of the people: as being the greatest and main importance in human life.

4- Mastering sciences and knowledge: because knowledge is the main pillar to the renaissance of the nation.

5- Inclusive economic development: where it cares for a human being.

6- Improving the quality of life: in terms of providing its necessary requirements.

7- Safeguarding the rights of minorities: because it has a role in the developmental integration of society.

8- Good manners and good cultural values: where they are the basis of educating generations.

9- Protecting environment: where he encouraged the people for protecting and maintaining the environment against all threats.

10- Strengthening defense capabilities of the nation: A national principle to maintain the dominance and independence of the countries.

Slogans fascinated the world without Muslims' paying attention to this unique experiment. I wish if our Muslim and Arab nations —which have been exhausted by their external debts and their financial crisis that caused them to loss over 2.5 Trillion dollars— have many examples like Mahatir Muhammad and his successor. Many professional economists succeeded in solving economic problems, saved their peoples from death, and brought life again to society.