The fourth Langkawi International Dialogue or LID ’99 with the theme “Managing Economic Recovery For Shared Prosperity: The Smart Partnership Approach” drew to a close earlier this week.
Undoubtedly, the meeting that managed to gather some 350 participants from 38 countries including nine of the most respected leaders of the developing countries ended on a high note.
The eagerness shown by some of the delegates to participate in LID ’99 must have stemmed from their curiosity to find out first hand, how Malaysia successfully wriggled its way out of the regional economic crisis without having to kowtow to international funding agencies.
For those who were lucky enough to follow the proceeding, either in person or via the media, the event must have been one of the best display of frank and honest interactions among people shoved into the same boat.
This year’s dialogue again focussed on smart partnerships but this time around this notion was viewed against the threatening backdrop of globalisation.
Among others, the dialogue highlighted both the sweet and ugly sides of globalisation. While there is no stopping globalisation efforts must be made to ensure that it benefits all economies large and small, established or newly emerging.
We were also told of the bold and novel efforts by several Malaysian companies to invest in some of the developing nations. In fact stories of our very own outfits outbidding the more established multinationals for contracts are not unusual.
It cannot be denied that investments in these countries entail numerous added risks due to both human inefficiency and infrastructural deficiency. But again, nothing venture nothing gain.
One of the Malaysian participants went a step further on the benefits of smart partnership concept which could go beyond the two immediate partners.
In essence, the win-win effect that dawns upon them can actually snowball onto the other stakeholders, like the local small and medium industries and the public on the whole.
For example Telekom Malaysia’s smart partnership with Ghana Telecom has offered benefits to a third party namely the Malaysian contractors who now have access to the Ghanaian telecommunications market.
In short, LID ’99 had definitely provided a golden opportunity for leaders and businessmen of developing countries to come together and share their experiences in dealing with the recent global economic downturn.
In actual fact, in no other forum could these movers of the developing economies be as frank as they had been. For once, there were no patronising and intimidating views from their big brothers, the developed economies.
LID ’99 is yet another proof that Malaysia is consistent in its stand to get cooperation especially in the economic sector, going among the developing countries. It is also an indication that the country does not wish to achieve and bask in success and prosperity alone.
Malaysia’s effort is indeed in accordance with the international order envisaged by Islam that is a commonwealth of nations that contribute to world peace by upholding the two Islamic principles of universal brotherhood and tolerance.
Ever since the government put forward the concept of enhancing South-South relations through the ‘Prosper Thy Neighbours’ approach years ago, Malaysia has consistently demonstrated that the country has the determination and capacity to carry these visions through.
Such insistence to push forward a common agenda of mutual peace and shared prosperity among the less privileged nations of the world has always been the mainstay of Malaysia’s foreign policy.
In addition to providing a platform for smart partnership to take shape, Malaysia’s effort in bringing together developing countries appears to achieve other not-so-tangible benefits.
For example, as these developing countries have quite a sizeable number of Muslim population, they too can look forward to the various smart partnership projects as these will indirectly help them attain an enhanced standard of living.
Further, LID ’99 has actually provided an avenue for a good number of Muslim leaders to meet and discuss issues of mutual interest, perhaps in an ambience much more conducive than some other Islamic fora.
Rather than being involved in rhetoric or drawn into polemics of trivialities, Muslims could really focus on practical approaches to pressing issues. That is why the smart partnership dialogue is very much encouraged in Islam.
Besides teaching Muslims to live in harmony as a member of a family, a people or a nation, Islam also lays down rules for the peaceful coexistence of the different peoples and nations themselves, and how to gain from such interactions.
The relevant Quranic injunction is perhaps verse 13 of Surah al-Hujurat of the Holy Quran translated thus,
“O mankind, We created you from a single pair of male and female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other, not that you may despise each other.
Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted with all things.”
Furthermore the smart partnership concept is akin to the Islamic notion of cooperation or ta�awun. This is described in a rather long second verse of Surah Al-Maidah of the Holy Quran.
The relevant portion of the verse is translated thus, “And let not the hatred of some people in shutting you out of the Sacred Mosque of Mecca lead you to transgression and hostility on your part.
Help or ta�awanu one another in righteousness and piety, but help you not one another in sin and rancour. Fear Allah for Allah is strict in punishment.”
According to the footnote in Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s translation of the Quran, the command relates to an event which occurred in the sixth year of the Hijrah.
The Pagans by way of hatred and persecution of the Muslims, had prevented them from access to the Sacred Mosque. When the Muslims recaptured Mecca, some of them wanted to retaliate against the Pagans.
However this is condemned. The hatred of the wicked does not justify hostility on the part of the Muslims. They have to help one another in promoting good deeds and preventing perpetual feuds of enmity.
This verse seems to provide the Muslims further the modus operandi to rediscover their long-lost honour, glory and supremacy. It is none other than the smart partnership concept.
LID ’99 is a clear example that genuine cooperation among people can lead to a positive outcome. Those who participated in it would surely have plenty of ideas to take home.
If Malaysia could be the place where people from all over the world converge to thrash out their differences, then surely it too could provide the right atmosphere for its Muslim community to discuss the seemingly grey areas of the Islamic teachings in an intelligent and sane manner.
First thing though, they must refrain from promoting the spirit of malice and hatred against one another. After the success of LID ’99, for Muslims it is time to apply smart partnership or ta’awun in our own backyard.