The well-being and progress of Malaysians have been enhanced by several new approaches such as Islam Hadhari, the King said when opening the new session of Parliament this morning.

In the hour-long Royal address, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said the effects are being seen through the emergence of emphasis on morals and values in daily life.
"Islam Hadhari is neither a new sect nor a new teaching. On the contrary, it is an approach to develop the ummah (people) without jeopardising the basic tenets of Islam or imperiling the concept of religious freedom in this country," he said.

"Although this approach is time-consuming, we must be confident that (it will help us) attain a more meaningful Vision 2020."

As the head of Islam, the King's endorsement of Islam Hadhari will lend credence to the concept articulated by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after he took office in November 2003.

There has been heated debate between Umno and its rival Muslim-based party, PAS, with the latter arguing that Islam Hadhari is a politicised concept and that it is not a true form of Islamic teachings.

'Battle corruption'

The King also said he was "proud" of on-going efforts to prevent corruption, including the national integrity plan and setting up of the National Integrity Institute, but noted that the government should not be content with this.

He called for a national corruption perception index to be formulated, and also for private sector co-operation in combating corruption.

On the economy, he said the Ninth Malaysia Plan - which will be tabled this year - will continue to focus on robust, resilient, fair and just economic development. However, he stressed that imbalanced growth among regions and between urban and rural areas must be resolved.

Touching on education, the King said the premier's efforts to strengthen national schools must be intensified, describing these as the "backbone of the country's education system".

He further said there must be co-operation among ministries responsible for education, culture, youths and social welfare, if programmes to instill racial unity are to succeed.

MPs respond

Commenting on the Royal address, Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) said the government should prove that Islam Hadhari is not just a slogan or a cosmetic concept.

Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor), commenting on the need to strengthen national schools, expressed conditional support for the move.

"It (building up of national schools) is welcomed...however, it should not be at the expense of getting unfair treatment of Tamil and Chinese schools," Lim said.

He said quality education should be provided to enable parents to decide, based on merit, where children should study.

Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) pointed out the strong demand from parents, particularly within the Chinese community, for mother-tongue education.

She claimed that this has prompted them to continue enrolling their children in vernacular schools, although national schools were available in their neighbourhood.

"It's fair to build schools for those people...the Chinese community would welcome those of other races also sending their children to such schools," she said.

Members of Parliament will begin debating the Royal address for eight days from tomorrow, after which two days have been allocated for ministerial replies. The parliamentary sitting will end on April 28.