Attending the Malaysian Cooperative Meeting, PM Anwar Ibrahim Reminisces about Bung Hatta's Spirit

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends the KOPROJAYA Annual General Meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Sunday, June 14. (Photo: Malaysian Prime Minister's Office)

JAKARTA - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the spirit of the cooperative figure, the proclamation figure, as well as the first Vice President of Indonesia Mohammad Hatta or Bung Hatta, when he attended the annual cooperative meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Sunday.

Anwar attended the 10th Annual General Meeting of Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Berhad (KOPROJAYA), which is a young professional cooperative body in the field of public services in Malaysia.

"I view the cooperative movement from a broader perspective than just profit or dividend distribution," Anwar said, opening his explanation at the meeting in Putrajaya.

He said in essence, cooperatives carry a big idea, namely building the people's economic power through wider participation and fairer distribution of benefits, compared to wealth that is only monopolized by a handful of parties who have capital power and influence.

From this, said Anwar, a debate on social justice and social democracy was born. Because true democracy is not only about competing for power, but also opens up space for the people to participate in economic life and enjoy the fruits of state development.

He then highlighted the spirit that Bung Hatta chanted in Indonesia in making cooperatives as a guide to the economy.

"That is why Bung Hatta in Indonesia considers cooperatives to be an important means to realize economic equality and social justice," said Anwar.

Anwar Ibrahim said Bung Hatta believed that Indonesia's future of independence should not be built on the control of wealth by certain groups, but should be based on the wider participation of the people in the economy.

He also highlighted the spirit of the Indian figure, Dr. Ambedkar, who reminded that democracy has no meaning if it fails to dismantle the oppressive system and maintain the gap that separates society.

According to Ambedkar, true democracy must provide space for groups that have been marginalized to also enjoy the opportunities and progress achieved by the country.

"The same principle has long been reflected in Islamic teachings through semangatta'awun or mutual help in goodness," he explained.

He emphasized that the spirit teaches that weak groups should not be left to face challenges alone. Instead, weak groups must be brought together so that they can stand more firmly and together build a better future.

"Therefore, I consider cooperatives to be one of the important instruments of social democracy. Cooperatives expand participation, empower people, and ensure that the benefits of economic growth do not only revolve among a few people, but can be enjoyed by as many members of society as possible," said Anwar.

Furthermore, he conveyed that his government wanted to encourage growth, attract investment, and explore new areas such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and energy transition. However, such progress only makes sense if the results can be distributed fairly and felt by the majority of the people.

Anwar emphasized that justice does not mean giving the same thing to everyone, but ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity according to their needs and conditions.

"This is what is meant by social justice and adil wal ihsan - ensuring that the progress of the country upholds human dignity and brings prosperity to all people," said Anwar.