Background of Keluarga Malaysia
The term Keluarga Malaysia, which translates to "Malaysian Family," was initially conceptualized and introduced by Ismail Sabri Yaakob on August 22, 2021, during his inaugural speech as the ninth Prime Minister of Malaysia. This initiative was brought forward as a unifying national agenda amid the challenging times brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keluarga Malaysia was aimed at fostering a sense of unity among Malaysians, encouraging them to transcend their differences in ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic status to rebuild and advance the nation. This vision was aligned with the broader objective of achieving the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, a policy framework aimed at ensuring sustainable and equitable growth across all segments of the Malaysian society.
Ismail Sabri's vision of Keluarga Malaysia found its roots in an earlier announcement made by then Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in November 2019. Although initially conceptualized before the political upheaval in Malaysia, it was during the premiership of Ismail Sabri Yaakob that Keluarga Malaysia was officially launched on October 23, 2021, in Kuching, Sarawak.
The concept was emblematic of a broader national policy that sought to integrate the various ethnic groups within Malaysia, including the Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous communities, under one national identity. This was particularly significant given Malaysia's diverse population and its historical emphasis on national unity.
In January 2023, the Keluarga Malaysia initiative was replaced by the Malaysia Madani concept, introduced by Anwar Ibrahim, following his appointment as Prime Minister in 2022. This transition signified a shift in national policy focus and introduced a new framework for Malaysia's socio-economic development.