A comparative analysis of Asian values and Islam Hadhari in Malaysia*

This paper discusses the principles of Asian values, propagated by Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and Islam Hadhari by his successor Abdullah Badawi. The author argues that both concepts are similar in theory and practice except that Islam Hadhari stresses more on Islam and Malay agenda. In fact, Islam Hadhari is ironically a concept created by Mahathir himself to counter the idea of Islamic State from the Islamic party, PAS. Therefore, even after retiring from the government, Mahathir’s agenda of Asian values is still being practiced. This paper presents the debates between scholars in explaining the ideas and philosophies behind those two concepts in Malaysia’s politic.