Malaysia Becomes a Reference Point for Libya: Knowledge Sharing to Strengthen Social and Community Development

The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) delegation from Libya visited Malaysia to engage in discussions and exchange knowledge and experiences in the fields of social and community development.

In early September 2026, the Malay Consultative Council (Majlis Perundingan Melayu, MPM) was once again contacted by its strategic partner, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) of Libya.

This time, NESDB sought MPM’s assistance in refining the draft of a programme they had named Promoting Positive Social Behaviour (PPSB).

The programme was developed following a study conducted by NESDB’s Community Development Division.  The study identified several worrying social indicators, particularly those relating to behavioural and cultural developments among Libya’s younger generation.

With an average population age of approximately 35.2 years, Libya has a relatively young population.

NESDB believes that young people are increasingly exposed to various unhealthy influences and cultures, partly due to the influence of social media and the effects of geopolitical changes at the international level.

Recognising these challenges, NESDB held internal discussions and came up with an important proposal: to organise knowledge-sharing sessions to exchange experiences, expertise and government policies with countries that could serve as role models and, at the same time, has good diplomatic and humanity development with Libya.

Personally, I was extremely excited when I learned that NESDB had selected Malaysia as its reference country.

NESDB Delegation’s Visit to Malaysia

On September 16, 2026, an online meeting was held between NESDB and MPM.

Following the discussions, both parties agreed that NESDB would send a delegation to Malaysia for engagement sessions and knowledge-sharing activities.

MPM was entrusted with coordinating the entire visit programme, including arranging meetings with relevant institutions.

Alhamdulillah, five senior NESDB officials participated in the visit, including the Director of the Community Development Division, Mdm. Sumaya Ben Latif.

Throughout their stay in Malaysia, MPM arranged several meetings with various institutions, including agencies related to MPM’s own areas of responsibility.

MPM also invited representatives from Indonesia’s Centre for Extension of Information and Development (PUSPIP) to participate in sharing their experiences and knowledge, particularly concerning Pancasila as Indonesia’s national ideology.

The following is a summary of the activities and key findings from each of the NESDB delegation’s visits.

Eight Engagement and Knowledge-Sharing Sessions

1. Introductory Session with MPM

MPM invited two of its strategic associates: Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Abd Karim Ahmad, Commandant of the National Resilient College, and Dr. Mohd Maliki Mohd Rapiee, former President of the Malaysian Youth Council.

The discussion yielded eight key findings for NESDB to consider.

Among the important recommendations put forward was that the PPSB programme should be founded on the objectives of Maqasid Syariah (the higher objectives of Islamic law). 

The proposal also suggested that the programme focuses on cultivating mahmudah (commendable virtues) and rejecting mazmumah (blameworthy characteristics), in line with the teachings of Imam al-Ghazali.

2. Visit to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM)

KPWKM was among the principal reference institutions in this visit.

Ministry representatives delivered briefings and shared various policies, approaches and experiences in the areas of family development, welfare and community well-being.

The sharing session attracted considerable interest from the NESDB delegation. In fact, ministry representatives also prepared written feedback for the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).

3. Visit to the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN)

The delegation also gained valuable insights from JPNIN, particularly regarding efforts to strengthen national unity and integration.

Among the matters that attracted attention was JPNIN’s role in upholding the Rukun Negara (Malaysia’s National Principles) as the national ideology and establishing it as the foundation for building a united society.

4. Visit to Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

When initially organising this visit, MPM overlooked on the existence of the Faculty of Human Ecology at the university, which possesses expertise in social and community development.

Nevertheless, the knowledge-sharing sessions with UPM’s Department of Counsellor Education and Centre for Social Science Studies proved extremely beneficial to the NESDB delegation.

More significantly, several initiatives were also agreed upon for further exploration and implementation in the near future.

These included proposals to establish various types of fully residential schools, with each type of school having its own specific objectives and functions.

5. Visit to UEM Berhad

The delegation also had the opportunity to attend a briefing by UEM Foundation on the role of government-linked companies (GLCs) in implementing various corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

This approach represented a new experience for the NESDB delegation.

They viewed this model as a potentially useful approach that could be recommended to GLCs or state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Libya for further exploration and adaptation to their country’s needs.

6. Visit to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM)

Discussions with JAKIM focused on various Islamic education initiatives, dakwah (Islamic outreach and propagation) activities, and approaches to community development based on Islamic values.

The delegation was also introduced to the role of KSK Care Centre @ JAKIM in addressing various family, social and community-related issues.

7. Engagement Session with MPM and Indonesia’s PUSPIP

This session featured five main presentations that provided the NESDB delegation with a broader range of perspectives:

• MPM’s initiative in re-engineering the national ideology, Rukun Negara.
• MPM’s initiative to deliberate the Malaysian Happiness Index, developed by the Department of Statistics (DOSM).
• A briefing on the implementation of the Smart Education Program developed by Pintar Education Group.
• A briefing on the implementation of a Certified Women Streetsmart Entrepreneurship Program by UTL Academy.
• A presentation on Indonesia’s Pancasila ideology by PUSPIP.

All five presentations offered new perspectives to the NESDB delegation.

The various ideas and approaches shared have the potential to serve as important input in strengthening and improving the implementation of the PPSB programme in Libya.

8. Witnessing the Establishment of the Centre for Studies on Nusantara Prosperity @ MPM

MPM took the opportunity to invite NESDB delegates to witness and participate in the launching of the Centre for Studies on Nusantara Prosperity @ MPM, a collaborative initiative between MPM Malaysia and PUSPIP Indonesia.

In its initial phase, the centre will prioritise engagement sessions and discussions on the influence of geopolitical changes and their impact on the Nusantara region.

Global geopolitical developments do not only affect Malaysia and Indonesia but also have implications for Libya, particularly in terms of changes to its social ecosystem and the lives of its people.

This exposure provided another important dimension for the NESDB delegation to understand the relationship between global geopolitical developments and the social development challenges facing their country.

Warm Reception and Appreciation from the NESDB Delegation

The NESDB delegation received a warm welcome from officials of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, together with representatives from several agencies under KPWKM.

The Director-General of JPNIN, together with senior departmental officials, delivered a briefing to the NESDB delegation.

Throughout the visit, the NESDB delegation not only gained various new insights and experiences but also received an exceptionally warm welcome from the institutions they visited.

When we sent them off at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), every member of the delegation expressed their sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks, particularly to MPM for welcoming them and coordinating the entire visit schedule.

For them, every visit carried its own significance and benefits.

In fact, while I was preparing this article, I once again received a message from NESDB expressing their appreciation and gratitude to Malaysia for all the knowledge shared and experiences gained throughout the visit.

Clearly, this visit was not merely an official courtesy call. It had successfully achieved its primary objective of serving as a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences and expertise that could benefit both parties.

The Corporate Communications Manager of UEM Foundation delivered a briefing to the NESDB delegation.

The Next Mission: Strengthening the PPSB Programme

The next responsibility now rests with NESDB to review and refine the draft of the Promoting Positive Social Behaviour (PPSB) programme based on the various inputs, recommendations and experiences gained throughout the visit to Malaysia.

The finalised programme draft will subsequently be submitted for consideration and approval by the NESDB Board of Trustees, which is chaired by the Honourable Prime Minister of Libya.

We pray that all the efforts and plans undertaken by NESDB will be successful and receive the blessings of Allah the Almighty.

May this knowledge-sharing initiative between Malaysia and Libya mark the beginning of closer cooperation, while contributing towards building a society that is more prosperous, morally upright and resilient.

Dato’ Dr. Hasan Mad
Malay Consultative Council (Majlis Perundingan Melayu, MPM)