Kuala lumpur: Mastering knowledge and fostering an innovative society are forms of 'jihad', or struggle, in driving national progress and strengthening the economy in line with the Malaysia MADANI vision, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said. Fadillah, who also serves as the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, emphasized the importance of these elements during his address at the 'Jelajah Kongres Jihad Bisnes 2026' programme organized by Dewan Perdagangan Islam Malaysia (DPIM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadillah highlighted the ongoing crisis in West Asia, which underscores key sectors with significant development potential, such as food security, finance, and energy. He pointed out Malaysia's heavy reliance on imports, particularly in food supply, and questioned how the nation can gain control over these sectors. "In the context of food security, we still import rice and many prefer imported fruits," he stated, adding that this scenario presents an opportunity to strengthen the domestic economy by reducing imports and retaining resources within the country to foster development and uplift society.

Fadillah further identified expanding economic opportunities in the services sector, including finance, energy, and water, which require specialized expertise and skills to be effectively utilized. He underscored the pivotal role played by DPIM in bringing together entrepreneurs and industry players to support one another and enhance collaborative networks for advancing the ummah's economy.

He concluded by stressing that these efforts must be backed by robust knowledge, skills, and sound business practices to ensure that the benefits extend beyond entrepreneurs to society as a whole.