KUCHING: The passing of a respected economist, Datuk Dr Madeline Berma, is a significant loss to Malaysia’s intellectual and policy community, said Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Raduan Che Rose.
The Majlis Profesor Negara (MPN) President said she was an economist of depth and conscience whose work consistently reminded Malaysians to judge economic policy by its impact on people’s lives.
“Economic policy must be judged not only by growth indicators, but by its impact on people’s lives,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
He added that her scholarship and public engagement were firmly grounded in the realities faced by ordinary Malaysians, particularly those who are economically vulnerable.
“Madeline had a clear moral compass. She believed that development must be inclusive, fair, and attentive to those who need protection and opportunity the most.”
He said this principled approach shaped important conversations on inequality, social justice, and inclusive growth, and her influence will continue to be felt in Malaysian economic thinking for years to come.
Beyond her intellectual contributions, he noted that Madeline was deeply respected for her integrity, humility, and quiet determination.
“She carried her scholarship with a strong sense of purpose, consistently using her voice to advocate for those who were often overlooked in policy debates.”
Raduan shared that her passion for championing the needs of the vulnerable was not rhetorical, but reflected in years of committed research, engagement, and principled public service.
“One enduring lesson from Madeline’s work is that economic growth must never be detached from social responsibility.”
He said she consistently emphasised that policies which overlook the needs of the disadvantaged ultimately weaken the foundations of sustainable development.
“Policymakers today should carry forward her insistence that evidence-based policy must be guided by empathy and a genuine concern for those at the margins.
“In an era of economic uncertainty and widening disparities, her work serves as a timely reminder that the true measure of progress lies in how well we uplift those who are most in need.”
