PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Malaysians to reject racial incitement and expressions of communal hatred, stressing that national unity in diversity remains the country’s greatest strength in the pursuit of sustainable development.
Speaking at the National Unity Week 2025 celebrations in Batu Kawan, Penang, Anwar emphasised that no nation could prosper through divisive sentiments, and urged the public to focus instead on preserving harmony as a collective responsibility.
“I want to remind all Malaysians, and this is a shared responsibility: if we want to save this country, we must preserve our national unity. This is our strength,” he said.
“Indeed, the Malay Bumiputera are the majority, but if we embrace everyone — Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, and Kadazans — we will be safe. We must be united and harmonious. This is not just a matter of choice, but of Malaysia’s survival.”
Anwar reiterated that his administration, under the Malaysia MADANI framework, is committed to addressing key public concerns — including housing, poverty, and the cost of living — without marginalising any ethnic or minority group.
He also cautioned against political provocations and calls for his resignation, stating that legitimate changes in government must occur through parliamentary procedure.
“Who says a government cannot be changed? Of course, it can — table a motion in Parliament if the Prime Minister has lost majority support. Then, the Prime Minister must step down. But that has not happened. They must wait for the 16th General Election — but some are impatient,” he said.
“Never assume that nation-building is easy. It takes time to build, but destruction comes quickly. This country remains peaceful because the people are wiser and reject divisive incitement.”
Anwar highlighted Malaysia’s growing role on the global stage, pointing to recent high-level dialogues held in Kuala Lumpur during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM).
“Kuala Lumpur became the focus of the world recently. For the first time since Donald Trump assumed the US presidency, there were high-level discussions between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi,” he said.
“Both took the opportunity to hold talks, but more importantly, they made space for Malaysia. Also for the first time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held discussions with Rubio at the same high-level forum.”
At the event, Anwar — who also serves as Finance Minister — approved an additional RM10 million allocation to the Ministry of National Unity to fund civic and nation-building initiatives.
The announcement followed an earlier appeal by Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, who had requested dedicated funding for youth-focused national programmes. - July 19, 2025
