PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged for history, culture and literature to be placed at the heart of national development, warning that a civilisation cannot thrive on technological progress alone.
Speaking at the launch and inaugural meeting of the National Historians Council, Anwar stressed the need to strengthen historical literacy among the youth and to build a cohesive national narrative grounded in Malaysia’s civilisational values.
“Our challenge is how to construct a national narrative that can overcome prevailing resistance. In this way, historical awareness can flourish among the younger generation and society at large,” he said.
“Civilisation stands on culture, on history, and on the elevation of values. The civilisation we are building is a Malaysian civilisation. This Madani vision must reflect our principles and worldview.”
He cautioned against marginalising history in favour of technological advancement, noting that Malaysia must avoid becoming a nation that chases progress while neglecting its roots.
“We cannot be like countries that pursue new technologies but disregard their own history, culture and literature,” he said. “These are the pillars of civilisation.”
Anwar, who also holds the Finance portfolio, stressed that history should not be treated as a mere academic field, but as essential knowledge of society and civilisational development.
“In a developing nation, it is vital to instil a sense of national spirit among the youth,” he added.
He also linked historical understanding to ethical considerations in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.
“AI will only succeed if grounded in our own moral values and historical consciousness. Without this, AI will merely replicate foreign perspectives. What it produces depends on what is fed into it,” he said. “Therefore, we must emphasise the integrity of our own historical narrative.”
He added that those in relevant sectors must engage more deeply with empirical data and work to ensure that historical education is based on verified facts.
Anwar described the formation of the National Historians Council as a critical step in advising the government on national history-related matters and in ensuring balanced public discourse.
“The council’s role is to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders and provide guidance to the government on how best to move forward,” he said.
The council comprises sixteen appointees, including ten historians, two archaeologists, two experts in anthropology and sociology, and representatives from key ministries. It will operate under the Ministry of National Unity, in collaboration with the National Archives of Malaysia.
Also present at the ceremony were National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Deputy Minister K. Saraswathy and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
Anwar added by underlining the need to move forward with both modern technologies and a firm grounding in Malaysia’s historical identity, stating: “Progress must never come at the expense of who we are.” - Sept 8, 2025
