PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed that the spirit of national and religious identity will not be diminished when children from diverse backgrounds learn and grow together under one roof.
Speaking at the Sumbangan Kasih MADANI Deepavali 2025 event at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Poi Lam, Anwar highlighted Malaysia’s multiculturalism as a strength that must be celebrated and nurtured, not questioned.
“Malaysia is a country of many races, many religions, many cultures. The children know this — Malay students, Chinese students, Indian students, Orang Asli students — and yet they are able to interact as one team of Malaysian children,” he said.
The Prime Minister, who is also MP for Tambun, stressed that mutual respect for different cultural traditions is a defining feature of Malaysian society and a foundation of national unity.
“We must continue to honour and uphold our cultural diversity. This is how we strengthen national unity,” he said. “We are perhaps the only country that celebrates all major festivals together — Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali — and that is our way of respecting and embracing each other’s cultures, languages and beliefs.”
The event also saw Anwar present contributions on behalf of the government to representatives from 15 schools, benefitting some 2,500 students in the Tambun constituency.
Also in attendance were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Minister of Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming. - October12, 2025
