PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged ministries and government agencies to move faster and more decisively in implementing agreed decisions to ensure Malaysia’s digital and artificial intelligence ambitions are delivered effectively.
Anwar made the call while chairing the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council (MED4IRN) Meeting 1/2026 in Putrajaya on Monday, where preparations for the launch of Malaysia Digital 2030 in April were among the key matters discussed.
The initiative aims to position Malaysia as an AI-driven nation by 2030.
“The meeting also emphasised efforts to intensify MyDigital ID registration, particularly for government apps, and integrating new systems with existing platforms to ensure more efficient, cohesive, and citizen-focused service delivery,” Anwar said in a Facebook post following the meeting.
He added that presentations by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Digital highlighted the Government Innovation Initiative, which he said could significantly strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
The Prime Minister also said the council took note of input from the National AI Office, which underscored the importance of developing national AI policies that leverage local talent across sectors while ensuring inclusive participation opportunities for all age groups.
Meanwhile, Anwar reiterated his call for all state governments to comply with federal decisions on the construction of illegal houses of worship, warning that unlimited tolerance risks weakening the rule of law and national institutions.
Speaking at a dinner held in conjunction with the Selangor International Literary and Cultural Dialogue 2026 at Universiti Selangor on Sunday, he said Malaysia could not mature or remain secure if tolerance was practised without clear limits.
“This country will not become mature and secure if we continue to practise tolerance without end, because tolerance has its strengths, but not to the point where it tears apart the fabric and strength of the nation itself,” he said.
Anwar stressed that the federal government had established clear guidelines on the issue of houses of worship, including temples, and had communicated these to all state governments, including those led by the opposition.
“That is why, in matters concerning houses of worship, temples and the like, I have set guidelines under the Federal Government, and I have also contacted all state governments, including opposition-led states, so that we put aside political differences,” he said.
“The leadership of the Madani Government has made a clear policy decision, and so let us together implement it in the best possible way.”
He said the policy was the outcome of careful and inclusive deliberations rather than a rushed or narrowly driven decision, noting that the government had taken more than two years to study the issue and hear views from all stakeholders.
“That period was necessary to ensure that every decision is just, grounded in the Constitution and does not trigger tension between races and religions in this country,” he said.
Emphasising equality before the law, Anwar questioned the rationale for granting exemptions when legal requirements were clear.
“In the matter of houses of worship, we set a limit, up to a certain point. If we are truly independent Malaysians who submit to the law and legal principles, why should exemptions be given?” he said. - February 10, 2026
.jpg)
