PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has cautioned Malaysians against allowing extremist voices and divisive political narratives to erode the country’s multicultural foundations, warning that racial incitement and slander posed a growing threat to national unity and social stability.
In a strongly worded message issued after attending the Malaysia MADANI Harmony Discourse held in conjunction with the Wesak Day celebrations, Anwar said the culture of interfaith dialogue and civil discourse must continue to be strengthened instead of being replaced by fearmongering and hatred designed to fracture society for narrow political interests.
“It is time for moderate and peace-loving Malaysians to speak out in defence of national unity.
“Let us not allow the ‘tyranny of the minority’ or small groups that enjoy manipulating racial sentiments and spreading slander to destroy Malaysia’s future, which was built upon mutual respect and living together,” he said in a Facebook post.
The Prime Minister said the event highlighted the importance of understanding, compassion and harmonious coexistence among Malaysia’s multi-religious and multi-ethnic communities, values he described as central to the country’s identity since independence.
Anwar noted that Malaysia, under the leadership of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, was founded on the principle of “Unity Brings Improvement” (“Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu”), emphasising that diversity and difference were not modern challenges but core pillars in the nation’s formation.
According to him, while Islam remains the religion of the Federation and Malays and Bumiputeras form the majority population, the country was simultaneously built upon respect for the rights, cultures and beliefs of all communities.
He added that the Malaysia MADANI framework seeks to reinforce the values of compassion, civility and humanity as the moral foundation for nation-building.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid heightened political and social debate over race, religion and identity issues, with authorities increasingly warning against inflammatory rhetoric and misinformation capable of fuelling communal tensions.
Anwar stressed that preserving harmony required continuous engagement between communities and a collective rejection of attempts to politicise racial and religious differences for short-term political gain. - May 23, 2026
