BUKIT MERTAJAM – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not be bullied by anyone out to exploit the sensitivities of race and religion.
Instead, he will hold true to the federal constitution, which provides protection to all and upholds the rights of all citizens.
The constitution also accords special privileges to the Malays and safeguards the royal status of the Malay sultanate, Anwar said.
“This we will protect and we will be fair to all.”
He said this when meeting the Indian community at the SP Arena here.
Present were caretaker chief minister Chow Kon Yeow and caretaker deputy chief minister II P. Ramasamy.
Anwar said that critics should not get carried away by likening him to previous leaders, saying that he is not like any of them.
“As I had said earlier, Malay children are my children. Chinese children are my children. Indian children are my children…and the list goes on. All Malaysian children are my children.”
While he said the opposition may be out to intentionally misconstrue what he means, Anwar maintained that he wants all Malaysians to progress in tandem with the nation’s growth.
He said that his coalition Pakatan Harapan’s partnership with Barisan Nasional is not simply a “marriage of convenience”.
Rather, it is a strong pact that observes the federal constitution and shares strong principles to carry the country forward, said Anwar.
He lamented that despite over 60 years of independence, the country still has to weather unease and discontent brought by racial and religious strife.
“We need to move forward as a country. We need to focus on what is important in the country, such as the economy.”
Anwar said that the national unity government has to create quality jobs, improve educational infrastructure, and eradicate abject poverty.
He said that from the bottom of his heart, he will continue the struggle to bring justice to parties victimised by the previous administrations’ failings. – The Vibes, July 16, 2023
