HIS MAJESTY Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has warned against the politicisation of Islam, calling on national leaders to rise above personal interests and uphold the sanctity of religion through ethical and principled governance.
“I would like to remind community leaders not to politicise Islam for personal gain, but instead to Islamise politics for the good of the nation,” His Majesty declared in his royal address at the national-level Maal Hijrah 1447H/2025 celebration, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre on Thursday.
The King emphasised that Islam, as a complete and perfect way of life, must serve as the foundation of national administration. “Government administration must be guided by Islamic principles and not be influenced by secular or liberal ideologies,” he said.
Underscoring the central message of his address, Sultan Ibrahim warned all parties to desist from using religion as a political tool or a platform for divisive rhetoric. “Let us preserve the sanctity of Islam and foster harmonious unity among the ummah,” he added.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, Dewan Negara President Senator Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, and Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim.
Calling on national leadership to emulate the governance of the Prophet Muhammad, Sultan Ibrahim said: “He ruled with justice and never oppressed the weak. Let us work together to build a successful nation, not only in the eyes of the world, but also one that is blessed by the Almighty.”
Expanding on the theme “Membangun Ummah Madani” (Building a Civilised Ummah), Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im said the hijrah must be understood not just as a physical migration, but as a transformational journey of values, integrity and collective progress.
“This theme calls on us to revive the role of the ummah as an agent of mercy, justice and progress,” Na’im said, urging Muslims to become active contributors to a just and value-driven society.
He added that the government had introduced the Al-Falah Transformation Plan 2023–2027, guided by five core values – knowledge, integrity, excellence, consistency, and sincerity – as the strategic framework for sustainable Islamic governance in Malaysia.
Na’im concluded by drawing inspiration from the Prophet’s migration to Madinah, saying it embodied “strategic foresight, communal sacrifice, and unity between the muhajirin and ansar,” virtues sorely needed in contemporary leadership.
The message from the Maal Hijrah celebration was clear: Islam must not be reduced to political expediency, but upheld as a moral compass to steer the nation toward just, compassionate, and principled governance. - June 27, 2025
