MALAYSIA’S Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has coupled a renewed commitment to refurbish dilapidated military and police quarters with a wider call for moral renewal and higher standards in public service during the month of Ramadan.
Addressing staff at a Home Ministry assembly and the Ihya Ramadan programme at the Setia Perkasa Auditorium, Anwar said the government would continue prioritising improvements to ageing security personnel housing to ensure their comfort and welfare.
He noted that discussions were underway to expand existing plans and that tangible upgrades had already been carried out.
"We have taken such action on the police and army quarters, so we will be more focused. In previous years, RM1 billion was spent on renovating severely dilapidated military and police quarters,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s remarks followed a request by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for the Treasury to consider allocating additional funds in the forthcoming Budget to sustain the upgrading programme.
Also present were Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Treasury secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican.
Beyond infrastructure, Anwar framed Ramadan as a period of institutional as well as personal renewal, stressing that nation-building and security are collective responsibilities.
"The responsibility of developing this country is not that of just one party. Like the aspect of security, some say this is solely the police's responsibility - that is not true. It is everyone's responsibility.
"Use this Ramadan month as a time to improve ourselves, enhance our performance, correct any shortcomings and weaknesses in us. Then, strive to make this country more orderly,” he said.
Describing Ramadan as the best ‘madrasah’ for self-reflection, Anwar said the holy month functioned as a unifying “school” bringing together all levels of society, from religious scholars to ministers and ordinary citizens, in humility and introspection.
“Take this opportunity to reflect and improve ourselves. This is not a time to teach or lecture others, but a space to look inward, address our weaknesses and enhance our capabilities in various fields,” he said.
He added that fasting was not merely ritual observance but a test of sincerity, discipline and inner resolve, echoing the experiences of earlier Muslim communities as recorded in the Quran.
Islamic scholars, he said, have long characterised Ramadan as a madrasah ruhiyah, or spiritual school, cultivating self-discipline and compassion for the poor and vulnerable.
“That is why scholars remind us that this Ramadan ‘tarbiyah’ (spiritual nurturing) must lead to improvement. How do we know there has been improvement? We will evaluate it in Syawal.
“Whether during this Ramadan, our performance, faith, character, personal conduct, work quality, commitment, as well as personal and spiritual cleanliness, are better than in the previous month,” he said.
Anwar urged civil servants to strengthen their relationship with the Quran, improve the quality of worship and reinforce professional discipline. He also warned that acts of misconduct must not persist despite repeated spiritual reflection.
“We have undergone the Ramadan test for many years, yet some forms of decay and weaknesses continue to be repeated. This is a reminder to all of us - to me and to everyone,” he said.
The Prime Minister concluded by expressing appreciation for the work of the Royal Malaysia Police, the Immigration Department and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, commending their swiftness and efficiency while cautioning against complacency.
"I'm proud of your performance, so far, but let us not become complacent. Let's evaluate ourselves... let's not regress,” he said. - February 19, 2026
