Anwar: Malaysia must reject racial hatred to safeguard unity

SERDANG (Aug 30): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to stay vigilant against racial division, warning that no nation can survive if hatred between communities takes root.

“Unfortunately, racial sentiments still exist today, even in urban development and public policy. We cannot continue to plant fear among communities,” he said in his speech at the ‘Prime Minister’s Address’, in conjunction with the National Day 2025 celebration here, today.

Anwar said no country could endure if it allowed the incitement of hatred between races.

While he took pride in his Malay heritage, language and culture, the Prime Minister stressed that this should never be used to look down on others.

“I remain proud to be Malay, proud of the Malay language, our rich culture, and the great works of past intellectuals.

“Yet this pride must never be used as an excuse to belittle or insult other communities,” he said.

He emphasised that every community in Malaysia had the right to celebrate its heritage and identity, citing Chinese civilisation, Indian traditions, and the cultures of Sabah and Sarawak as examples of the country’s diversity.

What ultimately binds Malaysians, according to Anwar, is nationalism and a shared sense of belonging across ethnic and regional lines.

“In the end, it is the spirit of nationalism that unites Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans, Muruts, Bidayuhs, Orang Ulu, and others as one Malaysian people,” he said.

The Prime Minister also warned against repeating the mistakes of nations that collapsed due to fanaticism over race, language, or religion.

“History shows that many countries have fallen because of obsession with defending language, race or religion.

“Malaysia Madani can only have meaning through understanding, commitment and a clear resolve to safeguard unity,” he said.

Adding on, he reminded Malaysians, particularly the younger generation, that the country’s independence was secured through immense sacrifice and must be guarded against division and betrayal.

“Independence did not come easily. Too many sacrifices such as lives, property, tears and sweat were poured into it.

“I call particularly on our young people to understand and learn that what we enjoy today was paid at a very high price.

“Therefore, safeguard this nation,” he said.

Describing Malaysia as unique, he highlighted that it is the only multi-racial and multi-religious country in the region to maintain peace, economic strength, cultural richness, and social harmony.

Yet, he warned, the nation still faces threats decades after rejecting colonial rule.

“We must remain vigilant against treachery, against greed for power that seeks to seize the wealth of the people, to deceive them, and to plant doubts about our own capabilities.

“Sometimes, in the struggle for independence, our early elites were too enamoured with foreign systems, but the truth is, no nation can be truly free without a spirit of cooperation, unity and self-identity,” he said.

The Prime Minister also stressed that independence was won through the collective effort of all communities.

While the backbone of the struggle came from the Malays and the Bumiputeras, support from other races was crucial.

This spirit, he said, led to the consensus to establish Malaysia on Malaysia Day. — Malay Mail