KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on Malaysians to uphold the spirit of unity and reject race-based politics that could divide the country’s multiracial society.
The prime minister said Malaysia’s progress and success in economic, social and cultural fields would not have been possible without peace, stability and balance among the various races and religions.
“All we have seen, the progress, the relative success, economic, social, cultural cannot happen without peace and stability.
“This is unique to Malaysia, as not many countries with such racial and religious diversity can sustain this spirit,” he said in his speech at the MADANI Deepavali Open House 2025 themed ‘Cahaya MADANI, Sinar Perpaduan’ held at KL Sentral here today.
Also present were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, along with other Cabinet members.
Anwar also urged Malaysians to play their respective roles and assess every issue, especially those touching on racial sensitivities, with wisdom and rationality.
“In a multiracial country, governance is not easy. Say a little about the Bumiputera, the Chinese will react; mention an Indian project, then the Malays will say they are left out. Malaysians must be smarter, more discerning, and better informed,” he said.
He also stressed that the government does not discriminate based on race in implementing people’s aid initiatives, such as the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash contribution and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), but instead channels them to all eligible recipients.
“We spend billions of ringgit to resolve hardcore poverty. In Kelantan, the majority are Malays; in Sentul and Klang, the majority are Indians. Do we decide based on race? No. Anyone in the hardcore poverty category, we must help,” he said.
Anwar said the government has also allocated specific funds for the Indian community, including RM50 million for Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia and RM50 million for Tekun Nasional, as well as RM1.6 billion under the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP) and RM600 million for Indian community business financing.
“All we have seen, the progress, the relative success, economic, social, cultural cannot happen without peace and stability.
“This is unique to Malaysia, as not many countries with such racial and religious diversity can sustain this spirit,” he said in his speech at the MADANI Deepavali Open House 2025 themed ‘Cahaya MADANI, Sinar Perpaduan’ held at KL Sentral here today.
Also present were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, along with other Cabinet members.
Anwar also urged Malaysians to play their respective roles and assess every issue, especially those touching on racial sensitivities, with wisdom and rationality.
“In a multiracial country, governance is not easy. Say a little about the Bumiputera, the Chinese will react; mention an Indian project, then the Malays will say they are left out. Malaysians must be smarter, more discerning, and better informed,” he said.
He also stressed that the government does not discriminate based on race in implementing people’s aid initiatives, such as the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash contribution and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), but instead channels them to all eligible recipients.
“We spend billions of ringgit to resolve hardcore poverty. In Kelantan, the majority are Malays; in Sentul and Klang, the majority are Indians. Do we decide based on race? No. Anyone in the hardcore poverty category, we must help,” he said.
Anwar said the government has also allocated specific funds for the Indian community, including RM50 million for Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia and RM50 million for Tekun Nasional, as well as RM1.6 billion under the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP) and RM600 million for Indian community business financing.