Leadership At All Levels Must Engage Fairly With All Communities - Anwar

JOHOR BAHRU, July 4 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on leadership at the federal, state and local levels to continue engaging fairly with all communities, saying such an approach was essential to preserving Malaysia’s unity and long-term stability.

He said although the MADANI Government had introduced reforms at the national level, challenges remained at the state and municipal levels in translating those commitments into practice.

“I’m not suggesting that every appeal or application must be approved. But give a reasonable chance for people to articulate their position, present their case, and that it doesn’t look so that they are seen, we are all seen to be fair and just,” he said during a hi-tea session with Johor community leaders here today.

Anwar said fairness in governance was not about agreeing to every request but ensuring all communities were given an opportunity to be heard through a transparent and equitable process.

He said state governments and local councils should remain open to engagement while making decisions in accordance with existing laws and established principles.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said Malaysia’s progress should not be measured solely by economic growth but also by its ability to preserve unity, compassion and mutual respect among among its diverse people.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the country’s economic expansion is now reaching more states, with investments extending beyond traditional hubs like the Klang Valley and Penang to include Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor through the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

Anwar also emphasised that Malaysia’s embrace of artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and the energy transition must continue to be guided by strong moral values, cultural understanding and religious principles.

Expressing concern over the persistence of racial and religious narratives that test the country’s social fabric and undermine national cohesion, Anwar urged religious leaders to play a greater role in promoting faith, compassion, justice, and mutual understanding within their respective communities.

The Prime Minister said leaders also had a responsibility to provide accurate information and reject narratives that exploited race and religion for political interests.

“Most of us want to live in peace. You want best education for your children, health for your parents and your children, infrastructure for the community, that’s all that we want.

“…and the freedom to exercise and practice your own belief, which is enshrined in the Malaysian constitution by our fathers. It’s not something new, it’s not making a new demand,” he said.

Also present at the event was Deputy National Unity Minister R Yuneswaran.

-- BERNAMA

Leadership At All Levels Must Engage Fairly With All Communities - Anwar

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