PM: Nation-building must embrace humanity, not just growth
He said the concept of Malaysia MADANI calls upon the people, especially youths, to grasp the true meaning of human development, which encompasses noble traits such as compassion, moderation and mutual understanding among different races and religions.
'We want to develop individuals who possess certain elements, characteristics, values and capabilities. Youths must set a good example of how this nation can be united.
'With the spirit of Malaysia MADANI, it does not mean we diminish our ethnic pride or love and practice of our religion. On the contrary, we must honour our culture, arts, literature, and language... there is nothing wrong with that as long as youths set the right example,' he said.
The Prime Minister said this at the Johor 2025 MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) launch at Toppen Shopping Centre here today.
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who is the lead minister for the programme, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Anwar said that the construction of skyscrapers and modern infrastructure would be meaningless if the people were violent, greedy, arrogant and lack a sense of humanity.
He also stressed that sports, arts and cultural activities must be encouraged, as they are vital avenues for fostering unity and solidarity among the people.
'That's why we promote sports and athletics, we support diverse arts and cultural events. Why? Because they instill spirit, mutual understanding, unity and loyalty among one another,' he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that these values must be continuously nurtured and embedded as core principles in building a united and harmonious nation.
'I hope leaders and youth participants present today will take these principles to heart,' he added.
During the event, Anwar presented the Sports Matching Grant, Community Sports Fund and the MADANI Community Wellbeing Programme Grant.
The Prime Minister, together with Hannah, Onn Hafiz and Shamsul Azri, also visited booths operated by various government agencies and departments involved in the programme.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Turun Anwar rally was not a people's movement, says Maria
Former Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said she did not attend the July 26 protest because it did not appear to represent the wider Malaysian public or any concrete issues. PETALING JAYA : Former Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah has questioned the intent and makeup of the recent Turun Anwar rally, saying it did not reflect the voice of the people and lacked clear demands. While acknowledging the people's right to assemble, Maria said she did not attend the July 26 protest because it did not appear to represent the wider Malaysian public or any concrete issues. 'So my question is: if you want Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to step down, the next step should be to table a vote of no confidence in Parliament but that hasn't been done. 'Anwar just presented the 13th Malaysia Plan but there was no mention of a vote of no confidence. So to be honest, I'm not sure what Turun Anwar was really about,' Maria said at youth-based NGO Mandiri's 10th year celebration of the Tangkap Najib rally. The Tangkap Najib rally, held in Kuala Lumpur, was to urge the resignation of then Prime Minister Najib Razak due to his involvement in the 1MDB scandal. Police presence was heavy, and after about 200 protesters gathered, the police moved in to arrest those refusing to disperse, with around 20 to 29 youths arrested. Maria, a former Petaling Jaya MP, said many of those involved in Turun Anwar were politicians and elected representatives and the rally lacked a unifying cause that should resonate with the majority of Malaysians. 'Of course, they have every right to be on the streets but if we want to build a real movement, it has to come from the rakyat. It has to be based on what they're feeling. What are their issues? 'I didn't go (to the Turun Anwar Rally). And if I were to go, I would want to be clear on what the rally is about. And I would want to see it as a representative of Malaysia. 'I'm not saying we did everything perfectly, but the Bersih movement was reflective not only of Malaysia's diverse, multicultural makeup, it also presented the government at the time with very critical issues,' she added. Mandeep Singh, also a former Bersih chairman, said the effectiveness and messaging of the Turun Anwar rally left much to be desired. 'It's the job of the opposition to bring down your opponent. But what is your demand, actually? What are you asking for? Economic reform?,' he said. 'What are your demands? What are you trying to show? At Tangkap Najib there were activists, students, different civil societies and there were people who had no political interests. It was a people's movement. This one is a political movement, just anti-Anwar,' Mandeep said. Police estimated that around 18,000 people attended the Turun Anwar rally last Saturday, though organisers claimed that more than 200,000 rally-goers were present.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Cross-border trade to thrive after high-level consultation
IT took bilateral summitry at the highest level to revive cross-border free-trade arrangement at the Tebedu-Entikong border crossing between Sarawak and West Kalimantan in Indonesia. This deal was one of the highlights of the 13th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta this week. Also present were Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor. Sarawak had long sought to revive the free flow of goods since Indonesia unilaterally stopped it in 2016. Sarawak set up an inland port early in 2010 because it seemed to make good economic sense to transport goods from Kuching Port to West Kalimantan via the Tebedu inland port rather than all the way from Java. At its height in 2013, some RM700 million in goods were reported to be traded this way. Numerous Sarawak missions to Indonesia seeking to reinstate the free-trade arrangement since then had been fruitless. It, of course, hardly needs stressing that free trade benefits all who engage in it. It also makes geographic sense for transshipment of goods to and from West Kalimantan via Tebedu and Kuching. Naturally, it also needs to be acknowledged that West Kalimantan has similar aspirations to become a trade transshipment hub with the commissioning of a new deep sea port near Pontianak, the provincial capital. The new port will also be well-served by land adjoining it, which has been earmarked for the development of industries. It so happened that a trade delegation from Sarawak led by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan was in West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan, also this week. The main mission was, of course, to deepen the economic relationship not just with West Kalimantan bordering Sarawak but in East Kalimantan where the new Indonesian capital of Nusantara is being developed. Sarawak has already identified several joint-ventures in developing dams in Kalimantan and even major real estate developer Ibraco Bhd was scouting about for possible projects in Balikpapan, the major city adjoining Nusantara. Awang Tengah was reportedly also reviewing localities for setting up a Sarawak trade and tourism office in Pontianak. This comes on the heels of the revival of air connectivity between Kuching and Pontianak next month. There has been much clamour both in Sarawak and West Kalimantan for flights between the two cities to resume after they were stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic. People-to-people exchanges have come back strongly since as witnessed by the daily long queues at the Tebedu-Entikong main border crossing as well as other secondary border posts. All these positive developments must be sustained through regular high-level official exchanges, especially in showing to the Indonesian side that free trade and the free flow of people across our common border is not a zero-sum proposition benefiting only one side. What happened in Jakarta this week also shows that Sarawak and Sabah can and do benefit substantially from close state-federal ties and working in tandem to take the fullest advantage from similarly close Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral ties.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Anwar's statesmanship shines brightly in resolving regional conflicts and defending economy
KUALA LUMPUR: Within five days, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has achieved much more than what many leaders can only aspire to do in the field of international politics and global trade. Today was pivotal for the domestic economy as the United States lowered tariffs on Malaysian exports to the country from 25 per cent to 19 per cent after what was surely tough negotiations. A day earlier, he received a phone call from President Donald Trump confirming the latter's attendance at the 47th ASEAN summit in October. This is indeed a feather in the cap not only for Anwar but also for Malaysia as host for the ASEAN summit and related meetings with leaders of dialogue partners. Trump's presence in Kuala Lumpur will add more weight to the series of meetings among the world's leaders, including other superpowers such as China. But of course, what stands out globally was when he brokered a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand on Monday following border clashes between the two ASEAN members. After 35 people were killed, there was imminent fear the conflict could degenerate into a full-fledged war if others did not intervene. Fortunately, Anwar's fortitude managed to sway the two neighbours to return to the path of peace, for there are no victors in a war, but only casualties. This would have been be a sad state of affairs for ASEAN which was in the first place formed in 1967 to promote peace amid a volatile geopolitical environment. Credit goes to Anwar who within five days managed to do the unthinkable for regional peace and security and keep Malaysia's economy afloat after Washington had earlier announced debilitating tariffs of 25 per cent. His clarification that his sole focus in the recent Thai-Cambodian conflict was on finding a peaceful resolution to ensure ASEAN's continued stability and security was understating his magnanimity. He also dismissed claims that there was external pressure from global powers, reaffirming that the major breakthrough came through direct regional diplomacy. Which means a lot rested on the Prime Minister's shoulders in delicately bringing the parties embroiled in the conflict to the negotiating table and carving out a ceasefire. Previous Malaysian leaders can lay claim to having done many things but definitely not resolving a conflict between two nations embroiled in deadly clashes. Kudos should also go to the team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Their diplomatic and regional political success in brokering peace between Cambodia and Thailand is something other regional economies would want to learn more about. No less important is the tireless efforts of Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and his ministry's negotiating team for their success in lowering tariffs. Of course, the lower tariffs of 19 per cent as compared to 25 per cent would mean substantial savings for Malaysian exporters. A further plus point for Malaysia is that semiconductors – a major export revenue earner for Malaysia and pharmaceuticals – are exempted from any tariffs. Against such positive credentials, the protest march organised by mainly opposition politicians to bring down Anwar held in downturn KL last weekend was misplaced. No doubt there are domestic issues such as high costs to resolve. And within these few eventful days, Anwar unveiled the people-centric 13th Malaysia Plan, calling for value creation and upholding the people's welfare in the next five years and beyond without any grand plans but practical and doable measures with a tight rein on finances. Undoubtedly, based on his performance so far and especially the last few eventful days, Anwar can be counted upon to deliver for Malaysia while confronting unexpected obstacles. As Prime Minister, Finance Minister and as chair of ASEAN, he has steered Malaysia on the right upward path despite the shocking tariffs announcement in April and the unexpected conflict in ASEAN between two neighbours. The least we as the rakyat can do is to give him that space and support to do what is best for Malaysia. - Bernama
