Anwar warns against exploiting race for political survival
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned political parties against using racial sentiments to gain support, emphasizing the need for national unity. He asserted that Malaysia belongs to all ethnic groups and that promoting a shared identity does not undermine the constitutional role of the Malay rulers.
Why it matters
It addresses the ongoing challenge of maintaining ethnic harmony and national identity in a diverse, multi-religious society.
MELAKA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned political parties against exploiting racial sentiments to shore up support, saying he will not compromise on safeguarding Malaysia as a country for all its people.
He said political differences should never descend into racial provocation, adding that history had shown how communal sentiments could be inflamed by parties facing internal conflict or seeking to regain support.
“This is not about politics. It is about Malaysia’s survival as a nation, and we must have the courage to say enough is enough,” he said when opening the 41st Malaysian Chinese Cultural Festival at Encore Melaka here on Sunday (Sept 20).
Anwar said every Malaysian, regardless of ethnicity or region, should be able to regard the country as their own without fear or uncertainty.
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