BUTTERWORTH, Sept 17 — Malaysians must avoid attitudes of racial extremism or religious fanaticism to ensure the continued survival of the nation as a sovereign and independent state, as well as reject any form of extremism that could cause division.
Delivering the Address for Malaysia Day 2025 before thousands of multi-ethnic citizens tonight, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that both religious and racial fanaticism can threaten the country’s political and economic stability.
“As an independent and sovereign nation, its people must be united. Hatred and prejudices between ethnicities, religions, and regions must be dissolved. They must ensure that extreme attitudes towards other races or religious fanaticism are not permitted.
“Malaysia, as an independent and sovereign nation, guarantees opportunity and equality for all ethnicities,” he said at the Malaysia Day 2025 celebration, themed Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni at the PICCA@Arena Convention Centre here, officiated by the Governor of Penang, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib.
Also present were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof; Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, representing Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg; and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, representing Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
At the same time, the Prime Minister said that the challenge for the nation’s leadership is to ensure Malaysia’s economy continues to surge by practising good governance.
Touching on independence, he emphasised that its true meaning is not merely about replacing foreign colonisers with local leaders, but about guaranteeing the existence of a system that is just, ethical, and upholds human values.
“Independence means guaranteeing a fair economic and cultural system, and ensuring unity amongst us,” he said.
He added that Malaysia’s independence is rather unique because it was not built upon the oppression of other races, but on the principles of shared prosperity and justice, which must be upheld by the new generation. — Bernama
