KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today that Malaysia’s economic growth must always be aligned with the empowerment of its cultural identity.
In his speech at the Malaysian Cultural Festival in Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, Anwar said that while economic empowerment was central, the true goal was to develop people.
“Economic empowerment must go hand in hand with cultural empowerment,” he said.
The prime minister said the festival reflected Malaysia’s strength in embracing diversity, with each community contributing to the nation’s cultural wealth.
“This is Malaysia’s strength, different from the view of small groups who believe only their perspective is correct and are unwilling to accept differences,” he said.
Anwar said the national language united the country, but Malaysia also upheld the rights of all communities to preserve their own languages. He added that to face global challenges, Malaysians must also master international languages, including English.
He said Malaysia’s national culture was rooted in Malay traditions but had flourished by incorporating elements from Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, Murut, Melanau, Bajau and many others.
“This is what makes Malaysia unique and capable of sustaining peace and harmony. If we start rejecting one another, that is where disunity begins,” he said.
Anwar said foreign dignitaries, including presidents, monarchs and prime ministers, were often impressed by Malaysia’s cultural showcase, which featured colourful performances and songs in various languages.
“This proves to the world that Malaysians accept and celebrate diversity. Tourists who attend such festivals are even more amazed at our ability to live in harmony,” he said.
Anwar also congratulated the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and its related agencies for organising the festival, which featured 68 cultural activities, including wayang kulit, menora, silat demonstrations, traditional dances, heritage food showcases and international competitions.
He said the turnout of both Malaysians and foreign visitors showed that the festival had the capacity to generate significant economic benefits for the country.
Also present at the festival were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing; Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan; and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
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