PUTRAJAYA, August 30 – Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has called on all segments of society to embrace the country’s independence with free spirits and independent thinking. Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Address ceremony in conjunction with National Day 2023, he explained that embracing independence means from the highest leadership to the people, there must be an awareness that Malaysia’s blessed land is a trust that needs to be accounted for.
“All powers, from the small village level to the Prime Minister’s Office, must nurture a free spirit,” he said in front of 8,000 attendees at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) on Wednesday. Also present were the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and cabinet ministers. According to Anwar, the effort to ensure that every citizen possesses a free spirit must continue by returning power to the people, thereby elevating the dignity of the nation. “I believe that with this spirit, Malaysia will emerge as a great and mighty country in Southeast Asia,” he said.
He stressed that today’s enjoyed independence is the result of the unity of Malays, Bumiputeras, Chinese, Indians, and the indigenous tribes of Sabah and Sarawak, and it must be safeguarded. “The unity and harmony that we foster, what is it for? It is to secure the future through policies and implementation carried out at present,” he said. Anwar mentioned that in the effort to move forward, a small number of parties dislike the management and governance policies introduced as soon as he took the helm. “Do not use power to amass wealth for yourself, your family, or cronies,” he said.
He added that the differences in ethnicity, culture, and religion in the country do not pose a problem because every individual’s rights are enshrined in the Federal Constitution. “This country stands strong from the past, the present, and will continue to stand strong by acknowledging the Social Contract among all races, and ensuring the citizens’ rights to practice their religion and culture are preserved,” he said. He emphasized that his government guarantees the continuous defense of the rights of every citizen. “That is why we must pay attention to avoiding any efforts that could weaken the spirit of unity and togetherness among us. Do not underestimate this matter,” he said.
