Anwar calls for constructive, respectful dialogue among civilisations

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for constructive and respectful dialogue among civilisations, stating that such engagement must be founded on mutual recognition of dignity, strength, and cultural diversity.

He said the preservation of justice, compassion, and coexistence is essential in navigating the complexities of the post-normal era and remains vital to upholding the shared values that underpin global peace and stability.

“It must be the polylogue among civilisations, not one culture erasing another, but mutual recognition of strength and dignity. In these post-normal times, values such as justice, compassion, and coexistence must not be overlooked.

“We must never lose our soul of dignity, of human values, and respect for one another, regardless of different creeds, different cultures,” he said.

Anwar said this in his public lecture entitled “Asean in a Multipolar World: Perspectives from Malaysia” at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations today.

The lecture was streamed on his Facebook page.

He was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the institute, recognising his contributions to promoting global peace and strengthening international cooperation.

Reflecting on his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday, Anwar said the talks demonstrated a shared spirit of mutual respect.

“We are here on his invitation… from a very important international leader to a relatively smaller country in Asean. But we were accorded the same sense of respect, equality, and the level of comfort. This is what needs to be promoted.

“We don’t believe in unilateralism. We need to showcase that every community, every country, big or small, rich or poor, must be given our respect and recognition,” he said.

He added that Malaysia’s Madani framework shares common ground with the “Russian soul” often cited by Russian intellectuals, which he described as consistent in its emphasis on justice, morality, and societal balance.

On regional cooperation, Anwar highlighted Asean’s consensus-driven model, citing how the bloc collectively supported his outreach to both the Myanmar military leadership and opposition figures during efforts to pursue a ceasefire and humanitarian access.

“Any issue, whether it is Myanmar or beyond, must be addressed with dialogue, not domination. Asean proves that peace delivers prosperity,” he said.

The prime minister also stressed the importance of cultural diplomacy and academic exchange, noting the presence of nearly 700 Malaysian students in Russia and about 400 Russian students in Malaysia.

He also thanked Russian institutions for incorporating Bahasa Melayu into their curriculum, and noted that Universiti Malaya continues to offer Russian language studies.

The prime minister will conclude his four-day official visit to Russia tomorrow.

- Bernama

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