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Anwar's Budget 2026: From Athens to Gaza
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, known for weaving quotes from diverse eras and civilisations into his speeches, did not disappoint when presenting Budget 2026.
This time, he drew on wisdom across history to underscore a central message - that his leadership is guided by principle, not merely by power. His critics, of course, might disagree.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, known for weaving quotes from diverse eras and civilisations into his speeches, did not disappoint when presenting Budget 2026.
This time, he drew on wisdom across history to underscore a central message - that his leadership is guided by principle, not merely by power. His critics, of course, might disagree.
From the very beginning, Anwar invoked the words of former Czech Republic president Vaclav Havel, reminding all that politics should be “a noble reflection of humanity, and not merely a game or calculation of power.”
He then reached back to ancient Greece, drawing inspiration from the Athenian statesman Pericles, who observed that “nobility is not measured by wealth, but by the courage and resolve in fulfilling one’s trust to the homeland.”
Turning to France during the Enlightenment, Anwar cited judge and philosopher Montesquieu’s pearls of wisdom that “power without accountability is the beginning of tyranny”.
Remaining faithful to his tradition of drawing from multiple cultures, Anwar also invoked ancient Chinese and Tamil texts.
When discussing defence allocations, he referenced the Zuo Zhuan (The Commentary of Zuo) from the Spring and Autumn Annals, emphasising the timeless importance of preparedness. Reciting it in Mandarin, he translated: “In times of peace, we must remain vigilant against dangers and calamities.”
On domestic challenges, particularly the cost of living, he again drew upon the Thirukurral, reciting in Tamil: “Fortune and hardship may come and go, but steadfastness of conscience is the highest mark of human virtue.”
On the home front, he turned to Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, quoting “The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr Ismail and His Time”: “We are not merely rebuilding walls and roofs, but rekindling the spirit so that this city may once again speak of who we are, where we came from, and where we are headed.”
Closing with a reflection on global affairs, Anwar addressed the situation in the Middle East and the Israel-Hamas ceasefire: “The post-Gaza world demands moral courage and diplomatic wisdom to build a new horizon that promises enduring peace, justice, and humanity.”
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