Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has underscored that Malaysia’s strength lies in embracing the reality that Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans and all Malaysians are part of “one big family”, bound by a shared homeland and a common destiny.

In a social media post this afternoon, he recalled his speech at the 41st National Chinese Cultural Festival in Malacca last night, where he stressed the importance of unity and warned against the pitfalls of division.

“Malaysia will never become a great nation if we remain trapped in, or dragged into, narrow racial prejudices and divisions,” he said on Facebook.

“This is the Wa’ad Malaysia - our promise and pledge to uphold the rights of every citizen, respect each other’s language, culture and religion, and ensure that no one feels like a stranger in their own country,” he added.

Anwar said diversity was not Malaysia’s weakness, but its heritage and strength, which must be nurtured as Malaysians work together to build a country free from corruption, strong in unity and courageous enough to move forward as one nation.

In his speech in Malacca, the prime minister reiterated his caution to political parties against exploiting racial issues to gain public support.

He said such tactics are often deployed when political parties find themselves in desperate situations, particularly during political dynamics that work against them.

“When politics becomes convoluted and contentious, parties withdraw support and resort to playing the race card. When desperate, they use race again,” the Tambun MP added.

Ditch racism

Anwar noted that Malaysia has been independent for 69 years, adding that racial issues should no longer be the primary focus of any community in the country.

As the nation approaches nearly 70 years of independence, Anwar said Malaysia must emerge as a nation that thrives on the collective strength of its diverse races, regardless of who leads the country.

“My speech tonight is more of an appeal - an appeal for us to return to our collective strength. Every voice counts for our survival.

“Have we not had enough of endless arguments and disputes? Whose country is this? It is our country.

“In the 1940s and 1950s, I can understand. The nation was on the verge of independence, and each group was concerned about its racial survival. In the 1960s, yes, Malaysia was a young nation,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Anwar stressed that every voice must now focus on the future survival of Malaysia as a unified nation.

“Whoever is given the mandate, whoever is supported, must promise to protect the people, safeguard the country, and secure the future of our children as one nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar reiterated that the government will not compromise on corruption and abuse of power, pledging to eradicate it completely.

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“My government and I will show zero tolerance, and I will continue to act decisively to clean this country of corruption,” he added.