MALAYSIAN youth must choose the “best path”, one that serves the country and helps Malaysia rise among the ranks of great nations, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister, speaking at the Temu Anwar programme at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) recently, told students that the real test for their generation is whether they will pursue nation-building anchored on unity, mutual respect and courage.
“We want to choose to make this country peaceful, cultivate love, confidence and trust in each other.
“If we choose what is best, we must be brave. It does not necessarily mean it will be popular; sometimes, you can be hated, rejected or insulted,” he said at the Feb 4 event.
He urged students to embrace a culture of respect, stressing that it must work both ways in a multiracial society, and that Malaysia’s diversity should be treated as a shared strength, not as a weapon to create fear.
“I want all races to respect all other races, but all other races must respect the others too.
“But your choice is to avoid and eliminate sentiments of hostility and division.
“It is not a zero-sum game,” he said, adding that Malaysians must act with humanity, values and empathy, and work towards the well-being of all.
Change for progress
Anwar also called on students to focus on national priorities, particularly education, technology and economic strength.
“Malaysia, if it wants to succeed, must accept reality. We must make changes, take leaps, accelerate.
“In the economy, in society, in humanitarian fields, in information technology or anywhere, we must sprint, or we will be left behind,” he said.
He stressed that the younger generation must aim for excellence, including in artificial intelligence, while remaining grounded in values and identity.
“While reaching for the sky, we must also remain rooted in the earth.
“We must remember where we come from, and our culture,” he said.
He added that a good leader must have knowledge, discipline and moral values, warning that intelligence without humanity can destroy a nation.
“If you want to lead, knowledge must be there, and you must be better than those you lead,” he said.
Incentives for students
The event, which drew around 1,600 students, included an open Q&A session where they asked the Prime Minister about issues such as education financing, national education reforms, leadership values, AI and future employment.
On incentives for high-performing students at private higher education institutions, Anwar said the government would address it in stages due to financial constraints, prioritising education assistance for students from the poorest backgrounds.
He added that education should be as affordable as possible, with support extended to those who need it most.
“We saw that there were outstanding PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation) loans totalling about RM10bil.
“So last year, I decided that we would provide free education for the poorest students first.
“We started with 5,000 people, then increased it to 10,000,” he said.
Boost for TAR UMT
During his visit to the TAR UMT main campus in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, Anwar also announced a 10-year income tax exemption for the varsity and presented a mock cheque for RM40mil in a matching government grant.
“The government has approved a tax exemption for 10 years for all educational bodies and foundations.
“This is for foundations that are set up for education purposes, like the TAR Foundation,” he said at the mock cheque presentation.
Also present were MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, TAR UMT board of governors and alumni council chairman Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, and TAR UMT president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei.
Planning ahead for bigger school cohorts
With children aged six allowed to enter Year One starting next year, concerns have arisen about a potential surge in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia graduates and university placements in the future.
In response, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the government must plan for job opportunities through a strong economy and investment.
“If we want to solve unemployment, the economy must be strong, and investments must come.
“Politics must be stable, leadership must think about the future, and we must have clear policies in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, energy transition and digital transformation,” he said.
He underscored that allowing children aged six to enter Year One is necessary for Malaysia to progress more quickly, noting that most countries begin formal schooling at that age.
However, he acknowledged that the move requires significant preparation, including additional teachers and classrooms.
“This year, we have already prepared an additional RM800mil specifically for teacher readiness, to expedite the provision of additional classrooms by the end of this year and next year,” he said.
Addressing challenges arising from the implementation, he said the government is doing its best to manage them, which is why additional funding has been allocated for these classes.
‘Think before chasing AI trends’
Artificial intelligence (AI) does not automatically increase efficiency, and policymakers must analyse evidence rather than simply follow trends, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“These assumptions that AI brings more – it’s not necessarily always true,” he said, citing a survey involving the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan, which suggests that AI has not always resulted in more efficient services.
“We don’t just follow the trend. We have to look and analyse,” he said.
On potential unemployment caused by AI, Anwar said he is not overly worried, expressing confidence in human creativity and education.
He also referred to a recent article by Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, noting the large investments being made in AI research to remain competitive.
“Honestly, I don’t worry too much, because I trust in human ingenuity.
“Through good education, innovation and creative thinking, people will find other avenues, new opportunities and new jobs,” he said.
