Photo: Bernama
KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says everyone in Malaysia must respect each other's race and religion for the country's stability and progress.
He said that people should take advantage of the current unity government's aim to develop and defend all races and religious beliefs in Malaysia.
"It is important for every Malaysian irrespective of their race or religion to work together for the country to progress," said Anwar.
"A country can only progress in all matters including on issues of race and religion, if the government is stable and has full cooperation and support from all the people.
"Why do we celebrate various religious festivities of people from different races or religions? "Because we want every Malaysian to progress," he said while meeting the people in Papar.
"Competitiveness, (and) not enmity, is for the good of the country," he said.
Anwar said that although the government's policy under the Constitution states that Islam is the official religion of Malaysia and Bahasa Melayu is the national language, it should not prevent the country from celebrating diversity.
"We don't prevent other religions from exercising their rights... don't insult other races or religions because that only causes conflict.
"Therefore we have to respect and accept the differences that exist... what I want is a country that respects all parties," he said.
Noting that Hajiji held a strong state government, he said Sabahans must join hands and support the various programmes implemented by Hajiji's government for the benefit of the state's development and advancement.
Anwar later presented a pensioner's card to the family of the late Kedah Civil Defence Force director, Lt. Col Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub who died from a fall while climbing Mount Everest earlier this month.
Awang Askandar, who was part of the Malaysia Everest 2023, is from Papar.
