KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has slammed certain quarters in the country for undermining efforts to unite the people by continuously playing up strong racial and religious sentiments.
The Prime Minister said, for example, that in the political battles in the peninsula, some were narrow-minded and dragged such sentiments to gain political popularity.
He said such individuals went to the extreme of denying the presence and right of representation of other races, with some playing religious sentiments to the extent of considering others were worthless.
“We cannot underestimate the forces in the peninsula, Sabah or Sarawak ... they would view their survival purely from a particular race or religion, and this would of course be damaging to the fabric of our country,” he said, in his speech when closing the Kaamatan festival in Penampang near here on Friday (May 31).
Anwar said he has always been clear that his government, with the cooperation of the Sabah government, will continue to fight, demand and ensure that the rights of every single citizen in Malaysia must be protected and preserved.
“I have to continue to reiterate this point because there are forces, with some extreme views being expressed.
“Even after six decades of independence, you can still hear (such sentiments) and this should not be tolerated,” he said.
The Prime Minister said his government has drawn criticism over its stance, with some saying that Malaysia, being a democratic country, should give space to the people to express their views.
“But there must be a limit.
“I will not compromise on the need to preserve the security of all Malaysians and on that, we must stand together,” Anwar said.
