KUALA LUMPUR: Youth leaders must defend democracy, justice and Bangsa Malaysia if the nation is to survive and become great, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In his speech at the 73rd annual general assembly of the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM), the nation's largest youth federation, on Friday (Jan 10), the Prime Minister said youth leaders must stand against corruption and strive to uplift the poor.
Speaking of his experience as a Muslim youth leader, Anwar said he learned to see the shared humanity between all Malaysians when working with activists from different ethnic and faith groups.
"I was exposed to different perspectives and from there I learned the meaning of shared humanity, truth, civility and justice that go beyond ethnicity or religion.
"You can choose to either be a small-minded champion of your ethnic group or a religious fanatic obsessed with trivial issues. Or you can choose to fight for 'Bangsa Malaysia'," said Anwar, who was MBM's sixth president.
"To survive as a great nation you must have the understanding, affection and spirit to fight for change based on the shared principles of democracy, justice and a plural multiracial society. If you accept that we will survive as a nation.
"This is the contestation of ideas, of democratic accountability. MBM cannot be divorced from this," he said.
Anwar also urged them not to be swayed by racial and religious sentiments and rhetoric intended to divert their attention from striving for truth and justice.
He added that the fight against corruption and government malfeasance was not easy but added that he was confident youth leaders would support him.
