IPOH: Students have been urged to maintain discipline and avoid arrogance by belittling or bullying others, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the country’s system and schools should not tolerate such behaviour.
"It is crucial for discipline in schools to improve.
"We still hear reports of bad behaviour among students, including mocking others, hurling insults, and discriminating based on skin colour or ethnicity.
"This is not the behaviour of educated people. Malaysia, while being a Malay-Bumiputera majority nation, is a place for everyone," he said during the "Santuni Kasih" programme with school students in the Tambun parliamentary area at SMJK Poi Lam today (April 25).
The event was attended by Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Berjaya Group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan.
Berjaya Group presented RM1mil to 2,000 underprivileged students from 15 schools in the Tambun parliamentary area.
Anwar also urged students to stand against narrow-mindedness and prejudice based on race.
"We should evaluate people based on their knowledge, character, behaviour, and values. I hope you remember this.
"We must not hear of racial sentiments in any school, whether Malay, Chinese, Tamil, or Religious schools.
"That sort of thinking divides and destroys our nation, and we are all Malaysians who love our country," he added.
Anwar reiterated that good teachers, leaders, and even a good Prime Minister must consider every child, whether Malay, Chinese, Indian, or Orang Asli, as their own.
Teachers bear great responsibility in shaping this understanding, he said.
He highlighted Malaysia's development, with high investments in sectors like semiconductors, data centres, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
"If you want to succeed, you must be disciplined, diligent, and willing to master new knowledge.
"Strengthen your command of languages: Bahasa Melayu as our national language, and English, which is important in business.
"The rise of China’s economy has made Mandarin increasingly important," he added.
Anwar reminded students that schools must adapt to the future, instructing agencies to ensure the quality of education improves for Malaysia’s future.
"We must uplift the standard of education. Today, in any field, we must master digital technology and AI. That’s the future. The true purpose of acquiring knowledge is to become a good person who benefits themselves, their families, society, and the nation," he concluded.
