PUTRAJAYA: Weaknesses in the national education system have led to “flaws” that primarily prioritise academic knowledge while neglecting the inculcation of principles, ethics and moral values among students, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said such shortcomings have contributed to cases of misconduct in schools, including recent incidents of bullying and sexual assault.
He also said that teachers should not be solely blamed for incidents of immoral behaviour among students, as parents must also share the responsibility.
“Bullying arises because our education emphasises knowledge, not values, morals or ethical principles. So there is a flaw,” he said at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly.
He expressed hope for stronger collaboration among educational institutions, parents, and the community to address these weaknesses and nurture a generation that is knowledgeable as well as morally upright.
“Hopefully, we will have the determination to do what is best for our families, our society, and our country,” he said, Bernama reported.
Four male students, who are scheduled to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination next month, were remanded for six days for allegedly raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Alor Gajah last week.
On the just-tabled Budget 2026, Anwar said the government has the capacity to provide greater benefits to the people without increasing taxes, thanks to savings from improved governance and efforts to curb leakages over the past two years.
He said higher taxes would burden the people, which is why his administration has focused on enhancing efficiency and addressing leakages as its key principles.
“Before we even think about raising taxes, which may burden the people, we must first correct the weaknesses within our administration,” he said.
“We must reflect on our work and the systems we inherited and are now managing. Are they efficient? Are we effectively controlling leakages, corruption or smuggling?”
Anwar said if the government maintains its current momentum in reducing expenditure by at least RM10bil a year, savings could reach up to RM100bil over 10 years, and these funds could be used to improve healthcare and education systems.
“In two years, the government has saved RM15.5bil. If we can achieve RM100bil in 10 years, just imagine the universities, schools, clinics and other facilities we could build for our children.
Last Friday, Anwar presented Budget 2026, which allocates a total of RM470bil in resources aimed at enhancing economic resilience and providing support to small businesses in light of ongoing global uncertainties.
