PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Constitution and Malaysian history will be incorporated into the higher education syllabus, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said although Bahasa Melayu and History are not compulsory subjects at tertiary level, a revamped general studies course conducted in Malay would be introduced at all public and private universities for Malaysian students in 2026.
"The Constitution and Malaysian history will be included in the curriculum.
"It will not be overly burdensome as we do not want to overload students in disciplines that require greater focus," he said when speaking at the launch of the National Education Plan 2026-2035 here on Tuesday (Jan 20).
Anwar said it was unreasonable for Malaysians to graduate without understanding the country's Constitution or its history.
"If we want to safeguard this nation, all our children must master basic, foundational knowledge of the Constitution and history. This will be covered under general studies," he said.
Anwar said Malaysia stands firmly on the strength of clear constitutional principles, including its language, system of monarchy and democracy – but this also requires an appreciation of humanity, diversity and the richness of its races, languages, customs and cultures.
He said the national principle of "Unity Is Strength" could be used either to build collective resilience or, if misused, to erode culture and national unity.
He said education must be firmly rooted in Malaysia so students internalise the meaning of truth, justice and humanity, and understand what it means to be human in relation to oneself, one's family, society, the nation and humanity as a whole.
On another issue, Anwar acknowledged that some students have difficulty securing affordable accommodation, particularly in urban areas.
He said the government had instructed all government-linked investment companies to take the lead in addressing the issue rather than relying on private developers.
"These GLCs will work with universities to develop sites and prioritise student accommodation," he said.
