KOTA KINABALU: While it is not wrong to defend one’s race and religion, the intention is considered strayed if it comes to a point of instigating hatred or disunity, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said Malaysians are peace loving people who understand the importance of unity and integrity.
“But sometimes, we forget and are influenced by those who try to break this spirit.
“That is why the Ministry of National Unity is doing its best to revive this spark of unity and keep it going,” he said when launching the National Unity Week.
The Prime Minister called on the people to not take unity for granted, adding that it takes consistent effort to keep this harmony strong.
He said there are other countries with population characteristics similar to Malaysia that failed to keep the peace and harmony due to selfish interests.
“To build a country, one needs a leadership that is wise and patient,” Anwar said.
In the case of Malaysia, he said, its forefathers from the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak had a vision for a united nation despite the major differences in culture and beliefs.
“We must all work together to make sure this peace and harmony is preserved and protected, and promoted at all times,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said the government is considering a matching fund of RM5mil under Budget 2027 for the revival of memorials honouring national leaders.
He said this grant would also be used to speed up the digitalisation of national history and set up interactive exhibitions.
“I hope the state government would provide suitable locations for the building of two Sabah leaders’ memorial to appreciate and remember their sacrifices in the formation of the state and country,” said Anwar.
To further promote appreciation and cultivation of unity among the youth, the government will also provide a RM10,000 activity grant to 189 Rukun Negara secretariats at higher learning institutions, and RM5,000 each for the 6,849 Rukun Negara clubs in schools nationwide, he said.
National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the unity index for 2025 shows positive improvement with a 0.7 score, higher than the previous year.
Fostering unity is not a one-off initiative but a long-term commitment that must be continuously nurtured and strengthened, he said.
Aaron said his ministry had implemented 762 programmes last year covering the strengthening of identity, nationhood, volunteerism, community development and inter-religious harmony.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Sabah’s selection as the host of this year’s National Unity Week served as an acknowledgement of the way of life in Sabah, which has been living in peace and harmony for generations.
“We gather here in a symbol of unity and peace; this is the true face of Malaysia,” he said.
He encouraged all to study and immerse themselves in the real meaning of unity, pointing out that true unity needs sincerity, mutual respect, socio-economic justice and fairness for all the states.
He said a diverse nation like Malaysia will only truly be strong if each state feels they are taken care of properly and fairly.
