IPOH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to reject attempts to sow racial division, stressing that the nation’s independence was achieved through the unity and collective sacrifices of all communities.
Recalling the national motto introduced by the country’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj, Anwar said “Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu” (Unity Strengthens Quality) remained as relevant today as it was at independence.
Anwar said national unity must be driven by a shared commitment to improve the people’s quality of life rather than serving narrow or self-interested agendas.
Using an analogy from P. Ramlee’s classic film “Ali Baba Bujang Lapok”, Anwar said even the 40 thieves in the movie were united, but for the wrong reasons.
“So if we are to begin with unity, what is it for? Unity like in “Ali Baba Bujang Lapok” where the 40 thieves were united? United for what? United to improve the quality of life of the people, not united to plunder and steal timber and the nation’s wealth,” he said at the launch of the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2026 celebrations at the Sultan Azlan Shah Institute for Health Training near here on Sunday (July 19).
Anwar said while the spirit of Malay nationalism and the Malays’ role as the nation’s foundation were essential in securing independence, the contributions of the Chinese, Indians, Dayaks, Kadazans and other communities were equally indispensable.
“Our children must understand that if we want to give meaning to independence and build this nation successfully, the strength of the Malays is essential, but so too is the strength of Malays working together with the Chinese, Indians, Dayaks, Kadazans and all other communities. We must never allow anyone to divide us, because this nation achieved independence through the collective strength of all Malaysians,” he said.
Anwar said Malaysians should stop debating racial differences after nearly seven decades of independence in Peninsular Malaysia and more than six decades since Sabah and Sarawak joined the Federation.
He said the country’s founding fathers had already recognised Malaysia’s multiracial character when independence was achieved, and the contributions of every community could never be denied.
“Did we only discover in 2026 that Malaysia is made up of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans and Kadazans? Of course not. The contributions of every community were recognised then, and they cannot be denied today,” he said.
He said unity was not an end in itself, but a means to improve the people’s quality of life and build a stronger nation.
Under the Malaysia Madani framework, Anwar said the government was focused on developing a nation that excelled in advanced industries such as semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. He said Perak, once synonymous with the tin industry, was now emerging as a key automotive manufacturing hub with the potential to become a regional centre for new and green technologies.
“This is what nation building means. It is about building the Malaysia we love,” he said.
