BUKIT MERTAJAM: Given the opportunity to continue leading the country, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he would continue prioritising the wellbeing of the rakyat.
The Prime Minister said his main focus is to ensure Malaysia remains stable while improving the lives and prospects of its people.
"The responsibility of leadership is not to enrich oneself but to use power and public resources responsibly for the benefit of the people.
"I only aspire to ensure the country remains politically stable and peaceful as well as to encourage the people, especially the young, to grow and develop their nation.
"I remain firm in rejecting corruption, abuse of power and attempts to use positions of authority for personal gain.
"There are people who tell me, 'You are already the Prime Minister. You are also the Finance Minister, if you don't take it, when will you?'
"I say no," he said in his speech at the Sahabat Madani 2026 event, held in conjunction with National Day at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Campus in Permatang Pauh on Saturday (Aug 29).
Anwar said he cannot accept it when people entrusted with managing agencies, ministries or institutions use their power to cheat.
"The money lost through mismanagement, abuse and corruption could instead be channelled towards addressing the needs of Malaysians, particularly in education and improving the welfare of disadvantaged groups.
"The country's resources were not meant to be plundered by a select few.
"Better governance and the elimination of leakages could free up resources to be returned to the people, students and public institutions," he said.
