Leaders call for renewed focus on unity, fairness and MA63
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Day must be more than a celebration, with top leaders calling for a renewed commitment to unity, fair development and the rights of Sabah and Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said there must be a renewed Malaysia Day pledge to ensure that no region is left behind, no community feels alienated and no Malaysian is shut out of the nation’s progress.
He said that the Sept 16 celebration should remind Malaysians of the bond between the rulers and the people, as well as between the regions and the Federation.
“Malaysia Day reminds us that this nation was built on a ‘waad’, a bond binding the leaders and the people, the regions and the Federation, loyalty and justice.
“We must acknowledge that there have been times when the nation’s journey has veered off course, when race was exploited, regional disparities were allowed to widen, and differences turned into walls and dividing lines,” Anwar said in a Facebook post yesterday.
He said Malaysia Day symbolises a commitment and promise that must continually be renewed.
“That no region should be regarded as marginalised or peripheral, no community should feel alienated, and no Malaysian should be left behind in the march towards progress,” he said.
Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said Malaysians must continue upholding unity as the foundation for a stronger, more resilient nation.
In separate Malaysia Day messages, both leaders stressed that national strength lies in diversity.
Ahmad Zahid noted that the country’s resilience stems from its multi-racial, multi-religious and multicultural fabric.
“Differences are not an obstacle, but instead are a strength that shapes Malaysia’s identity.
“Our journey since 1963 teaches us that progress and prosperity can only be built when we move forward together, respect one another and preserve our shared harmony,” he said, while wishing everyone a Happy Malaysia Day 2026, yesterday.
Meanwhile, Fadillah described unity as an active commitment rather than a passive inheritance.
“We may disagree or hold political differences, but that should never lead to hatred or obscure our shared Malaysian identity,” Fadillah wrote.
He added that honouring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) remains vital to ensuring Sabah and Sarawak retain their rightful stature in the federation.
Fadillah noted that strengthening federalism ensures every region develops fairly and every state is heard.
Separately, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud warned against using the occasion to cause political strife.
“Malaysia Day must strengthen unity, not serve as a platform to undermine stability or call for premature dissolution of the federation without cause,” he said.
Mustapha said political differences must be handled with maturity.
“After six decades as one nation, it is regrettable that certain political leaders still fail to respect these boundaries,” he said, highlighting that peaceful coexistence is a cornerstone of daily life in Sabah and Sarawak.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said Malaysia’s diverse cultures, languages, customs and heritage, from the peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak, are not a source of division but part of the country’s rich identity.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan also urged Malaysians to strengthen solidarity, foster mutual respect and work together to build a more progressive, inclusive and prosperous Malaysia.
He said Malaysians may come from different ethnic, religious, cultural and social backgrounds, but they share a common homeland, a common hope and a common future.
“Happy Malaysia Day to all Malaysians. Malaysia belongs to all of us. Let us stand united and strong as one nation,” he said.
