Putrajaya (Malaysia). Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians to reject racial and religious bigotry and unite. He made this call on Thursday on the 66th Independence Day of the country. To celebrate the independence, the people of the country set off fireworks at various places at midnight. Thousands of people gathered in the administrative capital Putrajaya on Thursday morning to witness the main parade. They waved national flags and chanted with the band. During this time a long convoy of vehicles was seen.
Usai Sambutan Hari Kebangsaan, I and the Jemaah Minister along with the mengirgi Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah met people of various communities coming together in this event… pic.twitter.com/0DEgujSC7e
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) August 31, 2023
Anwar and the country’s King Abdullah Sultan Ahmed Shah were also among the dignitaries at the parade. In a televised address on the eve of National Day, Anwar appealed to Malaysians not to let their differences destroy the country. He warned that the decline of powerful countries was not just due to mismanagement or corruption, but because of “the fire of ethnic and religious fanaticism.” Anwar, who took power in November after a divisive general election, said, Don’t take me in… Our differences can be a force that can destroy the fabric of society and country.
Islam is the official religion in Malaysia and the majority of the population are Muslims. Malaysia also has a large Chinese and Indian minority. Following the general election, racial and religious divisions in Malaysia deepened, leading to the emergence of a strong Islamic-Malay nationalist opposition group. Anwar’s coalition won the most seats but fell short of the majority to form a government. Anwar, 76, later formed a multi-coalition unity government with the support of former rivals.
On National Day, Sultan Abdullah supported Anwar’s call for racial unity in a post on Facebook. “This unity is the main key to the country’s stability and prosperity, as well as the pillar and source of strength for us to face any present and future challenges,” he said. Although the Anwar government has a two-thirds majority in parliament, it has so far failed to garner support among Malay voters. Many consider him very generous. They fear their Islamic identity and economic privileges could be taken away under a decades-old affirmative action program.
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