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Focus on unity, development, not being ‘jaguh kaum’, says Anwar

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At Chinese New Year open house, the prime minister says a small segment of Malaysians want to be heroes for their race.

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians to look beyond racial and regional lines to drive economic progress. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to rise above championing their own race or region, and to instead focus on national development and fostering greater unity.

Speaking at a Chinese New Year open house at the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anwar called for a renewed focus on national unity, urging Malaysians to look beyond racial and regional lines to drive economic progress.

“We must focus and not be distracted by issues that arise. Our nation is a multi-racial, multi-religious country with different regions and states.

“Such ‘issues’ often arise because a small segment (of Malaysians) want to be heroes for their respective race, or area and region,” he said.

Touching on cultural and religious interactions, Anwar said Malaysia had long been a country where different communities took part in each other’s traditions.

“I have no problem with Malays going to Chinese New Year or Thaipusam celebrations. For decades, this was never an issue. Why should long-standing traditions suddenly become a problem?” he added.

Last month, PAS stirred controversy after criticising the housing and local government ministry for organising a Christmas celebration at its headquarters in Putrajaya. They claimed Muslims had also joined in the celebration.

PAS argued that Muslims were prohibited from getting directly involved in celebrations of faiths that went against Islamic teachings.

Minister Nga Kor Ming dismissed PAS’s criticism, saying the celebration underscored the uniqueness of Malaysia’s multicultural society and that he would continue to defend the fundamental liberties of Malaysians.

He also said the participants in the celebration included Sabahans and Sarawakians who were Christian.

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