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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the national education system as “deeply flawed”, arguing that it overemphasises academic success while neglecting the development of moral and ethical values among students.
Speaking in response to a recent spate of student bullying cases, Anwar said such incidents point to a more profound issue within the system: the prioritisation of intellectual excellence over character building.
“Our education system is flawed. It stresses knowledge, not values, not moral and ethical principles,” he stated, adding that this failure is not limited to schools alone, but reflects a broader societal inability to instil empathy, compassion, and responsibility.
He warned that the education system must strive to produce not only intelligent individuals, but also those with integrity and a sense of accountability towards others. “It's not just the teachers' fault. Parents, too, must share this responsibility,” he said.
His remarks follow a disturbing case involving four 17-year-old students who were remanded for six days over the alleged rape of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Alor Gajah. The suspects, due to sit for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination next month, are being investigated under Section 375B of the Penal Code for gang rape.
Anwar stressed that the solution lies in an overhaul of values-based education that begins at home and is reinforced by educators throughout the school journey.
Separately, as Malaysia prepares to host the 47th ASEAN Summit later this month, Anwar underscored the importance of ensuring that discussions during the summit yield tangible outcomes.
“As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia must ensure every discussion brings real impact,” he said in a Facebook post after inspecting preparations at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), where the summit will take place from 26 to 28 October.
Anwar was accompanied during the inspection by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin.
Shamsul Azri said the visit aimed to ensure that all aspects of the summit’s organisation—from logistics and venue readiness to security and programme coordination—were proceeding at the highest standards.
“With the level of commitment and dedication shown by the organising team, I can confidently say that Malaysia is ready to welcome over 30,000 delegates starting 25 October,” he posted online.
This year’s summit marks the climax of Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, themed “Inclusion and Sustainability”. It will convene ASEAN member state leaders, dialogue partners, and special guests in what is expected to be one of the bloc’s largest summits to date.
Ahead of the summit, Malaysia will also host the 25th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-25) from 15 to 17 October at KLCC. The forum will be officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who also serves as the Minister for Energy Transition and Water Transformation.
AEBF-25 is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s energy future, bringing together ASEAN energy ministers and global business leaders. Among the key highlights is the dissemination of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030 and announcements of major financial commitments to support green infrastructure, particularly the ASEAN Power Grid.
“This year’s edition is extraordinary,” said AEBF-25 Chairman Andy Tirta. “It marks real steps to strengthen regional energy connectivity, with a record number of partners and participants.”
The forum’s significance is underlined by the presence of Asian Development Bank Director General Hideaki Iwasaki, who will unveil the financing structure for ASEAN’s energy transformation.
Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy, Datuk Razib Dawood, said the forum will witness the launch of new initiatives and multi-billion-dollar financing plans to accelerate cross-border energy collaboration.
Notable speakers include UEM Lestra Chairman Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin, Tenaga Nasional CEO Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hasan, Gamuda Australia’s Chief Strategy Officer Jarred Hardman, and Huawei Digital Power Vice President Xia Hesheng.
Themed “Powering ASEAN: Bridging Boundaries, Building Prosperity,” AEBF-25 signals ASEAN’s intent to transition from participant to architect in shaping the global energy landscape. - October 14, 2025