KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has appealed to the peace-loving majority to speak out against narratives of hatred and slander being spread by a vocal minority in the country.
He described the current climate as reflecting a “tyranny of the minority”, where a small but loud and angry group seeks to impose its will on the majority through slander and intimidation.
“Now, it is the noisy minority — angry, cruel, stirring up emotions. They gather, sow hatred, spread slander and instil fear in others. This seems like a tyranny of the minority. The oppression and cruelty of a small group forcing the larger group (majority).
“I take this opportunity to appeal… the time has come for the majority to speak from their conscience to save our country and advance together,” he said in his keynote address at the MADANI Harmony Discourse held in conjunction with Wesak Day today.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who co-chairs the discourse organisers, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, and Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council (MBCC) president Lillian Chang were also present.
Anwar reflected on Malaysia’s founding principles under the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, emphasising that the nation was built on the premise that “unity enhances strength”, acknowledging the country’s racial and religious diversity.
He noted that while the Malay and Bumiputera communities constitute the majority and Islam is enshrined as the federal religion, the nation has always pursued development founded on mutual respect.
“Within the framework of Malaysia MADANI, we are not charting something new, but continuing the agenda set by the founding fathers of the nation,” he said.
The Prime Minister said national development should not focus solely on technology, digitalisation, and innovation, but must also be grounded in values, ethics, and conscience derived from religious teachings.
He emphasised that love and compassion, central to all faiths, should guide daily life rather than be replaced with hatred and division.
Anwar highlighted that many challenges arise from misunderstandings, leading to rushed judgments and the exploitation of religious sentiments on social media and in politics to spread discord.
On social and economic justice, he said: “I fully support efforts to help Bumiputeras who are still poor, but at the same time, assistance must be channelled to all needy Malaysians regardless of race.”
He added that the nation must care for the needy as one family while confronting weaknesses, including corruption and misappropriation of tens of billions of ringgit.
The Prime Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting Wesak Day celebrations in the years ahead.
The discourse, jointly organised by the Transport Ministry and MBCC, attracted roughly 1,000 participants from various backgrounds, including religious leaders, academics, and community representatives, focusing on interfaith dialogue, community service, and values-based economic development.
Earlier, Loke said the government allocated RM2.5 million for the discourse, including nationwide outreach through organisational networks.
He described the programme as a national first, marking direct government involvement in a major festive celebration while promoting honesty, responsibility, and kindness as the pillars of a progressive society.
“The Prime Minister’s presence at this programme sends a clear message regarding the government’s commitment to the nation’s inclusive agenda and the building of a society based on shared values,” he said. - May 23, 2026
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