[UPDATED] Anwar: Power must serve the people, not politics

New Straits Times

11-05-2025

KOTA KINABALU: Those in positions of power must do everything within their means to improve the lives of the people and enhance public infrastructure, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"When in power, many leaders focus on their parliamentary seats, ministries, and positions in government, but fail to prioritise the needs of the people. It's only when they lose power that they start talking about defending Malays, about Islam being under threat, and about the neglect of the states. But when they had the power, what did they actually do?"
"So I challenge my fellow leaders – while we are in power, let us do the best we can for the people," he said during the closing ceremony of the three-day Madani Rakyat programme at Dataran Majlis Perbandaran Tawau here, today.
Anwar urged leaders and government officials to prioritise the everyday concerns of the people: electricity, water, schools (including school toilets, science labs, classrooms, and canteens), the welfare of the police and military who ensure safety, housing, basic needs, the repair of roads, and the maintenance of clinics and hospitals.
He said that the daily news was often filled with racial division, territorial disputes, and religious conflict – much of it incited by political leaders.
He added, "There are leaders in high-ranking positions, some responsible for parliamentary constituencies, who focus only on how to move Sabah forward by fighting against the Peninsula or the Federal Government. But neither the Peninsula, nor Sarawak, nor Sabah can progress if we do not unite and come together to uplift this country as one."
"If we truly love our country and our respective states, we must work towards strengthening unity. Let us be grateful that we continue to live in peace despite our political differences."
Anwar also pointed out that beyond the political quarrels, the nation faced challenges on the global stage, such as the tariffs imposed by the US.
"The investment we recorded in 2024 was the highest in Malaysia's history. But now, we are facing tariffs from President Donald J. Trump.
"We export a significant amount to the United States – 60 per cent of our semiconductors produced here are exported there. Our furniture exports alone amount to US$2 billion dollars a year. We need to build our strength. But how can we do that if we remain entangled in petty squabbles, with insults here and slander there?"