Anwar: Only positive reforms can safeguard nation's future
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that only positive reforms can ensure the nation's social stability, economic resilience and good governance.
Delivering the keynote address at the Asean Symposium 2025 here on Thursday (June 26), Anwar said leaders and institutions need to commit to meaningful change to reverse societal decline and instil values rooted in justice and integrity.
"For the growth, we use it for the benefit of our society and mankind.
We are grounded with idealism, therefore strong values and ethics. But one, two, three generations passed, and then we find this degradation of ethical values and principles.
"We have lost that idealism. Those in power, we want to emerge well.
Those elites, for whatever reasons, either support one side or are obsessed with a particular value or interest, disregarding the totality and the complexity of the economy," he said.
The one-day symposium themed "Anchoring Asean's Future in Shared Wisdom: Empowering Communities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Civilisation" gathered policymakers, civil society leaders, academics and youth representatives from across the Asean region to deliberate on building a shared, inclusive future for the region.
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The Sun
11 minutes ago
- The Sun
Anwar and Prabowo friendship strengthens Malaysia-Indonesia ties
KUALA LUMPUR: The strong friendship between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is reshaping regional diplomacy, blending personal rapport with strategic cooperation. Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, the Prime Minister's senior political secretary, highlighted how their bond transcends formal politics, offering a model of progressive leadership rooted in shared struggles and mutual respect. 'History shows both leaders overcame significant challenges,' Shamsul Iskandar said. 'Anwar's reformist journey included imprisonment before his rise as PM, while Prabowo rebuilt his career post-military discharge to win the presidency.' Their connection deepened when Anwar, shortly after his 2004 prison release, was invited to Jakarta for lectures titled *Anwar Sahabat Sejati* (Anwar, a True Friend). This event, Shamsul Iskandar noted, reflected Indonesians' admiration for Anwar's values of justice and friendship. The leaders' relatable demeanours—captured in viral images of warm interactions—resonate with younger generations. Anwar's formal Malay and Prabowo's modern social media presence bridge traditional politics with digital-era engagement. Their partnership has spurred tangible bilateral progress, including economic collaboration, food security, and migrant worker protections. A notable moment was Prabowo's informal Kuala Lumpur visit just to share lunch with Anwar, underscoring their genuine trust. Policies under both leaders reflect long-term visions: Prabowo's free meals programme and Danantara sovereign fund mirror Anwar's MADANI framework prioritising institutional reform and social justice. Shamsul Iskandar drew parallels to historic Malaysia-Indonesia ties, like Tunku Abdul Rahman and Soekarno's early camaraderie, hoping the Anwar-Prabowo era avoids past tensions. Grassroots collaborations, such as between youth groups AMK and GPND, further solidify people-to-people diplomacy. 'Youth involvement ensures future cooperation extends beyond elites,' he said, citing GPND's optimism about cross-border projects. Anwar's ongoing Indonesia visit, featuring youth dialogues, reinforces this inclusive approach. Concluding, Shamsul Iskandar framed Anwar and Prabowo as symbols of resilience and cultural kinship, proving politics can thrive on sincerity—a legacy now carried by engaged youth.
Barnama
34 minutes ago
- Barnama
Anwar And Prabowo: Two Friends, One Region, A Shared Vision
He said it has also inspired the younger generation, many of whom have long been sceptical of politics, often perceiving it as harsh, competitive and disconnected from humanitarian values. Prime Minister's senior political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, said the bond between the two leaders extends beyond official visits and bilateral cooperation, serving instead as a symbol of progressive and human-centric politics. KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- The close friendship between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has brought a new dimension to regional diplomatic relations. Shamsul Iskandar said Anwar's journey after his release from prison in 2004 reflected his strong connection with the Indonesian people. 'Prabowo, too, faced a challenging path after being discharged from the military during Indonesia's 1998 reform era, but gradually re-emerged to win the presidential election,' Shamsul Iskandar, who is also PKR International Bureau chairman, said in a statement today. 'History shows that both leaders endured difficult phases in their political journeys. Anwar is remembered as a reformist figure who was dismissed, imprisoned and politically persecuted for decades before rising again to become the 10th Prime Minister. He noted that both Anwar and Prabowo were once perceived as political figures whose careers had ended, but today stand as leaders of two nations. 'This illustrated the deep respect and appreciation Indonesians have for him, and showed that his values of friendship and justice resonated across borders,' he said. 'During a visit to Jakarta not long after his release, Anwar was invited to deliver a series of lectures under the theme 'Anwar Sahabat Sejati' (Anwar, a True Friend). Their personal histories, he added, are marked by struggle and perseverance, making their stories especially meaningful to younger generations who yearn for honest, transparent and inclusive politics. 'Their stories proved that patience and consistency in pursuing ideals will eventually bear fruit,' he said. Shamsul Iskandar said in a region where political culture is often seen as rigid and protocol-heavy, the camaraderie between Anwar and Prabowo brings a refreshing touch of humanity. Images of the two leaders warmly shaking hands, laughing together and engaging in casual conversation have gone viral, sending a message that leaders can be approachable, sincere and connected to the people. More significantly, their communication styles are now aligned with the tastes of the digital generation. 'Anwar's use of formal Malay, which many Indonesians easily understand, and Prabowo's curated social media presence with a modern aesthetic nuance have made them relatable to youth audiences. 'These two figures have successfully bridged the generational divide and broken through the conservative wall in politics,' he said, adding that their bond has translated into impactful bilateral policies and joint initiatives. According to Shamsul Iskandar, under the stewardship of Anwar and Prabowo, Malaysia and Indonesia have seen stronger strategic cooperation, particularly in areas such as economy, food security and the protection of migrant workers. 'Their closeness was also evident when Prabowo made an informal visit to Kuala Lumpur simply to have lunch with Anwar - a gesture that reflects a bond built not merely on protocol but on genuine mutual trust,' he said. He added that both countries are now laying out long-term strategies through new policies. 'In Indonesia, Prabowo's free meals programme is seen as a significant step in strengthening social protection, while the establishment of Danantara - a sovereign wealth fund likened to Indonesia's version of Temasek - shows his serious economic planning for the future. 'In Malaysia, Anwar's MADANI framework continues to emphasise institutional reform and inclusive social justice,' he added. In the context of bilateral ties, Shamsul Iskandar said this is not the first time Malaysia and Indonesia have witnessed strong bonds between two major leaders. 'History reminds us of the early ties between Tunku Abdul Rahman and President Soekarno, which began on a friendly and idealistic note in the early post-independence period. Unfortunately, that closeness was later strained by a confrontation that heightened regional tensions. 'Today, the Anwar-Prabowo relationship seems to reopen that historical chapter, offering renewed hope that diplomacy can be shaped by personal values, mutual trust and sincere intentions in building a more united and stable Southeast Asia,' he said. More importantly, he said, the bilateral relationship is not limited to top-level leadership, but extends to grassroots cooperation between youth movements such as Malaysia's Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) and Indonesia's Garda Pemuda NasDem (GPND). The active communication between these youth groups creates space for the exchange of ideas, joint training, and potential cross-border collaborative projects, he added. 'One GPND official based in Malaysia remarked that if young people are already connected and collaborating today, the future of Malaysia-Indonesia cooperation will be even stronger, not just at the elite level but also within society. 'This statement captures the essence of people-to-people diplomacy: that regional strength must be built from the ground up, not solely from the top,' he said. As for AMK, he said that this collaboration with GPND is an opportunity for them to step out of their comfort zone and represent Malaysian youth on a regional platform. 'It is a chance to show that Malaysian youth are not only engaged in domestic issues, but are also ready to play an active role in shaping a youthful, vibrant and dynamic ASEAN diplomacy,' he said. Shamsul Iskandar added that Anwar's current visit to Indonesia further strengthens this message. He said the Prime Minister is expected to meet with Prabowo later today for a policy dialogue, followed by visits to youth training centres and a dialogue with Indonesian youth. 'These initiatives show that efforts to foster cooperation are not limited to formal engagements, but also include the voices and aspirations of youth in both countries,' he said. In conclusion, Shamsul Iskandar said both Prabowo and Anwar are not only national leaders but have emerged as symbols of resilience, self-confidence and shared cultural kinship, offering renewed hope, particularly to the youth. 'In a political landscape often tainted by empty rhetoric and polarisation, the presence of these two figures proves that politics can be driven by friendship, maturity and genuine concern for the people. 'And most importantly, the torch of this struggle is now being picked up by young hands who refuse to merely observe history - they want to rewrite it,' he said. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. 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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar in Jakarta for talks with President Prabowo
JAKARTA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Jakarta today for an official visit, during which he is scheduled to meet President Prabowo Subianto. They will discuss key bilateral issues, follow up on recent Asean engagements, and explore ways to strengthen regional stability as Malaysia and Indonesia deepen their strategic cooperation. The visit comes as Malaysia holds the Asean Chairmanship for 2025, with Kuala Lumpur continuing to lead key regional agendas throughout the year. Anwar touched down at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta at around 1pm local time, where he was received by Prabowo. Anwar was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour upon arrival. Anwar leads a high-level delegation that includes Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir; Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil; and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Upon arriving at Istana Merdeka, Anwar was received by Prabowo and conducted a customary inspection of the guard of honour mounted by the Presidential Security Force, followed by the playing of national anthems and a gun salute. Both leaders then introduced their respective ministerial delegations, followed by a photo session and the signing of the guest book. The programme continued with a four-eye meeting between Anwar and Prabowo, held behind closed doors, before ministers from both sides joined an extended bilateral meeting. The meetings are expected to focus on trade, investment, education, communications, commodities and regional affairs, in line with the ministerial portfolios represented in the Malaysian delegation. The visit also forms part of preparations for the 13th Annual Malaysia–Indonesia Consultation, scheduled to take place later this year.
