Play store
Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for national unity, mutual respect and equality, stressing that no region or community should be marginalised and no citizen should be left behind.
In a Malaysia Day message on Wednesday, Anwar said the benefits of the country’s development and prosperity must reach all sections of society.
Marking Malaysia Day on Sept 16, he said Malaysia was built on mutual commitments among the government and people, the country’s various regions and the Federation, as well as between loyalty and justice.
He said the occasion was not merely a commemoration of a historic event but also an opportunity to renew the country’s national commitments.
Anwar acknowledged that Malaysia had experienced periods when racial issues were used to create political and social divisions, regional disparities were allowed to widen and differences of opinion became barriers between communities.
He said the country must learn from those experiences and continue strengthening national unity and cohesion.
Referring to Malaysia’s geographical diversity, Anwar said the sea might separate the country’s regions, but it could not separate the aspirations and hopes of its people.
“The sea may separate us, but not our national aspirations and hopes,” he said.
Several Cabinet ministers also used their Malaysia Day messages to highlight unity, harmony, mutual respect and inclusive development.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysia was not the story of any single state, region or community, but a shared history encompassing the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.
Calling on Malaysians to embrace the spirit of “Segulai Sejalai”, meaning moving forward together, Fahmi urged them to honour history, safeguard national unity and ensure that development benefits all Malaysians.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the peace and harmony enjoyed by Malaysia today were the result of sacrifices by previous generations and the continuing efforts of the present generation.
He said differences in race, religion, culture and social identity should be regarded not as weaknesses but as part of Malaysia’s strength and identity.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said being Malaysian was more than an identity and involved a shared responsibility to preserve peace, harmony and national sovereignty.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said Malaysians might come from different racial, religious, cultural and social backgrounds, but shared a common homeland, common hopes and a common future.
He called for greater national cohesion and collective efforts to build a more progressive, inclusive and prosperous Malaysia Madani under the principle that “Malaysia belongs to everyone”.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said Malaysia Day was both a commemoration of the formation of Malaysia comprising the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak and a reminder of the commitment to building a healthy, prosperous and inclusive nation.
He stressed that everyone, regardless of race, religion or social identity, should have equitable access to quality healthcare.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said national unity must be reflected in justice, mutual respect and equitable development. He also stressed the importance of strengthening food security and protecting the welfare of farmers, paddy growers, fishermen and livestock breeders.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri called for greater mutual respect, understanding and cooperation among the people of Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula. She also stressed the need to ensure that people in cities, villages and remote areas have opportunities to build better lives and futures.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said Malaysia’s diverse cultures, languages, customs and traditions should be viewed as part of the country’s rich identity rather than sources of division.
Under the Malaysia Madani theme of “Wellbeing for All”, he called for continued efforts to preserve national unity and harmony.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said people across the country were bound by goodwill, unity and love for their homeland. Despite differences in culture, ethnicity and social background, he said, all Malaysians were members of one Malaysian family.
Malaysia Day celebrations were also held across the country.
In Kuala Lumpur, people of different ages took part in the “Keretapi Sarong 2026” programme at Raintree Plaza in The Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), wearing traditional attire and sarongs.
Off Kuala Perlis, 80 boats carrying around 700 participants took part in a sea convoy. The approximately 14-kilometre journey began at the jetty of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, with the boats decorated with the national flag, Jalur Gemilang.
Malaysia Day is observed annually on Sept 16 to commemorate the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. It is regarded as a symbol of the country’s federal structure, national unity and shared identity encompassing the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.
