Among friends: Anwar attending a breaking of fast event with corporate entities and government-linked companies at Universiti Multimedia. He is flanked by PETRONAS chairman Tan Sri Bakke Salleh (left) and Tabung Haji chairman Tan Sri Rashid Hussain. — Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has issued a stern warning to all parties against attempting to sow division in the country.
He said strict action would be taken against anyone who incites hatred, whether through racial, religious or socio-economic discrimination.
“Rest assured, we will take the strongest possible action to put an end to any elements that could bring disaster and misfortune to our nation.
“Let us exercise good judgement and distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, truth and falsehood.
“Especially now, in Malaysia, we must focus on these matters and ensure that our country is not tainted by racial and religious extremism,” he said, Bernama reported.
Anwar said this at a breaking of fast event with corporate entities and government-linked companies last night.
Earlier, he urged all Malaysians to act as agents of unity and support the Madani government’s efforts to unite people of all backgrounds, religions and ethnicities.
Meanwhile, Anwar has also proposed that 70% of students in fully residential schools opt for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) stream starting next year to strengthen expertise in these critical fields.
Anwar stressed the urgent need to boost student participation in STEM this year, given its significance in national development.
“I will also propose that for boarding schools and residential colleges, at least 70% of students starting next year must choose the STEM stream.
“Meanwhile, the remaining 30% should pursue liberal arts and social science, like I did,” he said in his speech at the event.
The event was also attended by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.
Anwar said he has instructed the Education Ministry and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to implement initiatives aimed at encouraging students to pursue STEM fields.
“Mara, through MRSM, has been urged to actively push more students toward STEM.
“We have companies like Infineon, Nvidia, Google and Microsoft, and artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere now, yet our children are not taking up STEM,” he said.
Last year, Anwar said the Education Ministry should prioritise mastery of three key subjects – Science, Mathematics and English – to support national development.
According to him, strengthening these subjects is crucial due to curriculum shifts driven by emerging fields such as AI, green energy transition, digital technology and social media.
