PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today delivered his maiden National Day address as the prime minister, underscoring most of all the importance of unity in safeguarding the country's independence on the road to transforming Malaysia into a great nation.
He said this can be achieved as Malaysia has an abundant workforce that can be transformed into technology experts and professionals for the country to compete with any other in the world.
"Between ambition and hope, the country must unite and formulate a sustainable MADANI economy and also guarantee justice for its multi-racial and multi-religious people.
"Let's take advantage of the time we have left in our lives to serve ourselves, our family and our community and be assured that this is no ordinary nation. This country has rich and bountiful resources," he said when addressing a crowd of over 7,000 people at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here today.
Also present at the event, which was also broadcast live on local television, were the two deputy prime ministers, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials, community representatives and students.
Anwar said one of the conditions needed to meet those aspirations was "to free the people" by shaping a society that is 'independent' in mind and soul and free from colonialist and outmoded thinking.
The prime minister said to ensure Malaysia progresses, all levels of society must push forth with a 'spirit of freedom' by not being exploited and being tools of the elite bent on making personal gains that harm the country.
In addition, he said unity among the races was vital in ensuring Malaysia emerged as a great nation in this century after a mediocre performance over the past 20 years.
Anwar said the Unity Government guarantees that the rights of all Malaysians will be defended, with no one marginalised, but added that matters enshrined in the Constitution, such as Bumiputera rights and privileges, and Islam as the Federal religion, will continue to be defended.
"We have to defend this spirit, that this country belongs to all the people. This unity (needs) to be nurtured to guarantee its future from now on," he said.
Anwar said to transform Malaysia into a great nation, education was an important asset that needs to be stressed to produce a generation of experts in various fields.
In this regard, the prime minister gave his assurance that all schools will be equipped with basic infrastructure of reasonable standards by the end of this year.
"Malaysia must be known for its guarantee of justice for all its citizens, including the marginalised," he said.
Reminding Malaysians of the importance of independence that the country has enjoyed for the past six decades, Anwar said the challenge faced today is for the people to unite and preserve peace and independence.
Also remembering and honouring the country's freedom fighters and security forces, especially the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), he said the peace enjoyed currently would have been impossible without them.
"Just like how it was when we faced insurgents in Lahad Datu (Sabah), and before that the Indonesian Confrontation and communist threats, we will deal with it (and) although small episodes (of security threats) still happen now and then and there are border claims, we will defend every inch of our beloved Malaysia," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Aug 30 2023
![PM urges Malaysians to transform country into a great nation PM urges Malaysians to transform country into a great nation](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/71693388321_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivered the Prime Minister's message following National Day at the Putrajaya Convention Center. - Astro AWANI/SHAHIR OMAR
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
![Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723653359_TBMOKHTAR.jpg)
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
PN senarai pendek tiga calon, akan diumum selepas PRK Nenggiri
Perikatan Nasional telah menyenarai pendek tiga calon untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 28 September depan.
![10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu 10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41722145972_KebakaranGeneric.jpg)
10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu
Menurut PGOB kesemua mangsa yang cedera telah dikejarkan ke Hospital Bintulu untuk rawatan lanjut.
![Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61713736324_HusseinOmarKhan.jpg)
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar yang ditemukan di Sungai Klang petang tadi dibawa ke Unit Forensik Hospital Shah Alam (HSA) untuk urusan bedah siasat.
![Antara Muhammad Yunus, noktah kemiskinan dan Malaysia Antara Muhammad Yunus, noktah kemiskinan dan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723609111_MuhammadYunus.jpg)
Antara Muhammad Yunus, noktah kemiskinan dan Malaysia
Muhammad Yunus yang memimpin kerajaan peralihan Bangladesh ketika ini sarat dengan kisah memerangi kemiskinan dan ia berkait rapat dengan Malaysia.
![Anwar sambut baik jaminan Muhammad Yunus, sedia bantu Bangladesh Anwar sambut baik jaminan Muhammad Yunus, sedia bantu Bangladesh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723614760_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Anwar sambut baik jaminan Muhammad Yunus, sedia bantu Bangladesh
Perkara itu menjadi antara topik yang dibincangkan kedua-dua pemimpin menerusi panggilan telefon pada Selasa malam.
![PRAXIS 2024 bincang isu keutamaan strategik negara PRAXIS 2024 bincang isu keutamaan strategik negara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723607293_ISIS.jpg)
PRAXIS 2024 bincang isu keutamaan strategik negara
Anwar dalam ucapannya menekankan kepentingan menangani isu-isu ini menjelang negara mencapai status pendapatan tinggi.
![PM Anwar terima kunjungan hormat Rais Tatarstan PM Anwar terima kunjungan hormat Rais Tatarstan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723603895_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
PM Anwar terima kunjungan hormat Rais Tatarstan
Anwar berkata pertemuan berlangsung di Perdana Putra, Putrajaya bersempena dengan lawatan kerja dua hari Minnikhanov ke Malaysia.
![PM dijangka buat pengumuman penting berkaitan SSPA pada MAPPA ke-19, Jumaat ini PM dijangka buat pengumuman penting berkaitan SSPA pada MAPPA ke-19, Jumaat ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723523531_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
PM dijangka buat pengumuman penting berkaitan SSPA pada MAPPA ke-19, Jumaat ini
Perdana Menteri Datuk Anwar Ibrahim dijangka membuat pengumuman penting mengenai Sistem Saraan Perkhidmatan Awam (SSPA) pada Majlis Amanat Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam (MAPPA) ke-19.
![Bidang STEM: 100 saintis akan turun ke kawasan luar bandar - PM Bidang STEM: 100 saintis akan turun ke kawasan luar bandar - PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723437985_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Bidang STEM: 100 saintis akan turun ke kawasan luar bandar - PM
Anwar berkata saintis-saintis mahir boleh mempamerkan penemuan-penemuan baharu dalam bidang sains, digital, mahupun kecerdasan buatan (AI).
![Tatakelola jadi pegangan KSN baharu dalam menerajui sektor awam Tatakelola jadi pegangan KSN baharu dalam menerajui sektor awam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723435460_ShamsulAzriAbuBak.jpg)
Tatakelola jadi pegangan KSN baharu dalam menerajui sektor awam
Agenda tatakelola selaras dengan amanat yang dijunjung Perdana Menteri Anwar, kata Shamsul Azri.
![Olimpik Paris 2024: Jangan mengeluh prestasi kontinjen negara - PM Anwar Olimpik Paris 2024: Jangan mengeluh prestasi kontinjen negara - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723434908_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Olimpik Paris 2024: "Jangan mengeluh prestasi kontinjen negara" - PM Anwar
Kerajaan akan menyiapkan kerangka baharu untuk meningkatkan prestasi sukan dan olahraga dalam negara sebagai persediaan ke acara antarabangsa kelak.
![Rombakan Kabinet?- Ini jawapan Perdana Menteri Rombakan Kabinet?- Ini jawapan Perdana Menteri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723433862_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
"Rombakan Kabinet?"- Ini jawapan Perdana Menteri
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menafikan akan berlaku sekali lagi rombakan Kabinet di bawah pentadbirannya.
![Olimpik Paris 2024: PM Anwar ucap terima kasih kepada Muhammad Shah Firdaus, harap terus berjuang Olimpik Paris 2024: PM Anwar ucap terima kasih kepada Muhammad Shah Firdaus, harap terus berjuang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723386047_ShahFirdausSahrom.jpg)
Olimpik Paris 2024: PM Anwar ucap terima kasih kepada Muhammad Shah Firdaus, harap terus berjuang
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengucapkan terima kasih kepada pelumba berbasikal trek negara Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, atas aksinya pada final acara keirin lelaki Sukan Olimpik Paris.