VERBATIM TEXT SPEECH

 

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER

 

AT

 

MAJLIS ILMU MADANI

SYEIKH TAHIR WYATT

 

15 JANUARY 2026 (THURSDAY) | 8.00 PM

 

SERI PERDANA COMPLEX

 

 

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Alhamdu lillaahil lazeee anzala ‘alaa ‘abdihil kitaaba wa lam yaj’al lahoo ‘iwajaa

Wa Nusalli Ala Rasoolihil Kareem,

Wa ‘ala alihi wasahbihi ajma’in.

1. We have here tonight, Alhamdulillah, one of the prominent scholar, more so effective Da’I, engage more with the young, fully bred American, because he has a great history. The Founding Fathers, discussed the ideals of the revolution, the American Revolution War in independence. But then, after getting the initial exposure of the American culture propaganda, what have you. Then he went to pursue his doctorate at Islamic University Madinah, before that Islamic University Boston.

2. Then he is well known, particularly in his engagement of the young. That is one of the primary reasons why I thought this special focus tonight. We have some very dignified people here. We have Minister of Prime Minister’s Office, we have director of the International Islamic University. We have some very big corporate players. I don’t need to elaborate. Of course, some prominent leaders and Dakwah.

3. But more so, more important, I would welcome the young force. I didn’t ask them what you expect Sheikh Tahir to talk about at the introduction, where they wanted to say about Arsenal. I am refused, because I am a fan of Manchester United. They happen to lose all the time then. And then ask Haris, what we should talk about? And then he said Sirah, very odd subject, Sirah of everything, that is Haris suggestion, which I believe to be wisdom of Sheikh Tahir Wyatt.

4. This is important session to my mind. It is a continuing engagement that we have. Of course, we have engaged different groups of Alim, scholars, local and international, because for a country like Malaysia, major emerging economy, focus and attractive centre for investments, new technology, AI, and digitalization. And we talk about also a very important program for energy transition leading here; either from Indo-China to Malaysia to Singapore, or from Sarawak undersea cable here. And of course, Tan Sri Salim is here to have this special undersea cable for connectivity to Sabah and Sarawak.

5. But we must also remind ourselves that we are Muslims. We are an emerging economy. We are not part of the so-called East or West. We have to preserve our identity. That is precisely the reason why, in terms of education, I was telling Sheikh just now, that we use the phrase in Bahasa, “Mengapai ke Langit, Mengakar ke Bumi”, which means you have to crave for new disciplines, new technology, digitalization, AI, otherwise you’ll be left out.

6. But at the same time, you must remind yourself that you must be rooted in our tradition, culture, Aqidah and Akhlak and values in the realm of politics, governance, and even the crave for economic achievements or for the matter so-called academic excellence is devoid of values and Akhlak.

7. You see massive contradictions. You see clearly hypocritical policies, contradicting the ideals of justice, honour, liberty, etc. So that is why here our challenge is, of course, if we say rooted “mengakar ke bumi”, that means we have to do more. Not the normal, but the normal is not entirely a failure. But, we have identified a lot of causes. I was telling Sheikh, he didn’t show some surprise because this is a typical American, which is very, you know, composed and calm, burning inside. Because we have support, I mean, not that I’m fully satisfied, but I think all humility in the MADANI framework. We talk about governance, we talk about cleansing from the systemic corruption that we’ve inherited.

8. Malaysia is known throughout the world because of the greatest financial scandal of modern times, the 1MDB, and last week, there was huge news about one of the first or one of the few countries in the world to charge the chief of the army and the armed forces.

9. Not an easy task, it only takes conviction, the courage of conviction, the tenacity of purpose to make sure that we deliver and remain consistent to our ideas. The country however rich, however, wealthy cannot remain strong and help the necessity. Improve the quality of education, public health, and infrastructure, if billions are lost in the trade.

10. So may Allah protect us, but at the same time, I said other than governance is values. That is why in education we going to launch a New Plan, 20th for education, higher education the theme remains, Addabani Rabbi faahsana ta’dibi, the assimilation of knowledge, acquisition of new technology, AI what have you, but it’s always dissemination of truth and righteousness, which is embedded in values.
11. That was during dinner when I discussed with Syeikh Tahir what is expected, particularly the young, acquire knowledge you have to excel your education, your studies, fair. You must do that, no compromise, no two way about it. Your responsibility to yourself, to your parents, to your family and the society, the nation and the Ummah, but how can you effectively do that? To acquisition and knowledge? Islam is something that you can just pick up and then assume that you know everything, all the answers.

12. What is the qualification? through the course or what else? monthly Tazkirah for one Ustaz, and that’s all you become an expert. No, you must have the humility to acknowledge the fact that this is the answer to the human problem. Both in terms of faith, Aqidah, values in Akhlak, Ilman through hikmah. Bil hikmah mauizatul hasanah, wajadilhum billati iya ahsan.

13. This is my short muqaddimah, not the muqadimah of Abdul Rahman Ibn Khaldun, because we are, of course, honored and when I’m at particularly excited tonight because unlike our previous sessions, we have a strong representation of the young. They don’t look to be too radical, I mean some of them started growing beard like Ehsan, but I’m happy seriously, because they are the future. Shouldn’t they follow Shakespeare? This is heavy. But please, from the bottom of my heart, Al Hadith bil Qalbi, I’m telling you that you are the future only if you take this mission seriously.

14. No country nor society can succeed with the dearth of understanding and knowledge, no critical thinking, no love for scholarship as Saidina Ali bin Abu Talib used to say Lazzatul Ma’rifah. So please take this very seriously, bring home this message, you are fortunate. How many, how many million Muslims do we have, but not many have that opportunity to listen. Some can listen, and you may not have the opportunity and you have please take it very seriously. Try to grasp what he has to say and take home, but continue, this is not the beginning and the end.

15. While graduated you have, don’t give an Ijazah tonight, it’s an introduction we need them to be told that the Ijazah will come many, many, many, many years later.

16. May Allah again give us the Rahmah, Baraqah and strength to continue. And may I, on behalf of all those present, on behalf of our Malaysian nation and the people with us invite you to say to give for you an address and then entertain some questions. The difficult ones come from the young.