LEADERS WITH CLEAR CONSCIENCE CAN BUILD SUCCESSFUL CIVILISATION – PM ANWAR

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 29 — The success of a civilisation does not only depend on its economic, social, educational and technological framework but instead it is the result of a leadership with a clear conscience, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said that without these qualities, a civilisation will collapse if attention is not given to values and morals in the civilisation development agenda.

“In a modern world with advanced technology, there must be values and morals. Civilisations collapsed not because of economic or social issues, but because there were no values and morals, that is why governance was broken.

“When governance is weak, the nation will fall,” Anwar said when delivering his address at ‘Majlis Ilmu MADANI’ and Dialogue Session with the Prime Minister’ with officials from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and religious agencies at Seri Perdana here tonight.

Anwar said that since he began leading the Unity Government last November, the agenda to raise the dignity of Malaysia in the eyes of the world has become his main agenda, with the assistance of Cabinet Ministers representing various races and religions.

“I hold this post, Alhamdulillah… and I feel comfortable. I do not need millions of ringgit to buy properties.

“I don’t need that, but I want to really prove that in Malaysia there are Muslim Malays who hold firm to the teachings of Islam and can raise the dignity of the country,” said Anwar, who is also Finance Minister.

On the role of Jakim, Anwar said the department’s role under his leadership is wider than before as Jakim’s advisory services and views are required in every matter of national governance.

He also expressed his appreciation for every point of view presented by the agencies involved.

The 6.30 pm event was attended by about 300 Jakim personnel nationwide.

Those in attendance also joined in the Maghrib prayer led by Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque Imam, Zulkeffly Adimun, followed by the recitation of prayers and tausiyah (advice) delivered by Federal Territories Mufti, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Luqman Abdullah, and later on the Isyak prayers as well.

These knowledge sessions are held regularly at Seri Perdana, the official residence of the Prime Minister, since being introduced by Anwar on Dec 22, 2022, with tausiyahs delivered by famous scholars from home and abroad as well as congregational prayers.

Among the scholars who have delivered lectures at the event are the Grand Imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine, Sheikh Dr Ekrima Sabri; United Kingdom religious scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Saad Al-Maliki Al-Azhari Al-Hasani; and religious scholar from Gambia, Syeikh Muhammad Haydara Al-Jilani.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 — The government will begin discussions on the handing back of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) assets which were transferred to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) owned by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in 2018, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said this consideration was made after preliminary reports showed that TH was now well managed and that there was increasing confidence among depositors amidst the efficient management of the new leadership of the national haj management institution, who had shown their integrity.

“After studying developments and discussing with the (religious affairs) minister and TH board chairman Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar, I have said from the beginning that once TH is properly managed, MOF will start discussions on the return of all assets held by the SPV.

“This will also disprove the utterly irresponsible slander hurled against the then Finance Minister (Lim Guan Eng) and former government for allegedly transferring them (assets) to a non-Islamic group. No, I have seen the records and they are still held by MOF, and I’m holding them in trust,” he said.

He said this in his speech when launching TH’s 60th anniversary celebration at Menara TH here today. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar was also present.

In 2019, then Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the move to transfer the assets totalling RM19.9 billion to the SPV had successfully ‘closed holes’ due to the disparity between the assets and liabilities left by the previous administration.

Anwar said as long as he was given the mandate to manage the country, he would not compromise on any attempts to damage national agencies or state-owned companies by those out to make profits.

“That is why I don’t mind to be criticised on this matter of (emphasising) governance. As long as I have the mandate, I will not compromise and will ensure that the country is managed properly to thwart attempts to damage these agencies by certain people seeking to fulfil their excesses and greed.

“And I have given an assurance that once it is rectified, we will hand back all (assets) but the government cannot bear the losses due to this negligence. We can see in the case of TH that with good governance it could recover quickly. Alhamdulillah, that is why I want to congratulate the TH management,” he added.

Anwar also said the government would amend the TH Act to fulfil the meaning of Maqasid Syariah, not only in the aspect of efficient management but also to provide for a better appreciation of haj management.

At a press conference later, the prime minister said the discussions would involve the return of all assets held by the SPV and that the handing over would be done in stages.

“This decision (return of assets) itself can refute all the slander made in the past years regarding the alleged sale of these assets,” he said.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) — Prophet Muhammad’s great character and conduct including his kind and forbearing nature is the prime example to follow, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar in his Maulidur Rasul message posted on his Facebook page tonight said the struggle of Prophet Muhammad in preaching and guiding the people despite facing relentless hostility from his enemies should be an inspiration to persevere in times of hardship.

“Appreciating the struggle of the Prophet Muhammad SAW in leading and uniting various races will certainly raise our awareness to jointly develop this beloved country as a just, peaceful and prosperous one, one that is worthy to receive Allah’s blessings.

“May Allah bestow His blessings and continued prosperity upon the Prophet Muhammad,” he said.

The national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration will be held tomorrow at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — The Madani Philosophy could not be sustained if Malaysia looks purely in terms of technological change or transformation without the care and compassion that would ensure that every single citizen in the country is given access to connectivity, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said it is just not a matter of technology but a matter of ensuring that every single citizen from the urban squatters or urban poor to the remotest area in Sabah or Sarawak is given access to connectivity.

“Otherwise, to my mind, it is not sustainable,” he said in closing remarks at the Malaysia ICT Summit 2023 organised by Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd today.

He reiterated that sustainability was not to benefit the few, the urban elite or the ruling clique but to benefit every single citizen in the country.  “That is why we do not represent a view using the race card in this country,” he stressed.

The prime minister also said that digital transformation requires a new mindset, attitude and preparedness, not only to learn but also to share and that the pace must change.

“We will have to respond accordingly not only through digital transformation but to make sure that there is ease of doing business and clarity in policy.

“That is why we have pronounced the Madani Economy, National Energy Transition Roadmap, New Industrial Master Plan and even our mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan,” he pointed out.

Anwar highlighted that the government has taken a very bold decision to ensure that the country benefits from the phenomenal change, advancement and development in the information technology industry.

“We made the decision years ago by the past administration to only work on a single network but I think after extensive discussion and debates, and even people like me having to learn and explore deeply the innovation and technology, we have made the decision to allow for a dual network and that’s the decision for more effective participation by Huawei,” he said.

He said it was not an easy decision because the conventional view in some parts of the world was about security and the capacity of new industries.

“We in Malaysia, with this Madani Philosophy and Madani Economy, decided, and I believe rightly, that as we (benefitted) from the West, we also should benefit from the East,” he added.

“The United States continues to be a reliable friend but we have seen that our neighbour China has shown a lot of interest and friendship to make sure that neighbours prosper together,” Anwar said, adding that Malaysia as a nation that is fiercely independent should be bold enough to make a decision and decide what is best for the country.

— BERNAMA

SPEECH TEXT

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PERDANA MENTERI

AT

MALAYSIA ICT SUMMIT 2023

27 SEPTEMBER 2023  (WEDNESDAY)

MITEC, KUALA LUMPUR

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Taala Wabarakatuh,

Salam Sejahtera.

Saudara YB Tuan Ahmad Fahmi Bin Mohamed Fadzil,

Menteri Komunikasi dan Digital;

YB Teo Nie Ching,

Timbalan Menteri Komunikasi dan Digital;

YBhg Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Bin Fateh Din,

Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (MCMC);

Simon Sun,

CEO Huawei Malaysia;

Julian Gorman,

Head of Asia Pacific GSMA; dan

Rakan-rakan yang saya muliakan.

1. Bagi pihak Kerajaan tentunya kita memulakan dengan menyatakan kesyukuran kepada Allah Subhanahu Wataala dan juga penghargaan kepada HUAWEI dan GSMA kerana dapat menyelenggarakan ICT Summit yang sangat bermakna.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

2. The Malaysian government have taken a very bold decision to ensure that we get and benefit from the phenomenal change, advancement and development in the IT industry and therefore we made this decision, a departure from a decision to ensure that we benefit from whatever technology that has been produced and surfaced and the decision to have a single network.

3. We made a very tough decision and mind you, I am not exaggerating when I say this, to allow for a fair competition so that we as a nation, the young nation can benefit from the best of both worlds. Well, it is not an easy decision precisely because the conventional view in some parts of the world is the concerns about security, about capacity of new industries particularly STEM from China.

4. In Malaysia, with this MADANI philosophy and MADANI economy decided, I believe rightly that once we get the best from the west, we all should benefit the best from the east. We have made the decision years ago by the past administration to only work on a single network. But I think after extensive discussion, debates and even people like me having to learn and explore deeply to the innovation, technology and explorative of all, we made the decision to allow for a dual network.

5. Thus, that is for more effective participation by Huawei and let’s see, I think we will be proven right because as a young nation, whilst we have benefited immensely from the contribution from the west, from the United States and Europe, the initial part of our development and industrial strength in Penang and Lembah Klang. We also realize that the geopolitical politics and economic changes have impacted upon our country and we have seen the growing rise of China and to an extent India and we should, as a nation that is fiercely independent, be bold enough to make decisions like what is best.

6. I came back from New York yesterday evening, so I am a bit dazed, particularly when I am not reading the text. I was in Nanning, China few weeks ago, Premier Li Qiang was kind enough to host and had discussions and I told him precisely, the need of Malaysia as a vibrant economy with an independent stance to benefit because we have benefited, as I said, without exaggeration from the technology, from Intel to Motorola etc, from United States who continue to be a reliable friend but we see that our neighbor China has shown a lot of friendship and interest to make sure that neighbors prosper together.

7. So in the last few months, I have met and had lengthy discussions with Premier Li Chiang three times and President Xi Jinping, who gave that wonderful vision which has certainly attracted my attention not only in terms of economic advancement, digital transformation but he talks about food security, elevating the standards of the poor. We share was somewhat something unique because most leaders do not talk about values and civilization, except for the pioneers of independence, be it in the what you consider the pilgrim fathers of the American independence movement, or some of the early initiators during the struggle against colonialism or imperialism.

8. However, President Xi Jinping and myself, we talk about values and civilization which transcend not just economic imperative or technology, but focuses on issues of compassion and humanity, which is a deficit in our society.

9. So what relevance has this to the ICT industry? Because we talk about inclusivity and digital divide. So this is not technology per se. This is technology with understanding of what is required to ensure that nation mature and benefit its citizens. We are not in favor of a digital transformation that would continue this divide or gross inequality between the very rich and the poor, or developing the urban and the rural hinterland. But we talk about digital divide and inclusivity.

10. That is why when I met the Huawei leaders in Nanning, China, I was persuaded to have this meeting anyway, they told me a few things. For example, technology and training which is very critical. You see, Malaysians have the capacity, enormous capacity and it is not new. From the 90s, in my meeting with Bill Gates or Dell have always said that is spectacular.

11. The resolve of young Malaysians which does not include me to study and to have that discipline that is required and surface and become successful, competent professionals. That’s why Intel, for example, decided to have its research center and training in Penang. Now what we lack, therefore, is that small niche that level of expertise that is required and only through our collaboration with industries in the west and here like what we have with Huawei with a commitment to give that opportunity, the small niche or gap that could allow us, the younger Malaysia, to excel have the level of competence and expertise that is required.

12. Therefore, I must express my appreciation to Simon Sun and colleagues for undertaking this task. When a Prime Minister gives that appreciation, which means Huawei is expected to do a bit more and this collaboration would, of course, immensely assist not only Huawei as a company but in our attempt to undertake this whole process of digital transformation, which is entrusted partly to MCMC, YBhg Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Bin Fateh Din, so please listen carefully and make sure this collaboration works.

13. Now, we talk about inclusivity because a society cannot sustain itself and when we talk about sustainability is very important. When you refer to the issue of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), not only inclusivity, issue of inequality and SDGs specifically because to me, in MADANI philosophy, if we cannot be sustainable, if we look purely in terms of technological change or transformation without care, concern and compassion to ensure that every single citizen in this country is given that opportunity.

14. That is why our 5G network made it abundantly clear. It is just not a matter of technology, but as a matter of ensuring that every single citizen, from the urban squatters or urban poor to the remotest area in Sabah or Sarawak, must be given that opportunity and access and connectivity. Otherwise, to my mind, it is not sustainable. Sustainability is not to benefit the few, urban elites or ruling cliques, sustainably means every single citizen will benefit. That is why we do not represent a view using this race card in this country.

15. The country and the constitution made abundantly clear that the Malays and Bumiputeras will be protected but it is also made clear that in order to succeed and for countries to mature, we must not use a Race card, as one must make sure that every single Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sabahan or Sarawakian be given their due right to stay, leave and protect this country.

16. So I just want to express again my appreciation and to reiterate what we have said before when we embarked upon this whole issue of digital transformation, because it requires a new mindset, a new attitude and our preparedness for us not only to learn but also to share. The pace must change and we cannot talk about transformation and not ease of doing business.

17. We have a session in Cabinet Meeting this morning and I reiterated this similar point that we have the potential and thank God, when we were in New York recently, you can sense the enthusiasm, recognition of potential investors to Malaysia.

18. But we will have to respond accordingly, not only through digital transformation, but to make sure that there is ease of doing business and the clarity in policy. That is why we announced the MADANI economy, the Energy Transition Plan, The New Industrial Master Plan, and even our Midterm Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan was actually a departure from a notion, the traditional notion of thinking about five year plan to something that is adjusted according to the needs of the times including the issue of digital transformation.

19. Now, next month, I will have to present to the Parliament the second MADANI economy and I believe the issues I have raised here, and the issues that you have raised in your deliberations, if we are to summarized, can be presented to YB Tuan Ahmad Fahmi Bin Mohamed Fadzil, who shouldn’t just sit and enjoy my speech. He must take notes and present them to me so that we can improve the MADANI budget. So thank you again for this opportunity and I have decided not to read the text, which is going to be extremely boring to you. Mind you, most of you have better understanding in competence so let me give the macro outlook and introduce or remind you about the new approach by this administration.

Terima kasih sekali lagi kepada semua dan Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

SEPANG, Sept 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived home today after a four-day visit to New York from Sept 24 to lead Malaysia’s delegation at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The aircraft carrying Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail landed at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here at about 5 pm.

Anwar and the delegation’s arrival was welcomed by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and also supporters.

Anwar’s visit to the United States bore fruit through meetings with several US giant companies in efforts to attract more investment and trade to Malaysia.

The prime minister held meetings and interacted with 15 US leading companies listed in the Fortune 500, including Airbnb, Amazon, Amazon Web Services, Boeing, ConocoPhillips and Kimberly-Clark at the Harvard Club.

At the Invest Malaysia New York event attended by equity and bond capital market investors with assets under management reaching US$40 trillion, Anwar gave the government’s commitment to ensure a conducive investment environment.

The visit also provided Anwar an opportunity to share the country’s policies and aspirations related to international relations.

— BERNAMA