KLANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged Indian community leaders to avoid extreme sentiments, emphasizing that it would not be beneficial in any way. “This is not a government which merely speaks without implementation,” said Anwar at the state-level Ponggal celebrations at Padang Chetty on Saturday (Jan 20). He pointed out that the government received numerous demands from every community in the country and stressed the need to uphold the Madani spirit by being fair to all.
Anwar acknowledged the challenges he faced, stating, “And when I say this, it is not easy because there are some amongst my friends who are from my race who attack us.” He added that detractors often allege that he was not fair to them and only gave in to the other races. “But I don’t want to reply. I don’t want to care,” Anwar said, emphasizing his focus on addressing and countering the problems all communities face equally.
Highlighting the issues faced by the Indian community, such as poverty, Anwar contended that these were not just communal problems, but rather national problems. “Every single poor Indian is my problem. It is not an Indian problem. It is a national problem,” said Anwar, underlining the government’s efforts to solve these problems.
Anwar emphasized Malaysia’s unique position in enjoying unity and peace among people of different races and religions, emphasizing the need to preserve this unity and peace for the nation to progress. The event was also attended by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, among others.
