PERAK – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently attended the MADANI Charity Donation Ceremony at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Poi Lam, where he called for continued unity and mutual respect as Malaysia progresses into a more advanced era.
The event, held in a warm, community-centred setting, brought together school staff, parents and students to mark Deepavali 2025 through charitable contributions and shared fellowship.
During his address, Anwar affirmed that Malaysia’s diversity of race, culture and religion should be viewed not as a vulnerability but as a pillar of national strength.
He noted that despite differences, students at Poi Lam, be they Malay, Chinese, Indian or Orang Asli, learn side by side under one roof, embodying the larger Malaysian family.
“As the world advances, it is ever more important that we uphold values of unity and mutual respect,” he said. “Diversity is not a weakness to be questioned, but a strength to be celebrated. It is the foundation of our unity and harmony.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks echo a broader national narrative about pluralism. In a similar address at that same ceremony, he emphasised that unity will not weaken when students of all backgrounds learn together.
Beyond symbolic gestures, the MADANI programme has become a recurring platform for promoting inclusive solidarity in Malaysia.
The Sejahtera Madani initiative, launched earlier in 2025 under Anwar’s leadership, has garnered substantial backing from private sector donors, raising nearly RM120 million toward its goal of alleviating poverty and fostering societal well-being.
By speaking in a school environment, Anwar sought to reinforce the message that unity begins from a young age, and that interethnic cohesion is vital for the nation’s future.