Anwar says Malaysia’s progress relies on quality education and healthcare, urging inclusive growth and compassion for all citizens.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia can only rise to greatness through quality education and compassionate healthcare that ensure every citizen has access to proper medical care and support, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said education and health have consistently received the largest allocations in the national budget, reflecting their central role as the twin pillars of national development.
“The establishment of IJN University College marks a major step in uniting healthcare and education, expanding IJN’s expertise in cardiovascular care into higher learning.
“It represents a synergy between medical excellence and education — between doctors who serve patients and those who teach future generations,” he said at the launch today.
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Anwar said the founding of IJN University College aligns with both IJN’s strategic vision and the nation’s need to expand medical training capacity to meet growing demand.
“Every year, more and more bright students choose medicine.
At the same time, fields like engineering, artificial intelligence and accounting are also growing.
“We must find ways to expand and strengthen medical faculties — to build new facilities, establish new programmes and nurture more qualified medical professionals,” he said.
He stressed that national progress must be inclusive and compassionate, ensuring that no community or group is left behind.
“A nation cannot claim to be developed if it leaves behind parts of its population — whether by race, by region or by poverty.
“When we see frustration among our youth, we must respond with opportunities and compassion,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that beginning next year, the government will provide full financial assistance to students from the poorest families, ensuring that no one is denied access to education due to financial hardship.
He called on institutions such as IJN to treat this responsibility not merely as an administrative task, but as a moral and national obligation.
Anwar also emphasised transparency and accountability in project implementation, saying he has instructed IJN’s leadership to disclose details on funding and costs to maintain public trust.
He cautioned against economic systems that burden ordinary people while corporations profit excessively.
“If decisions burden the people while corporations reap enormous profits, that too is a form of plunder,” he said.
He recalled how one of the first agencies to report to him after privatisation — the then Lembaga Letrik Negara, now known as Tenaga Nasional Berhad — proudly announced profits of RM400 million in its first year.
“I said, ‘Alhamdulillah.
That means better management, better service, more efficiency.’
“But I also asked, ‘How are your workers?
Do they benefit from these profits?
What about students in training programmes or workers’ housing and welfare?’”
He said many were unsure, as such matters were often left to the government, as though corporate responsibility ended once profits were made.
“That should not be the case.
In a Negara Madani, profits must come with purpose,” he said.
Anwar also said true progress depends on human development and gratitude, adding that every worker — from doctors to cleaners — contributes to the success of institutions like IJN.
He urged Malaysian youth to appreciate the role of parents, teachers and mentors in their journey, saying that technology and innovation must always be balanced with humanity and values.
