Malaysia could only rise to greatness through quality education and compassionate healthcare that guarantee every citizen access to medical care and support.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for greater transparency and accountability in public projects, saying agencies must uphold public trust by disclosing details of funding and costs.
He said he has instructed the National Heart Institute’s leadership to maintain openness in its operations to ensure projects serve the people, not corporate interests.
“If decisions burden the people while corporations reap enormous profits, that is a form of plunder,” he said at the launch of IJN University College yesterday.
He warned against economic systems that enrich a few at the expense of ordinary citizens, recalling his early experience with privatisation when the then Lembaga Letrik Negara, now Tenaga Nasional Bhd, reported profits of RM400 million in its first year.
“I said, ‘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 noted that many were unsure because such concerns 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.”
Anwar said Malaysia could only rise to greatness through quality education and compassionate healthcare that guarantee every citizen access to medical care and support.
He also said education and health have consistently received the largest allocations in the national budget, reflecting their status as the twin pillars of national development.
“The establishment of IJN University College marks a major step in uniting healthcare and education, expanding the institute’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.”
Also present at the launch 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 the institute’s strategic vision and the nation’s need to expand medical training capacity to meet growing demand.
“We must find ways to expand and strengthen medical faculties, to build new facilities, establish new programmes and nurture more qualified medical professionals.”
He stressed that national progress must be inclusive and compassionate, ensuring 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.”
Beginning next year, the government would provide full financial assistance to students from the poorest families, ensuring no one is denied access to education due to financial hardship.
He called on institutions such as the National Heart Institute to treat this not merely as an administrative task, but also as a moral and national obligation.
