PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed determination for his administration to take a “bold leap” in instituting reforms in Malaysia in 2026.
He said the focus of the first three years of the Madani Government he leads was to bring about stability.
He added that the government intends to continue with the reforms it has implemented, such as subsidy rationalisation, since taking power.
“I feel we have reached the point where we should move forward with a bold leap towards having more sensitivity and effectiveness, including in our enforcement bodies,” he said.
“There must be firmness in ensuring the process of law is adhered to.”
He said the matter was touched on during the first meeting of the newly reshuffled Cabinet earlier in the day.
“It is important to restore confidence in institutions such as the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission), Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and so on,” he said.
Anwar was speaking during a tea-time meeting with chief editors of local and international news agencies at Seri Perdana here today.
He cited contentious issues such as race and language that need to be handled with firmness.
In particular, he lashed out at PAS politicians who criticised the appointment of DAP’s Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh as the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of the Federal Territories (FT) because she is Chinese.
Anwar described the criticisms as harsh, discordant voices.
He said the matter should not be made into a racial issue, assuring that the selection of Cabinet members is not based on skin colour.
“To reject a person because of her colour or race — that’s atrocious,” he said.
“A Chinese minister in charge of FT will not marginalise Malays. We work as a whole team.
“Would a Malay minister marginalise Chinese and Indians?”
He stressed that all members of the Cabinet have a role to play in ensuring the public service functions effectively for all races.
“She represents the government, not DAP,” he said.
He added that governance in FT requires teamwork, stressing that although the mayor and senior officers may be Malays, the responsibility remains to serve and protect the interests of all communities.
The prime minister also expressed disappointment over incidents of moral policing, including cases where individuals were targeted over their dressing, such as the recent pressures faced by all-girl pop music group Dolla.
“Do not go overboard. If you do not want to see, don’t go,” he said, expressing concern over what he described as extremist views.
He also cautioned against acting like “moral police”, criticising incidents where individuals were barred from entering emergency-related public places such as police stations because of their attire.
