Education-focused foundations in Malaysia will receive a 10-year tax exemption if they meet specific Finance Ministry requirements, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced.
KUALA LUMPUR: Education-focused foundations will now enjoy a 10-year tax exemption, provided they meet requirements set by the Finance Ministry, announced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today.
The relief, aimed at supporting organisations established for educational purposes, will include groups such as Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
“If a foundation’s mission is education and it complies with Finance Ministry regulations, it will be eligible for a decade-long tax exemption.”
He also used the occasion to challenge Malaysia’s youth to outshine the current generation, calling for bold strides in education, the economy and technological mastery, particularly in AI, to secure the nation’s future.
Speaking at the Temu Anwar @ TAR UMT programme, he urged students to focus on core priorities, such as education, science and technology, warning against distractions that could weaken national unity.
“We do not want the next generation to be as they are now. They must be better. I want my children, the next generation, to succeed far beyond what I have achieved, in the economy, education, IT, AI, everything must improve. Set your priorities.
“Do you want to succeed in education? In AI and related fields? If so, then start focusing on these issues and study, struggle and succeed in every way possible.”
Anwar stressed that Malaysia must undertake bold reforms and accelerate progress across multiple sectors, cautioning that failure to keep pace with rapid global changes in technology, digitalisation and energy transition could leave the country behind.
He also urged young Malaysians to make difficult choices to preserve peace and social cohesion, noting that nations embracing conflict and hostility eventually decline.
“There are moments when we, especially young people, must pause and consider our next steps, so this country can remain peaceful, nurture compassion, confidence and trust among one another, and eradicate hostility, racial hatred and division. Our founding leaders, in the early years of independence, chose the challenging path.
“They did not opt for the easy route that preserved separation and racial hostility but instead chose a system that promoted peace.”
Warning that appealing to narrow communal sentiments may be politically convenient, Anwar called on youth to prioritise the nation’s long-term interests to elevate Malaysia on the global stage.
“Meaningful change requires courage and firm decision-making, even if it brings criticism, rejection or personal attacks. I will be honest: when I look at you, these faces reflect the future of Malaysia, and I am confident you will make the right decisions.”
Highlighting Malaysia’s multicultural fabric and moderate values as unique strengths, he said the country’s potential lies in
harnessing the collective wisdom and talents of all communities.
“That is how we live. That is how far we have come. I want all races to respect one another.
“This is not a zero-sum game. Respect is fundamental, and it is embedded within the Madani framework, alongside human dignity.
“We want goodness for all. This is the essence of our effort to bring meaningful change to the country.”
