London, January 17, 2025 – The Europe Today: Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on young Malaysians and the next generation to stand against corruption, racism, and religious extremism. Speaking during a question-and-answer session following his lecture at the London School of Economics (LSE) on Friday (Jan 14), Anwar emphasized the need for integrity and inclusivity under Malaysia’s “Madani” governance framework.
“In our Madani concept, we don’t compromise on issues like corruption, leaders squandering wealth… it doesn’t matter if they belong to the same coalition or not,” he stated. The lecture, which drew an audience of about 500 students and lecturers, including Malaysian students at LSE, addressed pressing national and global issues.
Anwar pointed out that while Malaysia’s Constitution guarantees the rights of the majority – Muslims, Malays, and Bumiputeras – some groups misuse race-based policies to sow division and incite hatred.
During the session, the Prime Minister expressed concerns over Malaysia’s untapped growth potential, blaming past setbacks on poor governance and greed. “Malaysia had significant growth potential in the past, but corruption and mismanagement have hindered its progress,” he observed.
On international matters, Anwar voiced unwavering support for Palestine, criticizing governments that stifle global protests against Israel’s actions. “When college and university students worldwide stood united in protest against Israel’s violent occupation and colonial project in Palestine, some governments responded with harsh reprisals. These are not dictatorships or autocracies but supposedly the shining examples of freedom and democracy,” he said.
Addressing Malaysia’s stance on refugee issues, Anwar explained why the country has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. “We have several million illegal workers and refugees in Malaysia, including about 200,000 from Myanmar. Whether refugees or illegal workers, our stance is that they must be treated humanely,” he stated, reaffirming Malaysia’s commitment to humanitarian principles despite not being a signatory.
Anwar’s remarks came as part of his five-day working visit to the United Kingdom, where he continues to advocate for ethical governance, social unity, and global solidarity.
