PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged for a close cross-ministerial network between the Youth and Sports, Education and Higher Education Ministries to empower the rakyat in the Madani government.
He said the Madani community could only develop when the people are empowered in multiple fields including in employment, economy and health.
"A Madani nation encourages growth. If the country is not stable, investors would not come in.
"We can see this through our visit to Abu Dhabi when they gave us a spontaneous welcome. Two days ago, Geely had also invested to turn Tanjung Malim, Perak, into an automobile hub for the nation.
"This is why I always place emphasis for our country to be peaceful. But to empower a Madani nation, we want active and healthy children. That's why sports is an integral part in promoting a healthy lifestyle," he said in a speech when launching the National Sports Day at Dataran Istana Kehakiman, here, today.
Malaysia, he added, could prosper should the youth stand together in unity without taking account race and culture.
He said the rakyat wants peace and they accept Malaysia's multiculturalism especially in sports.
Commenting on the 2024 Budget presented yesterday, he said some provisions that were requested for decades were finally given attention. These included allocations for sports in general and sports for the disabled as well as tax exemption.
He said this includes an increase in allocation for Rakan Muda to encourage more youths to be active in various fields.
Also in attendance at the launch were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and deputy minister Adam Adli, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Zuki Ali and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razaruddin Husain.
About 30,000 participants are expected to join in the 60 programmes in today's National Sport's Day.
The event held on the second Saturday of October every year promotes sports among the community through an active and healthy lifestyle.
It is also aimed at boosting public participation in sports, enhancing national unity and driving economic development through the sports and recreation industry.
Anwar also flagged off the Fit Malaysia events: a 5km and 10km run and 10km and 30km cycling events.