PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reminded his department's officers to continue striving for excellence, but at the same time never to abandon the religious values and cultures of the country.
During the monthly assembly with the Prime Minister's Department (JPM) at Dewan De' Seri Endon, Puspanitapuri here today, he said civil servants should always aim higher to embrace new opportunities, but remain rooted to the ground while doing so.
"While we reach for the sky, such as venturing into digital, AI (artificial intelligence, new energy) we must also always remain rooted to the ground.
"We should not reach to the sky until we lose our culture and traditions.
"The basis of religion, moral, culture and values should root us to the ground as we reach for new idealism inline with digital technology development.
"We must always find ways and try to lift and restore dignity to the nation and country," he said today.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
Anwar also said politicians and civil servants must uphold a meaningful democracy by always being open to criticism.
He said politicians and administrators must stress on positive values.
The existing rules are due to the weaknesses of the people, he said, they must leave behind such weaknesses and build on the strengths they have.