PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today held a "no holds barred" dialogue with senior editors from the country's electronic, print and online media.
The session, held at the Kompleks Seri Perdana here, featured journalists from various publications nationwide including Sabah and Sarawak.
For more than an hour, Anwar fielded a host of hard-hitting questions, ranging from the country's economics projection for next year, the unity government's relations with Umno heading into the 16th General Election, his relationship with the incoming agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and others.
The following were among the issues raised during the dialogue:
ON FREE SPEECH AND CHIEF CONCERNS ENTERING 2024
The prime minister said while free speech was respected by the administration, it should not be abused.
He cited the example of some Islamic preachers, whose narrow-mindedness and politicking could lead to judgmental behaviour among the people.
"I would like to emphasise that we must draw the line. While we (support) freedom of speech, we must abide by the law.
"Muslim nations have been known to have been destroyed because of these elements."
While acknowledging that Islam and politics go hand-in-hand, he said insulting and condemning others do not by any means represent the nature of Islamic politics.
He said some 'ustaz' (religious preachers) had voiced their anger, claiming they were banned from using mosques for politics.
Anwar clarified that this was a matter decreed by the Malay Rulers even before he became prime minister.
"There were even instances where the imam had asked me to deliver a 'tazkirah' (knowledge-sharing) when I visited mosques. I had to respectfully decline as, although I am the prime minister and speaking in that capacity, I didn't want to give the opportunity for others to accuse me of allowing some (to speak of politics in mosques) and not others.
ON THE OPPOSITION'S ATTEMPTS TO SWAY SARAWAK
The prime minister said his meeting with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was crucial as they discussed issues on investments, renewable energy and the massive potential that Sarawak has, which are even bigger than initially estimated.
He said they had also discussed the level of strength and unity within the federal government.
Abang Johari, he added , also shared how he had rebuffed attempts to sway Sarawak from supporting the federal government.
"He informed me of several desperate attempts by some quarters to influence him, but he has been consistently and firmly turning them down.
"He said he would not entertain any discussion on driving a wedge between the state and federal government."
Anwar said changes were made possible due to the firm stance of Sarawak's Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Sabah's Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) which he said was critical, given the current political scenario.
Any 'tebuk atap' (backdoor) attempts to install a new government, he said, will only have basis if given the opportunity by the two states.
Anwar said Abang Johari wished to close this episode altogether and thus, such a possibility has been rendered void.
ON THE ECONOMY, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND BAHASA MELAYU
Anwar said that in 2024, focus would be given on economic strengths, including in attracting domestic and foreign investments that are linked to good governance, ease of doing business and reducing bureaucracy.
Changes, he said, must be made not only in energy transition and digital transformation, but must also involve a strong paradigm shift.
On education, he said mastery of Bahasa Melayu must be upheld while the English language is also given emphasis next year.
"The quality of training either in TVET (Technical, Vocational Education and Training), AI (artificial intelligence) must be further enhanced.
"Economic programmes are related to the issues that I mentioned in the Madani nation principles, such as boosting command of English, education and mastery of new disciplines such as AI.
"Our focus is to manage, repair and enhance the country. We are not that far behind (compared to other countries), so we have to address our weaknesses and improve."
ON THE ULAMA
"We allow mediocrity, and elements of stupidity to be accepted without question.
"We don't encourage, in the name of religion, creative thinking. The moment you criticise, they say you have no right to question the ulama. The problem in this country is that you don't respect ulama. Who says so?"
Anwar said he respects the ulama, except those who give mediocre, silly comments that are blatantly political and change their 'fatwa' (edict) every other week, but cannot stand being disputed.
Similarly, he said one of his speeches was taken out of context by some preachers when he cited the Quranic verse Ashabul Kahfi, the story of seven youths in a cave.
"When the prime minister doesn't recite the Quran, they accuse him of being liberal, but when he does, they interpret the verses only as they intended."
Reciting the verse, he said, the story took place before the Prophet Muhammad, and how the youths who possessed strong faith rejected the atrocities of the ruler and stood strong with the religion at the time, Nasrani (Arabic term for Christian).
Anwar said while a prime minister is not beyond criticism, he questioned the quarters who labeled him as "misguided and misguiding".
He said his intention was to get Muslims and non-Muslims to appreciate elements in Quran that show respect for religions of the past, including Christianity, but was condemned as reneging on the principles of religion.
"How do you deal with the complexity? In my answer, I'm suggesting acknowledging the fact that the challenge is still the issue of fanaticsm, irrationality using religious bigotry.
He recalled a recent dialogue with students, where one of them asked why he spoke about Madani and government policies albeit in the context of Islam, Quranic verses and traditions of the Prophet.
He said, in his reply, that it depends on the substantive issues and was about taking good values.
"We have to deal with it firmly through education and understanding. In the education system, religious understanding is important.
"Many non-Muslims asked about the need to learn the Hadith (narration of the saying, doing or approvals of the Prophet Muhammad by Muslim scholars)."
He said failure to appreciate this is also problematic, and that Muslims students would not dare to have creative thinking and question their teachers if they were not taught about Islam.
ON CRITICISM AGAINST HIS CABINET
The prime minister said he cannot deny that some of his first cabinet members took time and grappled with some of their new responsibilities.
"My advice to them is to be ready to listen to the secretaries-general and directors-general, and to have an alternative group of friends who can advise them and be more critical."
However, he said the ministers should not override government bureaucracy.
He said that after a year, there is now a better understanding on how some issues
transcend a single ministry.
Digital transformation, for instance, spans the entire government and nation.
"Therefore, it has to be in line with present thinking, which means it must be linked to all agencies when it comes to digital issues," he said.
He said in this respect, local talents and expertise must be engaged and complement the government sector, as well as integrating and synergising with foreign experts.
He also commended Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who chaired a committee to integrate TVET programmes.
He said the government spent RM6.8 billion a year for TVET in various ministries and departments.
"Once they are set up, they function like warlords, you don't interfere. There's this understanding.
"But he (Zahid) managed to cut across and have a synergy between TVET and private companies in various fields," he said, citing the collaboration between the government and private sector in the AI field.
In addition, he said the country has the capacity to carry out energy transition, including in green and renewable energy, but Malaysia still needs to have arrangements with foreign companies in terms of sharing of expertise.
ON KL-SINGAPORE HSR PROJECT, MEDIA COUNCIL
The government will proceed with the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) if it could substantially lower the cost, said Anwar.
He said while final decision has not been made, the government has principally agreed to revive to project and had mentioned the matter to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
He said the government had to relook at its budget as it needed to focus on other areas that needed attention such as education, healthcare, infrastructure projects, as well as increased expenditure for Sabah and Sarawak.
"We're paying the penalty (for the project cancellation), which doesn't makes sense.
"If we were to proceed, we'll probably make sure that acquisition starts swiftly, otherwise, the cost would increase even further."
The project, with an initial estimation of RM72 billion, did not take off as both countries failed to reach a consensus before the project agreement expired on Dec 31, 2020.
To a question on the proposed formation of the Malaysian Media Council, the prime minister said the the government has principally agreed to its establishment.
He said the matter is now with the Communications Ministry, which is drawing up policies and parameters.
ON BRINGING THE LAW DOWN ON POWERFUL PEOPLE
Anwar touched on how the wheels are in motion to bring certain powerful people to book over corruption.
He said it was common knowledge that some individuals had remained untouched over the years as they were deemed "too powerful."
"We have to give clear signal that no one is above the law.
"Don't play around with issue of corruption, you can use Islam, Malay, you can be a Tun or Tan Sri, but we will act."
Meanwhile, he also spoke of his relationship with the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and his close ties with the next King, Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
He said the Malay rulers act as the umbrella of the country's unity and administration, and as such, it was vital that the prime minister enjoys a good rapport with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"I'm grateful that I have a good relation with Al-Sultan Abdullah and hope that it will continue with incoming Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
"The relationship between prime minister and the King must be good as this will help in governance.
"The Sultan of Johor had already said that he would discuss matters with the prime minister to effect change."
Anwar said he had been in constant contact with Sultan Ibrahim, including through WhatsApp messages, phone calls and was granted audience by the ruler even before he became the prime minister.
He said Sultan Ibrahim had expressed concern over widespread corruption in the country, which Anwar agreed and described as a systemic problem.