KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is determined to elevate the dignity of all states, including rural, remote and poverty-stricken urban areas.
He said such a commitment can be achieved through mutual understanding, discussions and teamwork between the federal government and state leaders, including those from Sabah and Sarawak.
In saying this, Anwar assured that he is fully committed to realising the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) alongside fellow leaders and the Technical Committee of the MA63 Implementation Action Council.
"I acknowledge that there are issues that need solving, but I have been fortunate. Upon becoming Prime Minister, I placed full trust in two of my friends, the Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji, and the Sarawak Premier Abang Johari.
"There have been demands within the spirit of friendship to achieve success for Malaysia, our sacred nation.
"There have been consensus reached, and we have spoken openly and advised in the spirit of friendship," Anwar said in his speech at the Malaysia Day celebration in Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu.
The ceremony launched by the Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, was also attended by the Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg.
Also present were Deputy Prime Ministers, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Acknowledging that no state is without challenges, Anwar said the people's grievances must be heard to ensure that their needs are met.
"No state is without problems. But as I have often said, the deputy prime minister and I, along with the cabinet ministers never make decisions that don't consider the whole nation.
"(Whether) it's the cries of a small child in Kundasang or a woman in pain in Kapit, or in Manek Urai in Kelantan, those are the cries we must listen to.
"If we want Malaysia to succeed, no matter who becomes the prime minister, no matter who becomes a minister, no matter who leads, they must serve everyone in the country."
Anwar also called for the people to avoid extreme ideologies as they only bring hatred and enmity.
"When you listen to such talks, there is nothing but hatred. There is no compassion, no mercy, no love.
"That is why we must learn from the history of Malaysia's formation and learn from the vision of our forefathers.
"They may not have been sophisticated in their discussions, nor did they have long-winded certificates, but they had a conscience and a clear vision for the future generations of their people," he said.