PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded the youth that the proliferation of ideas must be accompanied by strong values, particularly love and compassion, to uphold Malaysia's multiculturalism.
He said several quarters have been exploiting the racial sentiment under the guise of nationalism to sow hatred in the society.
Thus, he said, it becomes the youth's responsibility to seek enlightenment and solutions to issues.
"Shallow and bankrupt individuals will look for issues that can attract attention, relying on narrow racial perspectives.
"(For example), Malays might feel threatened perhaps because of a single Chinese poster, (while) the Chinese claim their rights are being denied and challenged.
"In some states, Sabah's issues are said to be undermined.
"These are all sentiments that can draw people in.
"The duty of young people is to seek enlightenment critically and find solutions," Anwar said during the Putrajaya Idea Festival launch.
He also rebuked some groups that try to champion the race and religion issue despite not reading the great Malay literature.
He said the group was not really convinced of patriotism, instead, it sows hatred without backing it up with facts.
"(They) haven't read the great Malay literature, yet (they) wish to be a champion of the Malay people, that is why they speak without understanding (lintang-pukang).
"The great literature must be mastered," Anwar said.
He said other countries praise Malaysia and Asean as the most peaceful region in the world, based on his recent visits to China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Peru, Brazil, and South Korea, in addition to being one of the fastest in economic development.
Anwar said Malaysia specifically became an example of having a solid unity spirit despite its multicultural background.
"Outsiders observe and say (Malaysia) is one of the most complex countries to manage, with many 'fiil' (behaviours), various skin colours, but there is a spirit of unity and peace."